Rathdrum Mountain, Storybook Trail BIGFOOT EXISTS!

    A life size statue of Bigfoot greets you as you enter the Rathdrum Mountina Storybook Trail in Rathdrum Idaho. The trail winds along up and down along the the babbling creek that runs through it. The trail has a lot of ups and downs and is pretty short, only about 1 mile round trip but climb up the hill and you'll run into the longer Rathdrum Mountin trail. It was dicey goin this time of the year, there was a lot of snow on the ground so note that it was slick. Please enjoy the short video I wanted to share on Youtube so you can experience it 1st hand. 

Youtube video of the Storybook Trail

Columbia Plateau Trail Amber Lake Trail head

 I was asked yesterday if I had gotten on the Columbia Plateau Trail at the Amber Lake trailhead. The answer was yes, but not in a long time. I decided to remedy that today. This walk has a wonderful vista of large farms, cows and an almost Southwest feel to the landscape. Large rock outcroppings and lakes surrounded by high sheer rocks make up most of the landscape. I decided to take the Sterling Road that crosses the trail twice on the way back to get a closer look at the farms that you see in the distance from the trail. 

Maggie the Border Collie at the Fyrne Ranch Conservation area

 I decided to go walking up north at the Fyrne Conservation area in Mead. I had never been there and will definitely be making a trip back soon. When I got there I was met by a wonderful and energetic Maggie. She was excited to say hi and then go exploring. 

You Tube video of Columbia Plateau Trail walk

You Tube video of Columbia Plateau rainy winter walk

Rainy Winters walk on the Columbia Plateau trail

 I took a rainy winters walk on the Columbia Plateau trail out of the Cheney-Spangle tailhead today. Yes, I got soaked, but it was beautiful. The streams along the edge of the trail were starting to overflow their banks and getting the trail even wetter. The waterfalls coming out of the hills beside the trail were gushing.It was super icy in places. I saw a Belted Kingfisher bird for the first time. It flew ahead of me trilling and landing on tree's as I went sloshing along.

Old farm in winter

 I have photographed this old farm on Betz Road in Cheney from afar but never stopped in to get the old buildings up close. I decided today was the day to ask if it was OK and take a walk around the old homestead before it was to late. Many of the buildings don't have another winter in them. They are leaning and falling in to the point where they could come down at any moment. If these old buildings could talk I'm sure they would tell of the hard work and sticktuitiveness that it took to settle a new area. Farming is still not easy but I can only imagine what it took in the early days. 

Winter ponies

 Went and got hay this morning and came across these 2 ponies in their winter fuzzys. The old tractor caught my eye with the frozen scene behind.