Sandpoint, Idaho

Sunday, September 27 - Today Mom and Dad went for a drive on the Lake Pend O'reille-Kootenai River Loop.

First they drove along the north east shore of Lake Pend O'reille

Then along the Pend O'reille river to the Cabinet Gorge Dam.

Another view of the Cabinet Gorge, below the Dam.  They also
learned that, during the ice age, this area was covered by
Glacial Lake Missoula and 2,000 feet of water.  That much water
would submerge all but the peaks of the mountains in the distance.

Shortly after the Dam, they crossed the state line and into
Montana.  There they turned north and were treated
to expansive valleys and beautiful mountains.

They stopped at the Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area
and hiked through a grove of old growth cedars. 
There were some REALLY BIG trees!

This one had a huge split, but seemed to have adjusted.

Two trees joined by a huge burl

I think this burl looks like a pumpkin with a spooky Halloween face.

The next stop was Kootenai Falls

There is a swinging bridge that you can cross.  The primary
reason for the bridge is to give wild land firefighters access to
the other side of the river, since there aren't any road bridges. 
Fortunately, it doesn't look like they needed to use
it this year - nothing burned within view.

View of the Kootenai river and falls from the bridge

Next stop, Yaak Falls

Interesting rock formations along the canyon,
downstream from the main falls.

They crossed back into Idaho and came back to me at the RV.  All in all, looks like they had a good days drive.

Monday, September 28 - Today Mom and Dad went south of the Sandpoint bridge and did a hike on Gold Hill.

View over Lake Pend O'reille and downtown
Sandpoint, from the south side of the bridge.

Mom at the viewpoint.  The Schweitzer ski resort where they
hiked on Saturday, is just to the right of Mom.  I'm there, in
the RV, at the foot of Schweitzer Mountain.

Today's stats

Tonight is our last night at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.  I'll be sorry to leave.  It's really great to live in a place visited by barnyard animals.  There was even a rabbit show here last Friday.  The poop buffet is awesome.  I love it.

Tomorrow we leave Sandpoint and move south.  Next stop - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.