Li’l Beast in the Pines and Cedar
Site 43
We wanted site 44 when we pulled through yesterday. It was taken. Site 43 is just fine. With no campers between us and the lake, we have a view through pine and cedars and a sense of privacy. It feels like a small trailer convention is visiting. There are seven or ten of those small throwback to vintage tear drop and boxy campers parked together in the 20’s loop. One I assume single woman in particular had Christmas party lights in a vast array strewn over her camp site and table. They were relatively quiet last night. I heard conversation around a campfire as I walked to take a late shower. Our electric heat pump made more noise (sorry…).
The View from Site 43, Heyburn State Park
Showers at Heyburn State Park. They are FANTASTIC, really. We showered at Old Faithful Lodge, right? These showers are better, at least the handicapped shower is. It is big, roomy, the heat vent is directly over the shower, it has two (!) shower heads, a fold down in the shower, a chair in the front dry area, and three (!) hooks for clothes and stuff. It was well lit, very warm and had loads of very hot water. The temperature outside was 38F, the temperature in the shower area had to be 70F. Heaven. I loved my shower. Oh, and a shave. It had been a few days; my gray grizzled face felt renewed.
This morning’s temperature was 31F. Again we had no fear of frozen anything overnight. 31F is brisk. We put our moose hunt on hold awaiting the sun and somewhat warmer temps. Our first concern this morning; heat and espresso first thing as usual. Our propane gauge has been sitting at 1/4 for a few days now.
Sisters on the Fly
Who knew? The small camper “convention” is actually a gathering of members of the “Sisters on the Fly” a national women’s group that extends into Canada. “No men allowed?” I asked. “There are a few rules: No men, be nice. The no pets rule was relaxed, there are a few pet rules. Most women are over 45; there are a few young ones.” I’ll look them up the next time we have WiFi/connectivity (not the young ones 
)
One of the gals suggested that site 20something had a view of the lake. I got the feeling she’d rather have us move. I like our little spot. There are more small campers arriving. Could our site be in jeopardy if we leave? We’ll see.
Christmas Lights, Hawaiian Leis, Turquoise
Self Explanatory
These folks were up late by their fire
Part Golden Retriever & Part Great Dane
Beauty is in the Eyes of Who Tows Her
The Converted RR Bridge Across Lake Coeur d’Alene
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
I convinced Ellen to stay here another night. I made arrangements at the visitors center and said, “I hope we don’t lose site 43” To which Leslie replied, “did you leave something there to mark it occupied?” “No.” We drove back and put our two “comfy camp chairs” out and with just a touch of “I hope this works” we headed off. Leslie, the visitors center meet and greet gal, said there were two parking lots that access the bicycle trail. The first is small. We should avoid that one to let people hiking other trails park. The second lot is huge. We should park there.
Li’l Beast at the Large Parking Lot Access to “The Trail”
Lake Coeur d’Alene is Quite Large
We found the first parking lot and it was small. We didn’t pull in. That would be a great place to stop to access the marsh in the early morning. The second parking log is indeed huge. There was a $5 use fee for parking or using the boat ramp. There was also a large open air log kitchen/meeting place with a huge fireplace and running water. That facility could be rented for $26 per day. What a deal for a group campground themed get away. It took some walking to find the day use pay kiosk (at the entrance to the lot which I blithely drove right past).
We parked for a bit waiting for the sun. It was still very cold in the shade. While I unpacked the bike and trike and setup to go, first an elderly couple arrived and walked off, then a group of six or seven women arrived in three vehicles, unpacked bicycles, and headed off on the trail. Ellen and I left shortly after.
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes was a Rails-to-Trails project that converted an old railroad right of way into a walking and bicycle path for general use. As an increasing number of railroad right of ways are being abandoned, Rails-to-Trails is leading the charge to make this space accessible as walking paths. These “trails” wind through rugged country full of wildlife. They’re “off the beaten path”. If you are inclined, check out Rails to Trails on the web. I contribute and laud their efforts. This particular path is in the Rails to trails “hall of fame”. It is gorgeous
.
Ellen and I caught up to the women (part of the Sisters on the Fly?) atop the bridge crossing Lake Coeur d’Alene. They left as we approached and were never seen again. Across the bridge, the trail skirts the lake for about 5 miles then turns east along a creek, marshes and small lakes. What an experience bicycling along the lake past reed covered coves, but the beauty of the marshes and fields past the lake was remarkable. We scanned left and right looking for wildlife. Sometimes I led, sometimes I followed Ellen, and often we’d cycle side by side. Ellen, on her trike, was more upright and better able to look around. At one point I stopped thinking I had seen a deer or elk, but no. Nothing was there.
Ellen’s Catrike Sits Low, a shot from her Trike-Mounted iPhone
Funky Art along the Trail
Ellen Saw A Moose!
I pedaled on thinking Ellen was just behind me up to a road crossing trail head with parking and a picnic table. I stopped and waited, and waited, and waited. I waited for perhaps 10 or even 15 minutes, then headed back to see what’s up. I was moving pretty quickly as I approached a couple we had met on the road earlier. The woman shouted, “your wife is ok, she saw a moose”. Ah, that explains it. We both stop and gawk at wildlife; a moose is not just “any” wildlife. I caught up to Ellen riding toward me with a big grin. She had seen a female moose at close range. We pedaled back to see if we could find her but she was gone.
Not the best shot, but it’s a MOOSE!
The day started with clear skies and a cold 41F. Towards mid afternoon temperature rose to the high 50’s with a few scattered clouds. We were pedaling with the sun on our backs, our torso in self created (and cool) shade and headwind. I expected we would enjoy the sun in our face as we headed back. Nope, not today. Partially cloudy became cloudy by late afternoon. We were never warm on our adventure, though never cold either. Ideally we would have done this in mid September, before nighttime freeze set in. This is still a glorious bicycle experience. The trail goes on for 72 miles. I’ve read that the lower portion is more scenic than the upper half. Then there is the Hiawatha Trail that goes over RR Trestles and through tunnels. That trail is now closed or it would be next on our list.
Ellen’s Moose,the Real Deal
A typical View along Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Soft Focus, Ellen Crosses the Bridge
I had a conversation with a fellow from New Hampshire this morning at the visitors center, Heyburn State Park. I always ask about local wildlife, this morning I asked about moose. This fellow said they have many moose here. Mating season is just starting and it will be more difficult to find them. They’ll be running around, not staying in any one place. He called Idaho “the wild west”. Like me, he had spent much of his youth fishing or looking for wildlife in Maine and New Hampshire. We both agreed, there was nothing to be found there. But here in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming? There is plenty of wildlife and birds, and fish.
We are back in Heyburn Campground. The two chairs we had left did the trick. Our campsite was waiting for us. Ellen is cooking up some chicken soup (with Costco roast chicken) in a crockpot. Dinner is on its way.
One sad note: today I trashed my iPhone. I fell and sat on the damn thing. It was bent into a U shape. It’s done. I wonder if Coeur d’Alene had an Apple Store. I wonder how much can be recovered. New Rule: smart phone never goes in back pocket while cycling, put it in a shirt pocket or backpack. It’s startling how much I depend on a smart phone for data collection, photos, and a the like. Scary too!
Tomorrow we may bicycle again, we may look for moose (again), we may head off to the town (cty?) of Coeur d’Alene. We don’t know. We don’t really care. Whatever comes will be fun. We can take our time and enjoy.
Holliday Bicycle and Tricycle Rack
I packed the cycles on the rack on September 19. They rode to Idaho Falls where we used them for an hour. The cycles were in great condition. Now on October 11 I unpacked the cycles after they had been through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, rain, and snow. They are both in excellent condition. I’d say without a scratch, but Ellen’s tricycle has a small scratch on its rear fender. No big deal. I am extremely happy with Holiday’s bike and trike rack and with the grommets a Richmond sail maker installed on our Yardwork tricycle cover. The system of covers, foam protection, and the rack worked out!
What’s on the Menu?
Sometimes we eat out for dinner or lunch. Often we’ll pull frozen food and micronuke it. Often Ellen cooks or I’ll BBQ. Tonight Ellen cooked. Crockpot cooking and fantastic. Vegetable broth combined with carrots, peas, corn, brown rice, spices, and lots and lots of roasted chicken pieces cut from a whole chicken. We each had two servings and have leftovers for lunch or dinner tomorrow. I may have an espresso to cap off the evening.