Today was the day to finish out the Coeur d’Alene Trail (CDA Trail). This valley has been gorgeous. My first glimpse of this valley was back in 2011 when I came out to Coeur d’Alene and completed the Ironman Triathlon. I’ve always wanted to come back. Leaving Kellogg the trail quickly changed sceneries from small little town of Smelterville, to the covered forest, and opening up to vast fields. The Trail followed the Coeur d’Alene river, crossing over many bridges and passing through many trailheads. I was surprised I did not see more people out on the trail early in the morning. Today was such a change of pace because there would be no cars allowed all day on this trail. Lisa Marie and I planned to meet in a small town called Harrison. Took me about three hours to get to the town partly because I kept stopping to take pictures and enjoy the scenic views. I talked to several people along the way, a local fisherman and a family, that drove in for the day to ride the trail. Throughout the morning I started to see more bikers and a few walkers. There were numerous places where RV’s had pulled up and were camping overnight. I saw many people preparing to come out and ride the trail from those different campsites. As I approached the town of Harrison the traffic really picked up. This was the largest town along the trail since leaving Kellogg. While traveling one section, I saw a couple standing trying to get a picture of something in the woods. I stopped and asked what they could see, because I couldn’t see anything. And the gentleman who was quite a bit taller than myself, pointed to the bull moose sitting in the river chomping on some vegetation. We both quietly attempted to get a photo and quickly moved out of the area. As I came into town all I saw was pink flamingos and people getting ready to head out onto the lake. As I went up into town I heard I had just missed the pink flamingo parade. The early morning place to be, was this little bike shop in town. It seems like every bike shop that I’ve passed over the last 200 miles comprises of a coffee shop, small sandwich shop, and craft beer. Oh yeah and they even do bike services. Lisa Marie and I enjoyed a nice lunch while talking to different people who knew all about the town and it’s going on. Because this town had a small marina and access to the lake it was quite busy and full of tourists. The trail was the central part along with the lake of the activities happening.
After sitting for about an hour and a half I decided I wanted to go to the end of the trail instead of turning and following my original route. Today for the remainder I followed the trail around the perimeter of the lake with my chin just about hitting the ground most of the way. There were many bikers and families going both directions. Out in the lake, it looked like a typical Michigan day with boats everywhere. At one point crossing over a large bridge as I came to the opposite side, out popped a roller skater to my surprise, and another woman walking her bike. I stopped to ask if she needed help and in the end we fixed a derailed chain. (bikes are for riding not walking). Dana and Kate were locals out for fun on the trail. We talked about the area and the fabulous trail and they were interested in my journey. We traded photos and off we went. The remainder of the trail closed in on forest and began to climb uphill away from the large lake. Eventually the trail terminated in a small town called Plummer where I met Lisa Marie. This would be the end of my ride today. We traveled to Spokane where we’ll stay for the next couple nights because of her great discount. Tomorrow I will have to come back to Harrison to resume my original plan. Pedal On!
Insights from Lisa Marie
Back to driving support and regular roads😁. Since Norm was on a bike trail all day, the plan was to meet in Harrison, Idaho mid morning. I plotted my own route meandering through little towns, up into mountain overpass and down into valleys. Lots of ranches and couple of beautiful lakes as I passed through the Coeur d’ Alene Indian reservation. Got to Harrison ahead of Norm and was told at least another hour. So I took another scenic route not realizing I would drive it a second time today😂. We ate lunch at this cute place that definitely catered to the bikers called The Cycle Haus. Harrison was having a Flamingo Festival 🤔. Lots of pink! While at lunch I met Cyndi from Washington who was biking the trail. She was very interested in what we were doing. By herself on this trip because her husband at 75 years old and son who works for Rocky Mountain Bikes, were doing some kind of special father/son advertising video shoot in British Columbia, and a daughter who was biking with family in Oregon. Sounds like her whole family is on a bike somewhere😂. Norm then decided he was going to go ahead and finish the Coeur d’Alene bike trail to the end in Plummer, Idaho. So again I drove my scenic route this time past my stop in St. Marie’s all the way to Plummer. Great views and more time to myself 😁. After Norm arrived at the trailhead we drove to our endpoint in Spokane for the night.
