I live approximately 18 miles Southeast of downtown Kalispell, MT. Kalispell is hardly a big city. The downtown area of stores and restaurants spans maybe 10 blocks with 5-6 blocks of tree lined residential streets to the east and west of the north/south running Main Street.

Along one of those tree lined streets on the east side of Main is the old Kalispell Hospital. Now, it is a mixed used commercial/residential building: Eastside Brick.

And in part of the old parking lot, the owners built and run The Boiler Room.

Sara, who house and Bob-sat for me when I was on an extended rv trip – and then we became friends :)! – owns a condo in “the Brick”. We met there early yesterday morning, in a drizzly rain, for breakfast and a visit at The Boiler Room.

I arrived first, just as the Open sign was turned on…Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. and there was no one in the place but me. I obtained a mug of strong, hot, coffee and enjoyed looking around while I wasn’t bothering anyone.

A fireplace in the corner with a comfy couch and chairs allows for casual conversation and coffee.

Small tables for two line the walls, with larger tables in the center. A warm mix of wood with industrial-urban-eclectic gave the room an inviting feel that made me want to linger.

I browsed the counter that held goodies for sale which includes pottery from 2 local potters…

falling in love with those big twisty wooden spoons!

Sara arrived and we ordered…the glass case holds no end of tempting goodies – Waffles are a specialty as are pannini, burritos, bagels and more!

Despite both of us having vowed to get some work done this Sunday, we lingered and talked and laughed together. People known to Sara stopped by our table to say hello. It was a cozy morning in a wonderful place shared with a good friend.

Karl and I had a long walk in the morning drizzle and then home. Late morning and it was still only 49F…

Bob thought that a fire in the woodstove would be nice and I agreed.

Karl kept me company when I finally sat myself down and got to work.

Just after supper, the sky cleared, the sun came out – the evening walk was beautiful…and that, on top of that bit of mountain peaking through the clouds….

That is fresh snow!

Sunday: The Boiler Room.