Trail of the Coeur D'Alene

I got to go on one of my favorite family vacations for the third time this year- biking the Trail of the Coeur D'Alene. This year even more family got to come- we had Grandma and Grandpa Catmull and our babies join us (Grandma and Grandpa Shaver and Carrie.)

This year we did the trip a little different and decided to bike from Plummer to Mullan, ID and move camp every day. We had bikers and shuttle drivers. It was a blast. 

Shawn was amazing and pulled Iva and Charlie in the trailer for 80 miles or so. I nicknamed him Shawn "The Machine" Catmull- he didn't seem to appreciate his nickname. Iva and Charlie were troopers and did great- especially for being babies  stuck in a trailer and camping for a week. I some times forget Iva is two and expect too much out of her. We are lucky both babies are such good sports. 

Day One: Drive Eagle to Plummer/ Ride Plummer to Harrison. 

The first day we left from Eagle and drove to Plummer. The drive there was smooth and babies were good- Charlie with the Catmulls and Iva with the Shavera. We stopped in Riggins for lunch and had a BFD special and it was really yummy. Then we drove the rest of the way and dropped off the bikers. Dad and I drove to Harrison while they biked. (I missed the bike ride, but everyone's bike seemed to get jiggled on the way there and that led to an eventful first ride for everyone.) 

Day Two: Ride Harrison to Khanderosa. 

The next day we had a quiet morning at camp and got ready to ride. Everyone (except for Papa Shaver) rode. We has quite the exciting ride. I got stung by a bee and then Carrie had a big crash! She went down a three foot embankment and ended up in a ditch. Poor thing kept on riding. Camp that night was really nice- no quarter operated showers and a fire. Plus we figured out the best sleeping arrangement ever. 

Day Three: Ride Khanderosa to Kellogg. 

The next day we rode again and we saw moose! I think we saw four total on the trip, but the sighting of these two was the best. They were just little guys and surprisingly cute. We, also, went to the Smelterville Walmart- it surprisingly had the cutest clothes. Carrie and I bought semi matching pants. We stayed in a motel and had a nice little break from camping and everyone caught up on some lost sleep. And we got to swim! Well, the babies and Shawn and Granpie swam. 

Day four: Ride Kellogg to Wallace (or Mullen for some) 

The next day we left the motel :( and began to ride. It was a shorter, but windier day. We made it to camp and then Grammie Shaver, Shawn (ditched the trailer) and his parents rode all the way to the end of the trail and back to camp while the rest of us explored town and got some nice Gatorade. Once everyone got back to camp, we headed to "town" for ice cream. We stopped at several antique stores and found icecream.

Day Five: Drive Coeur D'Alene to Eagle.

The next morning, we woke up and headed to Coeur D'Alene and then home. I love the city of Coeur D'Alene and had a fun time walking around even though it was cold and a bit rainy. The drive home went smoothly as well (after an initial jump of a dead battery). We stopped for lunch again in Riggins and got BFD specials again and the burger was just as good the second time! We got home just in time for Morgan to bathe Charlie and attempt to bathe Iva. 

We had a great trip and were so glad everyone was able to come and add to the memories. Till next time! 

Iva and Iva

Today Aunt Iva called to talk to baby Iva on the phone. I put it on speakerphone and as soon as Aunt Iva started talking baby Iva gave one squeal and smiled from ear to ear. I wish so bad Aunt Iva could have seen her smile.

Aunt Iva has been in and out of the hospital for the last few months- she is 93 years old. We have tried to make sure to send pictures, but it sad how quickly it slips your mind or you get "busy". Aunt Iva was home today and wanted to make sure she got to call Iva. And she did.

Iva told me she wasn't expected to live after this last hospital visit, but she knew she had to because of the joy baby Iva brought to her. Who knew a name could mean so much to someone? I pray Iva lives up to her two namesakes (Great Grandma Catmull and Aunt Iva) and makes them proud.

Aunt Iva got talking and telling me stories about the old days. She was best friends with Grandma Margaret and has a love for her and my dad and his brothers that is huge. She kept talking about Rodger today and every time she said his name she said Rodger with a D, don't forget the d. She told me about how my dad is a man of few words, but when he speaks to listen. She asked if Iva was like him and got a good laugh when I told her nope, Iva never stops talking and responded oh, good she is like me then.

I, also, learned a few facts about Iva and want to make sure I record them so I can tell baby Iva about Iva one day.

Iva Halsall Stewart was born on Oct 13th. Her family comes from the Village of Halsall in England- it is near Liverpool and Manchester. As a child, she never understood how or why half of her family worked in Liverpool and Manchester. Then she came to learn that Halsall was estates and landscape only then so they had to go outside the village for work. She doesn't understand why, but a few years ago (not sure how many) someone complained for the first time about the church bells ringing. She just doesn't understand why someone would complain about that. She was very confused at why that would be their greatest concern. She told me about my Great Grandpa Stewart coming over- I can't remember if it was 1904 or 1905- I will have to ask Rodger with a d. Aunt Iva had a very special family tea set. It is over 100 years old now. She remembers as a child learning to pour tea and eating bread sliced thin like fingers sprinkled with sugar. She made me promise I would teach Iva and have tiny little pieces of bread sprinkled with sugar for Iva. One day, we will have to do that and remember Iva. I hope to continue to learn more so we can remember Iva and share her life stories.