Colors of Autumn

Fall color is visible in this view of Coeur d'Alene from Potlatch Hill Road. The world-famous Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf course in the foreground will end their golfing season on October 23.

Last Splash of the Season

Although Silverwood Theme Park is open weekends through September, Labor Day weekend is the last chance to splash in their Boulder Beach waterpark. Two wave pools, a lazy river with a swim up bar, water slides ... great place to be on location!
* my photogenic and fellow sun-loving friend Stephanie Smith enjoying the lazy river at Boulder Beach.

Summer Swan Song

While wading in the Spokane River at Corbin Park, on what was likely the last 90+ degree day of summer, I watched a solitary golden leaf float by. Summer may be brief in northern Idaho but it's truly spectacular.

Diamond Cup

The big boats of yesteryear's Diamond Cup Races once again graced the Lake City of Coeur d'Alene. The regatta raised funds for the Museum of North Idaho.

Early Bird Special

My husband sees far more sunrises than I do, and he photographed the early morning view looking east from the Rathdrum Prairie on his way to work on Wednesday.

Home!

After nearly two weeks on location in Montana and North Dakota, we're happy to be back home again. My husband, Bert and our dog, Annie celebrate at Exit O atop Lookout Pass at the Idaho/Montana state line. In the ten minutes or so we were there at the Idaho sign we visited with families from Illinois, Kansas, Nevada and California, who had also stopped to get a photo. For most of them it was their first time to see our state and I must say that the view from there is a great introduction to Idaho.

Julyamsh 2010

Another extraordinary visual of our Native people in celebration on their ancestral homeland in Post Falls, Idaho. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe welcomed over 1,000 dancers and drummers from around the country and Canada for the three-day pow wow and tribal encampment. This stunning photograph of Nathan Chasing Horse (Lakota Soiux) was taken by my friend, Jahn Schmitz, who experienced Julyamsh for the first time this year. An album of my OnLocation pow wow photographs HERE.

On the beaten path

Sometimes you don't have to leave home to see the incredible masterpieces Mother Nature creates. In the flowers alongside my driveway I paused to watch this butterfly sip the nectar. It's mornings and scenes like this that make us happy to be alive in this little corner of North Idaho paradise.

North Idaho "Sand" Castle

Don't get me wrong, I love a tropical white sand beach as much as the next guy but the banks of our rivers are not created for playing in the sand. We float, we raft, we swim and kayak. Then there's jet skiing, wake boarding, sail boarding and good old fashioned swimming. Time on shore under the summer sun does provide the chance to create in a different way ... stacking a "castle" of river rocks.

In Plain Sight

Alongside Coeur d'Alene River Road in the Coeur d'Alene National Forest a white tail doe stands sentry in the brush. Two fawns waited across the road to join their mother.

Wild turkeys

On my way into Coeur d'Alene this mornng a hen turkey and at least 15 chicks (known as poults) were crossing E. Riverview Road. As I came around the corner the mother and about half the chicks crossed and the other chicks ran back to the other side of the road to hide in the rocks. I snapped a couple of photos and went on my way, certain the family of wild turkeys would be reunited.

Beach Time!

It took summer a while to get to North Idaho but it has definately arrived. Temperatures this week in the 90s will inspire lots of beach-going. Coeur d'Alene city beach is a popular place to cool off on a hot day!

Celebrating North Idaho

We know how to put on parades in this neck of the woods, from small towns to big cities ... a block long or miles long, everyone loves a parade. The American Heroes 4th of July parade in Coeur d'Alene was a Norman Rockwell slice of American life. An exuberant Madison Leonard, newly-minted America's Junior Miss who hails from Hayden Lake, was making her first hometown appearance since winning the title in Mobile, Alabama last month. Parade images HERE.

Arrrrr ...

A pirate ship was sighted on Lake Coeur d'Alene, filled with little mateys and pirates or three for the maiden voyage of the Pirates of the Coeur d'Alenes on the first day of July. The new attraction is part of Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises.

Mountain top view

The majority of the photographs I've posted here for years, I've taken from not too far off the beaten North Idaho path. But if you're willing to ride a dirt bike several miles through the forest to an elevation of over 5,000 feet, like my husband did the last weekend of June, you can see some incredible views. Atop Grizzly Peak in the Coeur d'Alene National Forest, Bert even found snow!

Ironman finish line

Just hours from the Sunday morning start of the 2010 Ironman Coeur d'Alene, preparations are taking place. The finish line for these athletes, after swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles, is shown in front of the white VIP tent in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Over 2,500 athletes hope to hear their name called out over the loudspeaker as they are declared Ironmen! More photos HERE.

Osprey

The 11th Annual Osprey Boat Cruise is being held July 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Natural Resources Committee of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce invites the community to participate in this annual cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene to view the Osprey and their nests with representatives from the Raptor Chapter, Idaho Fish & Game, and the Nature Conservancy providing commentary.
Don't forget your camera! 208-415-0105 or Karen@CdAChamber.com for details.

*I took this photograph on the Spokane River across from RedLion Templin's Resort.

Ironman eve

Three days before the incredible athletes of Ironman Coeur d'Alene hit the water to begin their adventure, Coeur d'Alene's city park and beach are relatively uncrowded. Over the next few days the family and friends of the 2,500 athletes will arrive, along with thousands of spectators to this beautiful city on the lake.
Ongoing Ironman Coeur d'Alene coverage through the weekend HERE.

Lawn Mower Drag Races

This is the 10th annual running of the Big Back-In Lawn Mower Drags down Maine Street in Spirit Lake on Father's Day. If you have yet to experience the unique mountain man ambiance of downtown Spirit Lake, it's a must. Fun for the whole family, including the dog.

Small Town Scenes

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life here in North Idaho, it's easy to forget why we love where we live. Even more than the beautiful lakes, rivers and mountains, it's the lifestyle. Where else can you not be surprised to see a couple of gals out for a horseback ride in town on a Saturday afternoon, like these ladies in Post Falls?

Free Fishing!

Idaho's Free Fishing Day is an annual event held the second Saturday of June. Idaho Fish and Game invites all anglers, residents and nonresidents, to celebrate the day by fishing Idaho's waters without a license.
If you've never been fishing, Free Fishing Day is also a great day to learn. Fish and Game personnel and volunteers will be at numerous free events at local fishing waters throughout the state to help first time anglers discover the joys of fishing. There will be loaner rods and reels available at Falls Park in Post Falls and Ponderosa Springs Golf Course in Coeur d'Alene.

Come visit!

We're saved a front row seat for you in beautiful North Idaho and summer's on its way!

On emerald pond ...

A family of Canada goslings practice swimming in the pond at Falls Park in Post Falls. On North Idaho lakes and rivers, young wildlife are learning the ropes.

Down river

We've had one of the wettest springs on record, following one of the least snowiest winters on record. As the rainfall caused some flooding in Coeur d'Alene, the Post Falls dam on the Spokane River had the gates wide open, making for some roaring scenery at Falls Park. The viewing platforms at the dam were the best place to be on a Saturday afternoon.

North Idaho version of National Lampoon's Vacation

Looks like Clark and Ellen Griswold are bringing the family up north to Silverwood Theme Park for their 2010 vacation.

May showers

The month of May went out with downpouring rain but summer's just around the corner in North Idaho.

Squirrel Picnic

Not all wildlife viewing in North Idaho takes place in the wild. This neighborhood squirrel was thrilled with his tasty treasure.

Million $ Views

You can't put a price tag on the scenic views of North Idaho but this one has to be right up there. Valerie Wilcox captured the view from her back door in Syringa Heights, above Lake Coeur d'Alene. Arrow Point is visible in the distance.

Bergonias in bloom

Bergonias bloom beneath the marble murals of epic US military battles in the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Kootenai County Courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

The skinny

My sister, Janna was out for a Sunday drive on a beautiful 65-degree day in North Idaho when she spotted this couple in a long and lean canoe-type vessel on Fernan Lake in Coeur d'Alene.

Shoosh into Spring

Great late season skiing awaits in North Idaho. From $10 lift tickets at Schweitzer to free skiing for all at Lookout Pass Recreation Area (pictured) this weekend, it's a skier and boarder paradise!

Goose babies

Even though North Idaho is under a winter storm watch heading into Easter weekend, there are springtime arrivals to be found. Canada goslings on the Spokane River, near North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, test their aquatic skills.

Come Visit!

Mike Matteo places one of 108 tiles in the 12' X 9' mural in the main reception area of the new Post Falls Chamber Visitor Center. The mural is a photograph of the falls with the flood gates wide open. The city center building is nearing completion, expected to open in late April.

Here's the church ...

The spires of historic St. Thomas Catholic Church in downtown Coeur d'Alene are visible over the tree tops with a view from the north side of Tubbs Hill.

Downtown at Dawn

During the day and certainly during the summer, downtown Coeur d'Alene is abuzz with people. At dawn this week during a guest stint hosting a local radio morning show, I captured the view as a single car on Sherman Avenue emerges from the dark.

Dog Days of Winter

The last day of February in North Idaho was a great one ... sunny and nary a snowflake in sight. This was the perfect day for runners, both two and four-legged, and this duo on Poleline Avenue were among the many out enjoying the dog days of winter.

White Tail on watch

This white tail deer stood sentry Sunday in a field across from Black Rock Golf Course. As I drove away, several deer emerged from the cover of tall grass to the right.

Lake reflection

February's late afternoon sun over Rockford Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene created a reflection of the far shore.

The view

With the exception of the mountain ski resorts, North Idaho has been relatively snowless this winter. Sunshine this week and temperatures nearing 50 created crowds of people at the local car wash, seizing the opportunity to wash the winter grime away. This view from the driver's seat is likely one many of us will see over the weekend.

Fog on the water

On a winter's day mid-morning fog over Lake Coeur d'Alene quickly disappears when the sun comes through the clouds over Independence Point.

Trophy Elk

There's no shortage of wildlife viewing in North Idaho but a rather unique sight is an elk ranch on Hwy. 95 south of Coeur d'Alene near Rockford Bay. This winter there are nearly 50 of the magnificent creatures with impressive antlers visible from the highway.

OnLocation at the Capitol

I went OnLocation about 400 miles south and took in a tour of the newly-renovated state capitol building in Boise. Definately worth seeing! More info HERE.

Beavers at work

Down by the Spokane River I came across several tree stumps left by eager beavers. For some reason the beavers left this one unfinished.

Around the bend

The Spokane River rushes around the bend near Corbin Park in Post Falls. It's uncommon to see the banks without snow and ice during the third week of January. Dozens of disc golfers were enjoying the sunny, 40+ degree day at the park.

How the big boys go sledding!

Coeur d'Alene Realtor Tom Torgerson loves where he lives and loves "hill climbin'" in the great North Idaho outdoors on his modified Ski-Doo 800 Summit X. This photo of Tom was taken by Rand Wichman above Burke Canyon in Shoshone County.

Winter Sunset

This gorgeous view of a recent winter sunset was taken from atop Fernan Hill with Fernan Lake in the foreground and Lake Coeur d'Alene in the distance. Thanks Tom Torgerson!

Out and About

I've not been out OnLocation as much in recent weeks, tied to the computer it seems. But I'm not the only one in these parts who loves where I live so you'll see more photos from friends who are out enjoying the great North Idaho outdoors. Email a scenic winter photo to mainstreet@cdapress.com and if it's posted here, I'll credit the photographer. Let me know where you were and when. Thanks!