The Pend Oreille (pond-o-ray) River

In late September the colors began to change along the Pend Oreille River. The river begins at the west of Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint in Bonner County. Receiving the Priest River from the north it then flows into southern Pend Oreille County in northeastern Washington at Newport. In Washington the Pend Oreille River turns north, flowing along the eastern side of the Selkirk Mountains. It flows roughly parallel to the Idaho border for nearly 50 miles, through the Colville National Forest and Metaline Falls, which is where this photograph was taken. The river crosses the international border into southeastern British Columbia, looping west for about 15 miles and joining the Columbia from the east, approximately two miles north of the Canadian border.

Only in North Idaho

This message seems a bit mixed to me. There's the whole "make love, not war" symbolism of the '70s combined with the universal "my dog will rip you limb from limb" signage.

Sharing the Prairie

Grazing cattle overlook residential construction on the Rathdrum Prairie. Despite continued growth, thousands of acres of the prairie are still actively agricultural.

Think Pink!

The newest Idaho specialty plate became available today. Former Miss Idaho, Tracey Brown of Post Falls was the designer and force behind the pink ribbon breast cancer awareness plates, in honor of her mother, a breast cancer survivor. Proceeds from the plates will allow low-income, uninsured women to receive breast cancer screening. Tracey's website includes a link to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles for more information. http://idahoaware.webng.com/

Fall Arrives

Today marks the start of Autumn but in North Idaho the mountain passes have already measured their first snowfall of the season. The summer green foliage is beginning to turn color and in the coming weeks, lake cruises for beautiful viewing are available on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the St. Joe River and Lake Pend Oreille. A preview of the beauty to come in our four-season paradise are pictured at a stately, historic home on Sherman Avenue and along Foster Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.

COE welcomes Pappy

The Coeur d'Alene Airport (COE) www.cdaairport.com, accommodates a steady stream of planes and pilots at their general aviation facility. On September 22, the airport welcomed two US Marine harrier jets for a flyover and landing. The occasion was the naming of the field in honor of the late Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, WWII flying ace, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, P.O.W. and Coeur d'Alene native son. Pappy Boyington Detachment 966 of the Marine Corps League in Coeur d'Alene had pressed for years to secure approval for the naming.On hand for the official dedication were US Congressman Bill Sali, Rep. Marge Chadderdon, Kootenai County Commissioners Rich Piazza and Todd Tondee and very special guest, Gregory Boyington, Jr., pictured with his family. It was a proud day for the Marine Corps and for North Idaho. Semper Fi.

September Sunsets

September sunsets are not only beautiful in North Idaho, they tend to evoke a tinge of melancholy. You can almost hear a collective sigh as we put away our toys of summer and prepare for the season of change. This view, looking west over the Rathdrum Prairie from Post Falls this week, inspired awe.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon

On any given day we're reminded of patriotism and sacrifice in our hometown. This poignant declaration of love and pride in a local serviceman is on an older car I saw parked in front of a modest 7th Street home in Coeur d'Alene. I don't know Sgt. Lander but I found myself saying a silent thank you and hoping that the day will come soon when North Idaho families will welcome all of our heroes home.

Fore!

There's no shortage of spectacular golf courses in North Idaho but another kind of golf is also popular. Corbin Park in Post Falls has a challenging wooded 15-hole disc golf course with views of the Spokane River. Other favorite area courses for the sport are at Ft. Sherman Park on the NIC campus, Bluegrass Park in Coeur d'Alene Place and at Farragut State Park.

Put another log on the fire

In North Idaho the wood stove is still a staple of keeping warm. Woodburning fireplaces are standard features in the most modest homes and magnificent mansions. Locals know that Tamarack and red fir produce the most heat when burned. Entrepreneurs with a pick-up truck and a chain saw sell firewood by the cord or truckload. Firewood is commonly measured in cords, with a standard cord being tightly piled wood in a stack 4 feet wide and 4 feet high by 8 feet long. A personal use firewood permit from the Idaho Panhandle National Forest costs $20 for cutting up to four cords and $5 for each additional cord. A permit is good for gathering firewood from the time of purchase through March 31 of the following year. So put another log on the fire as Autumn's arrival starts to cool things off in beautiful North Idaho.
Copy and paste this link for listings of ranger district offices: http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit/offices.html

September

September ... when the seagulls outnumber the sightseers on Lake Coeur d'Alene as this Independence Point dock stroller discovered this week.

North Idaho Remembers

Photos from 2006 9/11 ceremony at Q'emiln Park in Post Falls.

New Library for Coeur d'Alene

Thousands of books and a beautiful view, and some of the faces of the people who made it all happen for the City with a Heart.

Riverstone Swan Song

Riverstone Park on Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d'Alene debuted this summer with a beautiful pond as the centerpiece. It became popular not only with the public but with dozens of Canada Geese. The geese were lovely but left droppings all over the lawns and walkways. In August, four decoy swans were placed in the pond. Lovely to look at but no droppings to worry about. For whatever reason, the geese have gone off to greener pastures or ponds, leaving the fake tethered swans to float peacefully in place.

Ivy League on the Lake

North Idaho College is far from the Ivy League of the eastern US but there's no shortage of ivy covered buildings on the scenic campus located at the north end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Founded in 1933 as the first community college in Idaho, NIC is part of the Coeur d'Alene educational corridor which includes Lewis Clark State College, University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University.

Sail Away Summer

There are still two glorious weeks of North Idaho summer on the calendar but the recreation pace is slowing. The setting sun cast a golden glow at the Silver Beach Marina on Lake Coeur d'Alene this week. These boats have spent the summer towing skiers and carrying their owners to the best swimming bays on the lake. For a few more weekends they'll be pressed into service before heading off the water, onto a trailer to spend the winter awaiting the return of the summer sun.

Life Savers

The young men and women of the lifeguard stands at area attractions, lakes and rivers put away their whistles and sunscreen for the summer. Most are back in school now. We thank them for keeping us safe while we frolicked in the sunshine of beautiful North Idaho.
Pictured are a Silverwood's Boulder Beach lifeguard giving thumbs up at Velocity Peak and a Wild Waters lifeguard issuing a whistled warning.

Labor Day Fashion Farewell

Today, alas, signals the end to the wearing of white shoes for the summer season in North Idaho. But considering our first snowfall doesn't generally arrive until right before Thanksgiving and that September has plentiful and beautiful "Indian Summer" days ... take a fashion risk and keep those white shoes and sandals at the ready.