Idaho State of Adventure

As you know moving out to Idaho was a personal adventure however anyone who visits is sure to find adventure as well. Currently Idaho is leading the 50 state pack at Adventure Journal as the best Adventure state.  Are we winning because of our ski mountains, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking, zip lines, etc? Maybe or is it because we have more wilderness than any other state in the lower 48 (okay Alaska you have us on this one). When it comes to looking for something adventurous to do or see Idaho has something for EVERYONE.

And this summer my hometown, Coeur d Alene is going for even more adventure. After a 45 year absence there will be HydroPlane races on Labor Day Weekend on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  The Diamond Cup Regatta  will  feature two days of competition.  This is sure to up the adventure (and noise) meter up and I for one am  looking forward to seeing this exciting and unique racing. 

A Hydro Plane in action.

Till next time
Robyn

Do you want fry (sauce) with that?

The last time Greg and I went out for burgers and fries we noticed on the table a bottle with a pinkish hue to it. We asked the counter person, "what is this?" They looked at us like we had two heads (not really since this is Idaho they were very polite) and said "that is fry sauce."  Fry what?

A typical Idaho Fry Sauce

Like Chicago hot dogs, that have certain condiments included on them , french fries in Idaho have fry sauce. (it is also very popular in Utah where it is said it originated from)

So what is Fry Sauce exactly?  There are a few different recipes but the basic one is 2 parts mayonnaise to 1 part ketchup it is essentially Russian or Thousand Island dressing. Personally I think it could use a squirt or two of Sriracha but I think that is like putting ketchup on a Chicago hot dog (a HUGE no no).

Fry sauce is in every restaurant our famous potatoes are fried. So is it good? I will always try anything once,  it is an acquired taste. Those outside of Idaho you should make it and let me know what you think in the comments below.  Idahoans, do you like fry sauce and why?

Till next time,

Robyn 

I have to buy vodka WHERE in Idaho?

We are finally moved in and one of our first stops of course was the grocery store.  Unlike Illinois there are quite a few choices to buy groceries, and I will blog about that another time. However none of the grocery stores sell hard liquor, is Idaho a dry state? (the horror) no they are liquor controlled which means the stores that sell liquor are state run. Like a DMV that sells your Chocolate Martini makings.

So what does a state liquor store look like we had to check it out! Here is a typical  aisle of a Idaho liquor store. You are thinking well they could certainly use some merchandising advice. However that is a big part of the state control, there is no advertising allowed. This keeps costs a bit lower and also creates a fair playing field for local craft distilleries as they don't have to purchase "shelf space".

So who makes money on the sale of hard liquor? The state and as a result the residents of my new state benefit. According to the State Liquor commission over the last decade $375 Million dollars has been distributed to state programs, cities and counties.

Idaho's prices and selection are so attractive that we are also getting money from across the state line from Washington as residents of that state prefer to buy here then in their home state because of the taxes charged at their uncontrolled retail establishments.

So now we have to go the "Liquor Store" to get our libations which is ok by me. I am interested in knowing though from fellow Idahoans, is the state run system as good as it sounds, what are the cons?

Till Next Time
Robyn

Home Sweet Idaho

As I traveled across the country by car from Illinois to our new home in Coeur d'Alene, ID I was struck that this country is both so large and so small at the same time.  In 3 days we crossed into 7 states starting in the Land of Lincoln, through of America's Dairyland into the Land of 10,000 Lakes through the Rushmore State into the Equality State and further into Big Sky Country finally coming to our new homestate the Gem State.  

The drive at times was boring but more often than not it was fascinating in both topography and history.  Over three days we passed through some gorgeous landscapes in states that are not known to be "beautiful" such as South Dakota. Here are some photos of our travels (some taken going 75 miles per hour) which is the speed limit on I90 going west.

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South Dakota Water and Mountains

It can be dangerous at Rest Areas!

Welcome to Wyoming

Montana Snow Fences along I90 Luckily we had gorgeous sunny weather!

Montana guess we know why its nickname is Big Sky Country

We made it! Even though it was not sunny it was still beautiful.

My boys in their first Idaho snow.

Did I mention that there was a Perkins in 5 of the 7 states we went to, love their muffins!

Some of the sites we passed along but couldn't stop this time but we will back to check out for quick visits or longer vacations are:

-The Corn Palace
-Mount Rushmore/Crazy Horse
-Wall Drug
-Yellowstone in Wyoming and Montana
-Little Big Horn battlefield also known as Custers Last Stand
-1880's town 
-The town of Pinehurst in Idaho (special to us because that was the street we lived on in Illinois

We can't wait to further immerse ourselves into Idaho and specifically CDA!

Till Next Time!
Robyn

Snow Birds

As Greg and I get ready to make the move next week, I haven't had a lot of time to write on the blog. However I wanted to post about the annual wintering of the Bald Eagles on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Every year around this time the Eagles will start their winter roost. From December 26-January 1 is Eagle Watch  held near Wolf Lodge Bay. 

The Eagles will feast on the spawning Kokanee salmon and stay until late January until early February or until the Salmon are gone.

We can't wait to check this out when we get to town! 

This video shows the magnificence of these beautiful creatures as they fly over the lake.

Till Next Time!
Robyn

Adventure is out there, in Idaho!

It is time to start a new chapter in my life, my husband, Greg, our dog Snickers and I will be moving from Chicago to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in mid-December.  We are leaving the Windy City behind for the Gem State specifically Silver City and we are so excited.  

We fell in love with the Coeur D'Alene area and had the pleasure of driving through the state all the way to Boise. Idaho is a  natural gem of gorgeous landscape and friendly people truly a hidden treasure in our country.

We will be going out there this weekend to finalize our rental apartment, and sign papers for a beautiful lot in Syringa Heights. Along the way we hope to go to church at St. Pius and have dinner in downtown CDA.

 I hope you will enjoy following our adventure as we learn how to be Inland Northwesterners.   Our friends and family have asked many times "why Idaho?" I hope this blog will introduce those not familiar to understand our answer "why not, Idaho?

Till Next Time!

Robyn