Sandpoint Diary2004

7/24/04 Arrived at Doug Lana’s house in Sandpoint Idaho around 2:00 p.m. Parked the 5th wheel in Doug’s driveway and hooked up to his 30 amp service. It was great to have AC again. I like the northwest but the high temperature and humidity can be gruesome. I won’t be selling the San Diego property just yet as that San Diego weather has to be the best in the world. Meghan and Ryder played happily for several hours in the back yard and patio. Meggie had an accident about 4:30 p.m., somehow ripping out one of her middle toe nails on here back right food. We called the Pend Oreille Veterinary Service and Chuck Ashton came in after hours, to operate on poor bleeding Meggie. I had to assist with the operation as there was no nurse assistants available. He removed the nail and cleaned out the cavity and then bandaged her up. She should be like new in 2 weeks. She was a very good patient and is now walking around on 3 legs. The cost of the services was $200, very reasonable I thought. San Diego would be $500 to a $1,000 I am sure.

7/25/04 Watched Lance Armstrong win is 6th Tour De France this morning on Doug and Lana’s satellite TV. Had a wonderful hot shower and then caught up on my diary, photo processing, and web site generation. We went out on Doug and Lana's boat in early afternoon. Lana skied about a 1/2 hour and then I tried the towable tube. It was scary going at relatively high speed on very choppy substantial nuisance waves. I came close to dumping myself, but had a fun time non the less. Laid low the rest of the day as I felt horrible with MS symptoms caused by the heat.

7/26/04 Laid back in cool air conditioning all day. I also updated my diary and web pages on my laptop. I cooked Korean Spicy pork for dinner with Jasmine rice and green beans which was a hit. The weather was cooler today so we had dinner outside on Doug’s beautiful deck with the nice view of the lagoon.

7/27/04 Lana and Doug got hooked up with high speed internet cable modem today. Lana set up a wireless system which worked great on my laptop. I downloaded my website updates of trip photos and diaries. Got a haircut in the afternoon . Doug made outstanding NY steaks for dinner. Removed Meggie’s bandages on her back foot. It seems to be healing fine. Meggie occasionally uses all 4 feet, but is still mostly walking on 3 feet.

7/28/04 Joe, Scarlet, Fred, Dianna, and Gretchen visited Doug for dinner today. Had a nice time visiting with everyone on Doug’s lower patio. Doug and Lana made pork tacos, pinto beans, and fresh salsa which was all excellent. They put in allot of work making this dinner. I consumed too much wine and went to bed early around 8:30 p.m. and slept until 8:00 a.m. the next morning.

7/29/04 Left Doug and Lana’s house for Missoula around 10:15 a.m. Took scenic highway 200 which borders Lake Pond Oreille and then the NF of the Clark River most of the way to Missoula, Montana. Stopped at Thompson’s Falls State Park for lunch and a short hike with Meggie. We arrived in Missoula around 3:00 p.m.