Coeur d'Alene, ID

The park had quite a few attractions to keep kids (and adults) of all ages having fun. There was a lazy river where you just grab a tube and float around the flowing current that goes in a big circle. This can be very relaxing as long as you don’t run into one of the many waterfalls located on the sides or get splashed by kids running by in the water without a tube (which can be fun too). There is also a younger children’s play area located above the lazy river that has very shallow water and multiple areas for kids to play and get squirted (including 2 mini waterslides that adults can go on too). In addition to these, there are also 3 waterslides located on an upper level, one that involves up to 4 people riding in a big raft down a waterslide.

Silver Mountain held their annual brewsfest event this weekend and my boyfriend and I decided to head up to the mountain and check it out. With our ticket purchase we were granted a ride up the gondola, a plastic collectors mug, 6 beer tasting tickets, free rides on the operating chair lifts and some music being performed in the amphitheater

When it is hot outside sometimes you just crave a little ice cream. I have found that the best and most inexpensive ice cream around can be found at the Washington State University Creamery. Not only does the creamery sell ice cream in Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe, but they also sell the cheese that is made on site with milk from WSU’s Knotts Dairy.

Farmer’s Markets have always been a great place to get fresh local produce and meet some interesting people and Moscow’s Downtown Market is no different. For the past few Saturdays I have frequented the Moscow Farmer’s Market off of Main Street downtown. I have bought amazingly sweet cherries and some great bread as well as heard some really good music.

My family has recently moved to Moscow, Idaho, which is 81 miles south of Coeur d’Alene off of US 95. The drive is relatively short, about an hour and a half, and the scenery is beautiful. On the drive down you pass through several small towns, one of which is Worley, where the Coeur d’Alene Casino is located. I have yet to go there, but I hear they have a really good All-You-Can –Eat buffet. Once you arrive in Moscow it’s a great town with a lot of things for families.

Silverwood, the Northwest’s largest Theme Park is less than one gas tank away. Silverwood is located in Athol, Idaho and boasts more than 65 rides and attractions, three large roller coasters (4th to open soon) Boulder Beach Water Park, a steam engine train, live entertainment, restaurants and so much more.

Just outside of the adorable town of Wallace Idaho is the Sierra Silver Mine tour. I had been on this trip once before when I was in the second grade, just a few years ago! It was nice to see that the tour had not lost any of it’s charm and was just as much fun now as it was then. I took two friends with me, one of them who went on this tour with me in the second grade and my other friend who was from out of town. We arrived in Wallace about a half hour before the tour started and had no problem getting on the next tour.

One of the greatest things about living in a town like Coeur d’Alene are the fun family events that are put on by different organizations throughout the year. One of these events is the Spring Fiesta that the North Idaho College Latin Club sponsors every year. For the second year in a row my family was able to attend and we had a wonderful time. Of course it doesn’t hurt that this event is free to the public.

I grabbed my friend and hopped in the car heading south on US-95 for a quick 30 minute drive to the Coeur D’ Alene Casino. The casino is great for a day trip or you can extend your trip and stay at their resort hotel. The Coeur D’ Alene casino has plenty to offer from a spa, golf course, full bar, a buffet, a restaurant, live boxing, bingo and did I mention 1800 slot machines?

I am always looking for a place to get something hot to drink and just be able to sit and relax with a book, or bring my computer and get some work done. Well, I have finally found the perfect place for all of that and more. At the urging of my husband we stopped in at Calypso Coffee Company at 116 E. Lakeside Ave. on a Saturday night. The place was packed and the music, by Josh Hedlund was wonderful. When we got home I even looked him up on the Internet to find out where else he might be playing. Calypsos is a family friendly coffee house that also features a roaster on site. Coffee is roasted several times a week and is offered for sale by the pound as well as the cup.