Coeur d'Alene, ID

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

Rathdrum, just 14 miles northwest of Coeur d’Alene is a great little town and they have a wonderful city park. While visiting family we took our children to the park to get some of their energy out and found the park to be not only fun, but really pretty.

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.

Today ended up being one of the best family days we have had since moving to Moscow. We went to the 31st Annual Ice Cream Social that is put on by the Latah County Historical Society at the old McConnell Mansion on Second and Adams Streets. The McConnell Mansion built in 1886 was originally the home to William J. McConnell and his family. William was a merchant and also served as the state’s senator and governor. This event is free to the public and was not only enjoyable but also very educational.

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.

On July 20, 2008, the Steve Omi Memorial Swim marked its 15th anniversary. I had decided a few months before to participate… following about four years without any serious training. I’d worked up to two miles in the pool, but pool time isn’t anything like open water.

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.

This weekend was an amazing one for sports in Idaho. Coeur d’Alene played host to Ford’s Ironman race. And what could be better than competing in a triathlon. A nice 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and then finishing off the day with a 26.2 mile run. This is an easy one, watching it. Now I have always been open to trying new things but talk about not playing with a full deck of cards. Don’t get me wrong these athletes are amazing to be doing what they do.

Did I just read that right? I paid $3.95 for one gallon of gas right here in Coeur d’Alene? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when gas is above $4 nation-wide. Well, there went our planned trip to Yellowstone and Disney Land. Not only is gas up, but everything else is up, it’s not only keeping us home, but many others to. I guess we’ll just have to stay here in North Idaho and find things to do.

I think we need a Staycation!