Signs of Summer

It's a soggy start to the first three-day weekend of the summer season in North Idaho. The tourism industry is the cornerstone of the Coeur d'Alene area and the uncommon flooding from the record-breaking winter snowfall will take a toll on many local businesses. But by the time Ironman comes to town and the 4th of July rolls around, we'll all be frolicking at the lake in the bright sunshine.The entrance to Coeur d'Alene's lakeside city park at Independence Point shows the flooded beach, sidewalk and parking lot as the three-day Memorial Day weekend starts.
At Blackwell Island RV Park on the Spokane River, this sign seems a bit unnecessary under the current conditions.
The no wake zone for boaters now extends to most North Idaho lakes and rivers, if boaters are foolhardy enough to risk hitting the submerged deadhead logs and debris that the floodwaters have deposited in the lake.The Memorial Day boat show on the Coeur d'Alene Resort marina's boardwalk is dampened by portions of submerged walkways.
The Cedars is an iconic Lake Coeur d'Alene eatery, unique as a floating restaurant. This week The Cedars closed because the suspension bridge walkway down to the restaurant is now horizontal and partially submerged.