Topless in North Idaho

OnLocation travels in the FYImobile with the wind in my hair are soon to be a thing of summer past. But I have been known to bundle up, crank up the heater and cruise the highways and byways of North Idaho well into November with the top down.

Ding!

Okay, today the price of a gallon of unleaded gas in Coeur d'Alene dipped below the $3 mark for the first time in months. When it falls below $2 a gallon, I'll let you know!

Going down Part II

The prices at EXXON stations in Coeur d'Alene were down again this morning ... to $3.09 a gallon. Then I noticed the Zip Stop on 7th and Sherman was selling regular unleaded for a staggering $3.66. At the end of the day the Albertson's on Ironwood was $3.06! Same day, same town, and a difference of .60 a gallon. It looks like by the end of this week we'll be seeing prices solidly under the $3 mark in North Idaho!

Going down ...

In one week's time the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas has fallen from $3.49 per gallon to $3.14 in Coeur d'Alene.

Water Colors

There's no shortage of natural beauty to photograph in North Idaho. For me, the many shades and textures of our lakes and rivers provide the most scenic and soothing subjects of all. Today at Beauty Creek, a couple of miles past the campground, I paused to enjoy the sounds of the water spilling over rocks and fallen logs on its way to Lake Coeur d'Alene. In the shadows of the overhanging foliage, moss provided a contrast to the hues of the rocks on the creekbed.

Pretty in Pink

Thirty-seven young women from all over the state were OnLocation in Coeur d'Alene this past week for the Idaho Junior Miss Program. They displayed some extraordinary performing arts skills from piano to cello to ballet to classical vocals. These high school seniors are solidly among the best and the brightest in all of Idaho. This pretty-in-pink Blackfoot High School student, Paige Casperson, came away with the overall scholastic achievement award ... no small feat in a sea of achievers.

Best Deal in Town

In North Idaho this election year has people fully engaged. At the Gentlemens Quarter barber shop in Coeur d'Alene they offer a package deal on politics, counseling and a hair cut!

Dress Rehearsal

It seems that just before the leaves change color the last flowers of summer are particularly vibrant. This white picket fence is dressed up in bright daisies as one of the most beautiful fall foliage neighborhoods in Coeur d'Alene gets ready for the visual treat of autumn. A few blocks north of Sherman Avenue between 4th and 10th Streets is at the top of the list for the viewing of spectacular colors in the coming weeks. Foster Avenue is my personal pick for fall photography in all of North Idaho.

The good old days

After a summer season of gas prices edging towards $4 a gallon, North Idaho is finally seeing some relief at the pumps. OnLocation in Coeur d'Alene I spotted more than one station with prices below $3.45 a gallon for regular. This vintage Chevron sign graces the side of an old building in downtown Spirit Lake.

Wooo Hooo!

This is it ... that bonus summer day on October 1. Sunshine and 80+ degrees will give us all one final reminder of how perfect summer in North Idaho really is before we bundle up for brisk fall weather. Get out there and enjoy!

Still Summer

Through October 1 the weather is forecast to be positively summer-like. Even the soaring seagulls over the Spokane River are enjoying the early fall Indian Summer days in North Idaho.

Farmers Market

The Kootenai County Farmers Market, on the corner of Prairie Avenue and US Hwy 95 in Coeur d'Alene, is winding down for the season. You still have a few more weekends before the final market day on October 18. For the past 23 years, everything at the market has been grown or made by the vendors. It's a feast for the eyes and the dinner table!

Flowing falls

It seems fitting that the new city hall in Post Falls features several natural rock waterfalls with recirculated water on the south side of the building in the open courtyard.

September sigh ...

Less than a week ago I was splashing in the lake with the sun on my face, now my backyard flower baskets are surrendering to the changing of the seasons in North Idaho. Leaves from the trees on the still-green lawn will soon outnumber the blooms on the flowers.

Put another log on the fire

The first day of fall is for real. The high temperature will be in the 50s and overnight, the first hard frost of the season will be a chilly 32. Wood stoves and fireplaces will be keeping many north Idahoans toasty tonight.

Spectacular September view

The 3.5 mile Shoreline Trail in Farragut State Park was the vantage point for Mr. OnLocation Saturday. Sailboats glided over the water in Lake Pend Oreille's Idlewilde Bay with Steamboat Rock providing a rugged backdrop.

The Senator

OnLocation at the Coeur d'Alene Resort for the annual Women in Red Luncheon I had the opportunity to meet former US Senator Jim McClure. Nearly 84-years-old, he has a very long and illustrious career in service to Idaho. McClure served in the state senate from 1961 to 1966 then was elected to the US Congress, serving from 1967 to 1973. He was elected to the US Senate in 1973 where he served for 18 years before retiring. A fascinating man, I was glad to see him enjoying this northern part of Idaho on such a beautiful day.

Transitions

Sometimes the line between seasons in North Idaho can be a bit blurry. Less than a week away from the official start of autumn, temperatures in the almost-90s have made for some lazy late afternoons on Lake Coeur d'Alene. It won't be long until my suntanned toes are tucked into real shoes and socks and the water will be far too chilly for swimming and wading. But for a few more fleeting moments of summer I intend to take every opportunity to splash and wade and feel the sand on my feet.

Coming Attractions

In a few short weeks the patio furniture will be put away, the sandals and beach towels will go to the back of the closet and the colors of autumn will be on display. My second favorite season in North Idaho.

Down by the river

The solitude of a Sunday afternoon on the banks of the Spokane River at Corbin Park with a good book, sunshine on my face and the sound of water hurrying over the rocks near the shoreline... my perfect day in North Idaho.

Camo Calories

I don't hunt or fish but I discovered something at Cabela's in Post Falls that's right up my alley, though. Camo fudge!

Bonus Days

Just like a baker's dozen, September for me has always been a bonus in North Idaho. It's perfect. The lawns are still green, the lake is still refreshing for a swim and Mother Nature gifts us with several summer-like days. Top down, convertible car weather for going OnLocation. The tourists have gone home to other places and the parks, lakes, trails and rivers belong to us again. Not that we don't like to share the beauty of our home with others but sometimes the late summer solitude of September is one of those simple pleasures that fill us up to face the coming cold.

Remembering

Few Americans would not be able to recall where they were or what they were doing on September 11, 2001. For our family in North Idaho, the first news reports brought immediate concern about daughter, Sarah, a rookie flight attendant flying out of LAX that morning. It would be a few hours before we knew she was safe on the ground but our personal relief did little to dull the horror of the days events. There are no shortage of heroes to remember today, the 7th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on this country but my thoughts turn to those crew members on United Flight 93, United Flight 175, American Flight 11 and American Flight 77 who died that day. The airline industry was forever changed with the events of September 11, 2001. Our daughter continues to fly and we continue to worry. We will remember the heroes and that on that worst day, the best of America was also very much on display.

Casco Bay Construction Zone

The 22,040-square-foot home of Duane and Lola Hagadone is moving right along since construction began in earnest only in June. The site is visible from downtown Coeur d’Alene and the Coeur d’Alene Resort, which is also owned by the native-born businessman. After its completion in 2009, the lakeside home will become the second-largest single-family residence in Kootenai County. The log house that occupied that space for over 70 years is now on the Cougar Bay property of Rocky and Mary Watson.

School Days

The first full week of school in northern Idaho deserves another reminder to drive carefully.

September Swan Song

A Canada goose comes in for a landing in Lake Coeur d'Alene's Cougar Bay on Sunday afternoon while his fellow feathered friends gather near a piling.

River Run

The trails at Kiwanis Park in Post Falls were the site of the first Cross Country meet of the year for high schools in North Idaho on Saturday. The 6th Annual Post Falls River Run took place in 40-acre Kiwanis Park with paved parking, picnic areas, picnic shelters, restrooms, and beach access on the Spokane River. At the south end of Ross Point Road, this beautiful spot is part of the City of Post Falls park system.

OnLocation with the Governor

Idaho Governor Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter, enjoyed themselves at the Resort Plaza Shops for the debut of Mudgey and Millie and the signing of a proclaimation of September 13 as Mudgey and Millie Day. The First Couple will be OnLocation in North Idaho through Sunday for the 37th Annual Governor's Cup. The tournament includes golf, fly fishing and shooting sports and this is the first time ever it's been held in North Idaho. Money raised (over $700,000!) will provide college scholarships to Idaho high school students. So be on the lookout for Governor sightings around town this week!

Discover Mill River

This summer I've spent more than a few afternoons at Johnson Mill River Park on the Spokane River. It's been one of the best OnLocation discoveries of the season. Located at 4340 W. Shoreview Lane, the park has 1,000 feet of beach, a day use boat dock, picnic shelter, restrooms and off-street parking. It's a centerpiece of the Mill River neighborhood of single family homes and condos and a prime piece of waterfront real estate that's been part of the Coeur d'Alene Parks system since 2006. Developers Tom Johnson and Cliff Mort gifted the property to the city when they began to create the Mill River development on the site of a former mill.
Tom Johnson died in a motorcycle accident just a few days before the park was officially dedicated in 2007.
But as I sat on the green lawn with a good book this summer I knew that Tom would be pleased to see the families and youngsters enjoying what he provided to the public. He loved that river and spent his lifetime playing on the water. Johnson Mill River Park is a legacy that will be enjoyed for many lifetimes.

Ivy League

The brick walls of North Idaho College's Kildow Hall and Christianson Gymnasium are genuinely ivy covered. An interesting tale is that Colonel John McFarland brought the first starts of ivy from his alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Col. McFarland taught languages at NIC for many years after receiving his BS from West Point and later (in 1963) his Masters from Gonzaga. The story goes that NIC faculty has continued to bring starts of ivy from other presigious universities throughout the years.