When you leave Coeur d’Alene, Eastbound on I-90, you go up & over a few smaller mountains, but big enough that some people might call them a “Pass”. In any event, this is a Stunningly Beautiful drive, looking down over Lake Coeur d’Alene, Wolf Lodge Bay, and the surrounding Coeur d’Alene National Forest for miles & miles. The scenery is dramatic enough that plenty of people have crashed because they were so mesmerized by the views, so be careful if you’re driving here (please).

This weekend, I was driving home on I-90, and I was following a big Harley Davidson Bike. This guy was taking his time, breathing in the clean air, and enjoying the views on a sunny North Idaho day. Just past the top of the pass, there is a huge, majestic bridge named the “Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge”.

I watched this biker let go of the right handlebar, and make the crispest, fullest salute I’ve seen in a long time, just before he crossed onto the bridge.

And this struck me.

As I watched this bike ride along in front of me, a couple of things came to mind; one is that I think that this pony tailed biker was either a Vietnam Vet (and a BIG THANK YOU for your service would be in order) or he is one of these awesome people who understands what our Vets have paid for our Freedoms over the years, and especially right now, with all that is Iraq & Afghanistan. He could easily be both.

In any event, I pushed my vehicle right up to 90 MPH to catch this guy, right at my exit, and as he looked over at the lunatic passing him on his right, this Veteran saluted him back.

I’m glad to see guys like that, and equally happy that I served for them.

America THE Beautiful.

Late Spring has arrived in Beautiful Coeur d'Alene, but the winter passed by quickly for all of us who are lucky enough to have enjoyed the great outdoor experiences available in North Idaho, with snowmobiling, skating, skiing, ice fishing and exploring the breathtaking snowscaped Rocky Mountains taking up a lot of our time. Last weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, we skied at Silver Mountain one last time-in 71 degree weather!

With each and every seasonal transformation comes more exciting opportunities for everyone and anyone who enjoys all that a 4 season activity center such as Coeur d'Alene has to offer.

Our local area lakes are Crystal clear, the rivers serenely clear of ice and flowing free, blossoms now appearing everywhere and it's a great time for hiking enthusiasts and bicyclists to travel the trails, explore history or simply enjoy the rebirth of nature in it's purest form.

Springtime temps are expected to be mild while warming steadily, great news for area gardeners who have a unique dedication to home grown specialties while at the same time saving on that family budget.

Now is a great time to enjoy North Idaho's outdoors; golfers, fishermen, bikers, bicyclists, shoppers, all can expect a ton of sun, warm days & cool nights.

Enjoy!

The people of the Coeur d'Alene & North Idaho enjoy a great many natural and National wonders they can be very proud of, however, outside of the obvious natural beauty of Coeur d'Alene's Rocky Mountains I came across another category which again places Idaho residents in first place overall throughout the entire nation.

A National Drivers Test which consists of questions compiled from all 50 states reflects that Idaho is top of the list with regards to safe drivers. While the test is not indicative of actual citations issued or accident claims presented per capita, it is positively a result which verifies that Idaho residents have a greater awareness to rules of the road and the law in general.

This makes me proud of my fellow Idahoans, and from my perspective, people here are fairly friendly on the roads, seeming to always lend a hand when someone is in need.

In order to follow the law of the land, a person has to know the law; and the number one ranking again proves that Idahoans work pretty hard to do the right thing, making good common sense decisions when driving.
Bravo Idaho!

Lake Coeur d’Alene Spring Fishing-

The temps are warming and the northern pike have now become very aggressive in Lake Coeur d'Alene Our Beautiful Lake contains an abundance of trophy sized pike, many capable of surpassing the 25 pound range. Most pike anglers would expect to find this caliber of fishing in the desolate reaches of far off Canadian fly in trips but it is also located right here

in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Hooking into the whopper northern pike isn’t uncommon, experiment with Silver Crankbaits, the more action produced by the lure the better your chances, hook up with live bait, suckers or shiners in the 6 inch plus category. A great technique while drifting is to lay a large smelt a reasonable distance behind your boat. Shore fishermen can have great success simply by using frozen smelt under a big bobber, watch the bobber being pulled around by the sucker until the bobber disappears underwater, when it does, set the hook hard because the fun has just begun.

After you've landed the Northern, don't forget to remove those “Y” bones during the fillet process. Fillet and skin the pike as usual, then cut a line down the entire length just above the line of “Y” bones, then cut on an angle upward just below the line of y bones, remove the bothersome y bones in one connected section and slice the fillets into 3 inch lengths for a delicious home fried dinner or shore lunch. When you catch the really big one, double fillet the sides, they'll fry up much more efficient and complete.

Have fun!