Remember our happy couple?  Well, they volunteered to guest blog about their time here, despite being neck deep in wedding plans.  We loved having them.  (Come back again, please?)

On our pre-wedding honeymoon this past week, we did our best to live it up on the lake, “Northern Idaho style”.

Lots of sunsets on the dock.

And swimming.  Angela eased herself into the chilly lake water…

Peach pie and strawberry shortcake in the evening, supplemented by games of Mexican Train Dominoes.

Jeff remains amazed that a game for which the results are 99% dependent upon luck can matter so much to others.  (&()&^%#@!) After an early victory, Glen was sure his record of “never having lost” would remain intact, despite Angela’s skills.  “More Pie” ended up dominating dominoes with three straight wins.  Shockingly, Glen (aka Banjo Man) finished last.

Band practice:

The retired pulmonologist was determined to keep his cool during band deliberations over microphone amplification and song arrangements…  Until he just couldn’t take it any longer…

An aura of one of the Wise Mountain Men radiated in the doorway via a burst of light from the setting sun.  His spirit infused the band with energy and tempo and “breaks” and setlist revisions from the door.

Banjo Man tunes up from behind a soundproof screen.

Ice cream from the Pantry in Clark Fork. Angela declared the chocolate chip chipwich the best in the nation, and she considers herself a chipwich connoseur.  After a debate over whether the peanut butter or the chocolate chip cookie sandwich was better, we agreed to disagree.

Several trips to Pack River General Store for breakfast and cinnamon buns topped with melted butter that will make you put back things you never stole. If you get a chance to stop in, try the breakfast sandwich (with mayo), and if they happen to be out of cinnamon buns, after you shed a few tears, try the huckleberry muffin (heated with tons of butter, of course.)

Raspberry picking at the Lizotte’s. Jeff had been telling Angela about their beautiful garden since their fifth date (only a few months ago, but who’s counting.) We hope to someday have a garden 10% as good. So gorgeous.

What an amazing week. What a special group of people. Angela has actually been inspired to take up an instrument so that she can play along with a few songs next year. We will take the funny stories, advice about life, and genuine love and joy that we felt in Idaho back home to Rhode Island with us.