I’ve never met anyone who put Idaho on their travel bucket list. Maybe because of its location? Maybe because it’s a known as a haven for preppers / survivalists? Maybe because it doesn’t send out either a resort or cosmopolitan vibe? Whatever the reason, I’m hoping this post might change your mind.
Idaho came to our attention after watching a very convincing Amazon prime documentary on the state. When I started asking around, friends and family only recommended two cities (or maybe only 2 cities are known), Boise and Coeur d’Alene.
Since Coeur d’Alene is located in the northern panhandle portion of Idaho and only 30 minutes from Spokane, we made this Idaho stop a priority as we left eastern Washington and headed for Montana.
Coeur d’Alene is the 7th largest city in Idaho with a population of about 51,000. Abilene Texas (also not a typical destination) is twice as big. Yup…that gives you an idea of how small the overall population is in Idaho.
The sparkling lake at Coeur d’Alene is this town’s main feature. Since we only had one day in Coeur d’Alene, we went straight to McEuen Park. This 20-acre plus lakeside park has the city’s largest playground, a dog park, basketball courts and tons of grass for a great picnic. The library sits to one side (and, as we discovered after paying way too much for parking, has free parking). Towards the lake there are indoor/outdoor restaurants, a boat launch, marina and the entrance to Tubbs Hill (a 120-acre nature preserve) that overlooks the lake. Main street is on the north end of the park and has lots of great shopping and food.
We took advantage of the dog park and then walked to the waterfront to avoid a huge crowd of teens who were divided into teams and doing some kind of unmasked scavenger hunt. We decided that to see more of the lake we’d need the bikes.
There’s a 60 mile rails to trail bike trail, called the N. Idaho Centennial Trail, that begins at Nine Mile Falls, Washington, passes through McEuen Park, and ends at Higgins Point on Coeur d’Alene Lake.
From McEuen Park, the ride to Higgins Point was only about 6.5 miles. Continuing about another ½ mile led to a pretty park (where that day a small wedding had just concluded). Most of the out and back trail was flat and followed the shoreline with wonderful views of the lake. Many of the homes along it could have been featured in Robin Leach’s “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
Despite the fact that the ride was not strenuous, dessert seemed necessary. (Just realized this might be why Doug maintains his slender figure and I can’t lose a lb, but I digress). We found ice cream at a Crepe shop along main street. Don’t ask why…it’s Idaho…we don’t understand all their customs. The scoops were generous and the peppermint, out of this world! A great ending to a pleasant ride.
If this alone hasn’t convinced you to take another look at Idaho, consider this:
- In the city of Idaho Falls it’s illegal to ride a merry-go-round on Sunday…so don’t even think about it, you rebel!
- Idaho has a canyon called Hell’s Canyon that is deeper than the Grand Canyon. Who knew?
- 63% of the state is considered public land. That’s a lot of exploring to do.
- The movie “Napolean Dynomite” was filmed in Idaho. Heck yes!
- The city of Pocatello requires you to put on a happy face. They have a law that states “it is prohibited for pedestrians and motorists to display frowns, grimaces, scowls, threatening and glowering looks, gloomy and depressed facial appearances, generally all of which reflect unfavorably upon the city’s reputation”.
- The TV was invented in Idaho by Philo Taylor Farnsworth in 1927. His first transmission was of his wife.
- Progressive might not initially come to mind when you think of Idaho but as far as I can tell, even zombies are welcome there since its ok to violate their cannibalism statue if “the action was taken under extreme life-threatening conditions as the only apparent means of survival”.
- World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street was born in Idaho. She was named “Little Girl” Street at birth but was rechristened Picabo by her parents at age 2 so that she could get a passport.
- Forget wearing a diaper to the NYC New Year’s Ball Drop. Instead head to Boise Idaho for the annual potato drop! https://idahopotatodrop.com/
- Idaho has 3,100 miles of rivers, which is more than any other state so grab your watercraft and get out there!
