I love logging trucks except ...

Admittedly I’m not a super girly girl but neither am I an outdoorsy rough and ready type. I prefer not to get dirty, although tent camping by a river is within my comfort zone.

Occasionally, I’ll join my husband and friends for backroad riding on our side-by-side ATV. Besides spending time with my sweetheart, the payoff is the extraordinary scenic views you simply can’t experience on paved roads.

Last week, we spent a weekday riding from Twin Lakes to Quartz Mountain in Mount Spokane State Park, within Inland Empire Paper Company property. It was a beautiful day to spend with our friends, Rod and Susie Heitstuman and Bill Lingle.

It was memorable because for the first time in several years of riding on narrow logging roads did we encounter actual logging trucks coming down the mountain with full loads.

I love seeing logging trucks, it’s a nostalgic reminder of the years of my youth in Coeur d’Alene when mills were plentiful and bustling. I discovered I don’t love them so much when our little side-by-side is on the cliff side of a narrow mountain road as we pulled over to let them pass.

Holy cow! I’ve never eaten or worn so much dust, ever. Four times we experienced the thrill and terror of a big truck full of logs barreling right at us with a steep drop off on the other side. Those logging roads are their workplace on the paper company’s land, and we pay for a season permit to ride there, but yowza — I hope not to experience that much excitement again any time soon.

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I never know when a column topic will strike a chord with readers, but I was surprised with the number of emails, messages and comments last week’s faux flower confession prompted. It seems I’m not alone in unapologetically enhancing our porch and patio planters with bright and cheery fake blossoms.  

We can have a faux flower garden tour next year!

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This coming weekend in Post Falls there’s a full schedule of fun events taking place at the American Legion,1138 E. Poleline Ave. at the corner of Syringa Street.

First up on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. is the fourth annual Post Falls Lions Club Brew Fest on the west lawn. More than a dozen local breweries will be on tap with their beverages, sausage tasting and live music. Over 21, admission $30. Proceeds to benefit the sight and hearing programs of the Lions Club.

Then on Sunday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Steven H. Nipp American Legion Post 143 is hosting the Freedom, Rods and Rides Car and Motorcycle Show in the parking lot. Free for the whole family to attend. The Post Falls Lions Club will have barbecued burgers and hot dogs available for purchase.

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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Kathy Bush, Kimi Coles, Rhonda Ellis, Jan Sadler, John Phelps, Sara Wegner and Laura Lahr. Tomorrow, Joann Hildebrant, Bill Reagan, Patty Vogt, Addison Johnson, Jim Guy, Jan Olsen, Angela Mort, Connie McGee, Kylie Gibson, Shanda Johnson, Sally Mackin and Megan Ownbey blow out the candles. On Friday, Sam Davis, Rick Rasmussen, Alecia Warren, Shannon Fish, Chloe Hutter (30!), Ben Wolfinger, Karen Hanson, Cathleen O’Connor, Sheryl Snyder and Ernie Hunt celebrate. Saturday birthdays for Trigger Weddle, Todd Banducci, Gayle Bolton, Leslie White, Scott Hamilton, Terri Mercer, Cherry Jones, Nathan Gubbe, Janet Smith and John Goodlander. Norma Fencl, Gene Tillman, Connie Gridley, Dave Stutzke, Jack Danielson and Sheryl Sipe take another trip around the sun on Sunday. Monday birthdays will be celebrated by Jessica Zazueta, Brandan Stone, Neil Conner, Kiley Archer, Krystal Gordillo, Kiley Nick, Lyndon Harriman and Carolyn Havens. On the last day of June, Patty McGinnis, Kyle Rutley, Terry Williams, Katie Disney, Kimberly Carlson and Rosie Brown put on their birthday hats. 

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].