Coeur d'Alene, ID

So my wife and I had a problem. My wife needed to be able to access internet to do class work for her student teaching classes and ours was down. We had heard that Java at 324 ESherman allowed you free wireless access if you bought something and since we both enjoy a good cup of Joe, my wife and I went down town.

I’ve been looking for a good place to have a family reunion, where I didn’t have to pay a fortune, when I stumbled upon some information on the Clarkia Bunkhouse. I decided to check it out, and found a great place for a reunion, a getaway weekend, or just a summer reprieve. The Bunkhouse, part of the Clarkia Work Center for the St. Joe Ranger District is located 30 miles south of St. Maries on Idaho 3. Originally built in 1942 as a ranger station, the station became a work center in 1972.

I have never been in a toy store that I didn’t like, but I absolutely love Figpickels Toy Emporium. Proprietor’s Susan and Bret run the toy store at 312 Sherman Ave. with the help of their two sons Devin and Austin, and several other employees. Originally from Manhattan, the Sommer’s opened the store in Coeur d’Alene in December 2005.

Opened in May of 2005, the Bella Rose café is a guilty pleasure. Owners Marylin Boyd and her daughter Thea Drake bake goodies daily that fill up their display case and entice customers. With a window that faces Sherman Ave., patrons can sit at the bar in the window and watch the world pass by. Tables outside the café are filled to capacity in the warm months- offering a nice spot for knitting groups, book clubs, families, and friends.

What better way to spend a day than in the quiet solitude of the newly constructed public library. The Coeur d’Alene Public Library located at 702 E. Front Ave. downtown is a bookworm’s paradise. Families can come to the library to spend a day in both the children’s section, located downstairs, in the top floor stacks, or even buying used books in the library’s very own bookstore.

My family likes to get out there and see all the neat areas of our county. We like to do a lot of hiking when the weather is nice and we need some good exercise. A friend of ours told us about the Mineral Ridge scenic area hike just east of Coeur d’Alene and we had to go check it out. This hiking area is pretty easy to get to and takes about 15 minutes from downtown. You head east on I-90 and get off at the Wolf Lodge exit. Be sure to turn right off of the exit and head over the lake.

One of the great benefits of living in the Coeur d’Alene area is the access to so many amazing places to ride your bike, roller blade, run, walk and even take your dog for a walk. The Centennial Trail is one of my favorites. The trail runs from the Spokane Valley through Coeur d’Alene and beyond. It is a well paved trail with some amazing views. The portion of the trail that we rode the other day starts downtown and goes all the way to Higgins Point and back.

Located on the Centenial Trail just north East of downtown Coeur d’Alene, this little stretch of picnic area is perfect for a quick bit to eat or to watch the sunset over the lake. From Downtown Coeur d’Alene you head north on Sherman and turn right on Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive. You’ll pass the amazing Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Club on your right and head up the hill past the new condominiums (I hear John Travolta owns one of these beauties). The parking lot is immediately past that on the right.

I decided to try out a different Wifi location downtown. I love working from downtown Coeur d’Alene. I love all the people walking around, the hussle and bussle and just the atmosphere of the city. It energizes you and I often get way more down working from the various locations around Coeur d’Alene. We stumbled upon a real gem today in Cafe DOMA on the corner of Fifth and Sherman.

One of the premier athletic events in the North Idaho area is the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon - Swim - Bike - Run! The second weekend in August each year, the city of Coeur d’Alene puts on this wonderful event. Second only to the Coeur d’Alene Ironman, the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon is not only an awesome event for competitors, but it is a great way to spend a few hours in and around Coeur D’alene and cheer on some local favorites.