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How to be Scared in Spokane: Scarywood and other Area Frights

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

The Timber Terror rollercoaster at Scarywood. Copyright Silverwood and Boulder Beach.

Each October, happy, bright Silverwood Theme Park, near Coeur d’Alene, ID, is transformed into a dark, haunted “Scarywood.” Roller coasters run backwards (apparently, this is scarier than forwards), and ghosts, ghouls, and other nasty creatures prowl the grounds.

Haunted attractions include the Blood Bayou haunted house, Terror Canyon Trail, Zombie Wood Express (the benign train ride turned into a zombie hunting machine!), and the brand new 3-Dementia, a 3-D attraction of a “pleasant fun zone gone horribly wrong.”

Not all rides are open during Scarywood, but there are plenty to keep you busy all evening, and all are decked out in spooky decorations and swarming with horrifying people to keep your adrenaline pumping. The website advises visitors to plan on attending twice if they want to see everything. While not as crowded as Silverwood Theme Park during the summer, Scarywood is still very popular. If you can, go in the middle of the week for smaller crowds and shorter lines (and cheaper admission price!). Before you go, check out the visitor tips page. Note that Scarywood is not recommended for kids under 12—this is not just an overly cautious warning. The place is very fun, but too intense for young kids! Dress very warmly, as you will be standing outside a lot. Visitors are not allowed to wear costumes, so save yours for the parties.

Tickets are $24.99 at the gate or $19.99 if purchased online for Wednesday and Thursday admission (6:30–11:00 p.m.), $29.99/$34.99 Friday (7:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.), and $34.99/$29.99 Saturday (7:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.). Bonus: for every Scarywood ticket you purchase, you’ll receive a free Silverwood May admission ticket! Click here to buy your ticket online.

If being chased screaming through a corn maze sounds like a good time, be sure to check out the Field of Screams at the Incredible Corn Maze near State Line, ID (3405 N. Beck Road, Hauser, ID 83854, 509-990-6088). There are three non-haunted mazes in addition to the 3.5-acre haunted corn maze. Click here for Field of Screams hours. Prices are $7 to $10. While you are there, you can also shoot corn out of a cannon, pick a fresh pumpkin, and let the kids play at the tractor tire playground.

The Post Falls Lions Club will scare you for a good cause at their annual fundraiser haunted house at 4^th and Post in Post Falls, ID. This year’s event promises to have all new frights, with an “underground” them. The house is open Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00 p.m. to midnight through October, except October 28–31, when it will close at 10:00 p.m. The cost of admission is $7, or $5 if you bring two non-perishable food items to donate to the Post Falls Food Bank

If you want some reality with your spookiness, check out the Spokane Symphony’s Spooky Spokane walking tour on October 19, 6:30–8:00 p.m. or October 26, 6:30–8:00 p.m. For 90 minutes, stroll through downtown with a guide and learn about Spokane’s colorful and spooky history. The tour begins at the Fox theater and covers a 12-block radius with indoor and outdoor stops. Tickets are $15 and benefit the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. Buy them at the Fox Box Office at 1001 W. Sprague Ave. or by phone at 509-624-1200. They are also available online at www.martinwoldsontheater.com and at all TicketsWest outlets.

If you are looking for information about the Ignite! Theater haunted house at Riverfront Park, I’m sorry to tell you that it will not be performing this year. Due to construction on the planned Pacific Science Center, the group was not permitted to use the Riverfront Park venue, and they were unable to find another place. They hope to revive the haunted house next year at a new location.

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Events, Family, Holiday, Spokane | No Responses »

Let Your Inner German Beer Drinker out at Coeur d’Alene’s Oktoberfest 2012: September 28–29

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

The tradition of Oktoberfest began October 12, 1810, when the citizens of Munich were all invited to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen by drinking beer and watching horse races. Two hundred years later, millions of people attend Munich’s Oktoberfest, and cities all over the world host their own celebrations. Downtown Coeur d’Alene, with its walkable, charming streets and numerous independent shops and restaurants, hosts its annual Oktoberfest this Friday and Saturday.

For $15, you receive a glass beer mug, six sampling tickets, and admission to all music venues participating in the festival. There are eight sampling locations, all located on Sherman, including the Main Tent area on 2^nd and Sherman. Click here for a list of sampling venues. You must be 21 to purchase drink tickets of course, and valid identification is required. However, new this year, kids can come and enjoy the fun too! On Saturday, starting at 1:00 p.m., the Kinderplatz in Sherman Park will serve up kid friendly activities, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest 2012 runs Friday 4:30–8:00 p.m. and Saturday 1:00–8:00 p.m. You can pick up tickets, mugs, and festival tasting maps at the Plaza Shops, 210 E. Sherman Avenue, starting at 4:30 Friday and 12:30 Saturday. The opening ceremony in which the first keg will be tapped is at 5:00 p.m. Friday in the Main Tent area.

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Get Away without Going Far: Lakeside Fun at Coeur d’Alene, ID

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Lake Coeur d’Alene

You don’t need to spend a lot of time and money traveling to far-flung destinations to enjoy a relaxing or adventurous getaway. Coeur d’Alene in the summertime is a wonderful place to visit, and it is just 38 minutes east on I-90 from Spokane. You can either make it a day trip from Spokane or take a few days and stay in the lakeside resort town. If you are staying in Spokane, or want to go to Coeur d’Alene as part of a staycation in the Spokane area, stay at Stratford Suites, located close to the Spokane airport, and enjoy the comfort of an upscale furnished townhouse at an affordable rate. Use the money you might have spent on plane tickets or gas for more play!

You can spend a couple of days just hanging out at the waterfront of Lake Coeur d’ Alene. Play in the water at the sandy city beach, stroll the world’s longest floating boardwalk at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, and hike at Tubbs Hill, a 120-acre waterfront preserve on the downtown waterfront. Board a daily scenic lake cruise or make your own adventure with a kayak, stand-up paddle board, or jet boat/jet ski—all are available to rent.

This city also has excellent shopping, restaurants, wine bars, and art galleries, all located in the very walkable, quaint downtown area.

Coeur d’Alene is situated in a playground of the great outdoors, with great fishing, camping, and hiking very close by. Check the Forest Service website for more information. For whitewater rafting, check out ROW Adventures’ trips on the Wild and Scenic St. Joe River.

The Coeur d'Alene Resort

There are numerous options for lodging, including lakefront vacation rentals, but if you want to treat yourself, the obvious choice is the luxurious Coeur d’Alene Resort. From here, you can walk to the beach and downtown. The hotel houses several fine restaurants and a spa, plus a posh golf course with the world’s only floating green. Summer rates average $199–$499. Click here for package specials that will save you money, especially for families.

If you have kids, or if you like to play like a kid, add a day or two to your trip for Silverwood Theme Park, just minutes north of Coeur d’Alene on Highway 95. This is also a popular day trip destination from Spokane. It’s the Northwest’s largest theme park, with huge roller coasters, water rides, and entertainment. There are two sides to the park—the dry and the wet. Boulder Beach Water Park offers slides, wave pools, and areas just for toddlers and kids. There is a lot to do, and you should expect to spend a full day on either side. Admission is $21.99–$42.99. If you purchase your tickets online, they are a couple of bucks cheaper, and a discount is given for multi-day passes. Costco also sometimes has discount tickets.

For more information to help you plan a vacation in Coeur d’Alene, go to Coeurdalene.org and CDAdowntown.com.

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Deals, Dining, Family, Recreation, Shows, Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

Two Heavenly Weekends for Beer Lovers: Oktoberfest in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

You can get a little taste of Oktoberfest without going very far this weekend in downtown Spokane and next weekend in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The weather looks like it will be gorgeous, so come hang out in beautiful Riverfront Park and charming downtown Coeur d’Alene while sampling quality micro-brews from near and far. I guarantee there will be some authentic German/Bavarian costumes to see, so if you have some lederhosen, don’t be afraid to show them!

Spokane Oktoberfest

When: Tonight 4–9 p.m. and tomorrow noon to 9 p.m., September 23–24

Where: Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane

Beer, food, and entertainment: Taste beer from 22 Washington state breweries, including three Spokane breweries and one from Kettle Falls. The “Happy Hans” Band will provide some Bavarian music for a fitting background to the beer tasting. German and American fare will be available for purchase, but last year the selections were very limited, so think pretzels, sausages, and sauerkraut, or else eat at one of the excellent nearby downtown Spokane restaurants first.

Tickets: $20 at the door includes a commemorative tasting cup and 5.5 oz. samples; additional sample tokens are $1.50 or 4/$5.00. Ages 21and over. This event is outside and uncovered. Designated drivers get in free!

Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest

When: Friday, September 30, 5–9 p.m. and Saturday, October 1, 1–9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Coeur d’Alene, ID, at numerous tasting sites in the area of the Plaza Shops, with a tented food/entertainment area at the Wilma Lot on 2^nd and Sherman

Beer, food, and entertainment: Twelve stations with 20 different beers, some from Washington state breweries and others from Germany and Belgium. Traditional German style food will be for sale. There will be some great live music as well: the Fat Tones (smokin’ blues) will play on Friday night 5:30–8:30; Saturday from 2–5 p.m., Nu Jack Trio featuring Max Daniels (motown, soul, and pop) will play; and the Healthy Scratches will rock out Saturday from 6–9 p.m. Bonus: A beautiful stroll on Lake Coeur d’Alene is just a short walk away.

Tickets: $15 includes a glass Oktoberfest mug and six sampling tickets (more sampling tickets available at the event). Pre-sale vouchers are on sale at Angel Gallery, Christmas at the Lake, Frosted, Summer’s Glass, and Tiffany Blue (all located on the 200–500 blocks of Sherman Ave. in downtown Coeur d’Alene). Supplies are limited, so don’t wait!

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Cool Water Parks for Hot Days in the Spokane Area

Friday, July 15th, 2011

It finally feels like summer here in the Inland Northwest. Kids are out of school and looking for some summer fun activities, and grown-ups love summer outdoor fun, too, so it’s time for splashing, playing, and sliding through the water in the sun. Here is a list of some of the best water park and pool options in the Spokane, WA area, whether you just want to spend an hour or two at a city facility or would like to make a full day’s trip to one of the bigger parks. Most are open daily, but check the websites for specific hours. Note: Wild Waters in Coeur d’Alene, ID is closed for the season.

New Ricochet Rapids slide at Boulder Beach

Boulder Beach at Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho

A brand new slide just opened today at Boulder Beach! Ricochet Rapids is a family raft ride that includes side-to-side sliding through a 20-foot diameter tube and sharp turns and drops aboard a raft with five other people. The park also offers two large wave pools, a 650-foot raft slide, tube sliding, high speed water slide towers, a slow-moving tube creek ride, and two play areas just for smaller children. Ticket price includes admission to the many attractions at Silverwood: $41.99 general admission and $21.99 youth 3–7 and seniors over 65. Keep in mind that Silverwood does not allow outside food and drink in the park. Restaurants and concessions are on site. Silverwood and Boulder Beach are located in the same large complex just north of Coeur d’Alene on Highway 95 in North Idaho.

Money-saving tips: Buy your admission tickets before you go at Costco. As of this writing, they were $34.99 for general admission. If you want to make a weekend of your trip, stay in the area (Stay in Coeur d’Alene or, if you want to stay in Spokane, Stratford Suites, near the Spokane airport with easy freeway access, offers beautiful one- or two-bedroom suites with full kitchens for families) and go to the Silverwood side of the park one day and the Boulder Beach park one day. Silverwood offers a 20% discount for two-day passes, but they must be used on consecutive days.

Spash Down in Spokane Valley

A long-time local favorite, Splash Down (11127 E. Mission) has been a fun place for families for 26 years. New this year is “Splashketball” basketball competition in which the loser gets soaked, new barbeques (you can bring your own picnic food and drink!), and Frisbee golf. You can also soak your friends in “Water Wars” with water balloon launchers. Several different water slides provide plenty of thrills, including the “Fast Ball,” which clocks your speed as you freefall down six stories. Splash Down also features an area just for small children with kiddie pools and small slides. Bonus: Thursday evenings, there is live music! Local reports indicate that the lines at Splash Down move quickly, so you won’t be standing around in a wet bathing suit waiting for each slide.

Admission is $13.99 for juniors 48” and under, $16.99 for those over 48”, and free for seniors 65+ and little ones 3 and under. Chaperones who just want to watch can turn in their dry admission wristbands at the end of the day for a $7 refund. Concessions are on site.

Southside Aquatic Center on Spokane’s South Hill

This water park has just one big slide, but it has plenty of interactive play structures (like playgrounds for pool areas and VERY fun), plus water cannons, spray tubes, a lazy “river” with geysers and rapids, and a heated swimming pool to keep kids of all ages happy all day. In addition to having a blast playing in the water, the surrounding 8-acre Prairie View Park gives you more things to do, with a playground, a BBQ and picnic area, and a basketball court.

Admission is only $2 for kids 3–5, $4 for 6 and over, and free for 2 and under. The water park center is located at 3724 E. 61^ston Spokane’s South Hill. Note: If you are looking for a water park on the north side of Spokane, check out the Northside Aquatics Center (18120 N. Hatch Road in Colbert). This water park has a smaller slide and less activities than the Southside center, but it does have fun amenities that put it head and shoulders above a standard pool.

Liberty Aquatic Center

Extra Cool Spokane City Pools Made for Play [insert picture with caption “”]

In addition to large water parks, Spokane has several great aquatic centers throughout the city that feature fast water slides, play features, and separate pools for lap swimming and recreation swimming that are great for families and kids who need a place to hang out with friends for the afternoon. Here are the locations with great play facilities:

A.M. Cannon at 1900 W. Mission
Shadle at 2005 W. Wellesley
Hillyard at 2600 E. Columbia
Comstock at 600 W. 29^th
Liberty at 1300 E. 5^th

Admission is $2 for youth (4–17) and seniors (65+) and $4 for adults.

Now, go play! Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Deals, Family, Live music, Recreation, Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

Spring Fun in Spokane, WA

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

It may not feel like it with recent snow flurries and hail in parts of Spokane, but spring really is here. There are always plenty of beautiful, sunny days in the spring to get outside, and there are plenty of indoor great spring events for the not-so-pleasant days. Here are a few fun things to do in the Spokane area this season.

Race with 50,000 of Your Closest Friends at Bloomsday, May 1

If you want to register for the huge footrace/festival in downtown Spokane known as Bloomsday, which winds through some beautiful scenery, you can register online through April 17 ($15 plus an online processing fee of $1.49) or you can register by mail by April 12 using a Bloomsday form, available at numerous locations. If you miss those deadlines, you still have the opportunity to register late for $30 at Bloomsday check-in on Friday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The race is open to runners, walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, and assisted wheelchairs. If you’d rather get in on the fun without actually walking or running 7.46 miles, stake out a place to watch early in the morning, or just go walk around and hang out downtown and in Riverfront Park, soaking up the festive atmosphere and enjoying the on-site entertainment.

Visit the River in Full Glory

Spokane River during the very high water spring of 2008. Posted by John Davies on ADVrider.com.

A simple pleasure for Spokane residents, the river that runs through the heart of our city never fails to impress visitors. During the spring, the Spokane River swells with runoff, and water rises to its highest point all year, creating an incredible sight of roaring, rushing water. Photographers are frequently seen with tripods at various viewing points, trying to catch the perfect Spokane River shot. Riverside State Park, especially around the Bowl and Pitcher area, is a beautiful natural environment to view the river in. Although many hiking areas are still muddy during the spring, there are plenty of great places to walk along and view the river that are paved. Riverfront Park downtown offers plenty of paved trails and walking bridges to view the falls area, and you can easily make a day out of it with an IMAX movie, a ride on the Spokane Falls Skyride, and a go–around on the historic Looff Carousel. The paved Spokane River Centennial Trail follows the river from the Idaho state line to Nine Mile Falls and also makes for a scenic spring bike ride. Or, you can pack a picnic lunch and head to one of the many Spokane parks that are right on the river. Click here for a map of the city park system.

Custer’s 36^th Annual Spring Antique & Collector’s Sale, April 29–May 1

If you like browsing antique shops, here is a show that is the equivalent of dozens of antique shops put together, with over 300 dealers from all over the U.S. to answer your questions and chat with you about the joy of collecting really old stuff. The 75,000 square feet of merchandise will be on display at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center (corner of Broadway & Havana) Friday through Sunday, April 29–May 1. Admission is $6 for the entire weekend, and parking is free. Appraisers will be on hand Saturday and Sunday to put a price on your treasures; the $5 per item fee benefits the MAC Museum.

Spring Barrel Tasting, May 6–8 On Mother’s Day weekend, all 17 of the Spokane Winery Association wineries open their doors to the public to celebrate the traditional end of one winemaking season and the beginning of another. You can sample new and current vintages, talk to the winemakers, and enjoy the company of other wine lovers at this fun and popular event. Some of the wineries will even offer samples of wine still in the wine-making process, directly from barrels or tanks. The wineries will offer snacks, and many will be featuring food and wine specials. Reasonable tasting fees may apply; tasting fees are usually credited to a wine bottle purchase. Plan your trip with a map of the wineries. Tasting hours are Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Silverwood Opens May 7!

The Northwest’s largest theme park, located on Highway 95 just minutes north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, opens May 7. While the Boulder Beach Water Park does not open until June 4, spring is a great time to experience the rides and attractions of Silverwood with less crowds and less time spent waiting in line. The rainy season usually clears up in May, and there will be plenty of sunny, warm days that are perfect for screaming on roller coasters. General admission is $41.99 for adults and $21.99 for ages 3–7 and 65+, so if you pay general admission and plan on going to the park at least four times this year, you will save by purchasing a season pass for $139.99, which also gives you free parking, additional discounts, and the ability to load up your card with money and use it anywhere in the park. A tip for spring Silverwood visits: as the weather can be unpredictable, bring an extra change of clothes in the car so you have something to change into if being soaked by Thunder Canyon leaves you cold.

Drag Racing at Spokane County Raceway

Do you like watching car and motorcycle races? How about racing your own cars? You can catch both local and national drag racing at Spokane County Raceway this spring. April 30–May 1, the Western Motorcycle Drag Racing Association will hold its Spring Nationals. The Team Spokane Summit Series begins May 7, and ROCKSTAR Friday Night Drags begins May 13. You can see the NHRDA Diesel Drag Race Nationals on May 21, and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be here June 17–19.

Gardening as Entertainment: 13^th Annual Spokane Garden Expo, May 14, 2011

Gardening is a favorite spring activity for many Spokane area residents, and this is your chance to meet other gardeners, check out the newest and coolest plants, and learn tips and techniques for all kinds of gardening, including indoor gardens and organic practices. The Inland Empire Gardeners host the fair, which has over 250 booths, a lecture series, door prizes, and children’s activities. If you are new or just interested in starting to grow plants at all, don’t be intimidated, as this show focuses on “real gardens, by real people” and “down-to-earth ideas that inspire rather than intimidate.” The Spokane Garden Expo is May 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Spokane Community College Lair, 1810 N. Green St. Admission and parking are free!

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Events, Family, Home & Garden, Live music, Recreation, Shows, Spokane, Sports, Travel | No Responses »

Winter Fun in and around Spokane, WA

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Downtown Spokane, copyright WorldNow and KHQ

When the temperature drops, do you prefer to head indoors or bundle up and play in the snow? Whether you like to hit the slopes or limit your exposure to the cold to trips from the car to another heated location, Spokane offers plenty to do and see.

Outdoor Winter Activities in the Spokane area

Riverfront Park Outdoor Ice Skating

On winter afternoons and evenings, adults and children alike of all ability levels walk through Spokane’s beloved Riverfront Park to enjoy one of the best outdoor ice skating rinks in the nation. You will see kids skating around with friends, skating students practicing spins and other figure skating moves in the center of the ice, couples holding hands, and very often a few pairs of smiling young people on first dates (this is a great first date). The Riverfront Park Ice Palace is open every day except Monday through February 27. The rink is covered, housed under the big pavilion area. Skate rental is available. See the website for times and prices.

If you are on the North side of town, you can ice skate at Eagles Ice Arena, an indoor rink just off Francis at 6321 N. Addison, open year-round.

Ski the Inland Northwest!

Take advantage of the Spokane area’s snowy winters and get outside for some good exercise. Six ski resorts are only a short drive away from Spokane: Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park (50 minutes), Silver Mountain Resort (one hour), 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (one hour and 15 minutes), Lookout Pass Ski Area (one hour and 30 minutes), Schweitzer Mountain Resort (two hours), and Red Mountain Resort (two hours and 30 minutes). Check out their websites for mountain stats; here are a few distinguishing features of each resort:

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Very conveniently located, just 28 miles from downtown Spokane, plus cheap ($15 round trip) bus service from Spokane on weekends and holidays

Forty nights of skiing, more night skiing than any other local resort

The Mt. Spokane State Park, which the resort is located in, also offers gorgeous cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, so non-skiers can have fun, too

The most you will ever pay for a daily lift ticket is $45 (weekend adult)

Children’s Choice Tubing Hill offers inexpensive day and night tube sledding with a rope tow for sledders of all ages

Silver Mountain Resort

Families can stay at the Morning Star Lodge and play at Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark

Scenic gondola ride up the mountain; no driving up hairpin turns on a mountain road

Snow tube park and world-class beginner’s area with a moving carpet lift

Cat skiing and snowboarding available

Adult lift ticket is $50

49 Degrees North Ski Resort

Great deal for beginners: EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 packages that include three lessons, three ski or snowboard rentals, and three lift tickets for just $109

Terrain Park for all levels of skiers and riders with rails, boxes, hits, and more

Free “mountain hosts” program features guided tours by experts to show newcomers around the mountain

Known for legendary tree skiing

Weekend adult lift ticket is $51

Lookout Pass Ski Area

Free ski lessons for kids on Saturdays (pre-registration required)

Average snowfall of 400” of light Northern Rockies snow

Usually has the longest season in the region

Two terrain parks, including the newly redesigned Exit 0 Park and the classic B-52, featuring a 1,111 foot long quarter pipe

Adult weekend lift tickets are a very affordable $35

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Scenic: from the top, you can gaze at three mountain ranges, Canada, and three states

Cat skiing and snowboarding available through terrain varying from open 20–30% slopes to steeper, old-growth forested terrain and glacier-carved open bowls

Snowmobile tours available

Idaho’s largest ski area, with 2900 acres and some of the best tree skiing in North America

Adult lift ticket is $65

Red Mountain Resort

Located in British Columbia’s famed “powder triangle,” with some of the best champagne powder in the world

Voted “Best Powder, Best Steeps, Best Trees” by Ski Canada Magazine and ranked “one of North America’s top ten expert resorts” by Forbes Traveler

Easy backcountry access to five back country peaks, plus cat and heli skiing and snowboarding available

Adult lift tickets are $64; consecutive days are less

Free or Nearly Free Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Opportunities

With this winter predicted to deliver above-normal snowfall to the Inland Northwest, you can count on great conditions for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the Spokane area. Below are some of the locals’ favorite spots. If you don’t already own snowshoes or Nordic skis, you can rent them from REI. Some locations require Sno-Park permits or a park entrance fee, so check before you go.

Mt. Spokane State Park is a cross country skier’s paradise, with 300 inches of snow per year on average and 25 kilometers of groomed trails. There are also plenty of trails that are excellent for challenging, deep powder snowshoeing.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is beloved by snowshoers and cross country skiers of all abilities. It is mostly flat and open, a landscape of channeled scablands, wetlands, and small lakes. There are plenty of trails to follow, or you can just make your own way.

Columbia Plateau Trail: Easily accessible from Cheney, WA, Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is a 130-mile-long rail-bed trail that traces the 1908 original path of the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railroad. The level, mostly flat trail is currently open from Cheney to Lincoln County. It is not as scenic as the parks mentioned above, but it is easy and perfect for families. Strong snowshoers might be bored by this one as there are no good hills or opportunities for exploring off trail.

Centennial Trail: The Spokane Centennial Trail is connected to the North Idaho Centennial Trail for 60 miles of paved cross country skiing and snowshoeing possibilities. There are access points all along the trail; just pick the kind of scenery you want to enjoy! One great place to snowshoe if you are in town and want a quick getaway to nature is the section of trail behind Spokane Falls Community College. You can park at the Military Cemetery trailhead located just off Government Way to access this portion of trail in Riverside State Park.

Eagle Watching at Lake Coeur d’Alene

In December and January, you can seize a rare opportunity to watch bald eagles just off shore in lovely Wolf Lodge Bay, in Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This is due to the kokanee salmon of the lake spawning and dying starting in November, providing a plentiful source of food for the eagles. Thousands of people brave the bitter cold for this regional tradition of viewing the majestic raptors feeding and just generally looking impressive while sitting on a branch or pole. It doesn’t cost a thing; just bring warm clothes, a thermos of hot cocoa, and your binoculars. Click here for a brief article with tips on viewing. To get there, take US-90 east from Coeur d’Alene for eight miles to Wolf Lodge Bay (exit 22), then south on Highway 97 for three miles.

During Coeur d’Alene Eagle Watch Week, from December 26 through January 1, 2011, the Bureau of Land Management will be on hand at the Mineral Ridge Boat Launch and Mineral Ridge Trailhead, located in Wolf Lodge Bay, to teach about and assist you in observing the bald eagles. Educational displays and telescopes will be set up for the public to enjoy.

If you prefer to watch the eagles from the water, you can go to the Coeur d’Alene Resort to board a cruise ship. The ships go to isolated quiet bays where you can observe our national symbol in its natural habitat. Reservations are required, and tickets are $19.75 for adults, $17.75 for senior citizens, $11.75 for children ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. Go to the Coeur d’Alene Resort website or call 800-688-5253 or 208-765-2300 ext. 21 for more information and to register. If you are hungry when you come back, try one of the resort’s excellent restaurants.

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Dining, Events, Family, Recreation, Spokane, Sports, Travel | No Responses »

Three Festivals in One in Downtown Coeur d’Alene, July 30–August 1

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Every summer for the last nineteen years, Sherman Street in the downtown lakefront district of beautiful Coeur d’Alene, ID, has turned into a giant street fair for one sunny weekend. The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Street Fair features over 250 vendors of all kinds of arts, crafts, food, and other wares plus entertainment galore. Around 40,000 people attend the family friendly fair, which runs concurrently with two other big events in the city. It is handicap and stroller friendly so that everyone can feel welcome and comfortable. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 8:00, and Sunday, 10:00 to 5:00.

Also in downtown Coeur d’Alene, check out A Taste of the Coeur d’Alenes, in the city park, with food booths from some of the finest restaurants in the area. This is a great way to sample some of those nice restaurants you have been wanting to try! You can also enjoy great free live music in the park while you relax in the large, grassy sitting areas.

Art on the Green 2010 Just a short walk away, or a short free shuttle ride that comes every thirty minutes if you are tired from walking around the street fair, is Art on the Green at the old Fort Sherman Grounds on the North Idaho College Campus. This event, in its forty-second year, brings together 135-plus artists, a variety of performers, over 500 volunteers, and 50,000 visitors for a celebration of art, creativity, and friendship. You can browse a large marketplace of original artist creations or try your hand at creating some of your own art in the hands-on sections for both children and adults, instruction provided. Two stages will showcase jazz, salsa, and Celtic music plus performances by the Lake City Playhouse, the Coeur d’Alene Opera, the Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre, and much more. Hours are Friday, noon to 7:30, Saturday, 10:00 to 7:30, and Sunday, 10:00 to 5:00.

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