The Eagles have landed on Coeur d'alene Lake

 Always a thrill to see these big beautiful creatures up close! Went walking along Coeur d'alene's Lakeview Drive to witness the annual visit by the big bunch of eagles that flock here to eat at this time of year. So many people many with high powered telephoto lenses walking and standing waiting to catch that perfect shot. I park in one of the lots about half way down and walk east. The best eagle watching was right where I parked the ca as that was where they were stopping in the trees to eat the fish they had caught. I like to walk along the shore whenever possible and some of the way you can but you do run into places that the rocks are to far out into the water and you have to go up onto the path along the road. At Higgens Point I go down and follow along the shore until you run into the I90 bridge at the far end. Be advised that some of the paths are steep and slippery so you have o watch your footing or you'll have a cold wet way back to the car after falling in the lake. The paved path that runs from one end of Lakeview drive to where it deadends allows for wonderful nature and lakeviews. Another way to enjoy eagle watching on the lake is to take a cruise on one of the big boats from Lake Coeur d'alene Cruises that run out of the dock at the Coeur d'alene Hotel. I saw one go by today and it was full of people enjoying the sights.

                                         

NEW Antione Peak Trail Trentwood trailhead

 Had planned on walking off the new Trentwood Trailhead a couple of weeks ago but the car had another plan and broke down on the way. This new trailhead has only opened a few weeks ago and the trailhead is beautiful! a paved parking lot, security camera and an outhouse are a super nice way to start your treck off. A nice wide gravel path leads from the parking area to where the trails start. At the split go right and you're on the Arrow Leaf Trail, left to the Lost Apple Trail. They make a loop, each going about 3/4 of a mile before you reach the other one. I wanted to do more miles and see where it hooked into the original Antione Peak trail so I too the Arrow Leaf Trail and continued straight instead of turning onto the Lost Apple to return. It is about another mile before it hits the upper trail. You head up, up, up but because it is a series of long switchbacks your accent is more gradual. The trail was very muddy and slick in places so you need t watch your footing. A couple of bike riders were working their way up and it as tough going for them. I turned around at the join with the upper trail and headed back down taking the Lost apple trail on the way down. The decent is very gradual on this trail as it takes a wide swing and the trail goes through a field instead of along the edge of the hill. Some of the way down you are on what must have been a driveway as the trail is wide and gravel for some of the way. The trails are well marked and well used so easy to follow. To reach the trailhead take the Sullivan exit off I90 and go north, turn right onto Wellesley Rd, travel for 1 mile and continue straight where the road swings right onto Flora. 

A winters walk on the Centennial Trail through Riverfront Park

 Went snow walking on the Centennial Trail along the river behind the Convention Center and Riverfront park today. Its always so peaceful and energizing at the same time as you plod along. We all get tired of the wet and cold as the season progresses but the first snows are always special.

 

The Swans of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

 Turnbull is always a new adventure every time you go. You never know what creature you'll encounter. Today it was swans enjoying some of the only open water now that the temps have gone below freezing. There are still quite a few of this years babies sporting their soft gray feathers. There were also Canadian Geese and some other water fowl looking for a meal in the still open water.