McEuen Park

Location = McEuen Park. 420 E. Front Ave, Coeur d'Alene ID. It's adjacent to the Coeur d'Alene Resort on the east side. FYI: Private boats can launch at the end of South 3rd St, between McEuen Park & Coeur d'Alene Resort.

McEuen Park has almost everything for everyone in your family - lake access & boat launch, tennis/pickleball, fenced dog park, huge playground, a waterfall feature, and lots of open green space. Plus, you have access to Tubb Hill and nature trails on the south side adjoining the lake - see the next section below. How many adorable animal statues can you find around downtown like the moose below?

Coeur d'Alene's downtown area is charming with unique shops, restaurants, and famous Coeur d'Alene Resort on the water's edge. The area is known for water activities and boat rentals are available to the public at the Resort. For a beautiful aerial view, take a tour in the Resort's seaplane.

Plan on 4-7 days total for Part 1-2. Part 1 = Coeur d'Alene, ID to Spokane, WA and Leavenworth, WA. Part 2 = Snoqualmie, WA to Vancouver, WA.

Don't forget Pt 2: Mountain Pass Hardships

Within McEuen Park, next to the boat launch area is Tubb Hill's Nature Trail. It's a 2 mile loop trail. The trail starts next to the Buoy Bar & Grill at the water's edge. Photo below left. Tubb Hill Nature Trail is a peaceful walk with a couple access points to the lake for your own private beach area, unless it's peak tourist season.

* Win a Prize = be the first to email me a photo of you on this hidden beach on Tubb Hill Trail. Photo below right. Hint: it's within the first mile starting from McEuen Park.

Location = Silverwood Theme Park. 27843 US-95, Athol ID - 18 miles north of Hwy 90. Silverwood Park opens in May each year. * Note: I decided to take a day for myself and ditch the job & camera....so I could just totally enjoy.

Choose your thrill level at Silverwood Theme Park. It has all the rides you could want - from the low intensity thrills at the carousel that a 2 yr old can enjoy, to the extremely intense thrill ride Aftershock. After What? What about the Pre-Shock factor I'm experiencing just standing in line? This ride is labeled "high intensity" for a reason - and I think I'll leave those high adrenalin intensity rides to you daredevils.

The water rides are also rated from low, medium, and high intensity. Try Riptide Racer and Ricochet Rapids which are both medium intensity and just enough to get your heart racing for a thrilling ride.

Silverwood Theme Park is awesome - choose your thrill....and fear factor for every ride. Kids & maybe a few adults too: don't get on the high intensity ride if you know you're going to "toss" your hot dog because Mom doesn't want to clean it out of your little sister's hair! Yep, saw that happen! Almost tossed my own cookies.....GROSS.

More Fun Things to Do - Coeur d'Alene

• Silver Mountain Resort - play golf, visit the indoor waterpark, ride the gondola, or go mountain biking. In the winter, there's skiing & snow tubing. Located in nearby Kellogg ID. We didn't go, but a local friend of mine says it's awesome.

• Coeur d'Alene Resort - right on the lake, offering lake cruises, fishing, complimentary bike rentals, and more. Their golf course has a fascinating twist: a floating green.

• Ziplining - for the best thrills & maximum fun, check out the 7 world class ziplines. If that's not enough, you crazies can try your skills at the obstacle courses in the treetops at Timberline Adventures.

• There's several beautiful parks to explore and lakes in the area for boating or kayaking. FYI: The water is definitely on the cooler side even during the summer months.

• Golfing - if you ask me, there's way too much golf! But hey, if that's your jam - have a ball (pun intended).

• Walking & biking - the "Centennial Trail" covers 63 miles from Coeur d'Alene ID to Spokane WA. The North Idaho Centennial Trail goes thru McEuen Park, along the north shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene to the north side of the Spokane River and west to Spokane.

• Boat tour of Lake Coeur d'Alene - boarding is at the Resort's marina where you can take a 2 hour boat ride and view some impressive summer homes owned by many celebrity types, plus don't miss the house built on a boulder in the lake. After biking some of the Centennial Trail, the slower paced boat tour was nice.

Gonzaga University

Location = Parking lot at Gonzaga University. 950 N. Cincinnati St, Spokane WA. Note: sorry, we had to cut our trip short in Spokane but you can check out our itinerary under More Things to Do in the next section below.

From the parking lot, you can walk or drive around Gonzaga University to see the buildings built in the 1800's. A friend had told me about Gonzaga's architectural beauties and they look like they were designed after the Renaissance period - just my guess. The first classes opened in 1887.

The parking lot is split into a northern half & southern half by the Spokane Centennial Trail. You can park here and walk for the 2.5 to 3 mile mile loop to Spokane Pavillion & Clock Tower. The island (connected by land and the Riverfront Park) has lots of beautiful features to explore.

Spokane is a beautiful city, with stunning glass buildings along the Spokane River downtown. And the locals love nature and outdoor activities, despite the snow and colder temperatures in winter.

More Fun Things to Do - Spokane

Our trip was cut short in Spokane due to a dog emergency. I got Mindy on medication but needed to monitor her & give her some time to rest. On the third day there, we left after an early lunch and drove the 3 hours to Leavenworth.

• Manito Park - a botanical garden with some Japanese themed features, walking trails, and a lake.

• Gondola Ride - the glass enclosed gondolas soar over the Spokane Falls.

• Visit the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist - breathtaking architecture of stained glass, archways & pillars.

• The historic Campbell House - part of the Northwest Museum of Arts.

• Hike or Bike - explore part of the Centennial Trail on bicycle, or hike Mount Spokane State Park.

Location = Riverfront Park, 2 parking lots. 382N N. Post St, Spokane WA. This is the closest you can get by vehicle to the rest of the island. Or, you can take a 2.5 to 3 mile loop trail from Gonzaga University to see the Spokane Pavillion & Clocktower and the other beautiful features on the island.

From Gonzaga University, 950 N. Cincinnati St Parking, head 1 block east and when the trail forks, go straight across the Centennial Trail Bridge.

Once across turn right, at the split go left. Continue straight with the river now on your right. Go under a vehicle bridge, then right onto the footbridge King Cole Way.

On N. Howard St Bridge, you'll pass thru Canary Island with a short spur to the right - the views of the Spokane River & falls below the Dam at Inspiration Point are great.

Across the bridge, take the first right and immediately a second right onto the trail the follows the north side of the river. Shortly after you pass under 2 side-by-side traffic bridges, you'll see the Dam and potentially large waterfalls if they're releasing it.

When you see the next set of side-by-side traffic bridges, take the left trail to stay next to the river. When you reach the intersection of the Centennial trail, this is where you started - so go left back to the parking lot.

The Island is decorated with festive arches & sculptures along the pathways. The water fountain is really cool at the Riverfront Park Water Point, or go see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Of course, don't miss the Clocktower. The Spokane Pavillion next to the USA Pavillion is close to the N. Howard St Bridge - your return route. Pssst....if you're able, find a spot to view the Spokane Pavillion at night, I was told the lights are amazing.

Leavenworth: Bavarian Town

FYI: Hwy 90 is 5 minutes faster than the Hwy 2 route. For some themed lodging, check out: Storybook Riverside Inn or Icicle Village Resort. If you're going in winter - it's in the Cascade Mountains which gets about 89 inches of snow/year.

Leavenworth is absolutely charming - a picture perfect little Bavarian/German themed town. It's one of best we've seen and is especially festive and buzzing with activity during Octoberfest and the Christmas holiday season. Even the town folk are all dressed up in their finest German threads. Guys - you're rockin' your lederhosen! In 1965, Leavenworth adopted the Bavarian theme to boost tourism.

After walking around town & having a bite of super delish and authentic German food, we went back to the car to let the dogs out for a bathroom break. Visiting a town with all things Bavarian/German - the town, the clothing, and of course the food pretty much gives you the full experience. It's almost as if you were actually in a quaint eastern Europe town.

Nature is everywhere you look - and it's begging to be explored. Hiking & biking are 2 great options, and if you love the water - don't miss Waterfront Park. There's also tubing or whitewater rafting on the Wenatchee River. Careful though, water temperatures are definitely chill even in summer. Posthotel, bottom right is a 4 star luxury hotel. If you can swing a night or two cost wise - the interior features are pretty incredible, and it's dog friendly.

Location = Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. 10395 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth WA. FYI: reservations are required - book online and pick your tour time.

Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a unique & special experience. Yes to your 1st question - not only do you get to pet the reindeer, but you're inside their enclosure. The reindeer were shorter than I expected but still an impressive animal. Sorry.... we couldn't find Rudolph.... something about training his son for the upcoming world tour in less than 2 months.

The staff provides willow shoots & leaves so you can feed the reindeer. I have to admit - I held onto the shoots with closed fist, so as not to lose a finger. Yes, I know - they're vegetarian! The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is just adorable, and so are the reindeer. The horse drawn carriage offered by a couple of big, strong men one of which was Norwegian is really fun.... and a little romantical even if you're just with your daughter! See photo up top.

Best times to visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm are spring to fall, with a special Christmas event in July. Summer is perfect timing if you're looking to see the babies that are born between April-June. But, the festivities of Octoberfest in the German themed cityscape, make for total immersion in the festivities. But.... I love baby animals, so I'm looking forward to coming back during summer just to hug those adorable baby faces.

Nutcracker Museum

Location = Nutcracker Museum. 735 Front St, Leavenworth WA. Cheap entry fee & open every day, but please check to be sure. FYI: No videos allowed & some items cannot be photographed.

The Nutcracker Museum is cute little non-profit that started in 1995 by Arlene, known as the "Nutcracker Lady". In her earlier years, she was a real ballerina, which explains her love for toy soldiers & nutcrackers. In fact, by 2020 she & her husband had collected over 7,000 for her Nutcracker Museum.

They continue to travel the globe looking for the next one to buy. Their astonishing collection has nutcrackers from 38 countries with some dating back to the 16th & 17th centuries. Their biggest is a German nutcracker that stands 6 feet tall. It's believed they have the largest collection in the world. It was worth the visit.

Vacation Travel Tips

• Average temps for Coeur d'Alene, Vancouver WA, and the mountain town of Leavenworth, WA: Summer 79-85/50-56 degrees F. Winter 37-48/21-35.

• Snowfall avg is 70 inches/yr in Coeur d'Alene per the City.

• Snowfall avg is 89 inches/yr in Leavenworth, WA.

• Vancouver gets minimal snow. Websites vary greatly in data.

• Backpack essentials - water, bug spray, sunscreen, whistle, flashlight, cell phone, pocket knife, camera, and a light jacket for summer.

• Winter Essentials - thermal blanket, walking poles, waterproof hiking boots, and winter clothing.

• Trails if wet/slippery – get trail tennis shoes or hiking boots.

• Higher elevations - temps are colder with more snow.

• Vehicle safety – Keep a spare blanket, boots, jacket, gloves, and snacks in the car. Winter roads call for “winter” tires. If you only have "all season" tires, take snow chains.

• Wild animals - Elk, moose, deer, black/grizzly bears, mountain lion, coyote, beaver, and muskrat.

• Pack out - what you pack in.

• Rivers/lakes – Please be mindful of currents & water temps. Winter & spring bring fast currents & frozen waters.

• Poisonous Snakes - there are 2 in Idaho & 3 in Washington. They generally avoid humans, but will bite if threatened. Typically not found above 6,000 ft.

• Wilderness areas – take a buddy & tell someone your travel plans.

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