Destination Reached; Coeur d'Alene

There are many Sinclair gas stations in the northwest and some have these large brontosaurus models either inside or out front.  

Amy's new suv can show the quality of the air inside and outside.  As we left the kind of smokey Missoula area it was no surprise that the air quality was not good.  As we drove west toward Coeur d'Alene we got west of a couple of wild fires and with the southwest wind, the air improved dramatically.

The region is very hilly and while I was looking forward to arriving in ID, I regretted not having an extra day or two in Missoula for additional hiking.

We arrived in ID, got our bikes out and investigated a bike path, going west to.....

....the ID/WA state line.  

Nice view from a bridge overlooking the Snake River.

We finished with 30 miles that day and the next day, we headed in the other direction through Coeur d'Alene and beyond.  Generally, I dislike bike paths as they tend to be flat, boring and dangerous but this one was more rolling and had great views of the lake.

We rode the bike path until it ended at Higgins Point where a sign illustrated the variety of fish that live in the lake.  Pretty impressive list!  Turning around.....

....we retraced our route, enjoying more grand views.

Although the image doesn't show it, the long expanse of beach was crowded with people enjoying the sun and above average temperature.