Much more than potatoes

(Today's blogger: Fr. Michael) After leaving the Seattle area, we did something we haven't done since the trip began--headed somewhere besides north. We headed east and got about 3/4 of the way across Washington, crossing the majestic Cascade mountains. We were headed toward Idaho and stopped a few hours away at Moses Lake. We later heard this was considered by some to be the "arm pit" of Washington. Since it was actually a pretty area, you can begin to imagine how beautiful this part of the country is. After overnighting there, we drove through Spokane and arrived in Post Falls where we had planned on visiting and staying with Fr. Nicholas and Malvi Neyman, our "camp parents" from our many years at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park. They had relocated there, along with all of their kids except for Juliana, with whom we visited, and revisited, and revisited in San Jose. It was great to see Joanna, Marianna and Richard and their beautiful families.
Although we only planned on staying a day or two, we enjoyed our time so much that we stayed longer. We were so happy to see them so happy in this beautiful area, with its mountains, lakes and trees everywhere. All I ever knew about Idaho before this visit was potatoes, but I learned what a great secret Idaho's beauty really is. The Neyman family spoiled us with wonderful meals, a visit to the falls of Post Falls, a trip to Cabela's, a huge outdoor activity store, and the kids' favorite, the Kroc Center with its huge aquatic area with water slides and lazy river. We also really enjoyed a great visit with Vicky's nephew Eric, his wife Meg and their beautiful kids. The other highlight was a boat trip on Lake Coeur d' Alene on Uncle Eddy Corey's boat. The kids each got to steer the boat and had a great time.
The other reason we stayed in the area was to serve Liturgy at the mission in Moscow, ID, a few hours south, since they've been without a priest since Easter. We drove down on Saturday and stayed with a family that's part of the mission who were kind enough to host us. Liturgy was beautiful, and it was great to see Jed Bartlett, his wife Tatiana, and his their newborn son, Tristan. We had met Jed during some of his visits to the orphanage in Mexico.
While in the area, we stayed with Vicky's Uncle Don and Aunt Edith who lived about a half hour south of Moscow, in Clarkston, WA. Clarkston, WA is just across the river from Lewiston, ID (can you guess which intrepid explorers passed through the area on their way to find a passage from Missouri to the Pacific?). They were wonderful hosts, even though Aunt Edith was getting ready for back surgery. Thankfully, the surgery went well and Vicky was able to see her in the hospital before we headed in yet another new direction, south!