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Home » Idaho

Idaho

Eastern Washington High Desert Life Adventures

May 22, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com 2 Comments

The weathered beauty of old Juniper trees in the high desert of Eastern Washington USA
The weathered beauty of old Juniper trees in the high desert of Eastern Washington USA

Eastern Washington High Desert Life

Eastern Washington is the home of the high desert. What a unique place! The climate in summer is hot and dry. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach triple digits.  Winters can get quite cold. Winter snow is not uncommon. In fact, in winter, the desert usually gets several feet of snow. When visiting this region keep in mind that the people are rather laid back and dress casually. Even in restaurants you will mostly find people wearing nice jeans and sweaters. You will find little need for formal wear in this area. When packing, remember to include garments that can layer, and anywhere in Washington requires a good rain jacket. Keep in mind that while the days may be hot and dry, the nights will get quite cool.

Anything east of the Cascade Range is considered Eastern Washington.  The second largest city in the state is in this dry desert. Spokane is a hub of activity for the Northeast. What a fun place! Here Shopping abounds.  Spokane also is the largest shopping area for much of Northeastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle.  Serious shopping is done in Spokane by all. You can find it all in Spokane.  It has an international airport that also serves much of the bordering state of Idaho, especially the Pan Handle. This is a terrific boon to the Washington economy. The mountains provide awesome skiing when the snow arrives. There are many trails for the cross country skier. In summer these same trails keep the hiker happy. Camping is plentiful! Most places allow dry camping most anywhere. If you like nature, there are endless things to do.

Yakima Valley Red Apple Orchards - A red apple sitting on top of a green plant - AppleThe Juniper trees are gorgeous. It is believed the Juniper Woodland is the largest Western Juniper Woodland on earth. The Junipers extend from Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho, and into Northeastern California.  The Juniper is a slow-growing tree that elbows out other high desert plants like Sagebrush. Sagebrush is needed as habitat for the Sage Grouse. It is beautiful and fun to watch it blow across the desert. Junipers also make it hard for other trees to flourish like the Quaking Aspen, Bitterbrush, and Mountain Mahogany.  Juniper trees often live to be over 1,600 years old. There is one Juniper in Fort Rock, Oregon which is 64 feet tall and 5.5 feet in diameter. This patriarchal Juniper is awesome beauty. All through Eastern Washington, you will see these beautiful and ancient Junipers. They are fantastic! They are ancient! They are the Juniper Tree.

The summer color tones of the Eastern Washington High desert are brown with autumn hues mixed in. The knarly Juniper Tree has a beauty all its own. Even the Sage Brush is gorgeous as it blows across the desert. Nothing though can beat the muted red tones of the Mountain Mahogany. This tree is pure beauty. It is an economic blessing to the region. The high desert is the place to hike and there are many hiking trails. It also provides endless photography. The desert is beautiful! It is a natural photo waiting to happen. Wildlife scurries across the desert floor. The desert is full of life!

Nestled in the valleys of the desert are the rich and fertile farmlands of the Yakima Valley in Eastern Washington. The beautiful  Palouse is in both the Pan Handle of Idaho and Eastern Washington. In these valleys are some of the richest farmland in the state. Most anything grows in these valleys! Not only do they grow bountiful fruits and vegetables, but they are also wonderfully gorgeous. The beautiful Columbia River separates Oregon from Washington. The river provides many summer activities and is gorgeous as she moves through the beautiful gorge that carries her name. Windsurfers and boaters both love the Columbia River.  The Snake River is another major river that snakes her way through the Eastern parts of Oregon and Washington and the tip of Idaho.  She gets her name from her snake appearance. White water rafting is fantastic on the Snake River.

When looking for things to do, don’t forget, what’s in your own backyard. There is fantastic hiking, boating, windsurfing, swimming, rafting, skiing and many photo opportunities for the photographer. Life is great in Eastern Washington. It is fun! It is full of adventure! It is the perfect place for your next family vacation.

Exploretraveler.com

Eastern Washington High Desert

Spokane River
Spokane River

Spokane River: Washington USA

Spokane River, “Gateway To The American West,” must be one of the most spectacular rivers in the USA. Just 111 miles long, it is a tributary of the Columbia River. It begins at Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene. This is a magnificent lake in the Pan Handle of Idaho. Leaving Idaho, the Spokane River flows through Spokane, Washington. What amazing beauty! Only a few cities in the US are privileged to have such a beautiful river gorge flow through it’s urban landscape. From here it makes its way to the Columbia River. What a fantastic opportunity this is. The river is extremely gorgeous. Fisherman living in the urban area of Spokane, need not travel far to fish.  Boaters, rafters, canoes with excited paddlers, and many other water sports find fantastic adventure on the Spokane River. The Spokane River is a gem shared by Idaho and Washington. It is an urban river waiting to be explored.

So what is the river like in the city? It flows by an opera house and then through a park at the river’s side. Here you can also witness the magnificent Spokane Falls. If you really want to see the beauty of the  Spokane River go on downstream for about a half mile. Here is where the river begins to make its journey through the beautiful canyon that it calls home for about 8 miles. At this point, you will see some of the most exciting Basalt rock formations. You will see many exciting shapes including the Bowl and Pitcher. There are amazing Basalt cliffs! These cliffs are magnificent. The forest is fantastic with towering evergreens, including the Ponderosa Pine Tree. In this amazing urban playground, you will see beautiful Eagles and Osprey flying above you. How utterly amazing! Just think, you are only a few minutes from downtown Spokane.

Those who enjoy hiking will find many options for beautiful day hikes. When you get to Bowl and Pitcher, cross the swinging bridge and then either choose to hike to the right or the left. Both are short well-marked trails suitable for family outings. These are beautiful and well kept urban trails! All this and more, just outside the city.

Those that want to relax, can do so on its lovely banks. At Spokane River Park, you will find plenty of places to read a book or paint a picture. Bring the whole family and picnic in the park. Dad, there are BBQ grills to grill the catch of the day. The park has wide open places for a good game of volleyball. Whatever your desire, you will find it on the river.

Experienced rafters enjoy the raging white water in the spring and early summer. What a beautiful and fantastic adventure. In the latter summer, the water levels drop for the season and it becomes an easy trip for beginning rafters. You will also see many different ponds and scenic opportunities. The Spokane River is an urban delight. It is perhaps the most beautiful urban river in the United States. Whether you come for the day or a week, there is plenty of action for all, on the Spokane River.

Filed Under: North America, Travel Tips, USA Tagged With: Bitterbrush, Eastern Washington, eastern washington high desert, Idaho, Mountain Mahogany, Pan Handle, Quaking Aspen, Spokane, USA, Western Juniper

25 Travel Tips That Can Save Your Life!

March 28, 2019 by John J Gentry 2 Comments

travel tips

By John Gentry Travel Channel to travel the world

travel tips

Travel Tips that could save your life is an ongoing project that will grow over time, and we hope everyone is able to enjoy themselves better while traveling since they will be better prepared. Enjoy these simple but easy to understand tips and make your next trip an adventure of a lifetime.

1. Never pass up a good toilet because the next one may be a squat only.


2. Always get cash after customs at your destination airport. Euros and USD Maybe an exception. Don’t risk breaking local customs regulations.

3. Always carry diarrhea medicine.

travel tips
Mysterious Chinese herbs in the traditional medicine shops of Hong Kong

4. Always look up three words before you travel; thank you, yes and no.

5. Always have tissues packages on hand for the bathroom and eating use.

6. Certain medicine needs to be considered. Tylenol, Panadol and any needed prescription drugs.

7. Learn and study body language. Most expressions are international.

8. Use modern technology like Twitter to keep you updated on certain travel areas. US Department of State and the CDC have an alert service.

9. Water usage should be increased to offset times when good clean water is not available.

10. Learn some basics in English, German, Mandarin, and Russian, these languages can sometimes be used in emergencies.

travel tips

11. Study the basic history of a region before going there.

12. Learn the taboos of the area you are traveling to. Remember it is their country, not yours.

13. Don’t assume the water is clean to drink just because locals drink it. They have built up immunities you don’t have.


Travel Tips International Travel


14. Traveling causes the body to lose sleep. This in will lower your immune system so make sure to schedule recovery time.

15. Make sure to schedule a time to re-stock your travel pharmacy on the road.

16. Ziplock bags can solve a lot of problems so take several.

17. Understand and get certified in basic life saving first aid.

travel tips

18. Use large backpacks to travel that way you can never have to check in your bag. This will ensure you always have what you need when you need it.

travel tips

19. Don’t take basic hygiene for granted ensure you have it planned for and have what you need to stay healthy.

20. When traveling in crowed unorganized cities try to memorize key locations or landmarks. These can be used to find your way later when needed.

21. Always look and find locals who have language skills that you can use to help gather information that is key to your trip. Young people know some English and older people could know other languages. People and questions are your best resource for information.

22. Don’t assume your cellphone will work. Print out what you need ahead of time.

23. Carry old fashion maps.

travel tips

24. Get a cellphone app that can translate languages. Make sure it can work without wifi or cellphone service.

25. Buy digital offline mapping software for your mobile phone or other devices.

26. Consider GPS

27. You are only as good as your weakest link. So consider others in your travel party and ensure they stay healthy or you could pay the price later on. We hope you enjoyed these 25 Travel Tips That Can Save Your Life! Happy Travels, ExploreTraveler.com

https://exploretraveler.com/things-to-do-in-lisbon/

Travel Tips is exclusive content copyrighted by ExploreTraveler

Filed Under: Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Adventure, Asia, Beni, Boliva, California, Cebu, Disneyland, Einhoven, Europe, expat, explore, Flooding, Food, green island, Holland, hospital, Hotel, Idaho, international, international business, malaysia, medical Taiwan, Netherlands, Philippines, R.O.C., Restaurant Reviews, ROC, San Diego, sandpoint, Sea world, Ski, Social Media, South America, Tacloban, Taipei, Taiwan, travel, Travel Tips, USA

Mountain Breezes On Lake Pend Oreille

September 10, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Cool Mountain Breezes

Mountain Breezes On Lake Pend Oreille

Mountain breezes blow across the beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. This beautiful lake was formed years ago by huge magnificent glaciers that melted. The water then flowed toward the Pacific Ocean. Some of the water pooled at the bottom of these spectacular mountains. and Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake, came into being. These glaciers provide the source of many of the breezes that come down off the mountain. They form cooling mountain breezes for the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding Sand Point, Idaho. Summers on the lake are pleasant and hardly a day passes without mountain breezes.

Sandpoint is a charming small town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. It is known for its art festivals, and summers are a buzz of activity on the lake. There are many places to camp along the shores. Boaters and Kayakers love to explore its coves. Hikers enjoy the three mountains that keep Sandpoint nestled among their hills. The summers are hot, but you are rewarded most days with cool mountain breezes. Water skiing, Biking, horseback riding, and boating, are just a few of the summer sports enjoyed in Sandpoint.
http://www.sandpoint.com/Recreation/summeractivities.asp  (Summer Activities)

Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the hunting and fishing in the area. Golfers are rewarded with an excellent golf course. Rent a car and take a long scenic drive. The surrounding area is extremely beautiful and there are many other lakes and rivers to enjoy. For those that desire to see the area by air, there are many flight packages available in the area. While there are many extreme sports in both summer and winter, the town itself is amazing. Be sure to check out the fantastic farmers market. Sandpoint stores are awesome! The farmers market is amazing!
http://visitnorthidaho.com/activity-category/fishing-hunting/  (Hunting and Fishing for visitors)
http://www.sandpointonline.com/rec/golf.html    (Area Golf Courses)

Winters are a playground on the lake and in the nearby mountains and towns that dot its shores. The shallow parts of the lake freeze over and fishermen can ice fish during the heart of winter. Warm clothes are a top priority! Dressing in layers is the best way to assure that you will be warm. Heavy soled waterproof boots, good insulated heavy overalls, gloves, a wide scarf, and hats are all a must when ice fishing. These cool mountain breezes blow all year, making the lake a winter playground. Winters in Idaho are usually cold, with lots of activities available in the ice and snow.

Ice fishing is one of those special treats for winter fun. Some of the most common fish found in the winter are Perch and Trout. Bluegill, Kokanee and Crappie are also in the realm of possibilities. Be sure to check the ice depth before going out on the lake. An average man of 175 pounds needs at least 3-4 inches of solid ice. A snow machine needs at least 8 inches of solid ice. Never go out on the lake alone. The buddy system works great for safety. Plan ahead and be safe! An excellent website for determining what equipment you might need is https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/ice-fishing (ice fishing guidelines)

Skiing and Snowboarding are special events for Idaho. There are two major Resorts in the State that provide excellent skiing and snowboarding, as well as sloops for sledding and tubing. Sun Valley is in the Southern part of the state, but Schweitzer Mountain is just 11 miles up the mountain from Sandpoint. Bring the family for a day of adventure! It is fun for all ages! There are even pickup places in Sandpoint if you prefer to ride the Schweitzer Bus. Year around fun is at it’s best at Schweitzer Mountain. As with all winter activities, dress warmly and be prepared for the mountain breezes that often blow.

Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort
10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Road
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208-263-9555
1-800-831-8810
http://www.schweitzer.com/

Selkirk Lodge provides luxury accommodations on the mountain slopes. There are more than 80 first class rooms at reasonable rates. There are several excellent restaurants and a retail mall. White Pine Lodge has 50 condominiums for rent. There are also over 450 Mountain Homes for rent around the mountain.
http://www.schweitzer.com/plan-your-vacation/lodging-options/selkirk-lodge/
http://www.schweitzer.com/plan-your-vacation/lodging-options/white-pine-lodge/

Schweitzer Mountain Chapel has both Non-denominational Services and Catholic Services during the ski season. The Chapel is also available for retreats and has built-in Dormitory style rooms.

Come enjoy the cool mountain breezes blowing over the lake on a hot summer day!  Immerse yourself in winter fun at Schweitzer! Ice fish on the Lake Pend Oreille! The options are endless and adventure is all around. Lake Pend Oreille has something for everyone, year around. Come join us as we explore Lake Pend Oreille and the surrounding area.

https://www.exploretraveler.com

Filed Under: Idaho, North America, Sandpoint, Travel Tips, USA, World Travel Tagged With: Crappie, http://www.schweitzer.com/, Idaho, Idaho glaciers, Kokanee, Lake Pend Oreille, Perch, sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain, Sun Valley Ski Resort, Trout. Bluegill

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho USA

August 21, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Lake Pend Oreille

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho USA

Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho’s most magnificent lake. It is the largest lake in the state of Idaho. It has 111 miles of Shoreline. This is an amazing amount of space to enjoy this beautiful treasure. It is located in the Northern Pan Handle of Idaho and many towns grace it’s shores. Almost every town has a treasured adventure on Lake Pend Oreille. It has the loose shape of a question mark with no dot! This amazing lake looks endless from the shore. All you can see is lake, beautiful blue sky, and majestic mountains.  The lake is the deepest lake in the state. It is the 5th deepest in the world. In fact, even the Navy comes to Lake Pend Oreille to test their submarines. Now that is amazing!

Among the amazing facts surrounding Lake Pend Oreille is the story of the Lake Monster. There have been many sightings over the years. He seems to get bigger and bigger. Some people think it is perhaps a giant Sturgeon. Sturgeon have been known to grow over 12 feet long. How would you like to have him on your hook? Now that would be a fish story! No matter what he may turn out to be, he is loved by most. He has been given the loving name of ”  Pend Oreille Paddler.”

One of the many adventures on the lake is to take a Kayak out for the day. Explore the miles of shoreline. Some people have even paddled completely around the lake. Now that is ambitious! It was once estimated that it took 118,539 strokes with the paddle to go completely around the lake at the shoreline.  If you are ambitious, grab your sleeping bag and tent and let the exploration begin. The last recorded group spent the week paddling this amazing shoreline. Now that is true adventure travel!

Exploring Lake Pend Oreille by foot is fantastic. There are many well marked trails, as well as an amazing 2 mile walk over the Pedestrian Bridge. Can you imagine what you will see? This is perhaps one of the  most popular lake walks from Sandpoint. It begins at the U.S. Highway 95 south entrance to Sandpoint and goes parallel to the highway bridge for car and truck traffic. It is a pleasant 2 mile walk. Bikers also enjoy an excellent bike ride over the bridge.Many bikers continue on down Bottle Bay Road. This takes them around the south side of the lake.  It is always a nice day for adventure, at Lake Pend Oreille.

There are many trails to enjoy around Lake Pend Oreille. The newest one is Pend Oreille Bay Trail 1. This is a marvelous trail to hike or bike. The trail connects all the many lake communities around the lake. Spend the day or spend the week, adventure is waiting on the Pend Oreille Bay Trail. This is the first public  waterfront trail along the  shores of Lake Pend Oreille.  Pend Oreille Bay Trail links the communities of Sandpoint, Ponderay, Kootenai, and many others.

If you like adventure, see Lake Pend Oreille from a boat. Whether you bring your boat or rent one at one of the many marinas, adventure is waiting. There are many places where you can rent power boats, sail boats, Kayaks, and more. There is nothing like watching the wildlife from the advantage of a boat. Explore the lake by boat and see the wide variety of wildlife that calls this lake and it’s shores home.

However you decide to explore Lake Pend Oreille, you will be in for first class adventure. Watch a mother bear fish for her cub, or an Osprey go fishing on the lake! Watch the trees as you go by, you may spot a nesting Bald Eagle. The possibilities are endless! There are many places to camp along the shore of the lake. In the many lake towns you will find nice accommodations and good places to eat.  Wherever you go, this lake offers adventure.  So relax, enjoy, and explore, Lake Pend Oreille.

https://www.exploretraveler.com

Published on [email protected] on August 20,2017 at:

https://steemit.com/travel/@exploretraveler/lake-pend-oreille-idaho-usa

 

Filed Under: Idaho, North America, Travel Tips, USA Tagged With: Idaho, Kootenai, Lake Pend Oreille, Pan Handle of Northern Idaho, Pend Oreille Bay Trail, Ponderay, sandpoint

Coeur d Alene Idaho USA

August 19, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d Alene Idaho USA

Coeur d  Alene , an area of Majestic mountain ranges, beautiful lakes,  and fertile valleys, is one of Idaho’s best kept secrets. The greater Coeur d Alene area is home to many magnificent lakes. These beautiful lakes are leftovers from the awesome glaciers of the former ice age. There are over 55 lakes close to the Coeur d Alene metropolitan area. Adventure is everywhere!  No matter where you travel, there is a lake! The most marvelous of them all is Lake Coeur d Alene itself. Lake Coeur d Alene is the center of the city! What a beautiful lake! What fertile soil surrounds the city! What amazing mountains in the distance! Coeur d Alene is almost magical! If you desire  beauty that is almost perfect, you need look no farther.

Beautiful Lake Coeur d Alene  is home to spectacular Northern Idaho Sunsets! How beautiful the lake is as the sunset reflects on the water. Tones of reds, and pinks are amazing! There is magic in the air as the city reflects across the lake at night. A city that never sleeps! Beauty that abounds day and night! Even the moon rises over the lake in all its splendor. It’s reflection can be seen across the water.  Lake Coeur d Alene is spectacular and inspiring! It is the hub of the city. It provides hours of entertainment for the residents of Northern Idaho. Water sports are an important role each summer. Cruises and water skiing play a major role in the life of the city.

The lake is home to many species of water fowl. Have you ever watched an Osprey plunge into the water after a fish? The marsh land and the grassland surrounding the lake provide nesting areas for many birds. Many wild animals call the hills around the mountains home. Breathtaking views of mountains, springs, hot springs, lakes and rivers are everywhere. Idaho has some of the most spectacular scenic country in the Northwest! Much of Idaho is public lands and you can view animals in their natural habitat.  The forests and farmlands provide year around shelter for many birds and animals. You might even see a pair of Bald Eagles nesting in the late spring.

Just 30 miles east of Coeur d Alene is Silver Mountain! Silver Mountain is home to some of the most fantastic skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest. Near by is Galena Ridge Golf course. It is perfect for those who desire a lively game of golf. Family fun abounds at the Silver Rapids. It is the largest water park in Idaho. What fun for the family! The tropical pools are always a magical 84 degrees. Enjoy endless summer at Silver Rapids!

Planning an Idaho vacation is thrilling. Adventure is everywhere! Backpackers will find trails and base camps. Skiers will delight themselves at Silver Mountain! Families will flock to Silver Rapids. Idaho has something for everyone! Take time to explore the mountains! Bird watch in the amazing marshes. Hike the hills surrounding the many lakes! Take a cruise and just relax. Romance is in the air! The magical destinations in Idaho will delight the whole family! Make this the year for your Idaho adventure. Let it begin in Coeur d Alene.

https://www.exploretraveler.com

Filed Under: Idaho, North America, Travel Tips, USA, World Travel Tagged With: Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Lake Coeur d'Alene

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