Today I am celebrating summer biking. Vince and I have biked for most of our married life together. When the children came we strapped them into baby seats on the back (no bike helmets in those days!) and went exploring. Nothing competitive, mind you. We would bike through the neighborhoods, explore the university campus, or pick a destination across town (ice cream comes to mind) - simple, small outings.I wish I had a photo to share. I did not realize how much those times meant to me until this post. For some reason, my children do not bike with their kids today. They are too busy with jobs and life I guess, and some areas of the country (theirs perhaps) are not bike friendly.
One of the best kept secrets of living on the border of the Northern Idaho Panhandle is the vast trail system available to bikers. Most of the bike trails are old railroad beds that have been paved over. One trail, the Trail of the Hiawatha, requires busing to the top, but the views are so worth the effort. We have biked this graveled trail (all downhill) more than once. Other trails are planned trails that connect our area's small towns, like the Chipman Trail between Moscow and Pullman. All with few exceptions are family friendly (and most cost nothing to use).
Vince and I recently camped and biked out of Harrison, Idaho, a trail head for the popular Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a seventy-two mile path that follows the old Union Pacific route from Mullan, ID on the Montana border to Plummer (ID) on the Washington border.
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| Ready to go!! |
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| We passed through St. Maries, Idaho en route. Saw this giant Paul Bunyan standing in front of a school. Every child raised in the Northwest (my generation at least) grew up with the story of Paul Bunyan chopping his way through the forest and settling the Northwest.
(We biked 20 miles in one day!)
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| A fawn that flirted with us along the trail. We also saw moose and blue heron, but camera wasn't quick enough. There are eagles in the area too. |
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| View from campsite. Lake Coeur d'Alene |
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| Time to rest, time to eat. We love our cabin on wheels. |
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| Back on trail next day along the lake, going south. |
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| That's me on the trail. We wanted to stay longer, but had to get back home. We biked 8 miles, a total of 28 miles in two days! |
Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl
Sharon M. Himsl
Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing
Such a wonderful mini-trek with lovely photos. I love the bikes - sturdy, capable, and actually pretty (and obviously cared-for and used!)
ReplyDelete...which reminds me. I have such a bike in my garage, autumn is coming but there's lots of time to do some exploring. I think I will!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Diana at About Myself By Myself
Wish we could've joined you. We love this trail. Your home away from home sounds wonderful too, although I slept in my sister's camper recently and had the worst night's sleep. The bed was hare and lumpy. Your bed is probably better.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteI am jealous and want a vaca now. ;)
Sounds and looks like an amazing time and memories. Even without pics of those times, they still remain forever imbedded in your heart and mind's eye. Beautiful pictures. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Writer’s Mark
ReplyDeleteI love biking with my kids! My oldest and I biked on the Chipman Trail on Saturday, and we had a blast together. My family also enjoys the Hiawatha Trail--so beautiful. I've never tried the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. It looks gorgeous! And can I just say that I would LOVE to own a camper?! After all the tent camping we did this summer, a camper would be just perfect. I hate waking up with a frozen-cold head and neck and an over-heated body. Maybe I just need a new sleeping bag! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely pics!
ReplyDeleteDiana, hi! Hope that bike in the garage got some use.
ReplyDeleteCathy....some just aren't comfortable, but it is really about the experience :)
Hi Jai. Take that vacation....life is too short!
Nancy...yes, I do cherish the memories. Thanks!
Kim....hi! I bet you had fun camping with the kids, even in the cold:) I remember those tent days fondly.
Hi Viklit. Thanks for stopping by!