On Idaho's Panhandle

Didn't really want to leave our warm, large, cozy suite this morning in the pouring rain, but, on to new adventures in Idaho! It was only a one-hour drive from Spokane/WA to Coeur d'Alene/ID and "CdA" is only about 100 mi South of the Canadian border and about 50 or 60 miles to Montana (East) - the small stripe is therefore called "Idaho's Panhandle".

Since we arrived early, we explored the city first and walked along main street (Sherman Ave.) to find out that there are nice shops and restaurants and that it is a bit more touristic, though much smaller (45.000), than Spokane. The Museum of North Idaho and Fort Sherman Museum were closed for the winter. The Fort, constructed in 1878, played an important role in avoiding conflicts between settlers and indians and was the place where the town was born.

Then we checked into the Coeur d'Alene Resort, an eye-catching highrise directly on the lake. Phantastic place, we got a room with a view, a fireplace and a balcony on the 16th floor towards Lake Coeur d'Alene and the mountains and the marina. You always think, it can't get any better, but it can!






We were scheduled for a 1,5 hour site inspection of the property at noon, including the hotel's own golf course, the spa, pool area, restaurants, different rooms etc. The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort takes pride in having one of the top-notch golf courses, famous for its floating Green on the 14th hole. Golfers arrive by wooden boat, are greeded by your personal forecaddie and play their 18 holes with the lake and the mountains as a gorgeous backdrop. There is a beautiful pool closeby the golf course, directly at the edge of the lake (see pic).

In the hotel itself, consisting of three parts, there is the equally praised Suplime Spa, with running water all over the place, with waterfalls, fireplaces and lakeview (pic of quiet room). Among several restaurants, lounges and bars there is the star-rated "Beverley" restaurant serving Northwestern Cuisine. They have a gigantic wine "cellar" and, of course, offer a view, too! Duane Hagadone, a local businessman and newspaper publisher, not only owns the resort and golf course but also many other operations in town. Seems, like some people can make money in journalism!!!



A boardwalk runs in front of the hotel around the marina, there are trails, beaches, tennis courts, bikes can be rented and horseback riding arranged. There are regular boat cruises in summer and water adventures as kayak, rafting, float trips, fishing and much more outdoor activities being offered. Must be great to stay here in summer!

In the afternoon, despite of the rain, we drove the approx. 50 mi over a mountain pass to two former mining towns east of CdA: Kellogg and Wallace. Wallace was considered the "silver capital of the world" and is by far the more attractive one of the two, with many intact historic buildings and a microbrewery. The town was founded in the late 19th century, when silver was mined in abundance and when the area boomed. The Silver Mines can be toured, but not in winter.

When we came back to the hotel in the early evening, there was a beautiful rainbow (actually two, one weaker than the other) showing up, as if to say: there is always some bright light, even if it rains most of the time and your nose is running...