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!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Farmers Market


Farmers Markets opened all over North Idaho this month. It's a given that there are lots of beautiful fresh vegetables, flowers and baked goods offered by vendors but my favorite things are the handmade crafts. These whimsical windchimes caught my fancy at the downtown Coeur d'Alene Farmers Market. On www.fyinorthidaho.com there's a calendar of markets throughout the region.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Beat the Heat


No sooner had Memorial Day weekend passed than Mother Nature decided to give us a little preview of August weather. Sunny and warm temperatures are forecast with 90s by the weekend. But here in North Idaho we have the best antidote to hot weather ... dozens of beautiful lakes and rivers! So get wet and don't forget the sunscreen.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

It's Time...


The first day of the three-day holiday weekend and downtown Coeur d'Alene was dressed for company ... dozens of flower baskets on Sherman Avenue lamp posts hung just the day before. Blue skies and sunshine, the iconic Clark's Jewelry clock keeping time and reminding everyone to take time.

Friday, May 25, 2007

White Shoes


Memorial Day weekend is about camping and boating and getting out into North Idaho nature for the first nice weather three-day holiday. It also signals the official fashionista news flash. Break out the white shoes! At least until Labor Day, Pat Boone fans and fashion forward feet will be decked out in the color of the season. White. Now we just have to work on those tans.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Boaters Paradise


With thousands of boats on North Idaho waters, it stands to reason that additional boat slips are in demand. Red Lion Templin's Resort on the Spokane River is adding nearly 60 more slips to their marina. Just downstream Post Falls Landing is a new project with a 142-slip marina and a town square that will develop next to the condos. From this location on the Spokane river are 85 miles of naviagable waterways and great Idaho fishing.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Enaville Resort

At the Kingston exit, 43A off of I-90, is the infamous Enaville Resort, known by locals as the Snake Pit. The "resort" part is debatable but it's definitely a destination for visitors to North Idaho. For 125 years the Snake Pit has morphed from a hotel of ill repute and outpost for lumberjacks and miners in the rugged mountains of the Silver Valley to a distinctly unique and unpretentious tourist stop. Their menu includes the "only in the west" Rocky Mountain Oysters...if you have to ask what they are, maybe better not to order them...to authentic buffalo burgers. Behind the glass of the cash register stand youngsters find themselves eye-level to an alligator head, much to their delight. But on a recent visit I found the best view from the elevated and rustic front porch, looking through the tree branch rails at the blooming lilacs.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Mother Goose

It's spring and nature abounds with new beginnings. A beautiful sight are the dozens of goslings on the Spokane River adjacent to North Idaho College. The Centennial Trail runs alongside the one-way dike road making it easy to view the gaggle of goslings and their protective parents. These Canada geese are beautiful creatures, seen on most of the waters of North Idaho. There's a wildlife feeding area with picnic tables near the north entrance onto the river road. You don't have to travel far to spend an enjoyable afternoon with the yellow-downed water babies. Mother Nature doesn't charge admission either.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Our own backyard






Sometimes the best of times are "on location" right in our own backyard. Living in town doesn't preclude the enjoyment of wildlife and the beauty of nature in late spring. A family of quail have called our backyard home for the past few years. They travel the neighborhood during the day but as the sun dips down the "king" quail finds a lofty perch and begins calling his family home to roost, up to three dozen arriving from all points up and down the block. From the top of our backyard swing he surveys his kingdom while patiently awaiting the rest of the flock.
Nothing in nature is as pretty as blossoms on tree branches bask in the glow of a setting sun and nothing warms the heart like a carefree freckle-faced boy playing in his grandma's backyard.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Rolling out the red carpet




Company's coming to Coeur d'Alene as the tourist season countdown begins. Memorial Day weekend is when the doors to beautiful North Idaho open officially, "resort casual" becomes the attire of choice and the beaches and parks fill with sun worshipers. The Coeur d'Alene Resort began the annual planting of their signature red geraniums this week, nearly 10,000 will grace the entrances to the Resort and other Hagadone Hospitality properties. Even the penthouse at their corporate offices overlooking the marina received a splash of red on a sunny May day.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Signs of Summer







From Q'emiln Park to the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River to Fernan Lake, sometimes the obvious must be stated. These are some of my favorite signs of summer here in North Idaho.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

View from Canfield Mountain


The town of Dalton Gardens is where the "4-H kids" lived back in the 1960s when I was in school. They had to ride the bus all the way to Coeur d'Alene High School, which was then in town on 15th & Montana. We "townies" were a bit smug, walking to school and walking downtown on a Saturday afternoon. But for those who had the foresight to hang onto those "Dalton acre" homes and lots, they're the smart ones. Snuggled up to Canfield Mountain on the east with Coeur d'Alene to the south and Hayden Lake to the north, Dalton Gardens is now in the center of everything, with plenty of green inbetween the houses. This photo was taken from the Erickson home on Canfield Mountain and looks west toward Post Falls and the Idaho/Washington stateline.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Preserving Pleasantview



May is Idaho History Month with several interesting public events planned for the commemoration. The Pleasantview Association has spent several years passionately restoring the Pleasantview School on West Riverview Drive in Post Falls. Built in 1910 and originally part of the Coeur d'Alene School District, many of the original items such as desks and wood-burning stoves and even the originial school bell and tower remain. A framed honor roll of 19 students, some brothers, mark their enlistment date and branch of service in WWI.
Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This month the restoration efforts are being recognized by the Idaho State Historical Society with an Orchid Award. If you missed out on the Cowboy Breakfast at the school this weekend, pencil in September's breakfast.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Share the Road


On Saturday morning over 100 motorcyclists received a police escort up Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene, fitting as Coeur d'Alene's finest now includes motorcycle patrols. The escort through town was to increase awareness to the public that there are now quite a few more motorcycles sharing the local roads and highways. Be careful out there!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Flowing Falls


In the late spring, before the flood gates allow for Lake Coeur d'Alene to rise to summer levels, is the very best time to view the power and beauty of the falls in Post Falls. With 17,000 cubic inches of water per minute rushing through the spill gates, it's an awesome sight. At Falls Park, it's a short walk on paved trails to the wheelchair accessable overlook. Just a block from I-90 off of Spokane Street, go west on 4th Ave. two blocks to the park entrance. There's plenty of parking, restrooms and an information kiosk. Bring your camera and watch for the marmots who make their home in the park.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Celebrate Spring!


In medieval England, people would celebrate the start of spring by going out to the country or woods and gathering greenery and flowers or "bringing in the may." Maypoles would be hung with greenery and ribbons, brightly painted and decorated... serving as a central point for the festivities.

In North Idaho, May Day signals the countdown to summer as flowers begin to bloom, beaches are groomed and everyone happily puts away their winter clothes. The red tulips in front of Coeur d'Alene City Hall are a bright reminder that another glorious summer season is just around the corner.