Monday, August 15, 2016 Another round without a hole in one

Monday, August 15, 2016

WHAT is that canine doing so close to me, looking at me in MY house???  I will put back my ears, I will puff myself up and make myself big...  I will give him major stinkeye...  I am ready to howl at a moment's notice if it comes any closer...  Scared it, didn't I?

My morning walk took me along the deserted streets following the Salmon River.  It is shady on my side and sunny on the other side of the river.  It is really beautiful here, but far from anywhere.  We ready Hannah and start heading South.  Today, the thought is we will explore the McCall area.  The altitude is higher and we hear there is nice camping up there so off we go, heading south on 95. 

The road follows the Salmon River as it winds its way around Idaho.  At first, there are large farm expanses, then the valley narrows.  At some places, it is just the canyon walls, the river and the road.  Other times, there may be a sandy beach, a flat with pines or a rocky shore.  It opens up, and then narrows.  It is very picturesque as we head through the town of Riggins.  Then Samantha notifies us that there is a time change - we just lost a precious hour.  Then she notifies us again, and again, and again... SHUT UP!  We get the picture!  It's bad enough that we lose the hour, but does she have to harp on it?

We get to 55 then turn east through the pines to McCall.

Oh wait, it is crowded!  TOURISTS!  NOOOOO!  There are cars all over and a lake and cars and people.  We see a grocery store but don't even try to get in the parking lot.  There are shops, there are little malls, and this was supposed to be good for camping?  We were able to stop for fuel, and then we were able to actually park down the street so we could fill our propane tank and have lunch.  Then we headed out as fast as we could!  Yes it is beautiful with the lake and the pines, but this is just not our thing.

Continuing south on 55, we pass through beautiful prairie land with farms.  When we get to Cascade we decide to check out a smaller campground.  We wind our way around the beautiful lake then onto a gravel road... a crappy gravel road with washboard ruts.  I shudder to think what is going on inside Hannah!  We find the campground and it is cute and piney.  It promised fishing but unless we want to hike to the lake with our gear, it was NOT geared for fishing.  So back we go on the crappy road.  We had seen a state campground along the lake, but it did not have electric or sewer.  It is warm, but a bit breezy so maybe we can stay right on the lake and not overheat.  And it is right near a golf course, so maybe we hit the links.

We found a great spot, then packed up our clubs to play Cascade Lake golf course.  It is only 9 holes, 9 hilly holes.  Although there was plenty of grass, the fairway grass was pretty thick for fairway grass.  Often, it was like hitting out of the rough.  We could not always find the color tee on the tee box that we were playing.  Heck, next to the 4th hole, there was road construction so they moved the ladies tees.  Where?  Beats me, we never found them, and that was a LONG par 5!  Outside of that, it was like playing Pebble Beach!  Beautiful holes along the water, and greens that lie to your face.  They will break towards the water even if it means breaking uphill.  Even though the course was not in the greatest condition, it was a worthy venture.  We enjoyed the 10th hole (since we only played 9, we couldn't enjoy the 19th, so ...) overlooking the lake.   They had a TV on, something we haven't used so far.  The Olympics were on but instead of showing gymnastics or volleyball, they have stupid wrestling!  I get 30 minutes of Olympic time and this is what I get?

It was warm when we got back.  Rudy demanded his food - he heard Samantha tell us about the time change and he figured he needed to be fed hours ago. 

Did I mention that it was warm...  so we took a swim in the cool lake (with bathing suits).  Refreshing!  I might sleep outside tonite!

We see smoke on the horizon and were told that there is a major fire in the town of Lowman... right where we are headed tomorrow.   Guess we will worry about that tomorrow.