From the top of Idaho

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Greetings from the top of Idaho with 2 days worth of adventures. Yesterday we were camped at Dworshak State Park, beyond Orofiino, ID Getting there was a challenge for CC (Carmel Condor, our name for our motorhome). It was a very winding scenic byway which lead us through the main streets of McCall and Kooskie which were both having Friday parades before the high school football games; it was fun to see their spirit. There is little else to do in these hay growing tiny hamlets. These communities are very small and rural. The Deary Lions Club meets the 4th Thurs. of the month; does that tell you something?
the park is on a lake and we were the only campsite being occupied in the loop. We have seen lots of deer & elk. We had no reception on cell phone, laptop, or satellite radio. Since we did have electricity, I tried our little CD/radio and could only get Bill O'Reiley or 1 station of cowboy top 40...we played cribbage instead. We are thoroughly enjoying our radio from the sky. Crank up those show tunes and sing along!

Today we did the old-fashion communicating using a pay phone. Talked to Emily on her 40th, Jenn for an update & Josh about the construction. It was great to hear familiar voices. Also heard from Judy...thank you! More backroads on Nezperce res, lunch by the St. Marie River, and then to Idaho's oldest building, Old Mission built by the Jesuits in 1842 in one location and moved to another site in 1846. Coming from Carmel's old mission we wanted to see it. An extraordinary coincidence happened as we approached the church. A women told us a Mass was being said by a team of priests leading 200 students from Gonzaga U. on a pilgrimage. She said we could attend if we wanted to and of course we did. It was exciting to see young adults who had walked 10 miles, carrying a cross, and now worshiping together where early Jesuits had taught the Native Americans to farm and had baptized them, so much like our Junipero Serra. To continue, we spoke to the former JVC head who naturally knew about House of Charity (where Paul volunteered in Spokane) and Hays where Emily taught. It is a small world. It's still warm days, cool nights, and a few golden trees. Idaho is beautiful

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