Vacancy

This hand-crafted nesting box on a Bonners Ferry mountainside awaits a tenent ... likely an osprey, eagle or hawk.

Kid at Play

A baby goat surveys a brushy roadblock on the way to the creek at his Stateline playground.

Paint the Town Red

A sure sign of the tourist season start is the planting of the geraniums at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, which began today. The Resort plants over 10,000 red geraniums each year, as a symbolic welcome mat to visitors.

A Day in the Park

Coeur d'Alene's City Park, right on Lake Coeur d'Alene, is a beautiful place to enjoy the season. The Kiwanis play area is a favorite with locals and visitors.

Best Dressed

During the three-day Spring Show at the Post Falls Equestrian Center, the focus was on dressage and hunter/jumper events. But this four-legged competitor was wearing the equine equivalent of high fashion headgear.

Hit the Beach

Beach volleyball at North Idaho College is in full swing, and this weekend's summer-like weather in our corner of the world sure to bring out the crowds.

Ski Free

There's still snow on the mountain tops and Silver Mountain is giving everyone a chance to enjoy a final run down the slopes on Sunday. The gondola in Kellogg will being uploading passengers at 7:30 a.m. Chairlifts will operate 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The weatherman says that the sun will be shining so don't forget the sunblock!

Read the Signs

Many of North Idaho's rivers are flowing fast as the snow continues to melt in the mountains. We've had some pre-summer sun of late, making a dip in the water inviting but everyone needs to pay attention to the signs ... such as this one at Corbin Park on the Spokane River.

Fore!

Disc golf is big in North Idaho so I went OnLocation to the Cherry Hill Challenge Inaugural Tournament in Coeur d'Alene. Impressive. There were 64 players on a sunny Saturday, and as many different throwing styles and fashion statements. Disc golfers don't ride in carts, they carry their discs and assorted equipment in shoulder bags or pockets. Fun to watch. Cherry Hill winners are here. Information on North Idaho disc golf courses here. Photos are here. North Idaho Recreators Disc Golf Club here.

Start your engines

This weekend's Depot Days in Wallace kicked off the classic car show season in North Idaho. Next Thursday through Sunday is Lost in the '50s in Sandpoint, then comes Car d'Lane June 12 & 13 and Post Falls' River City Rod Run July 17 & 18. Most community celebrations include car shows, we love our old cars!

Sign of Summer

Even though it's a few months until the August huckleberry picking season arrives, a sign of summer in North Idaho is the availability of huckleberry milk shakes and ice cream. The iconic Paul Bunyon drive ins in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls are the first out of the gate with the summertime treat this year.

Safety Sign

Going on location recently for a behind-the-scenes tour of the dam operation in Post Falls included a visit 50 ft. below the river to the powerhouse. Avista operators utilize much of the same equipment and technology that existed when the dam was built in 1906. This sign is surely a remnant of those early beginnings. More photos of the tour here.

Tubbs Hill views

Those of us who live here know what a treasure Tubbs Hill is for recreation. When my brother-in-law visited recently he went on location to the Tubbs Hill hiking trails more than once, taken with the views and the adventure of hillside hiking right in the center of town. This is one of his photos from a morning walk.