So what do you do out there in your kayaks?

Jim and I are at Blackwell Island RV Resort in Couer d'Alene, ID.  The south end of Blackwell Island touches Lake Couer d'Alene.  The rest of the island is surrounded by the Spokane River.

It's been windy, but today we got a chance to paddle around the island. As we were taking the boats off our car, a man walked over from a nearby RV.  "I have to ask you a question," he said. "So what do you do out there in your kayaks?"

We told the man we like to hike, but that kayaking gives you a different perspective on nature.  We told him about seeing herons flying low and right over our heads, about squirrels that jumped to floppy branches just inches from our elbows, about being in the middle of dozens of black coots that run along the water before they lift into the air.

Guess that wasn't productive enough.  "So do you fish?" he asked.

No we don't. We just paddle and look, paddle and look, paddle and look. Take some photos.   Paddle and look. Later -- long after the man had returned to his RV and we'd completed our paddle -- Jim and I started joking about what we could do while kayaking, but don't.  Listen to the radio. Knit.  Read. Drink beer. Throw fire crackers. The options are endless.

Jim about to go under US-95 on the Spokane River.

Along the river were lots of little inlets and lots of big greenery.  Near here we saw a couple with dogs; one of the dogs ran out in the water and chased Bev.  First time that's happened.

On the Spokane River:  Ducks to the left, Jim to the right.

We paddled through some boat slips.  Jim and his kayak look pretty tiny to the right of this yacht.

I (Bev) kept trying to take a photo that would show how the choppy water was on the lake -- but I had a hard time controlling my boat with hands on the camera instead of the paddle, so this little wave is the best I could get.  The Spokane River section of our paddle was more protected from the wind and mostly calm.

Blackwell Island Resort as seen from the water.  It has water access, is close to town, has lots of spaces -- but was completely full Friday night -- and cost more than any place we've stayed other than when we were in New Orleans:  $51 a night including tax.  No Good Sam, no Triple A discounts, although they do give 5  percent off if you pay in cash.  The location was right and it was Labor Day weekend, so we bit the bullet and paid.

As we were taking out our boats we saw these folks and Bev later talked with them.  They have a large Class A motor home with a matching trailer; the trailer can haul both the blue truck and the red boat behind it. A lift in the trailer raises the boat so the truck can be backed in underneath.  Ho. Ly. Cow.