50th in coeur d'alene

Top Things to Do in Coeur d’Alene

History of Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene is located east of Spokane, Washington in Northwest, Idaho.  With a population of 50,000+, it is the largest city in Idaho’s northern region and is the county seat of Kootenai County.

Coeur d’Alene was named after a Native American Tribe who lived along the rivers and lakes in the region.  The city began as a fort town when Fort Sherman was constructed on the north shore of the lake.

Thereafter, it morphed into a mining town when silver was discovered in the Silver Valley.  With the arrival of the railroad in 1883, Coeur d’Alene expanded further.  In 1920, the discovery of white pine transformed the town into a logging community.

Coeur d’Alene relied heavily on logging for decades.  It wasn’t until the 1980’s that its economy became more balanced with an influx of tourism.

Currently, Coeur d’Alene is known for its premier golfing, the nearby Silverwood Theme Park, the Ironman Triathlon Event, one of the largest holiday light shows in the USA, and for the surrounding ski mountains.

There are many other things to do Coeur d’Alene as well, and we made the most of our three-day stay for my 50th birthday.

EXPLORE!

Things to Do in Salida

History of Salida

Salida is located in central Colorado and is the county seat and most populous municipality of Chaffee County.  It was first called South Arkansas when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad made the area a stopping point.  Due to the lovely view from the train upon leaving the Arkansas River canyon, it was renamed Salida, (exit in Spanish).

Salida became a big railroad town with the largest train repair facility between Denver and Salt Lake City.  It also boasted many smelters as gold and silver mining in the vicinity became more prevalent.  As these industries faded, farming took over.

Now Salida, Colorado’s largest historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a tourist town.  It is a gateway to the outdoors providing excellent fishing, rafting, hiking and more.  Below are a few things to do in Salida.

FIND OUT MORE!

Top Things to Do in Camp Verde

Camp Verde is located 27 miles south of Sedona in Yavapai County, Arizona.  The town of 11,000 is quiet, offers friendly service, and is a gateway to many tourist activities.  I was surprised to find out how much there was to do nearby Camp Verde.

I was camping on Forest Service 579 just 11 miles north of town when I ventured that way in search of propane given the following day forecast of 47 degrees and rain.  Since I’m in the trial run with VANgo, I didn’t have a sense of my propane use.

After calling many places, I finally reached someone at Ace Hardware who suggested the Camp Verde Feed Store.  The service couldn’t have been nicer, and when I told Joey, who filled my tank, that it was going to be cold and rainy tomorrow, he asked, “Where?”

EXPLORE!
mirrored hanging sculpture at grant frontier park

The Platte River Trail: Overland Pond to Grant-Frontier

Aside from the cold weather, I took a lovely walk along the Platte River Trail today.  As part of my Platte River Trail series, today I wanted to walk from Vanderbilt Park south to Grant-Frontier Park.  From the last time I was at Vanderbilt Park, however, I knew a portion of the trail was closed, but I did not know for how far.  As a result, I parked farther south at Overland Pond Park and hoped to walk as far north as possible toward Vanderbilt Park and then turn south toward Grant-Frontier Park, essentially starting in the middle of the two.

TAKE A WALK

The Platte River Trail: From Globeville to Confluence Park

In my quest to walk the Platte River Trail from the North of Denver south to potentially Chatfield Reservoir, I set on my next five mile out-and-back journey.  My previous walk to me north to Confluence Park from Frog Hollow.  This time I decided to walk south to Confluence Park from Globeville Park.

TAKE A WALK

The Platte River Trail: Frog Hollow to Confluence Parks

I wore rose colored sunglasses during my walk along the Platte River Trail from Frog Hollow Park to Confluence Park.  Well, actually they were brown lenses, but everything looked much better than my photos.

As part of my Platte River Trail series, I’m walking 4 to 5 miles, out-and-back, along the river from just north of Riverside Cemetery all the way down to Chatfield.  I’m exploring my made-up segments in no particular order. You may find the recording to my walk at AllTrails.

TAKE A WALK!

Top Things to Do in Dalhart, Texas

About Dalhart

The City of Dalhart is located in the Northwestern portion of the Texas panhandle.  It sits on the border of Dallam and Hartley Counties for which it is named and is the county seat of Dallam County.  Located at the crossroads of  U.S. Highway 87, 385, and 54 and also home to the railroad, Dalhart is a small yet busy city in the Southern plains.

Dalhart relies on agribusiness such as farming, ranching, feedlot operations, pig farms, and dairy.  It is evident by the stench that wafts through air on windy days, of which there are many!  Despite the rural setting, the bricked street, historic downtown offers many things to do.

EXPLORE!
heron at vanderbilt lake

The Platte River Trail: Vanderbilt to Frog Hollow

Being stuck in Colorado for the last nine months due to COVID has encouraged me to explore different areas of Denver and the surrounding metroplex.  I’ve already ridden the entire High Line Canal Trail both ways and have found some interesting parks and open spaces.  Now I’ve decided to spend more time on the Platte River Trail.

In the past, I have actually ridden the Platte Trail from Sand Creek north to 120th, from Sand Creek south to Confluence Park, and from Confluence Park south to Chatfield Reservoir.  As a result, I have covered all of the trail in the surrounding metroplex.  That said, I’ve never paid close attention to the parks and attractions along the way..

Today, I changed that as I strolled along the Platte River Trail with my dog Annie.  We began at Vanderbilt Park and headed north to Frog Hollow Park for a 5.2 mile roundtrip.

GO FOR A WALK!

Top Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii

A year ago, I was on my way to the South Pacific via Hawaii.  I spent a week on the Big Island, including three days in Hilo.  Now that visitors with a COVID check may travel to Hawaii, and Hilo is a popular winter destination, I thought I’d write about things to do in Hilo. Find the list below:

EXPLORE!