We Thought We Would See the Bald Eagles by 11:00 AM!

Tuesday was the day to get up and get going to see the bald eagles in Coeur d Alene, Idaho.  Lots of them come to the lake to eat fish around this time of year.  I am not sure what the count was this year but way over 100.  Mike and I try and go every year.  We love taking pictures and seeing the huge majestic birds fly!  I always think of my Bible verse that I love so much.  Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.  When eagles soar they use air currents and not their own power.  When we trust in God we are using His power and not our own. We always go out to eat and warm up afterwards.  We left home at 9:30 and figured we would be at the viewing sights by 11:00 AM at the latest even after a couple of stops!

Well, as we were headed to the freeway the check engine light came on in my car.  Probably just the gas cap. You know, if they are loose the check engine light comes on.  Next thing that flashed on my dashboard was Engine is in Low Power Mode.  The car was barely moving.  Luckily we were right by the church we go to and were able to get in the parking lot.  I called Camp Chevrolet and they said turn it off for a bit and try again.  We did and the Low Power Mode stopped but the check engine light was still on.  No way we were chancing it for the 35/40 miles we had to go to see the eagles. We drove to Camp Chevrolet.  What now?  They said they could check it out.  How do we get home?  Are we still going to see the eagles?  Camp Chevrolet had a shuttle.  We unloaded the binoculars, spotting scope, extra clothes etc. and piled it in the shuttle.  We met a nice lady driving our shuttle that was looking to buy a house.  Mike talked with her a bit and gave her his card.  We drove home and loaded everything into Mike's car.  Mike tells me he hasn't changed his oil in 6 months but has added new oil.  OK, that works.  As we get on the road Mike also tells me he has no windshield wiper fluid in his car. If you drive in snow you know that is a problem.  The cars ahead of you make your windshield a mess.  Mike doesn't want to stop and get any because we have some at home.  By the time we got to Liberty Lake we had to do something.  I was sure grocery stores had windshield wiper fluid.  Mike wasn't convinced but gave it a try.  Yes, they have it.  We got some snacks too because at this point it was almost lunch time and I know I was getting hungry. Fluid filled up and it won't spray the fluid on the windows.  My theory was it has been empty for months, maybe it will take a few times trying.  Mike said it should work right away.  He wanted to clean the windows so he got snow and cleaned the window with the snow.  Cold hands!  It worked.  Off we go.  Getting on the freeway in Liberty Lake is tricky and we were headed to Spokane, the wrong way! Really!   OK, now we are on our way.  Way beyond 11:30 at this point but we were on an adventure now.   Mike tried the windshield wiper fluid again and it worked but he needs new wiper blades.  

We made it!!!  It was probably about 1:30 or later when we arrived.  I got a new lens and should have practiced with it before I left for more than 5 minutes.  I was doing some things wrong that would have improved the zoom on the eagles and the clarity.  Next time!  I could have gotten closer pictures but these are AOK!  Watch for next years post.

 Golden Eagle.  Best thing of the day we got to see Emily and Rick and do our bird watching with them.

 Mr. Bald Eagle himself!  They are huge!

 See the dark spot in the trees.

 It is so hard to get the birds in the air with my camera.  It was hard to even find them because the sky was overcast and all the same color.  I had to find a tree reference first and by then the eagle had flown by.  This eagle was fishing and has a fish here he is eating.

 I got a little better with my new lens with this eagle.  Still room to improve.  This eagle also has a fish he is eating.

 Turn around so I can see the front of you!

 In the air!

 The black ball is an eagle.

 Got lucky with this one!

 Almost got this eagle. If I would have waited a second more his whole self would be in the picture.

 Mike took these through his spotting scope with my camera.

 Back to the camera!

 Spotting scope.

 It was snowing a little and after a long time out in the cold I was done.  Get me to warmth and some food!  We always just randomly pick places and this was a good one.  I got to sit right by the fireplace and have hot cider.  Perfect! Crickets was where we had a late lunch or early dinner.  We had to pick up my car by 5:30.  We made it by 5:00 and I was out $703.00.  Two different things had to be fixed.  I could tell when I drove it some of the little noises it had been making were gone.

 This is my I am so cold picture!

 Recognize this guy?

Well, the eagle viewing tradition didn't die and it will continue next year.  Little did I know that I would be paying $703 along the way.  Glad it happened when it did and we weren't stuck on the freeway or worse.  It's always a blessing to see God's creation up close.  We had eagles flying right over our heads.  Until next year!!!

The Day the Chairlift Stopped, December 28, 2015

It started as a pretty normal day to head up skiing.  It was snowing in Spokane so I was a little hesitant.  The powder and my recovering leg don't agree much.  I headed up anyway.  As I got farther north the snow stopped and it almost got sunny.  I even saw a bald eagle fly and land in a tree.  I thought seeing a bald eagle was good luck.  Not so! 

 Not snowing and I was excited to get on the mountain.  Hardly any skiers too.

 Beautiful day!

 The Christmas tree lights were sparkling on the tree.

 The powder was so light and fluffy it was perfect.  Fresh powder, not too deep.  I started out going up to the top of the mountain .  It was starting to snow.

 Chair 1 to the top.

 Wow!  Loving this!

 My legs started getting tired so I decided to go to chair 2 for a shorter run!

 I was almost 1/2 way up chair 2 and it stopped.  I figured someone fell so I got my phone out for some pictures.  After about 10 minutes I knew the chairlift did not stop because of a person having any trouble.  I thought there was a problem with the chairlift I was on.  Nope.  All lifts were stopped.

 I was by myself so I sang some songs, wiggled my fingers and toes, hugged myself to keep warm.  Chair 3 was going and people were getting off.  Chair 1 was next.  I have no idea what was happening with the lifts I couldn't see.  Pretty soon no one was coming down the mountain.  Someone told us it was a power outage caused by a fallen tree.  After 40 minutes we started to move.  Yes, I was praying for warmth and for the chairlift to start.  It crept up the mountain.  25 more minutes before I got off the lift.  Over an hour total.  BRRRRR!

To the lodge. No lights on the tree and I was cold.  So was the lodge.  Tons of people congregated in the lodge.  The first announcement was they would be running Chair 1 and 3 with back up power.  Some people went out.  No way I was going to.  I was too cold.

I saw Mary.  She had just arrived and missed all the fun.  We talked for a while and then she headed up to ski.  Brave Mary!  As Mary said there is no backup for the backup power!  I was not going to get stuck on the lift again.

No one did.  Just as I was leaving the lights came back on.  I still was not tempted to continue to ski. I checked to see if there was any hot chocolate yet.  Nope!

This was only part of the line to get back on to the chairlift.  Bye, bye 49 I will see you in a few days!

Then about a mile outside of Chewelah we had to take a detour on the back roads.  Small icy roads but it was very pretty!

Finally the home stretch!  What an adventure!  Has never happened to me in over 45 years of skiing. First and last time I hope!