Laughfest! A-haw, haw haw-haw
There’s not too many great things about getting older, but one exception is deep, longlasting friendships…the comfort of a shared history with tons of memories. My really good friend, Dave House, and his wife, Eva, moved to Sandpoint, Idaho last year. We had the honor of being the first non-family visitors. We laughed, and laughed, reminisced, and then laughed some more. We created new memories to add to our extensive catalog.
This is going to sound silly, but I have a distinct memory of visiting House in the early 90s at his home in Escondido. At the time, I was struggling a little financially because Fins A Mexican Eatery was in its infancy. As I walked through his garage, I noticed he had beer stored on a shelf. Back then it was hard just to keep beer in my refrigerator and this guy had a bunch in his garage. I remember thinking, holy cow, House has made it.
On our drive from Glacier to Sandpoint we stopped at Kootenai Falls Park.
This long swinging bridge really swung.
Acting like kids, taking a selfie on the swinging bridge.
Kootenai Falls video
Front and side view of their beautiful 2,800 sq ft home, the smallest home in the ritzy Idaho Club neighborhood. I’ve coined it The Hornet’s Nest. Eva’s middle name is Lena. Her nickname is Horne, as in Lena Horne.
This sums up Dave House: he’s the only guy in the neighborhhod that mows his own lawn. I love that!
The spectacular peek-a-boo view of Lake Pend Oreille (pronouced ponder ray) from their back deck.
Laughing Dog Brewery is where the laughfest and piggery began. Number 62 is House’s mug. For $60 a year you get your own mug and for the pint price you get a 20 ounce pour. As we were leaving the brewery ZZ Top’s song, La Grange, came on. And that’s where it all started. Amelia and House latched on to the a-haw, haw haw-haw, and would not let go of it all weekend.
This is what trouble looks like: an IPA and Porter on tap. It’s just too easy!
Two 64 year old retired guys. For the record he’s three days older than me.
Goodbye Mammoth Ski Area, hello Schweitzer, Dave House’s new ski home. He’s the last of a dying breed in a dying sport.
A nice little hike on lower Schweitzer. That’s Chet with us, their 9 month old puppy. (Photo courtesy of Horne.)
A great view of Lake Pend Oreille from the village at Schweitzer. I like the random kid with a sucker in his piehole.
Backyard sunset
Saturday night, watching the Padres and texting with Rheinhardt. I sent him this pic and he had such the classic Rheinhardt reponse, “Stop, even the dog is digusted.” Laughfest!
I rarely drink whiskey, but when I do it’s Pappy Van Winkle’s.
Captain Amy! On Sunday we rented a pontoon and took in the sights.
We trolled a little but didn’t catch anything. It’s been a long time since I’ve held a fishing rod. It felt good and relaxing.
The trains are always running and you can hear them from anywhere in the Sandpoint area. During the 2am hour there’s two of them. The first one always blasts its horn. I heard it everynight. I imagine it’s something you’d get used to and not even notice after a while.
Chet liked Amelia and Amelia liked Chet.
The little mountain in the middle is Moose Mountain. The Hornet’s Nest is nestled in those woods.
What in the name of Rapunzel is going on with all the castles in Sandpoint? Here’s three of them and Horne says there’s more.
The only time we were actually in the town of Sandpoint was after the being on the lake. It was a little more tourist focused than I was expecting.
When in Sandpoint, visit MickDuff’s!
For a little perspective, House and I made this jug in our cermanics class in 1977, our junior year in high school. We won second place at some high school art show. It seems to me they gave us a savings bond and we cashed it. For years we’ve been taking turns keeping it at our homes. It is now in my possession.
Our last evening
I’ve saved the very best for last! You’ve got to play the video below. Frustration, after posting I’ve been getting responses the video is not playing on iPhones, but works on every other device.
*I figured out a work around! It’s below the original. It’s not the same quality, but you’ll get the jest of it.
Very muppet like if you ask me. 😂😆😂😆
Animal on a mother-fu&$in boat!!!!
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The best visit! What a beautiful place and previous time with best friends. Love the pics and the ZZ top sing along. It’s contagious! I started laughing and singing. love you guys!
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Oh my, I’d have been right there with Amy and Dave singing and rockin’ along! I saw ZZTop in high school 🙂
Ha! High school that’s awesome 😆
Oh my !
That Amy and House sure are funny old rockers!
Love the post.
LOVED IT. I well recall the name Dave as a friend of yours years ago. So great you got together again. Fun about that 2nd prize for the item you 2 made and how you now have it at your house….for awhile. The video played well…..Amelia and Dave acting it out!! Keep these coming. I love your blogs. SOOOOO HARD TO BELIEVE YOU’RE 64, GREG!!!!! LOVE YOU……B