August 27, a glorious sunny day and John and I decided to drive along the shore line of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Coeur d'Alene is located in the Idaho Panhandle. The city lies along the northern shore of the lake. The lake spans 25 miles long, ranges from 1 to 3 miles wide and has over 109 miles of shoreline to explore and enjoy. The lake is fed primarily by two rivers, Coeur d' Alene River and Saint Joe River. The outflow is via the Spokane River. The elevation of the lake is 2,125 feet above sea level.
Although glacially formed, Lake Coeur d'Alene's surface level is raised about seven feet during summer months by a dam on the Spokane River. The lake was a primary method of transporting lumber in Kootenai County since the industry took root in the region.
An interesting fact that I found: There are a number of model T's sitting on the bottom of the lake, due to people in the early 1900's who would drive across the lake during the winter time in order to save half the distance in getting around the lake. When the ice broke, so did the chances of getting across. Also there are some steamboats on the bottom that had been burned when they were no longer used to ferry people around on the lake. Divers frequently visit these ruins on the bottom.
Coeur d'Alene was named by French-speaking traders who also named the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe. The most common theory for the name is that trappers considered the local Indian community sharp traders, hence the defining name, heart of an awl. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe owns the southern third of Lake Coeur d'Alene.
It was a beautiful drive along the East side of the lake, as the road follows right along the shoreline.
We left Coeur d'Alene on Saturday and drove to Bozeman, Montana for the night. Sunday we headed to Cody, Wyoming, the town established by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. More on Cody in the next addition....
Can't believe that the summer is coming to a close... still more to see and do!
Candy and Johnny
