We are in Kettle Falls Washington

Wow What a great community. Lots of interesting things to see and do. Colville just down the road is the main centre with a Wal Mart etc. There is an interesting restaurant that I really like the name of. We are moving tomorrow with a 50 km paddle to Inchilin. The last two days have been nice with the tent set up and NOT being moved. As usual we went down to the lake (no falls here anymore ) to do a Brigade Paddle and the skies opened up...sigh That is about 12 days in the last 13 with rain. You kinda get used to web feet and damp sleeping bags. I got bit in the neck last night either by a spider or an ant. The rigors of tenting I guess.
The town had a BBQ for us last night with a breakfast this morning for $4.00. The supper tonight is BBQ pig smoked in a huge BBQ right beside where I am sitting in the light rain writing this.I really like the feeling when all the paddles are working in sync and the boat actually lifts out of the water. Yesterday we had an experienced crew and we got up to over 20 km per hour with a current going into Ione.

Jack Nesbit was here at the Museum again last night. I never get tired of listening to him. Proof is I own 2 of his books. One signed The Mapmakers  Eye when we were in Idaho. Tonight we are watching The Shadows of David Thompson and the director of the film will be here in the museum. 

Guess why I like this restaurant?

Cusick - Kalispel Band Drumming


Here is Stan with his new tent sheet!

I am having major issues with the internet and my laptop so no more pics today.

We are in Oldtown Idaho

We arrived in Oldtown today. The bridge is 100 metres away and we will be in Washington.The towns have stood on their heads to greet and meet us. Fabulous receptions and great party atmosphere. Last night we were in Sandpoint Idaho. We arrived soaking wet and cold and nearly hypothermic. The rain never stopped all day. Just about everyone booked into hotels and few people camped. Jack Nesbit the author  was at the
landing at Dover Idaho and gave a talk to the group on David Thompson.He was here tonight in Oldtown as well.

Take off at Clark Fork



Lake Pend Oreille in the rain

My Green Condo



Camp at Oldtown





Found a WiFi

I only have twenty minutes to tell you to go visit Thompson Falls Mo. It is as beautiful and friendly as Libby.

The Brigade Arrives

We had a great turnout yesterday as most of the town showed up for the parade and today they had people in boats. It was somewhat busy. They had a wildmeat soup and totally awesome [ very good from many sources] buns and to die for cookies. Included with the real frontier meal and woodsman ie: mountain man it was  a real treat.This guy above is a local but not the man who made the stew from beans wildmeat etc.

Linda Haywood wife of Local Author

The real joy is in the paddling and the Clark Fork is riding high which means easy paddling downstream.

I have to leave now...

I am out Of Coverage

I will not have Internet until the middle of next week.Take Care

Border Ceremony

The Border Ceremony was a very good time. As to my previous post, the Plaque had already been surveyed into place and it was placed on a reconstructed monument on the high ground on the East Side of Kootenai River (Koocanusa Lake). There were a few dignateries there and one of them who was from St. Albert Ab. didn`t show up at all. That aside the whole thing went off quite well. It started raining last night and it will rain for the next 4-5 days if you believe the weatherman. I have been looking out my hotel window trying to get it up to go setup my tent to be part of the crew. As much as the task is disagreeable it is necessary. If it was just one night I might just stay in this hotel but it isn`t.I got into town about 11 PM last night,so I hoteled it instead of sleeping in my truck. The town of Rexford gave up their gymnasium so everyone could sleep inside out of the rain. The NALS Team  presented me with dinner and a very nice NALS shirt donated by Bill Chapman from Chapman  Surveys out of West Vancouver. I have to leave my truck here in Libby so when I am done the paddle I can Amtrak back to Libby. I will officially be on the Brigade tomorrow when we move overland to Thompsons Falls.

                                                      

Dry Land

       Below is the actual Border Crossing Routine.

All brigade members had  presented our passport numbers and info weeks ago. This way everyone just presented their passports to the Border Guards and they stamped them and processed right on the beach.





The Official Plaque