HOT @ Kit Price

It's midweek and we had our gear loaded into the camper and ready to roll! This would be the first time we have been up the Coeur d'Alene River in several years. We reserved two spots at Kit Price and would be meeting Rayelle and Mike Anderson for a quick three-night getaway.  The only problem was that our area, like all across the US, was, and still is, under a heat wave of epic proportions. We arrived at our campsite and it was a blazing 96 degrees in the shade. I call that HOT.

We drove up the river road at a leisurely pace. Downriver from Shoshone Creek, we came around a corner and spotted two vehicles stopped in the road. Between the two cars was a yearling moose crossing the road. We stopped and watched as it climbed up the bank and then turned around and trotted back across the road into the brush by the river. Very cool!

Linda and I had reserved our spot for a day before the Andersons were to join us to enjoy some time together. Retirement makes that possible and we love to take advantage of every opportunity we can as "mid-weekers." 

Our campsite was #17, a good one if you are looking for sunshine. There was no shade anywhere near our spot, We arrived, set up, and immediately hunkered down in the shade of the camper.

Most of the afternoon was spent reading and sleeping in the shade. At 5:00 PM the sun dropped lower in the sky and we began to notice a slight cool-off.  I fixed a couple hot dogs and we had dinner. After we ate, we walked to the main river road and took a stroll downriver. The temperature continued to drop quickly and when we arrived back at the camper, the sun was down and it was very nice. The air had cooled and we sat and played cards until Linda had beaten me twice in Skip-Bo. Nothing I could do, she was on a roll and I got trounced!

Darkness enveloped us and the air grew chilly. By the time we went to sleep, it was very comfortable. Midway through the night we both had to crawl under some extra covers. 

The next morning, we got up and I fixed breakfast. Linda did her walk/run as I enjoyed the cool, quiet morning.

This relaxing temperature stayed with us until about 11:00 AM and then the thermometer made a giant climb into the 90s.

When the Andersons arrived it was full-on hot again. Mike backed into their camp spot and got set up.  Their location had shade. A willow tree blocked the sun in the afternoon. This gave us the option to retreat out of the elements.

Once they got set up we sat around in the shade and talked.  When the sun got lower we went back to our camper and heated a dinner of pulled pork sliders, fruit, and veggies. We ended with brownies that Rayelle had brought. After dinner, we walked around the campground and talked.  The heat had taken its toll, we were beat, and by 9:00 PM we were all ready for bed.

The next morning we had a big breakfast that Mike threw together. We then packed everything up and went to sit in the shade, in the water.  We spent the entire day staying cool while checking out the river residents. We caught crawdads, case caddis, and sculpins. I explained fish feeding needs and how that relates to fly fishing to Mike. He listened courteously as I jabbered on. Linda giggled and suggested I stop the lecture. It was a fun afternoon.

That evening Mike barbequed steaks and chicken for dinner and after the feast, we played cards.

Things cooled off nicely and we all went to bed.

The next morning we packed up and drove down the river. As we went, we past flotillas of people on anything that floated drifting down the river. There were hundreds of people slowly moving down that cool ribbon of water.

We stopped at the Snake Pit Bar in Enaville. There we found a table and had a great lunch. Everything we ordered tasted wonderful and was almost way too much to eat.  By the time we departed, the place was packed.  We headed out into the heat, said our goodbyes, and headed home. What a great way to spend a few summer days - wonderful friends, a beautiful river, fun times.

Devil's Elbow

Our mid-week adventure led us up the Coeur d'Alene River to a Forest Service campground called Devil's Elbow. This was our first visit to this small campground and we had a very enjoyable time. 

Linda and I drove up on Tuesday and the Anderson's, Mike, Rayelle, and Julia joined us on Wednesday.  Julia brought with her a friend to spend the camping trip with, her name was Lucy. 

We had a great time together, did some hiking, visited Fern and Shadow Falls, and played games of Cornhole and cards.

Camping, Moose & Deer

Jodi and Steve, our neighbors next door, packed their 5th wheel and joined us up the Cd'A River at Kit Price a Forest Service campground. We drove up and were lucky to find two nice sites that were first-come-first-serve. We stayed from Wednesday to Sunday and had a great time driving around, playing cards and relaxing.

We drove upriver, spotted a Moose and her baby, and then climbed away from the cool valley to visit Firn Falls and Shadow Falls. It was a nice hike and we were the only people there while visiting each fall.

On another day we drove to Magee Historical Site and looked around.

By Thursday evening all campground spots were filled. The entire forest area was full of people camping. Each evening we walked the campground and looked at camping setups and where people were from. Our estimation is that 90% were from Washington. I guess the closing of their state has driven them to Idaho. Unfortunately.

On Friday, Linda was out walking when she heard someone call out her name. It was an old friend who we hadn't been in contact with for a few years. Connor and Micah Fuhrman and their family were up and camping for the weekend. It was great re-connecting.

Spotted this moose as she was feeding.

When she crossed the river, we discovered her calf.

Yellow Tanager.

Firn Falls

Shadow Falls

A Doe and her twins.

It's Raining, so keep Clam!

The Clam in all it's glory!

We finally got a break and were able to drive up the Coeur d'Alene River and do three days of camping. Tom and Sarah Husby and Dan Breeden were getting away from the city and invited us to join them. The group all gathered at the store in Pritchard on Sunday, and then as a convoy, drove up the river to the area around Teepee Creek where we found a very nice little site right next to the stream.

The three rigs filled the dirt access road, which left a great spot for our camp chairs near a fire ring. We were set up in less than a half-hour and ready to relax with no worries or interruptions.

We sat around the fire and chatted the afternoon and evening away. There weren't many folks up and driving around on that first night. We knew that the weather might be changing from partly cloudy to emanate rain so our thoughts were that the big 4th of July crowds might not head up this early in the week.

Everyone had dinner and Danbo stoked the fire as we sat around laughing and telling stories.

The next morning we were having coffee when a friend and his dog dropped by. Jim Gallahan and his dog, Black Dog, came up the river to do some fishing with Tom and visit our campsite. It was good to visit with Jim and catch up on life events.

Tom and Sarah had brought a screen tent up with them called The Clam. It had never been set up and Tom wanted to see if the group could accomplish this task. Previously, Tom had attempted a setup but got stymied and gave up. The group pulled out the Clam and Tom explained what he had read in the instructions. It took a bit but the Clam finally was about set up. Jim stepped back and said, "It looks like we have it set up inside out!"  

Returning from fishing.

Back to square one... we attempted to go. During the previous setup attempt by Tom, some poles were twisted and would not let us pop the Clam up properly. Jim and I took the pole holder apart, unwound the tent pole, and then got it all back together properly. After about 45 minutes we were finally able to pop up the Clam and stake it into place!

What a nice bug net shelter! As it turned out, this space became very important as the campout progressed.

Jim and Tom went fly fishing downstream and I got my gear on and headed on upstream to see if I could find some fish. It was a nice afternoon and everyone had a great time.

The afternoon progressed and the clouds grew darker pushing out the blue skies. As we returned from fishing the clouds opened up and it began to rain. Back at camp, everyone climbed into the Clam, out of the downpour. 

From this point, we basically spent our time either hiding from the rain, sitting in the protection of the Clam, or walking around the area when the weather let up a bit. There were times when the rain came down so hard that we could not hear each other talk over the pounding on the Clam's fabric roof. It was amazing. Danbo brought Tom and Sara's propane fireplace under the Clam and it made for very comfortable sitting.

On Tuesday the rain continued. Tom and I went fishing. I made my way to a nice deep pool with a good riffle at its head. My thought was to get a perfect cast into the water, so I got into position and stripped my line out. Then I loaded the tip of the rod and made a small false cast. On my second cast, I laid the fly down on the water in a great looking spot. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, a baby fawn that had been hiding almost under my feet jumped up out of the tall grass. It scampered upstream. I glanced at the baby and at the same time saw a big cutthroat strike at my Stimulator fly. Because I was watching the deer, I missed setting the hook on the big fish.  The whole event only took a couple of seconds. I stood there shaking my head and smiling. Five minutes later the sky opened up with a downpour that sent me hustling back to the safety of the Clam.

Our little group spent the rest of the evening in and out of the Clam. Danbo kept the fire going despite the huge downpours of rain.

The next morning we packed up the Clam, all our gear, and headed back to Coeur d'Alene. What an enjoyable three days. We are ready to head out again as soon as the holiday weekend is over.

Mergansers on the move.

We walked to Magee Ranger Station.

The old barn at Magee.

Linda loved this green grotto.

Going a Bit Crazy

We have been in self-isolation since we returned from Mexico. We stay at home and do various projects around our place.  The stereo speaker project kept me busy for a while but that has been completed. Our yard is looking better each day and soon all we will be doing is mowing and trimming.

Yesterday I took a day away from the house. I drove up the Coeur d'Alene River and got some exercise hiking and exploring. Heading upriver, I made it up to the U.S. Forest Service Campground at Big Hank.

From the bridge, looking downriver, I spotted a herd of elk and got a couple photos. Then I drove down river and took a couple hikes looking for mushrooms.

I then drove up Shoshone Creek and checked out a couple campsites up that drainage.

That's what we have been doing. Not super exciting, but we are keeping social distancing while getting out for a drive or two.

Memorial Day Moose

Deer across the river.

Monday was Memorial Day and historically the Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the camping season. Our observations have proven that you do not want to go near the woods on that holiday. There would probably be less people around you if you were to stay home and camp in your backyard.

The Bennett answer to this is to stay put and then on Monday afternoon, when everyone and their dogs are heading back into town, you drive up to the spot where you would like to camp. Then you can enjoy the wilderness taking some deep post-invasion breaths.

Our evening fires are the best!

As we drove up the Coeur d’Alene River, RV after RV lined the highway. The national forests were spewing humans in a mighty run-off, and we were heading upstream. We pulled off at Teddy Creek and Linda walked into one of our favorite spots to check and see if it was empty. It was. With a wave of her hand, she called me in and we set up our home for a two-day visit.

Looking out our camper door.

The evening was very quiet and we sat around the fire gazing across the river.  A deer came down for a drink; Linda and I watched in silence. Kobi chased sticks as we ate a late dinner. It was cold when we went to bed, the sound of the river brought sleep as soon as we snuggled in.

Linda woke up and quietly went outside, letting Kobi out of the truck and starting a morning fire. I made coffee and tea, and then sat down to enjoy the morning. As I took my first hot sip, I looked out the camper window and spotted a pair of ears sticking up across the river. A moose was looking our way, relaxing without a care in the world. I picked up my camera and stuck my head out of the camper and alerted Linda of the critter’s presence.

Just another big moose across the river.

It lay, watching us watch it, for quite a while. I moved out onto the steps of the camper and took pictures. The moose must have noticed me moving because it stood up. Low and behold, when SHE stood up, there was a tiny calf moose right by her side. She stood there and the baby nursed. Baby moose looked to be only about two days or so old, maybe less.

The cow moved into the river and stopped to go to the bathroom. I have a photo of the two moose relieving themselves in the river; baby mimicking mama exactly. It’s quite a sight. Once they were feeling better, they wandered across the rushing river and disappeared upstream.

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I took quite a few pictures as this all happened, so I hope you don’t mind all the ones I posted. We were pretty excited.

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We ate breakfast and I got my gear on and headed downstream fishing. Linda read a bit and then walked the dog. As I approached the highway bridge downriver, a moose came out of the thicket on the right bank and crossed into the river. This happened about 15 yards away. Needless to say I stood as still as possible and let it saunter across below me. When the bridge abutment blocked the moose’s view I moved so that I was in a safe area and let it disappear into the brush.

Linda and Kobi were walking to the bridge to see if they could spot me fishing and guess who came up and across the road in front of them? The moose! She said they stopped and backed away and let the moose disappear into the trees.

When Linda arrived at the bridge, I came up and we walked on together. We don’t know if it was the same moose as we saw that morning. The calf was not present and there were many moose in this part of Idaho.

Our walk took us upriver to the bridge above camp. Linda wanted to check out the campsites up there, and I wanted to see if there were any morel mushrooms available in this area. The morels have been growing like crazy due to a forest fire that had gone through this area last year. I have had friends that have been picking morels I wanted to give it a shot.

I climbed up the bank and immediately found some of those tasty little buggers. So I picked them. There were about a gallon that I put in my hat and brought back to the camper. I actually walked back to that spot and picked about two gallons total. What a find!

We ate dinner and sat around the campfire enjoying the evening. Both of us wondered if the cow moose and calf would come back to the bed across the river, but they didn’t. We slept well that evening and in the morning packed up to drive home.

We took a bit of a detour when we left Teddy Creek. We drove upriver and checked out our favorite moose spot above 16 ½ mile camp. As we approached Linda spotted another moose and took some pictures. We turned around and headed home. Halfway down the river another moose ran up the bank and out in front of the truck. I was able to slow down with no problem and it ran along the highway and turned up a logging road, moving quickly away from danger (us).  Our visit was productive as moose go. We added up the tally and found that we spotted 4.1 moose on this short trip. The .1 was the baby, but  it definitely was the cutest of the bunch!

Just part of my mushroom find. (Lookout, hat hair!)

The fourth moose of the trip.