Sneaking into Idaho – July 30, 2016

When we were planning this trip, our friend Christie Morrow told us about a place we needed to see and Spokane happened to be within 50 miles so that was the plan for today.  We were headed to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to check out the lake, the shops, the restaurants and anything else we find.

view from boat dock

Once we got there, we decided the best way to see the lake was on the lake so we got tickets for a 90minute boat ride.  First we stopped into the Collective Kitchen and had a wonderful lunch.  I had a salad of arugula with candied baby beets, grilled salmon and goat cheese and Jim had fish tacos with sweet potato fries.  Now off to the ship.

View of Sherman Ave in Coeur D’Alene from patio where we ate lunch

The lake itself is just under 50 acres and is ranked within the top three cleanest lakes in the US.  The vistas are a perfect blend of water, mountains, and trees with rocky shores and some man made beaches.  The city itself is the main hub and the lake boasts about 135 miles of shore line that include a State Park, gated communities, and luxury condos with 6300 square feet each next to the famed Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course (Golf Digest’s “Best Conditioned Course”) with its famous floating golf green on the 14th hole.  They can actually move this hole anywhere from 75 to 150 feet from the tee.

Golf Course at Lake Coeur d’Alene

Floating hole #14

After you tee off, they take you by boat to the green to finish the hole.  If the water intimidates you and you miss the green, you get two shots to try and they you are required to lay up.

There was one section that boasted of a being so elite, there were four big houses that had formed their own gated community within a gated community.  Now that is exclusive.

Large private home on Lake Coeur d’Alene

That sail boat you see parked at the end of the dock is custom made.

One really interesting house was built into and on a rock as a guest house but later sold separately.  The current owners come out to wave to the cruise ships and arrived after this picture was taken.

House on the Rock – Lake Coeur d’Alene

Homes along shoreline of Lake Coeur D’Alene

One final view from the ship was the bridge expanse over the lake on I 90.

I-90 bridge over Lake Coeur d’Alene

This will be the bridge we drive over on Monday to get to our next destination.  I hope it isn’t as scary looking from up there!