Eastern Washington - grandchildren, wildlife preserve, rest

I returned last weekend from the better part of the week in Loon Lake, WA, a small town in eastern Washington, just north of Spokane.

I traveled there to visit my six grandchildren and spend some time with them. They are ages 15, 14, 7, 5, 3 and 1. I don't see them nearly often enough and phone calls just aren't the same. They are all good kids, happy and fun to be with. The time flew by far too fast and I hated to leave when the time came.

Because of space, I stayed at the Loon Lake Motel, just a few blocks away from the family. I loved that the loons on the sign are wearing nightcaps.

The rooms were comfortable, very clean and cozy. The motel had gardens both out front and in back. It was a restful place, and very pretty.

 

 

There was no coffeepot in the room, but that was fine because they provided me with a coupon for coffee and bagel or muffin at the coffee shop across the street. My first morning there, I walked over for my coffee and found a group of gentlemen - about 6 of them - there for their coffee. Apparently they are regulars there and I shamelessly eavesdropped as they discussed everything from a recent murder in Spokane to dumping the motorhome and dumb grandchildren to national and local politics. I saw them each morning when I went in for my coffee, and occasionally they would include me in the conversation. It was great fun listening to them.

We saw wildlife just driving from Spokane to Loon Lake - the kids have sharp eyes and can spot animals in a heartbeat. The deer in a garden next to the lake thought she could hide from my camera, and the wild turkeys had just crossed the road in front of us.

I spent a lot of time (typically 12 hours each day) with the family. We shopped for kids' clothes, ate at Arby's (my favorite fast-food place - I HATE that there is no Arby's in Fairbanks), spent time at the house playing in the yard. The two older girls showed me what they can do with the cameras I got them at Christmas. The younger ones reveled in showing me their climbing and athletic skills. Two of them played some violin pieces for me. How I wish we lived nearer to each other.

On my last full day there we drove to the Turnbull National Wildlife Preserve, about 40 miles away. We saw numerous birds - and the big find - a moose. It was the first time the kids had ever seen one and we all took lots of photos. Two of us (not me) saw a coyote, and I tried (and failed) to get a decent shot of a hawk flying overhead.

 

The preserve has a varied landscape and a variety of plants and trees.

 

 

I liked the lichen growing on the rocks and the cattails were beautiful.

 

The visit ended all too soon, and I spent the following week resting, spending time with my little dog and relaxing. It's back to work Tuesday.

 

Have a great September everyone.