Lots of good guesses on that last post! Pam L. wanted to play 20 questions to get the answer, which would have been really fun. I only wish I had thought of it!
The correct answer is IDAHO! Land of survivalists and potatoes.
We will fly into Spokane, rent a car, and drive to Coeur d'Alene. Many of you probably know that Coeur d'Alene is located right next to a huge lake named, aptly, Lake Coeur d'Alene. It is also very close to a 72-mile rail-to-trail bike path called, um, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. We will kayak and bike to our hearts' content. And if we get tired of those pursuits, we can nip on over to the nearby national park to look for bears. It's called--you probably guessed-- Coeur d'Alene National Forest.
And by God, I will learn to spell "Coeur d'Alene" without pausing and furrowing my brow.
You may wonder how I came to pick Idaho's panhandle as a getaway. After finding out that airfare to Ireland in the summer would run us at least $1500 per person, round trip, I was all "Fuck you, Europe! USA! USA!" I googled "most scenic bike trails in America" which led me eventually to Idaho. We were able to use some accrued frequent flyer miles for one of the tickets, so that worked out well.
No, we are not bringing our own bikes. We will rent bikes.
Three things about Idaho:
- Neither Josh nor I have ever been there before. It's fun to explore a new place together.
- I don't really want to see a bear. My sister and her husband were attacked by a grizzly bear in Montana's Glacier National Park way back in 1980 or so. They survived with a minimum of injuries. That story is on this blog somewhere. If I have time I will find the link. The main point being, bears are scary DUH.
- The survivalists fascinate me. In fact, I have been lurking on a survivalist forum called survivalistboards dot com (I'm not linking to them because I'm afraid of attracting their attention). The tagline for this particular website is "Endure. Adapt. Overcome." (I think that any number of us could use that tagline to describe a typical day at work. You feel me?) I love the message threads. They range from the dire to the perky. Here are a couple of my faves:
- 18 Signs The Collapse of Society is Accelerating
- Getting Married -- How To Warm Her Up To Survivalism
- Investing In Copper Bullion? Industrial Metals Will Always Be Of Value!
I don't mean to sound like I'm sneering. Being prepared for all sorts of situations is prudent. I'm just...fascinated. Oh, and I've bookmarked the thread that explains how to manufacture your own insulin. Evangeline will thank me some day.
I'm off to my parents' house right now (Mom just called to say that Pam--the aide--has disappeared and must have decided to take the day off GOD I can't wait until she forgets how to use the phone), then a doctor appointment. Adios.
Yo. In re: to your previous post, we stick around becase we heart you something awful!! Like a friend you don't hear from for a couple of months, but then once she calls (or you call her, or whatever), it's like no beat was ever skipped, and she's just as awesome and endearing as she ever was. DUH <3
Also, WAY TO GO, IDAHO!
Posted by: Laura/DaPFG | June 27, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Idaho--I was SO right! :) We'll be in Spokane this summer too, but not at the same time probably.We'll just be passing through on our way to Montana. (fingers crossed for good health) Where did Pam actually go? No where?
Posted by: Margaret | June 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Just realized I am a work survivalist based on their motto!
Have only driven through Idaho on my way to my home state, but that bike trail sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Maggie | June 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Northern Idaho is amazing. I have gone there every summer for most of my life, and I love Coeur d'Alene. Have a wonderful time!!!
Posted by: Mary | June 27, 2011 at 01:28 PM
My uncle got involved with survivalism for awhile. He bought a farm, and invested tons of money in real silver. It turned out, though, that farms required an input of work if you want an output of food, and also it turned out that our currency didn't become worthless and that, in fact, if you want to buy something, it's a chunk of silver that's not very useful whereas a paper bill is dandy.
Posted by: Swistle | June 27, 2011 at 02:14 PM
WTF about the airfares to Ireland?!? That's just outrageous!
I confess that I never would have guessed Idaho.
It's funny . . . when I dream of places to go, it usually involves a city!
Posted by: Anne | June 27, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Oh, God you are so funny about the survivalists! Love it.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by: maddy | June 27, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Hey, you tricked us, well some of us, with that tiny little hill of a mountain and that placid little lake yesterday and today you throw out the picture above with multiple peaks and all that altitude. And my second question would have been Is it in Idaho?, really!
We went about this " far into Idaho on a trip to Yellowstone a long time ago and never went back. But I must say those signs in Yellowstone about what to do when, not if, you see a bear on the trail, made us turn right around and go back to our safe vehicle and take pictures of black bears from the road like the rest of the sane people, and not the ones who were running across the field to get a closer photo op. Sounds nice especially if each day you end up in a hot tub,pool and/or a cozy cabin with a fully stocked bar.
Posted by: Pam L | June 28, 2011 at 12:16 AM
What Did Delaware? Idaho! Alaska!
Answer: a New Jersey
Posted by: Amy | June 28, 2011 at 08:59 AM
You need to put bear bells on your bicycle! Have a great time! I hope your thirtieth is as good as ours has been.
PS Check to see if they have massage therapists there! Oh, the bliss!
Posted by: Cathy S. | June 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM
You can't wait til your mom forgets how to use the phone. That? Is hilarious.
Posted by: Lori | June 28, 2011 at 09:00 PM
Your own private Idaho ? Here is what scare me about this vacation
1. Hikes and sweat
2. Kayaking is fun but sunburn etc - wear a burka
3. the whole bears could eat you and Josh
Now a bear tale: My aunt went to Colorado w/ her grandkids and they were afraid of bears.I advised them to trip grandma. You can surely run faster than grandma, right ? This was aunt crazy and for some reason she does not speak to me. The End.
Posted by: the bee | June 30, 2011 at 08:28 AM
I also sometimes read the survivalists boards too! Mostly it's to balance out the crap TV I watch. But on the topic of insulin and all that jazz, you might want to check out this book called Breakthrough (http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Elizabeth-Discovery-Insulin-Medical/dp/0312648707/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309465909&sr=1-3). It goes more indepth on Banting and Best's discoveries in a non-boring way. :)
Posted by: Kylene | June 30, 2011 at 04:34 PM
You'll love Coeur d'Alene, the town, also. If I had the money for a summer home and a winter home, Coeur d'Alene would be my summer home.
Posted by: Linda/RV Vagabonds | July 01, 2011 at 06:56 AM
Say hello to the Coeur d'Alene Indians for me!
Survivalist--aka living off the grid. It is certainly fascinating--in a Ted Koszinski kind of way.
Posted by: Stokesia | July 01, 2011 at 10:47 PM
It is never fun seeing a bear out in the wilderness. Just remember not to panic.
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