Days 17 - 19, 2016 – Tuesday - Thursday Potlatch, Idaho – Yoho National Park

Idaho Panhandle

“The proper function of man is to live,

 Not to exist;

 I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them;

 I shall use my time.  Jack London

Potlatch to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

We are running out of adjectives to depict the beauty of all that we are seeing.  Idaho’s Panhandle area with its rich forests and stunning mountains, British Columbia, and Alberta’s Rocky Mountain region with its soaring crags, surging rivers, and abounding wildlife defy description.

Crossing into Canada

Traveling Hwy 95N from Potlatch we came to Coeur d’Alene and were stunned to discover that with less than 50,000 residents it offers more amenities than anything that we could hope to have in our little town of Decatur, Illinois.  Progressive, beautiful, and clean, it radiates pride in ownership.  People living there love it and are quick to share what they love about it.  Great shopping, affordable housing,  

College/University setting, top notch medical services, low property taxes, recreation, and its proximity to travel hubs endears it to old and new residents alike.  It will definitely be on our list for a revisit.

Canada

Back to Canada via East Gate, north of Bonners Ferry, brought back memories of when we lived in Canada in the 80’s and 90’s.  As dual citizens, there was no need to have our passports stamped.  We just slipped in easy as could be…everyone does, citizens or not.  The border guards were very nice, as always, and wished us safe travels.  Question:  Does Canada have a queen?

  You betcha!  Who is it?  We will let you look this one up.

 

Canadian Rockies

Onward north on Hwy 95 with the scenery becoming ever more stunning with each mile.  Gassing up in Cranbrook and exchanging US for Canadian funds we were again on the road until we reached Wasa Provincial Campground where we spent the night.  Rain…Hail…Rain!!! but we were snug as bugs in our nice warm RV.  What a great way to travel!  The next morning we hiked on an interpretive trail that described how this part of the terrain is within a “rain shadow.”  Hard concept to grasp while getting rained on.  It was a beautiful hike nonetheless.

 

"Oh Canada..."

Andrea out for her morning hike

Next morning it was off Yoho National Park in British Columbia.  “Yoho” is a Cree expression meaning “awe and wonder” and most certainly the landscape did not fail to live up to this expression. Continuing on to Golden, British Columbia and then into Yoho we spent the night in Monarch Campground.  Here we were surrounded by towering snowcapped mountains that reached up into the clouds and beyond.  Our campsite was stupendous!!  Faced with simply homesteading and building our “dream log cabin” or moving on, we chose the latter the next morning.

Why is everything so green?

Morning Visitor

Beauty Abounds