... for when the Lord is near,
the dove of peace sings in my heart,
the flow'rs of grace appear!
As Spring is springing in the Inland Northwest, I find myself compelled to try and capture each ray of sunshine.
I know that there are months of rain ahead, but when the clouds break and the temperatures stretch toward 60, my little feet just can't stay inside any longer. As I revel in the warmth my thoughts continually turn to my blessings. "Heavenly Father loves us so much!" "Thank you, Father, for letting us be here!"
No wonder I love springtime so much --- and Sandpoint is just
glorious in the spring!
While browsing the internet looking for fun day trips in the area I came across information on the
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes - a 72 mile paved bike trail that used to be railroad tracks running from the Montana border following the river and lakes through the mountains down past Lake CDA to Plummer.
I'd been watching the forecast all last week and when Saturday rolled around, we had blue skies and 60's. We packed up our bikes, our lunch, and our kids and drove an hour and a half to Heyburn State Park at the southern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. What a beautiful place! Upon entering the park we were greeted by beautiful migrating trumpeter swans {they're HUGE!} and found our way to the bike trail and a picnic area.
There is a bridge that spans the south end of the lake, which is where we were starting on the trail. We pulled out our lunch and unloaded the bikes only to realize that we'd forgotten a vital piece of equipment! The little metal arm that attaches the bike trailer to the bike.
{Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!!}
I was seriously SO bummed. I'd planned the trip, we'd borrowed a bike, and we'd spent the whole day getting ready and driving down, only to find that we couldn't all go. Nels and I would have to take turns playing at the playground with Violet and Clara while the others rode around.
Big huge sigh and near-tears while I sat in the back of the van getting a handle on my disappointment.
{enter my knight in shining armor}
I finally pulled myself together and started making lunch for the girls while Nels began looking around the parking lot (?). A few minutes later I noticed him over at the bikes with a long stick and a look of determination. When he started trying it out on the slot where the metal arm is supposed to fit, I just smiled, shook my head, and refrained from telling him it was pointless - that it would never work - and just kept making sandwiches. He found some random tools in the van and started whittling away. {more head shaking}
After a few minutes, Nels had bored a hole through one end with a tiny pocket knife and a screwdriver and amazingly was able to attach that silly stick to the trailer.
At that point, I started to see the possibilities and together (using whatever we could find in the van) we were able to jimmy rig the whole thing to my bike. My hopes began to rise, but I was still feeling pretty skeptical as to whether our creation would support not only the trailer, but two wiggly kids being pulled up and down the bridge, around corners . . . or what would we do if we were 3 miles away and then it all fell apart?! AHHH!
Oh well!!!
I admired our handiwork, strapped in our kids, and told my brain to SHUT IT! while Nels readied his GoPro.
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| With good reason, Clara looks a little concerned. |
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| Not Vi! She's all smiles! |
Off we go!
Much to my surprise, not only did our contraption make it out of the parking lot, it conquered the bridge with ease! so we just kept on pedaling...
Occasionally I'd have to stop and tighten things up, but there were plenty of opportunities . . .
. . . while Nels played with his toy. :)
He hooked that little camera up to everyone and every moving thing that he could. His head, his chest, his bike, Lilie, Hazel, my bike, Elsie's bike . . .
Elsie had it the longest and she was a hoot! The camera would take a picture every couple seconds. We got some good ones!
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| wide-angle lenses make people look extra funny! |
That girl, the same one who boobed and whined on every bike ride we went on last Fall, decided that she wanted to be out in front the entire 6 miles we rode that day. We had just crossed the bridge when I heard her tell me,
"Mom, I just LOVE to push myself!!!"
Ha ha ha hahaaaaa! Who is this child of mine? She kept us laughing the whole way.
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| {singing} |
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| {racing Dad!!!} my favorite! |
Don't ask me how on earth she didn't end up in the lake while she was doing this . . .
. . . clearly she's a much more talented rider than I give her credit for!
I've always thought that Lake Coeur d'Alene is pretty, but this area of the lake is absolutely breathtaking! As we were riding, Lilie told me, "Mom, you know how I was complaining about being in the car for so long? Well, I decided it was TOTALLY worth it!"
I couldn't agree more.
The whole afternoon was just perfect. Hazel had a grand time picking buttercups and Lilie sang
"All Things Bright and Beautiful" most of the way. It was so wonderful to spend the afternoon all together enjoying this magnificent world that the Good Lord has given us. We will definitely be returning in the coming months as things green up.
I also found my dream house while riding. Can you imagine living on the lake all year-round? Nels needs to figure out how to work from home --- that's what I think.
Once back at the bridge, we stopped at the top to take some pictures and wouldn't ya know it? As if things could get any more perfect, I looked out over the water and there was a bald eagle fishing for dinner.
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| C'mon, Clara! Come back to Mommy! |
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| Aren't they awesome?! |
As we were riding back, I knew that our little stick was on it's last leg. It had started bowing more and more and to balance the weight better I had to tell Violet to sit back often, but I didn't realize just how close it was. As we pulled back into the lot where our car was parked, it gave out. It couldn't make it any further.
I can't help but think that Heavenly Father blessed us to have such a beautiful afternoon together. I felt completely surrounded by His love and a sweet assurance that He is aware of me and my family.
As we loaded the girls and the bikes back into the van, the frogs were chirping, the sun was setting, and I couldn't imagine a better spring day.
There is gladness in my soul today,
and hope and praise and love,
for blessings which he gives me now,
for joys "laid up" above!
Oh there's sunshine, blessed sunshine
when the peaceful, happy moments roll!
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
there is sunshine in {my} soul.
