The Trail of Coeur d'Alene, July 15th thru 19th, 2015

The Trail of Coeur d'Alene (cda) Cycling Trip

Boy Scout Family Trip

Details
Distance: 72 miles over two days
Location: Northern Idaho
Attendance: Kris M, Darrin K, Vicki K, Molly L, Paul L, John H, Doug L, Michelle L, Jeremy P, Alex T, Sage M, Connor K, Dale K, Dallas L, Tyler H, Korbin L & Cheyenne M

What an amazing adventure of taking cycling to a pleasurable level. This ride was all about getting on the trail, having some fun, and seeing Northern Idaho. No expectations, no goals of being anywhere at any time, no Merit Badges. Just plain ole fun. And fun we did have. 

Wednesday Day One: We started off our trip leaving on July 15th with a 7 hour drive ahead of us. Thankfully all went well, and we had no issues what so ever. We arrived safe and sound at the Blue Anchor RV Park in Osburn, Idaho about 630pm, set up camp, and relaxed before bed. 

every base camp needs a charging station.

Camp Day One & Two

Our Cooks

 

Thursday Day Two: Our first day of riding. We are all excited and very full thanks to Pauls amazing and filling breakfast. Our ride started off in Mullan, Idaho at the Eastern most part of the trail. We took off from there exploring Wallace, Idaho home of the movie Dante's Peak, and cute a little town. Than off to many more sites of mining, and other history such as railroads and such through out all the small towns that make up the first part of our ride. 

Day One - Let the ride commence

Our amazing group of riders

Coming thru Wallace, Id

Vicki and I at the center of the Universe

Me and my Man cub

On the streets of Wallace Idaho

We had lunch in Smelterville in a cute little park and ate a lot of food. Than took off back down the trail where we start to move out of the cities and into some more Nature like sites. At the Cataldo trail head a few of us get the opportunity to see a Moose! And what an amazing site that was. Our adventure of wildlife didnt stop there, some of the group saw turtles, Heron, and many species of birds. The rest of our day continued along the wildlife spree and we decided to stop at the Bull Run TH for the day. With the hopes of getting to spend some time at the Cataldo Old Mission before retiring for the day. 

This is the way a bike trail should be. With a bike shop on it.

Coming in for Lunch

Sage coming in for Lunch

Rest time

Lunch at the Park.

The Old Mission was closing as we arrived, so it was a quick trip looking through the grounds. All the buildings were already closed up. :( But it was enough, we had a great time, and than headed back to camp where Paul proceeded to stuff us with a HUGE  but fabulous dinner.

Moose!

Moose

Moose

 Friday Day Three: Its back on the trail we went, starting back off at the Bull Run TH heading all the way down to Chatcolet TH where we ended our ride. 

This entire ride was filled with beautiful scenes of Nature, wildlife and fun times. WE all had a great ride with fun competition, some joyous moments of goofing off, taking pictures, and meeting a lot of people on the trail. 

I personally was surprised how many older people were out riding with us. There was a large group of them, around the retired ages, and let me tell you, it inspired me. The days were warm and yet they kept going like it was no big deal. Some at times passing us or leap frogging with us. The whole time I thought to myself, when I retire, this is what I am doing.

When the ride was over we all had some sore bottoms and happy smiles, EVERYONE enjoyed the ride! Some of the boys were very skeptical on whether or not they could complete such a ride. I assured them that we would take it easy, at their pace, and it would be fun. But they were not convinced. After the ride was over, they were convinced and were so proud of themselves. It was amazing to see. 

 

Saturday Day Four: Its off to go play in the water!! Silverwood Theme Park here we come. We packed up camp, and were on the road. We arrived at our new campspot at another RV Park close to Silverwood where we dropped our stuff off and headed to the park with an arrival time of about 10:30am. No bad. 

We instantly staked claim on an area to put our stuff. Than took off to go experience the Park. Much of this trip was about the boys and the ride, so at this point today was about spending time having fun with my daughter who graciously decided to come just so she could experience the Silverwood Theme Park. Let me tell you, we were not disappointed. 

Chey and I had a great time going back and forth from the Lazy River to the Wave Pool to lounging in the Sun and doing it all over again. She wasnt as interested in the big water slides, mainly because of the lines, and her mom is a wimp, and doesnt care for them. 

We spent much of the first half of the day in the water park, we took a quick peak over at the theme park side, than went back to camp, had dinner, and than went back to Silverwood where we got to experience the rides! Chey had an absolute blast going on water rides, she even went on a Roller Coaster (not with me. yuk!) but with some other adults. We closed down the theme park and than back to camp where we quickly passed out from pure joy and fun. 

After experiencing Silverwood, we now know that we would come back during the week instead of weekend, so we will have shorter lines and we will spend a minimum of two days at the park so that we can really experience it all. Lessons learned, but good times were still had. 

Park at the beginning of the day!

Not to long after. Lol. Fills quick.

Bring on the Log Ride

Scary rides at night!

 

 Sunday Day Five: Get up slow and sure. We played hard, and we were tired. We hit the road with a 6 hour drive back home with sun burnt, worn out and happy kids. The drive seemed much longer and hotter on the way home, with the temps jumping into the the triple digits for most of the drive but again we got home safe and sound. 

Talk of the next cycling trip was filling the sounds of my truck all the way home. Dreams of going to Alaska, California, Utah, Arizona were all discussed. The consensus said lets do it again next year! So a ride it is... I was successful, I've created some cyclist that know how to ride for fun and safety! The funny thing though? Two of them asked to open the cycling Merit Badge when they got home. LOL. Gotta love it.