Couer d'Alene Idaho June 24-28, 2019

We say goodbye to Aria, Nic and Anna and drive 700 miles north through eastern Idaho and western Montana to Couer d'Alene Idaho; our third visit to CDL.  We love the rail to trail paved bike path here (it's pretty much the only place Donna rides her bike; I ride a moderate amount back in Denver too).  It really is a beautiful area with mountains, lakes, rivers and if it were closer to family we'd consider this area as a place to move to, but unfortunately it's a very conservative area too - so too far and too red - still a wonderful place to visit.  We stayed in our third different place here and this one is our favorite.  We are staying in a carriage house in an old neighborhood near downtown CDL.  A living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.  There is a second carriage house on the property rented out long term by a young woman, and two lawyers and their two children live in the main house.  Great location, super quiet...this will be our new go to place to stay in CDL in the future, and a great deal too..less than $100/night.  In the first three days in CDL I rode roughly 110 miles and Donna rode around 60 miles in two days.  Rode the bike path along the lake and river; had ice cream at the Harrison creamery twice (largest single cones anywhere - the size of a quadruple) and so yummy!  Donna spent the day in Spokane with Cathie Wescombe - that day I rode my bike from Spokane back to CDL - 45 miles.  Our last day was cool and rainy in the morning, so we walked around town and Donna spent some time searching out treasures at one of her favorite second hand stores - Junk.  We also had a "blind date" with John (JT) and Flo; John is Alice Applebaum's (Donna's old boss at Anchor Center) brother  - Flo is from the Spokane area originally and they retired to a home on ten acres (Newman Lake area) about two miles west of the Idaho/Washington border.  They both are retired from the National Park Service ..nice couple , we had a really nice time and dinner..will probably see them again the next time we are in CDL.