Idaho, Oregon, and Home

We left Missoula early on a Sunday morning--west towards Coeur d'Alene and the Idaho Panhandle.  Our goal was to see the lake and ride the miles of bike trails in the area.  We were not disappointed.  The tourist information office in Coeur d'Alene was not open on Sundays so we were left to scramble to find a campground other than an RV Park.  RV Parks seem to proliferate within a mile or two of highway exits with no regard for highway noise or tent campers.  But a bit of effort and we landed a spot at a National Forest Campground off the Lake.  It was a beautiful day:  warm blue skies, no wind, and a welcoming vibe.  We pitched our tents and headed out to see the Lake and find the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene.

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alene is a 70 mile long rails to trails paved bike path running from the border with Montana to Plummer, a small town at the southwest edge of the Lake.  We drove to Harrison (a small town on the eastern shore) and rode out and back to Plummer.  The next day we rode from Bull Run down to Harrison and back.  That stretch of 16+ miles one way has an elevation change of 10 feet.  It was so straight and so flat and so scenic, well, we all were wishing for a bend in the road!

Boat Garages on the Lake

On the Trail to Plummer

Rails to Trail conversion, including old bridge

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe oversees and maintains the trail.

Water Toys of every sort.

After two days in Idaho, we turned our thoughts towards the drive home.  There is a whole lot of nothing in Western Washington, Western Oregon, and parts of California.  And we drove through endless miles of that nothing.  At one point we had to turn around and retrace our steps to find an open gas station.  Yikes.  

We stayed one night in Bend, Oregon at friend Kathy's house.  Our former neighbors, Bob and Judy, were also there so we had a good visit.  Team Wulzen had voted to keep moving south rather than spend another day in the Bend area--so we left early and headed for Crater Lake.  We thought about spending the night at Crater Lake but turns out the boat trips on the Lake hadn't started for the season, the rim road was only partially open (that snow again!) and the campground at 6,400 feet had snow drifts.  When we arrived there was not a hint of wind on the Lake:  so blue and so still and so stunning.  

Wizard Island

Totally Calm Morning

So after a few scenic views and 1 visitor center:  the driving turned serious.  We listened to an episode or two of "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" but mostly we focused on the miles going by.  Mt Lassen and Mt Shasta in snow:  WOW.   And suddenly there was San Anselmo & pizza delivery for dinner.

So...we were gone 3 weeks.  A bit shy of 4,000 miles in the car and maybe 130 miles on the bikes.  Only 4 nights in hotels (plus 1 night in Glacier hotel thanks Alisa & Joe!).  Here are the Team Wulzen highlights:

BRYAN:

1.  Walking on the Glacier at Columbia Icefields

2.  Having 2 people run towards you on the trail with a moose close behind.  They were a bit excited and announced "There is an angry moose coming this way!"

3.  Stanley Park in Vancouver and all the aspects of an accessible,  live-able world class city

ALAN:

1.  July 4th fireworks in Seattle with multiple, simultaneous shows all over the Puget Sound visible from the bluff.  It was incredible.

2.  Big mountains in every direction for days and days and days.  Wild and wonderful scenery.

3.  Bike ride along the A-1 in Banff National Park.  The A1 runs between Banff and Jasper and was chock a block full of scenery.

CAROLINE:

1.  Wildlife sightings:  moose, grizzly bears, elk, brown bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep

2.  Walking on the Glacier at the Icefields and driving the icefields parkway

3.  Glacier National Park was my favorite place:  it had it all.  Wildlife, scenery, hiking, and my sister.

It was a great vacation.