(Note: I accidentally posted this in the Freewriters community, and am now trying to figure out how to put it on my blog instead. It may end up both places, and I hope that doesn't ruffle anybody's feathers.)
Every now and then I get the urge to just take off for the day all by myself. I enjoy doing things with friends, of course, but I also enjoy a drive alone, listening to my favorite music (this time it was Gold City, a southern gospel quartet), thinking my own thoughts, and going wherever impulse takes me.
Yesterday was one of those days. The sun was shining, and the temperature was in the upper 30s, brielfy touching 40 degrees F. I wanted to be in the car, going someplace. So I headed in the direction of Sandpoint, Idaho. On the way, I stopped at Only Local, an indoor farmers' market near the tiny town of Sagle. I'd heard about it before, but had never taken the time to investigate the place. It's a pleasant, rustic building, with a friendly proprietor. The wares for sale included knitted and crocheted items, handmade soaps, painted wine bottles made into hummingbird feeders, pottery, raw honey, farm fresh eggs, cheeses, pies, and breads. Everything is made locally. I was going to buy a loaf of sourdough bread, but the man behind the counter gave it to me for free, because it had been on the shelf for three days. How kind of him!
Downtown Sandpoint always seems crowded, even when it isn't. The main street feels narrow with cars parked on both sides. The assortment of four-way stops, two-way stops, one-way streets, and two-way streets can be confusing, but I did well. I found a parking spot right there on the main street and went into the nearest shop, Eve's Leaves. I love the name of it, and that's why I went inside.
There must be people who will walk into a little boutique like that and pay $250 for a blouse, or $180 for a skirt. Otherwise, those shops couldn't stay in business. I picture these customers as elderly wives of retired brain surgeons, wearing too much makeup on their wrinkled faces, looking for a new outfit to wear to the next charity fundraiser. I am not a wealthy woman, and had no business even stepping inside the door. Nevertheless, I did so, and decided to pretend I belonged there. I tried on a skirt and a two tops, all from the 50% off sale rack. Then I opted to keep up the pretense and purchase one of the tops. Even at 50% off, it cost three times what it was worth. But it's a fun garment, and I will enjoy wearing it when the weather warms up a bit. And, for one brief moment, I had fun pretending to be a rich lady.
After walking around a couple of blocks and pondering restaurant options, I drove to the city beach area to eat lunch at Trinity, as recommended by the employees at the boutique. My pretense of wealth continued there; how often do I spend $20 on one lunch just for myself? But it was very tasty, and very filling, and I did enjoy the view of the lake and the mountains.
Comfortably full from my delicious lunch, I opted to go for a walk along the lake. Nice paths beckoned, and it felt good to stretch my legs on mostly-dry pavement after months of sloppy, muddy roads where I live. Despite the bright sunshine, a brisk breeze kept me from thinking spring might be right around the corner.
I fell into conversation with a camera-toting young man who likes to photograph birds. Except for a flock of geese that had already flown off, there wasn't much in the way of waterfowl to be seen. He told me there are two pairs of golden eagles nesting a few miles away, and he hopes to photograph them sometime.
I should return in the spring and see how these trees look with green leaves on their now-bare branches.
I took a different route home, and drove past these frozen waterfalls. The hillside was cut away to build the road, and apparently water (perhaps melting snow) seeps or drips down the steep side and freezes in the cold weather. They're not quite stalactites, but that comes close to describing them.
It was nice to get home again, and rest after my expedition. I was comfortably tired, and feeling mentally rested from my day of solitude and adventures.