Jane and OSG and I booked the Lake Coeur d’Alene dinner cruise…we ended up getting the Mish-a-nock, which is the largest of the several boats, not our favorite, because it is sooooo stable: we prefer the little ones that rock about a bit—but we had practically sole possession of the upper deck, with its bar, on a partly cloudy, windy night. WE, being native, had hauled out some serious coats—knee length wool for Jane and me, a down-fill for OSG—and we were snug as bugs up there on the bow, at a table by the front rail: the Mish-a-nock has real glassware and tableware and plates, a good thing, since we had to weight down the cloth napkins or collect them AND the tableware from the deck. I’m talking gale, here…
We had salmon and prime rib; and green beans; and cheesecake; and lots of chardonnay; and the music was actually nice. We were snug and comfortable, while the bottom deck was, well, lighted so you couldn’t see the shoreline or the beautiful sunset and the moon rise and set…We, upstairs under the open sky, did.
So a fine time was had by all. OSG gave me a great pirate shirt, an Admiral’s brass plaque for my bedroom door, (I have kind of a nautical theme going, and two garden lights, and Jane, who wasn’t supposed to give me anything but Seishi, gave me some kitchen spatulas (we needed them), a Kenpachi keychain, and an Ichigo action figure. 🙂
It was marvelous! Good friends, water under us, Chardonnay, good food, high wind, and prezzies—how can you beat it?
Like!
Happy birthday (and it sounds like it was)!
Happy Birthday! And, it looks like someone lit a candle for you in the sky!
http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/08/25/supernova/
Neat! The best way to find it is to mentally imagine the distance between the 1st and 2nd stars of the handle of the big dipper (farthest from the bowl)–their names are Alkaid and Mizar. Then make that the base of an equal-sided triangle with its peak aimed upward relative to the bowl. At the apex is the supernova—a star invisible to the naked eye before it blew. It will increase in brightness so that within a week, you should be able to see it with binoculars.
A candle indeed!
Admiral Yardarm, we must have been on different Three Hour Cruises, because I didn’t think it was all that breezy. True, we needed to weight down our napkins and plastic glasses but that was about it. The only thing better than the water, weather, sunset, and food was the company!
***INSERT SHAMELESS WORLDCON BID PLUG***
Lake Coeur d’Alene cruises are one recreational option if Spokane wins the Worldcon 2015 bid. In addition to our Sunset Dinner Cruise, note the multiple options — including piratical cruises! Boats can also be chartered.
http://www.cdaresort.com/activities/lake_cruises
***END SHAMELESS WORLDCON BID PLUG***
OSG, YOU must have been on a stranger ship than mine…..arrrh! because those were real glass glasses we were chasing. 😆
Arrrgh, Yardarm! Yer rum was in real glass glasses. It was me lemonade t’was encased in plastic.
😆
lemonade!
But you were drivin’, mate, so I fergives ye!
Aye, A’miral Yardarm, ye scurvy-ridden bilge rat. I still think it was ye who pilfered me rum!
Sounds awesome. Everything is better on the water. Happy Birthday!
Good friends, good food, good ambiance. Who could ask for anything more?
We’re going to Cracker Barrel tonight, with carrot cake at home afterwards. I somehow anticipate there will be an additional present beyond plans. But then, I’m likely to come home with something or other too, if I’m not careful, so…it’s all a planned unplanned expense, one might say.
Kenpachi? LOL, that guy just won’t quit.
Uh-oh, I’ve been still long enough that one cat’s lying down on my arm and the other’s lying down on my foot. Good thing I have a bit less than three hours before time to go. — They’ll have fun “helping” me get out the wrapping paper and an item or two for tonight.
Uh, I have a definite soft spot for Hanataro. This surprised me greatly, and made me wonder some, but I decided to just go with the flow.
Happy Birthday!
“Well, I’m going where those chilly winds don’t blow. I’m gonna find a true love, that’s where I want to go, out where them chilly winds don’t blow.” I remember how chilly it was at ShejiCon3, and I did bring a sweater, but it wasn’t warm enough. The 3 “natives” knew better and were much more warmly dressed than I. We just didn’t anticipate the rain we got.
You’d think an old sailor would love being on a boat on a large lake, even if we don’t have a mizzen topsail to reef in the wind. I really did enjoy the cruise we had, not only for the fun of being there, but the company was outstanding. I was so surprised when Jane sat at our table practically next to me (squee!), with nobody in between. Gee, I seem to recall Jane sitting next to me on the cruise, at the Steamplant Grill, and then again at the Swinging Door. Is there a pattern here?
CJ, very, very glad you had a great day, that you came away happy, and that you have lots of friends who care deeply for you.
OSG, I’m hoping Spokane gets the bid, I want to go back out on the Little Spokane.
Note to self: If I ever get the chance to go up there, bring a heavy coat. I’m used to hot weather, not cold.
We had a great time out tonight. But with getting back and opening presents and much enjoyment, the carrot cake remains pristine, untouched. Well, I shall take some home tomorrow and remind all and sundry that we owe them cake, and please come get it . Six guests, so I hope it’ll go quickly. If I’d really thought things through, I should’ve divided it beforehand to send home as a thank you gift.
I get to show one friend how to get the photos off her camera and onto her computer, CD burner, and email. Once I do, and check with the other friend, I should have photos to post.
One highlight was the gag gift, boxing gloves for my grandmother and her caregiver , now known as Tornado T. LOL. Huge hit, and she’s going to show family over the holiday. 😀 I told her she’s welcome to give them to a grandkid who wants to box or do martial arts.
Hippo Birdie two Ewe (all of Ewe)!
And if that doesn’t make sense, go look up Sandra Boynton’s excellent, original card.
Happy birthday!
Sounds as though you had a wonderful time! Happy Birthday!
Oh, belated happies – good to hear it was a good one!