Welcome to North Idaho

To live in a place other people dream of visiting is incredible. Through the lens of my camera OnLocation North Idaho will bring you a slice of life as we know it in the Idaho panhandle. Enjoy!

Monday, April 30, 2007

Twin Lakes


We took a Sunday drive going on location up Highway 41 to Twin Lakes. I love this rural little town on the lakes. The boat launch near the channel was a busy place midday with afternoon fishing for new arrivals and the morning shift leaving the lake. A couple of fellows on the shore were fishing with moderate success but more importantly were enjoying the camaraderie of a quiet morning. When I asked to photograph this red ear sunfish, the fisherman asked hopefully if the camera would add ten pounds.
A large crane stood sentry on a marshy outcropping and Canada geese and a couple of bald eagles soared in the skies overhead. At the Upper Twin boat launch there was less traffic as the wind picked up and whitecaps formed on the normally calm water. Families on 4-wheelers shared the two-lane road with pick-up trucks and locals out for a stroll.
Down the road we stopped at the Twin Lakes Community Center, an historic old school house, and visited with Cindy and Ed who were getting ready for a family gathering there. Five generations of Cindy's family have lived along the lake shore, and the home she grew up in was torn down a few years ago, making way for new owners and their fancy new lake home. But life on Twin Lakes continues to be idyllic and quintessential North Idaho.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Top Guns at Coeur d'Alene Airport




On Friday 86-year-old WWII US Marine Corps fighter pilot Garth Haddock had the unique opportunity to meet active duty USMC fighter pilots when they flew into the Coeur d'Alene Airport. Mr. Haddock's eyes lit up as the jets made their approach. Surrounded by his buddies from the Marine Corps League...veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, this was a big day. Captain Kristian Larsen and 1st Lt. Craig Gately greeted the veterans, Captain Larsen gifting Haddock with a squadron coin, one pilot to another. Stories were told, photos were taken and as the sun began to set over the airport, the WWII fighter pilot, who had flown so many wartime missions slowly made his way back across the tarmac. Piloting his wheelchair these days, remembering those glory flights of yesteryear.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Golf Anyone?


The sun is shining...finally. My better/other half yearns for the golf course all winter and has gotten a few rounds in already this year. There are so many incredibly beautiful courses in the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls area but he enjoys Twin Lakes, Highlands and Prairie Falls. I prefer the clubhouse of any course.
To illustrate the difference a month makes, here's a photo from April 2 at Prairie Falls during an unexpected snowstorm and a photo of Highlands Golf Course on a sunny spring day.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Rock Climbing / Post Falls Parks


We went on location to Corbin Park where kayakers were enjoying the swift spring water on the Spokane River. Fun to watch. There's also an outstanding disk golf course at Corbin that several groups of golfers were playing.
We visited the renowned climbing cliffs at the incredible Q'emiln Park. This park is great for nature walks, too. But the people of all ages who were climbing the verticle rock faces were exciting to watch. The trails are well-marked and offer something for people of all abilities.