So we planned on hitting the road early Saturday morning to ensure some water time on Lake Coeur d' Alene by the afternoon, the wakeboard legs were itchin' for sure! But, for anyone who knows my wife, or has a significant other like her, that wasn't going to happen. Our traveling companion family, the Martini's tried to plan for a departure from our Puyallup homes about 10ish (emphasis on the ISH). We actually hit the road about 12:30 and with all the stops we pulled in at almost 8:00! However, when we did, we knew it was all okay.

Our condo sat on the east shore of the lake, with views of the marina, the west lake and the sunset, making the 80 degree evenings on the balcony a total delight. Of course the kids were ramped up about just being on vacation and not having the stresses of school and Tae Kwon Do everyday, like 5 and 7 years olds have much stress! We unpacked,enjoyed a beer and the view while the kids tore up the place!

Now we live in a nice quiet community of Puyallup, South Hill to be exact. It's a great place, with neighborhoods and homes to fit every family. From the upscale ridge homes with a view of Mt. Rainier to the quaint 55 and over mobile home parks that are sprinkled throughout the town, Puyallup and Pierce County for that matter, has it all. So pulling into Coeur d' Alene wasn't much different, oh except that 26 mile lake with 135 miles of shoreline, and the motorcyclists riding by with no helmet (for those purists), and the attitude of the people who just seem to be on a permanent vacation, well we just fell in love with it.

We just played our days away, taking full advantage of what it means to be "on vacation". We made early morning wakeboard runs (don't tell my physical therapist), playing with the kids on the beach and in the indoor pool, BBQing steaks and having pancakes for breakfast (don't tell my trainer), enjoying evening sunset cruises through the many coves on the lake, yep we made the most out of it!

I've added some pictures here to show the kind of time we must all try to enjoy. Even if you're not into water sports and just need time away, take it! We're never guaranteed tomorrow. Stop, take a look around, enjoy your life. This can be a hectic business we're in, one that can control you if you let it. Selling and buying homes isn't everything, it's great and the look of a first time home buyer who never thought they could afford a home of their own it priceless. But so is family and so are you. Enjoy your life!

P.S. We actually bought into WorldMark, a twist on time shares. If anyone wants to use a condo like this to get away, let me know. We can get you in for a much better price than a hotel and you won't have to go out for dinner every night! Although we will be using our time up we can make it happen for you too!

The Marina from our balcony.

I love the water!

Our sunset cruise.