Larry Ties The Knot

Today we witnessed Larry and Debra's wedding, atop a frigid and foggy Mt. Schweitzer. We awoke to a gray and chilly morning here in Sandpoint. Our wonderful and luxurious accommodations (not) translated into a lukewarm shower in the bathrooms of the hotel shower/spa. Not the best shower experience, but clean all the rest.

Around 10 AM we loaded up into the VW Vannigan and headed up the mountain. All 8 of us rode in the van, with Steve perched on a camping chair that we set up in the van. Not the safest in the world but it worked.

We were hopeful when we arrived at the base of the mountain and the sun struggled to make an appearance. But one look up into the foggy mess and we determined it would be best to take some layers. Boy are we glad we did.

When we reached the chairlift we were informed that it was 40 degrees on top - yikes! Thank goodness we had come dressed for a mt climb and not a summer wedding (so long summer dress). Colby and Grady had fun on the chair ride to the top, although the view was limited and cold.

We warmed ourselves a little at the bar at the top, thanks to hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps. But we still had to wait a good 30 minutes in the cold and fog. Mary Perry arrived without Chuck - who decided to walk up the mt (not a surprise for those of us who know and love Chuck).

The wedding was lovely, despite the cold and fog. The pastor played guitar and sang while the bride and groom walked down the aisle. He had a new way of delivering a message we have all heard a lot and it was a beautiful wedding.

Larry could not get his ring to fit so slipped it onto his pinky finger. When they walked back down the aisle, his ring came off and the best man had to run after him to get it to him. They happened to give out bags of rice with 2 small fake rings attached. As a joke, we all handed Larry a ring when we went through the receiving line. He laughed and thought it was funny.

So Larry's tux turned out to be an exact replica of Jim Carrey's in The Mask. S-moking!!!!!

The weather started to clear as we came down the mt and we headed back to larry's house for a nice reception. His place is right on the river and was very nice. The weather was on again and off again, complete with sunshine and thunder, lightening and rain. Weird day weather wise.

Back to our campground by 5 pm and ready for a relaxing night by the fire.