Coeur d'Alene, ID

Have you ever planned one thing and had it turn out totally different than what you originally planned? Yesterday, my intrepid husband Myron and I decided to see if we could check out an off-the-beaten-path Bed and Breakfast at Wolf Lodge. So armed with digital camera and good intentions, we wound our way around Wolf [...]

t was foggy and cold today, not optimal photography weather. Not optimal walking around weather either, if you’re not wearing gloves. My fingers nearly froze in the first 5 minutes. But that was because we were enthralled by the sight. Eagles flew around us two or three at a time, dipping down to the water, grabbing the fish that were belly up at the surface. Seagulls followed suit, and every now and then would end up in a diving match with an eagle to see who would catch the dead fish first. Even the ducks got in on the act, scouting along the surface of the water like a vacuum cleaner, scarfing the fish up in their bills.

Luckily, the owner of Percival Carriages, and horse carriage-driver is my father-in-law, and I had a chance to take a peaceful carriage ride out in Wolf Lodge. It was literally soothing enough to put a four month old to sleep. Apparently, the locals and tourists have had enjoyed the rides as much as I have, because I hear some days the lines can get rather long

mmediately upon arriving we could see that it would be a wonderful spot. It was beautiful and although it was already fall the grass was still mostly green. The colors did abound as the trees abandoned their golden glittering leaves to the autumn wind. It was a perfect opportunity to point out to our youngest children why we call this season “Fall”.

The diverse beauty along the trail is worth exploring along with watching for the abundant wildlife. I’ve personally seen bears on the trail and moose, and have rollerbladed next to a Whitetail Deer for a few hundred feet, before she figured out how to get away from me. There are beaver and muskrats and an assortment of birds and raptors to keep the user entertained. Different times of the day adds new excitement and a new experiences like I am riding the trail for the first time.

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.

Camping in an area where you can also fish, swim and hike is always a good thing, so when my family found out about the Elk River Recreation District camping we thought we would try it out. From Moscow the city of Elk River is only 51 miles east on Hwy 8 so it is relatively nearby. The drive is very scenic and you can even follow through onto the Scenic Byway if you have a little more time.

My family and I recently joined the ranks of hundreds of hikers and walkers nationwide who have hiked to the Elk Creek Falls. The falls are located in Clearwater National Forest about 3 miles south of the town of Elk River, where there are some great camping spots. They are a relatively easy hike and the three trails lead you to the upper, middle and lower falls; he total combined height of which is an impressive 300 feet.

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.

While camping at Graham Creek up the Coeur d’Alene River recently my husband and I went to Steamboat Pond to go fishing. I am never very lucky in the river so I was glad for some still water to try my luck, and boy did I have luck. On my first cast I caught a 12-inch rainbow and I was hooked, if you know what I mean. I soon found out that it wasn’t so much that I was a master fisherman as the fact that the stocked pond is teeming with fish.