While my Dad was here, one Saturday we went up to Priest Lake to spend the day.  Priest Lake is probably one of our most favorite places to visit.  The mountains surrounding the pristine water simply astound you every time you see them. 


It almost looked like a shooting star across the sky, but... it was just an airplane... but I loved the contrast in this picture with the shadowed trees, and blazing trail left by the airplane flying overhead.


Can you see the snow on those distant mountains... yes... don't let the gorgeous water fool ya... it's still COLD!




But, even though the water is cold as an ice bath, there were plenty of people out there soaking up the sun's rays, and a few brave souls were actually in the water... including us!  Yes, we were some of the crazy ones who got into the water.  My husband and I slowly... slowly... slowly walked out into the water, and finally he took the plunge, and then I did.  Whew! It was cold, but not as ice-biting cold as it seemed at first.  Once we were fully wet, it wasn't too bad... but I couldn't help looking at the snow still on the mountains, and thinking how that snow and ice water was still draining into Priest Lake!



Back at our picnic site, the fire was being prepared by my dad and my son.  They decided they wanted nothing to do with getting cold and wet, and decided they would rather be in charge of getting the food ready... I had no problem with that plan, it sounded great to me!

Dad kicked back enjoying the beautiful day...


So, after we had climbed out of the cold water, and warmed up around the BBQ pit, and enjoyed the great hamburgers, the sun had already started to dip down into the horizon, and we still had plans to take Dad up to the Granite Falls before dark.  So, we began to pack up, and as we did, I noticed that most people out here were doing the same.  After the sun had dipped over the horizon, even though it was only 5:00  in the afternoon, the place that had been packed earlier in the day, was now almost vacant. 

So, we packed up and cleaned up our little picnic area, and headed due north into grizzly bear country!



Although Dad kept an eagle's eye out for any sign of bear, we didn't see any.  We drove about ten miles down a gravel road and arrived first at Huff Lake.



This is a lake that supports all kinds of rare plant species.  We have seen moose here before too.  It is truly an incredibly beautiful place. It is so still and quiet out here.



The lake is very marshy, and has all kinds of very unique and rare plants growing in it.  There is a boardwalk built so you can walk out towards the middle of the lake.









 Some of the plants growing here around the lake.


There was no sign of our moose friend here tonight, even though we arrived several hours before sunset, which is usually when she comes out, or so we've been told by the locals.

And so, even though we did not see any moose while we were at Huff Lake this time, I will share some pictures with you of a moose at this lake that we saw here last August. 

Last August my husband and I had discovered this lake after taking a drive one afternoon, and not knowing where the road would take us. We ended up here at Huff Lake. We had been about ready to leave when we heard a very LOUD cracking noise in the trees across the lake.   It wasn't long until we saw what was making that very loud noise.


She was as surprised to see us, as we were to see her!


At first she wasn't sure if she should worry about us or not.  We were very quiet, and finally, she went about the business of getting something to eat and drink, and commenced to not even give us any more of her time or attention.




After a while, she tired of the spot she was at, and began to slowly walk around the lake, in our direction.  We continued to wait and watch her quietly.  When she began to get close enough to our side of the lake, we decided it was time to leave her in peace and not wait around to see what she might do if she got close enough to us! Some locals to Priest Lake showed up and watched the moose with us, and told us that she generally comes out around 7:00 to the lake for a drink.  But, we've been back several times since, and haven't seen her again... so... no doubt she's moved on and found somewhere else to hang out.  But it sure was exciting to be able to see this magnificent creature so close, and in such a beautiful setting.

But, back to our present adventure... unfortunately this time at Huff Lake, we did not see our Ms. Moose... she was nowhere to be found. 

So, we headed on down the gravel road to the Granite Falls.  By this time, the sun was beginning to set, but there was still enough daylight to enjoy the Falls.


This is an absolute wonder and amazement to see how the water has carved out the rocks, and created such an amazing waterfall. 








It was a cool and wonderful ending to the lovely day spent out at Priest Lake.  If you are ever out at Priest Lake, and would like to explore the area a little more, I highly recommend taking the time to drive out to Granite Falls, and stopping at Huff Lake along the way... you'll be glad you did!  Make sure you get there in enough time to take the hike up into the Roosevelt Cedars... unfortunately every time we've been out here, it has gotten dark before we've been able to take the hike.  It is on our "to do" list of things to do at some point very soon.  We've been told the Roosevelt Cedars are absolutely astounding and amazing trees.


And someday soon, we plan to hike up there to see those cedars... and when we do... I'll be sure to share the journey with you!

While my dad was here, it was the weekend for the local parade and rodeo to take place.  Dad had been looking forward to the parade because he really enjoys seeing all the antique cars all fixed up.   He can look at a car, and tell you what year, model and make it is, and get all excited about all the work that's been done to it.  I, on the other hand, know absolutely nothing about these things, but enjoy listening to my dad get all excited when he sees a car he once owned, or rode in... or just liked.

Dad snapped lots of pictures of cars, but I found later that I lacked even one picture of all the lovely cars paraded before us during the parade.  Instead... I found lots of pictures of ... horses... 


And pictures of people, especially my kids.




And a picture of my neighbor who does pony rides for carnivals, birthday parties, and various shows in the area.

It was a lovely day for a parade, until a dark cloud showed up on the horizon.  The sun was hot, and beating down on us as we watched the parade,and then about halfway through the parade, the cloud overshadowed the sun, and a cool breeze began to blow. Although it was nice to feel the cool breeze, I'm sure a few people worried about rain..I mean... if you're driving one of those expensive antique convertible cars and it goes to raining... that can't be a good thing. 

After the parade was over, it was time to head over to the fair grounds, and see what was happening over there.  We wandered over to the animal pens.  


This bull was mean.  Really mean.  He kept an eye on everyone, and if you got too close to his fence, he would let out a roar and head your direction with his head down and his eyes narrowed. I felt sorry for the poor fellow who would try to ride him tonight.


This bull really didn't care too much about us.  He ignored us completely.  He had more important things to tend to... like making sure his belly was full before the wild ride ahead of him tonight...


Soon it was time for the show. The stadium was packed to the brim with people.




First the Canadian anthem was played, and then the US anthem while the horse and rider carrying the flag galloped around the arena.





 


There were lots of events that took place, and I forgot to take pictures of them all.  One of the most memorable events was the panty-hose pull.  Teams of two people had to take a pair of pantyhose, run out into the arena, grab a calf and get the panty-hose on the calf's hind two legs. 



Amazingly several teams accomplished it in record time.  I don't think I could get my own pair of panty-hose stockings on in the time these guys chased down the calf, rolled it over, and pulled the pantyhose over their legs!  The team who won the panty-hose pull were two veterans who obviously had their game on tonight!



The only ones not happy with this show were these poor calves who had to wonder why they were chosen to be a part of this panty-hose party!

I always sit on the end of the seat when the bull riding starts.  I can't imagine being a mother and watching my son come out of those stalls riding a bull.  I tell my son every time we see the bull rides not to get any ideas.  I pray for every one of those boys coming out of the stall into the arena riding a bull... every one of them... and there was one poor boy who had a rough time and ended up being carried off the field on a stretcher.  I truly hope he is okay, he had a thumbs-up for the crowd on the way out.  I don't think I'll ever understand why a young man would want to risk his life on one of those bulls even if it is for five or ten seconds... just to get a hundred dollar bill or two... just doesn't seem worth it to me!

But I guess that is what makes a rodeo, a rodeo... all the talented horse riders and bull riders coming out to show their stuff. 

My dad was here visiting us for about a month.  He soon found out that I have lots of "projects" going on.  He was quite excited about it all, and jumped at the opportunity to help me out with my "projects".  I was quite excited to oblige him, and needless to say, we had a great time working on things around the yard and house together.  We even got my son involved in some of them, and it was lots of fun for all of us.  I forgot to take "before" pictures for some of my projects... but I do have some "after" pictures to share with you.  I am so excited about all the things we got accomplished while Dad was here. 

I got started on this first project the day Dad was flying in.  I had picked up three wooden chairs at a yard sale.  They had been left outside without any protective covering, and were covered in dirt and mold.  Yet, I could see the potential in these chairs with a little bit of cleaning, sanding, and some stain. 

So here is a picture of the before...


I went to the local Ace Hardware and they helped me pick out a stain, sealer, and paint all in one that would protect these chairs from the weather.  I went to work sanding down the chairs, and then cleaning the dust off.  Then I got busy painting.


The end result was three lovely chairs stained, painted and sealed all in one...



My next project was a picnic bench that looked like it needed to be thrown in the trash.  But, I saw potential in it, and even though others were inclined to haul it off to the dump... I persisted in seeing its usefulness after it received some tender loving care.  I convinced my dad of the same, and he commenced to getting busy taking it apart, and we even conscripted my son to help with the process.



First we took the bench apart, and bought some rust resilient spray paint for the base, and then we bought all new lumber to replace the rotten wood that was on it.


Busy at work staining the wood... 



So, while we were waiting for the picnic benches to dry, I had another project all lined up and ready to go.  No sense in letting good labor go to waste, and so while I had these two laborers in my employ, I couldn't let them off the hook that quick. 

We had gone to a few yard sales earlier in the day, and I spotted this old wooden wagon right away, and made it mine.  Lucky I did, for another lady just pulled up to the yard sale and wanted it too. 


It had such potential! The story behind this wagon goes like this.  The lady who was selling it told me that a neighbor many, many years ago made these wooden wagons, and she had purchased it from him.  It was designed to be part of indoor decor, but she had painted it, and brought it outside to show off her plants.  However, in trying to downsize, and reduce clutter, she decided to part with the wagon.  By this time, the paint had all worn off, and the wagon looked pretty drab and sad. 

But not to worry, as this handmade wagon made its home with me, I didn't waste any time in making sure it was all spiffed up, and looking nice again.


Just in time for July 4th, this wagon was stained and filled with an old metal wash pot resplendent with some sun-loving flowers, and a flag.


After receiving some tender loving care... this handmade wooden wagon was back in business. Because my dad (from Texas) was part of the project, the final touch to set off the wagon was an old Texas license plate.



And while we worked on the wagon, the picnic table finished drying, and got put back together...





Now I have two lovely wooden benches that will probably last a lifetime.  We used some heavy duty wood on these, and they turned out absolutely gorgeous.  No worries now when sitting on these beauties!  I am thrilled about all the projects Dad and I completed while he was here!

Dad left yesterday, and we all miss him terribly.  He was able to stay with us just under a month, but it was a wonderful month and we made some great memories.  He had to head back to Texas to the horrible heat wave they are having right now with temperatures up into the 100s.  but at least he got a reprieve for about a month while he was here.  We did have a few days where our temperatures got over 100, but thankfully it didn't last long! We made the most of every minute he was here, and now, we really miss him.  We will be able to enjoy for many years the projects we completed while he was here, and meanwhile... I'll be busy lining up more projects in time for his next visit with us!