Meetup group met outside Athol, ID for an out-and-back hike up Chilco Mountain.

Flora and Fauna. I don’t recall seeing Beargrass in the past. I saw some old favorites, too.

We drove to Bonners Ferry for lunch (and shopping) at the Gathering Place before heading back to Sandpoint where we walked the Pend d’Orielle Bay Trail.

Flowers on the walk.

Slipper Orchid

Guelder-rose

We had vegan cheesecake before heading home.

This morning a Meetup group hiked in the Post Falls Community Forest – walking along the Spokane River and across some rock outcrops.

I started the day walking in Kendall Yards with Frontrunners.

And ended the day with a Meetup group at a Garden Work Party for Growing Neighbors (urban farming/community gardens). Part of the group did planting before joining the rest of us tending the Pollinator Garden.

Today I joined some Meetup group members to help setup for Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build 2025 – nine day event to build homes for families in Spokane Valley. This complex has three duplexes and one single-family residence.

Our first task was assembling the 20×20 canopy.

Then we built scaffolding and hung sponsor banners.

After lunch we took the Boston Whaler out on the lake.

And up Brickle Creek.

After dinner, we took the pontoon boat (Myrna) for a ride around the mill pond.

We ended the day on the balcony.

I walked Woofy while Gregg was out of town.

Rainbow this morning.

Today’s route was through Riverfront Park.

Today I joined a Meetup group at Idaho Panhandle National Forest for a hike up Gold Hill.

A lookout point near the top provides panoramic views of Lake Pend Orielle.

We saw a variety of flowers and mushrooms.

Today I took advantage of a break in the weather and hiked a portion of the trail.

Today I joined a Meetup group for a hike to Quartz Mountain Lookout Tower. There was a bit more snow than I was expecting, but it turned out to be a great hike.

The sun broke through for a bit while we were at the tower.

Today I took a nice walk through Saltese Flats. There were lots of birds out, plus a bull snake.

I saw a mallard with several ducklings and a sharp-tail grouse but didn’t get good pictures.

Today I joined a Meetup group to work on a new trail in Dishman Hills Natural Area.

After lunch with my cousin, I had time to visit the Morrison Motor Car Museum.

After my morning pilgrimage to the Kure Beach Pier, I drove back to Charlotte stopping for lunch with a friend in Wilmington and family and in Durham.

In case you’re wondering, salt water is not an effective sunblock.

This morning I visited the pier before heading up to Carolina Beach for lunch at The Dive.

I took the beach route back to the hotel, then continued on to Fort Fisher.

I checked out the exhibits at new Visitor’s Center.

“100 Summers of Style: A Century of Swimwear at Carolina Beach” is a special exhibit honoring Carolina Beach’s centennial.

I walked around the fort before heading back to the hotel.

On my walk I saw several Donax clams, also known as Coquina clams and witnessed “the dance of the coquina.” They surface when a wave comes in and as it goes back out they burrow into the sand before it washes them out to sea. I wish I could have gotten a video. (Here’s one.)

After dinner I made my evening pilgrimage to the pier. It’s 71° but the breeze may be why so few people were out tonight.

Yesterday I flew to Charlotte and had dinner at Rock Store BBQ before checking into my hotel. Built in 1936, it was the only gas station for miles around. It later served as a convenience store, hence the name.

This morning I headed for Kure Beach. I took a detour through historic downtown Wadesboro. Wadesboro is the birthplace of Blues guitarist and singer Blind Boy Fuller.

I also stopped in Hamlet, birthplace of Jazz legend John Coltrane. It’s also known for it’s Queen Anne style train depot built in 1900 and still serving as an Amtrak station.

My next stop was Southport. They were hosting a plein air festival this weekend.

I crossed the Cape Fear River aboard the Southport/Fort Fisher ferry to reach Kure Beach.

First stop: Kure Pier – the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast.

Good night!

“Spokane’s iconic annual 12k race” is scheduled for May 4th and I am going to be out of town. So, I signed up for the virtual walk which I did today. Most of my route was along the Centennial Trail.

I joined my Meetup group for our monthly walk through the arboretum. Most of the trees are getting leaves and several varieties of cherry are in bloom.

We saw daffodils and an early rhododendron.

The 100-year-old willow is not going down without a fight.

This seemed an appropriately named hike for my first serious venture out as I continue recovering from my cold.