Category Archives: Northwest

Kayaking Upper Priest Lake

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It is a bit chilly this morning, 53F. We dawdle over breakfast so by the time we head out at 8 it is 60F and fairly sunny.  In the half hour it takes to reach the put-in it warms a bit more.  This will be good.  We don lifejackets and windbreakers and set out.  There is a noticeable breeze and we have to work a little to get across the big lake and into “The Thoroughfare” that exits the north end of lower Priest Lake and connects to upper Priest.  OK, it’s sheltered now.  Well pretty much.  The undeveloped shore is treed to the waterline.  It is beautiful.  We watch for bear and deer as this is prime territory.  An eagle, osprey, a Golden eye and her young ones, and some panhandling mallards entertain us.  It is all a no-wake zone but a few pesky powerboats still disturb the peaceful paddle a little.  I think it is getting windier.  We paddle on and emerge into the mountain ringed upper Priest Lake.  It is a small lake and we plan to paddle the entire 7 mile perimeter.  There is a little chop but after a stretch break we head out.  Hmm, chop is building to whitecaps.  We head a bit further so we can peak around a point to see the end of the lake.  Lovely, but it is getting too rough.  We take a break and a few pictures then head back.  Oh, this is hard work.  White caps combine to create swells and it’s plenty rough as we cut into the waves and make for the more sheltered far shore.   We have been on rougher water but are glad to make our way back into the relative shelter of the narrow thoroughfare and work our way back toward the launch.  The sky is darkening.  The rain forecast for tonight looks to be coming in early.

We reach the South end of the thoroughfare and on lower Priest the wind is blowing straight uplake. Waves are pounding the breakwater we have to paddle around to get back to the launch.  Nope, that isn’t going to happen.  We retrace our path to a sheltered launch and exchange the final ½ mile paddle for a ¼ mile portage and a ½ mile walk back to the car.  We load up the kayaks and hop into the car just as the first raindrops begin to fall.

It wasn’t the paddle we had planned for but it was still fun. They call Priest Lake the Jewel of the Northern Idaho panhandle.  I would agree.  It is beautiful.

Black Bear Cub!

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It was a fun paddle but I am feeling a bit disappointed that we didn’t see bear or even deer when we were out on the water today. We are motoring on back to camp when a cub dashes across the road in front of us. Alright! Seeing a bear makes an already good day even better.

Huff Lake

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This is a 13,000 year oldHuffLakeComp_4624 peat bog. Core samples trace ancient volcanic eruptions and capture evidence of now extinct plant life.  Parallel mountain ranges funnel moisture into this narrow valley creating a lush rainforest-like soggy climate, perfect for bogs and ancient cedars.

A stroll through Ancient Cedars

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Roosevelt Cedars Doc_4634Just north of Nordman ID a grove of ancient red cedars has survived an untold number of wildfires and has escaped the timberman’s axe.   A trail winds its way among the stately trees.  Some are nearly 2000 years old.  Damp earth and a thick layer of needles muffle our footsteps.  This is a silent, awe inspiring place.

Once we cross a ridge the sound of Granite Creek reaches our ears. We parallel the creek as it cascades down the mountain. Cranite Creek Falls Doc_4652 Soon we find the waterfall that slides majestically across erosion carved stone.

ACK

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I broke a molar. The dentist took a look at it today and said, “That calls for a root canal and crown”.  Wonderful!  As I am certain I have mentioned before, I really hate dentists.  I go back at 8AM tomorrow to get the work done.

Kiona Merlot

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I opened the bottle of Red Mountain Merlot (one of the three Red Mountain Washington viticulture area wines I picked up when we passed through) to share with all.  Alas, it is a bit robust for my fellow sippers.  I’ll just have to drink the whole bottle myself.  I think I enjoyed the Syrah a bit more but this is nice too.  I still have the Cabernet to try another day.

Lake Coeur d’Alene

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It is overcast and cool but is supposed to clear so we haul out the boat and head for the lake.

On our way to the lake we make a quick stop at the Buck Knife factory hoping to catch a tour. It is fun to see what is “still made in the USA”.  No such luck.  They were all booked up.  We wandered their little museum to read about the history of the family and manufacturing.  There is some very cool stuff in their factory store.  On to the lake!

Idaho is a bit zealous with their invasive species prevention program so we blow about an hour getting inspected and traipsing around town to buy the sticker that proves it.  No biggie though.  The day is warming and it is just before noon when we put in the lake.  Another Johnna first – using a pit toilet.  It was a somewhat biased first experience, this is a 5 star pit toilet.  It has a real seat, a clean tile floor, a door that locks, toilet paper, and those solar powered fans that really work so it didn’t smell (very much).  Still, a first!

We explore sheltered coves and enjoy lunch as we float and watch for wildlife. The lake is ringed in rich green, pine covered mountains but there is quite a bit of development at least on this end.  CourledLaneEstateComp_4615We don’t see much in the way of wildlife but enjoy checking out homes that range from floating boathouses to castles and estates.

A family of mallards comes to check out whether we have goodies to share. They circle the boat a couple times then head off to find more cooperative snack providers.

There is a little chop now as the winds have picked up but the sun is bright and warm so we take a run up lake. We skitter along the surface for another Johnna first, a ride in a small power boat. I think it was a hit.

We come in off the lake in late afternoon and manage to avoid any severe sunburn. It was a good day.