Well, we weren’t exactly on the lake, but we had a wonderful day around one. We weren’t precisely in Coeur d’Alene either. After leaving Montana, the next stop on our trip through the Pacific Northwest was the tiny town of Athol, Idaho, where we would spend three nights at Farragut State Park.
Athol and the State Park is about thirty miles north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. When we told friends and family that we would be in this area, the immediate response always came back “incredibly beautiful.” Friends and family proved right.
Our visit here gave us a chance to do some hiking and take in some of that beauty. Farragut State Park is a vast campground, with large campsites situated under big Douglas Fir trees and other evergreens, providing campers with plenty of privacy. At the southern tip of the Park sits Lake Pend Oreille, a 43 mile long, crystal clear body of water, carved by a glacier during the last ice age. At 1,150 feet deep, Lake Pend Oreille is the fifth deepest lake in the United States.
After spending the previous evening at one of the casinos in Coeur d’Alene, Helen and I agreed we needed different recreation activities for the remainder of our visit. She suggested we take a four-mile hike along the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. I was all in.
The weather on this day couldn’t have been better. Clear skies and temperatures in the lower 70’s made for perfect hiking, and the sailboats were out in force, taking advantage of the light breezes moving up the valley created by the Coeur d’Alene Mountains on either side of the lake.
Paddleboarders and kayakers also dotted the lake’s surface, with none of the paddlers in a hurry to go anywhere. One paddleboarder even paused in mid-stroke to take a call on her cell phone. She was careful to hold it with both hands.
Just like the boaters, we took our time squeezing out every bit of every viewpoint. At the mid-point of the trail near the Bayview Overlook, a rock carving reminded us why we spend time camping and hiking. I can assure readers; we’re not bored.
The walk back to the parking lot was just as fantastic as the hike out. A paddleboarding duo kept up with us for a portion of the return. We made it back to Lucy in plenty of time for dinner around the campfire. The star-filled sky took over when the sun went down.
It’s all good when you’re Easin’ Along.
We’ve passed through gorgeous areas of Idaho several times, including Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille but have never actually visited. Idaho is on next year’s itinerary, but I’m still quite envious of you and Helen at the moment. That is one magnificent campsite at Farragut State Park – and I love that quote!
Thanks, Mary.
I love that quote as well. I highly recommend Farragut State Park. Big, sheltered sites. Coeuer d’Alene is in a beautiful area, but we didn’t spend any time in the town, except to shop for groceries. Nevertheless, Idaho is worthy of a camping trip! Hope it works out for you. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. Joe
Hi Joe, a casino huh. Indeed you are not bored. Not to be a bugger, but could you sometimes include distance traveled, (or just a mapquest graphic of your route) temperature, etc. so I can get a fuller picture of the experience. I know it must be difficult enough just finding wifi, so sorry to be a picky fan. Thanks for sharing the beauty of our country.
Suzanne,
Done. Should be in your email later today. Thanks for asking…this experience is worth sharing to the fullest! Stay safe out there. Joe
Way back in July 1965, I attended the Girl Scout Senior Roundup right where you are in Idaho. I was part of 16 senior Girl Scouts from Knoxville who went out there on a chartered train and camped for a little over a week. There were about 12,000 Scouts there. It was quite an experience.
I still have wonderful memories of it — the beautiful mountains and lake. One vivid memory is that the US Army supplied and set up all the big shower tents. The water was piped in from Lake Pend Oreille and was freezing. No hot water for all the hardy Scouts! The train trip to get there was also an amazing experience. The Girl Scouts charter a train and picked up Girl Scouts from Florida all the way out to Idaho. We stayed in Pullman cars.
Sally,
What an incredible experience that must have been. Would we know any of the Scouts from Knoxville? You and Bill should host here. I can assure you that the water has not warmed up one bit! Great to hear from you.
The girls were from all over Knoxville. I might have been the only one from West Knoxville. Unfortunately I don’t have a list of the names of the 16 girls, and my memory is not that good since that was 55 years ago. Yikes! We’re getting old!
Hi, Joe and Helen – I completely agree with the quote that you shared here. It’s a good reminder to get out, be active, and enjoy. I’m glad that you have been doing just that. Your surroundings are breathtaking and your photographs are stunning. Thank you for sharing this all with us.
Donna,
Well, thank you for Easin’ Along with us. I always said if I get bored in retirement, something has gone wrong in a hurry. There is just too much to see, do, and a whole lot to learn, and I’m nowhere near ready to give any of that up. I left a comment on your virtual dinner. Yum! Have a lovely weekend. Joe
Idaho sure is a beautiful state. We visited back in 2016 and vowed to return as we certainly barely touched the surface. Sure looks like the pandemic hasn’t slowed ya down!
Ingrid,
Idaho was not on our radar until we lost our reservations in Banff. Well, we certainly made lemonade out of our lemon. Farragut State Park is a place you and Al would love. Plenty of places for your camera skills as well. So far, we’ve avoided most of the pandemic effects, but, as we travel, it seems that everyone is being more cautious. I really feel for the small business people. We see boarded up shops everywhere. Have a great Labor Day weekend! Joe
A beautiful spot, Joe, and very close to our new home. This will be on our list of local areas to visit. Glad to read all is well!
Terri, Great to hear from you! Hope the move is moving along seamlessly. The area around Coeur D’Alene is a “must see” and I recommend it highly. We have made it to the California coast and have started back east. All is well. Joe
The photos are just incredible. I am intrigued! I have never been to Northern Idaho, unfortunately. But your blog has moved me there … Thanks for sharing!
Good morning, Angelina,
Northern Idaho, as well as the entire Pacific Northwest, is just stunningly beautiful. I hope you get there someday. Thanks for visiting Easin’ Along. Please come back! Joe
Thinking about you two vagabonds today. Are the rampant wildfires in Washington, Oregon & California going to alter your upcoming itinerary? Who knew? Love following you on your amazing journey. Just concerned. 🙃
Good morning, Roberta,
Our reservations in Yosemite were canceled due to an evacuation order, but that was about two weeks ago. We camped with Justin and our grandchildren over Labor Day near LA and could see smoke coming from the fire in San Bernadino. Ashes covered our campsite. We’re in Las Vegas now, but drove within a mile of the San Bernadino fire getting here and Las Vegas was so smoky we couldn’t see the mountains. Things are somewhat clearer today, but I really feel for those brave firemen and the homeowners in the path of the fires. It is very dry here!. Thanks for checking in! Joe
Glad you are safe! 2020 should be labeled “THE YEAR OF BEING FLEXIBLE, or ELSE …!” You made memories, for sure. Planned an unplanned. About sums up RV Life! Safe journey home. Give Helen a ((hug)) from me. 👍
Roberta,
We’re so flexible, you could stuff us into a jar! Helen sends hugs back. Joe