Weekend #4 Of FUN: Nampa Elks Lodge Oktoberfest

My September wrapped up with one more Weekend of Fun, Oktoberfest at the Nampa Elks Lodge!

 

Sadly, our Oktoberfest wasn’t well attended.  I think this was due to the early time (2-5pm) as the Boise State game started at 5:30pm.  Since I had planned to be at the lodge, I signed up as bar tender during the game.  I always enjoy working at the bar and boy is it a workout!  My whole body was sore the next day.

 

In addition to Oktoberfest food and drink, we had a Harvest table with goodies for sale.

                             

The volunteers manned the food booths, including my Mom & Dad. 

 

We had a costume contest and a stein holding contest.  Both were so fun.

 

We had a silent auction and danced the Chicken Dance.

 

It was a great time, and I had so much fun.  I really wish we’d brought in more members for the fun.

Weekend #3 Of FUN - Oktoberfest & Sip Idaho

I thought I had checked in earlier this week.  It has been a doozie…last week I worked a 63.8-hour work week and this week I am finishing a 48-hour work week.  It has been a lot and exhausting.  I am hanging in there and looking forward to Saturday off (for more fun…)

 

Pardon my absence.

 

Last weekend’s fun started on Thursday with an impromptu visit to Buffalo Wild Wings for their BOGO cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day.  They had $10 Sam Adams Oktoberfest in their liter mugs, and you all know I am sucker for a big beer mug.  I was packed and we should have dined elsewhere the minute we walked in.  None-the-less, BWW is always delicious.

 

Friday night after work we attended the Sippin’ In The Sunset event at Huston Vineyards.  I had not been to their outdoor venue, and we had a great time.  The musician was good, but the wine selection was lacking.  They discouraged bringing your own food because they had a food truck, but I would have preferred to bring my own picnic. 

Saturday was packed with two events.  First up, Oktoberfest at Payette Brewing.  I got sucked into ordering two of their 20 oz beer mugs but only planned one beer token since I had the Sip Idaho Event a few hours later.  Their festive atmosphere was enjoyable as it always is and packed with large crowds.  They re-organized the event, which worked well.

 

That evening, I met Stacey for Sip Idaho.  This was our first year attending and while the $65 entry ticket is steep, it was fantastic!  We were at the Galaxy Event Center in one of the event rooms where you tasted unlimited samples of spirits, cocktail mixers, and canned cocktails.  There were appetizers, live music, and giveaways.  We had so much fun, and boy did those small bits of alcohol add up over the course of two and a half hours.  Thank goodness, for designated drivers!

 

I have one more weekend of fun to go…I promise I’ll also swing in with a weigh-in update as I did my scale check-in last Tuesday. 

Weekend #2 Of FUN - Wedding On Bald Mountain

I attended the most beautiful wedding on top of Bald Mountain in Ketchum to celebrate an amazing couple.

 

Sierra and I worked together at ISP dispatch.  Mike is one of our troopers.  After hearing each other’s voices over the radio for many years, the two met, fell in love, and have built a beautiful life together with the addition of their cutie pie daughter.  It was a pleasure to be able to share this special occasion with them, their family, and their close friends.

 

The welcome party was Thursday at Sawtooth Brewery in Ketchum.  This was a fabulous idea as it provided an extra opportunity to meet family and friends and connect with friends I already knew.  It made the wedding feel extra special to feel like you know many guests.

 

We had beer, food, and ice cream provided by one of the groomsmen who owns a Stella’s Ice Cream location in Boise.

 

We stayed at the Meadows RV Park and while this was only our third experience staying at an RV park, it was our first arriving to find our reserved spot was already taken.  Grrrr….I hope this isn’t the norm.  While I was prepared to go to battle with the person who took our spot, the camp host had us relocate to another open spot.  It was a good location, just very close neighbors and very small spots.  We appreciated the full hook-ups.

 

The wedding was at 5pm which meant we had the whole day Saturday to relax.  Since we had to unhook to go anywhere, we stayed at the RV park for most of the day except venturing into town to see if SCOTTeVEST, had a store front/showroom.  Since they didn’t, we continued on foot to Warfield Distillery & Brewery for a pretzel (amazing) and a pint.  I can’t wait to try their aged gin later this week at a liquor event.

 

We arrived at the wedding venue, River Run Day Lodge, greeted by a mariachi band. 

 

At the base of the mountain, we found a set and enjoyed a beverage while we waited to ride the gondola to the top of Bald Mountain.  I was so excited to learn the wedding ceremony would take place on the mountain and had hoped all day for decent weather.  As luck would have it…we made it to the top.

 

The ceremony was beautiful.  The vows…the scenery…the bride & groom.  Oh man I wish I could go back and do it all over again.  It was all amazing.

 

We had a cocktail party at the Roundhouse where the band continued to entertain us as we had passed appetizers and drinks.

 

The reception was held at the base of the mountain and after riding the gondola back down, we had a seated dinner, drinks, cake, dancing, and late-night pizza.  Every aspect was well thought out and had a personal touch from the bride & groom.  There were even a couple outfit changes!  Wow.  I am still in awe at this beautiful occasion and could pinch myself for being invited to attend.

Weekend #1 Of FUN - Three Island Crossings

Good Morning!  Happy Thursday.

My busy month is in full swing with a few more Elks officer commitments penciled in.  More fun on the weekend!

Last weekend we spent time in the RV at Three Island Crossings at the Elks District Glampout.  

We had Elks members come from the Weiser Lodge to the Snake River (Jerome) Lodge.  We had a great time and wished it was longer.

There were three scheduled events on Saturday, wine tasting, golfing, and a catered dinner.  I attended wine tasking where we tasted the full assortment of wines, which was delicious.

The catered dinner was amazing.  We had tri-tip, pork loin, scalloped potatoes (so good), green beans, salad, and dessert.   I think Nampa was the biggest representation with 35 members and it was wonderful to see so many friendly and familiar faces along with meeting so many new friends.  I want wait for the next district get together and I heard rumors of a 2027 Alaska cruise.

I don’t have much to report on the WW front.  I’m stuck at this crossroad between I’m just not feeling it and I’m feeling allllll of it.