IDAHO
TRAVEL INFORMATION
A TRUE WATERWORLD
North Idaho is a land of dense forests, giant aromatic cedars and
wildflowers. A land punctuated in lapis blue flowing rivers, cascading
over waterfalls, sitting still in azure lakes. In fact, there is
no greater concentration of lakes in a western state than in the
panhandle of Idaho. There are famous lakes, as large and deep as
inland seas. And hidden away in muted mountain valleys are hundreds
more. In North Idaho, you can taste the sweetness of wild huckleberries,
smell the aroma of fresh cut timber and bask in the friendliness
of a casual and relaxed countryside that looks like a backdrop to
a Norman Rockwell painting.
SCENIC
SPLENDOR
When you turn onto the Lake Coeur d'Alene and White Pine Scenic
Routes, you're entering a world whose pace is set by the lush and
languid St. Joe River. Canoes, kayaks and fishing charters launched
from picturesque St. Maries put you on the world's highest navigable
river. You'll also remember the St. Joe for its placid rhythm and
abundant wildlife. Meandering along these Scenic Byways, it's natural
to stop and marvel at the "chain lakes" formed by the
Coeur d'Alene and Spokane rivers or take in the historic Jesuit
Mission in Cataldo.
FIRST
AND LAST RESORT
Golf experts have called the course at the Coeur d'Alene Resort
"the most beautiful course in America." That might seem
an overstatement until you realize the resort and its golf course
overlook one of America's most beautiful lakes. Not only does it
overlook, but it also plays over the lake. The 14th hole at the
Coeur d'Alene Resort is a Par 3 floating green. To play this hole,
a boat takes the place of a cart and delivers you to the green.
Coeur d'Alene is a golfer's paradise with over 29 courses within
a 35 mile radius.
The
Resort's 3,300 foot floating boardwalk (the world's longest) provides
access to waterfront restaurants, marinas, tree-fined bays, superb
fishing, a variety of cruises, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, regattas,
fishing derbies and parasailing. Next door is the 3.4 mile nature
hike on Ibbb's Hill and the delightful All-American city of Coeur
d'Alene replete with two museums, a waterfront college, tennis courts,
health clubs, quiet motels, quaint bed and breakfast inns and a
maze of cycling and hiking trails thickly carpeted with pine needles.
Just
north of town you'll find Silverwood Theme Park, a unique experience
featuring twenty-four rides, shows, restaurants, games and attractions
- plus the charm of a turn of the century Victorian town. You can
test your nerve on The Grizzly, an eightstory, scream inducing,
55 MPH wooden roller coaster.
THE
WAY IT WAS ... STILL IS
Of all the states in the union, only Alaska has more than Idaho's
18 million wild acres. Many are here in North Central Idaho, a wilderness
of peaks, canyons, streams and legend that Lewis and Clark called
paradise.
Essentially
unchanged, North Central Idaho is simply too big and too wild to
fully grasp with its massive mountains and mind-boggling gorges.
From the' rolling wheat fields of the Palouse to the dense green
of the Bitterroot forests, history and hospitality invite your exploration.
WALK
ON THE WILD SIDE
Scanning the horizon into four states from atop the Seven Devils
mountain range, you overlook some of America's largest wilderness
and primitive areas, accessible only by foot, horse and boat. It
is home to the steelhead and the salmon, the bull elk and the black
bear.
You
can experience backpacking, horseback riding, hiking and river'
rafting in this uncrowded and unhurried land. Big game hunting is
unparalleled, with abundant deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep
and over 100 bird species. Backcountry fishermen explore deep, thundering
holes of foam or fly-fish from white, sandy river shores, luring
Pacific steelhead, kokanee salmon and wild trout to the surface.
AN
EMOTIONAL HISTORY
Few stories match the poignancy or valor of the Nez Perce Indians.
Just east of Lewiston, on Higbway 95, you can view their story at
the Nez Perce National Historic Park and Museum. You can also see
one of the best collections of Nez Perce artifacts in the country.
At Spalding, nearby buildings include the 1861 Indian Agency cabin
and the 1880's vintage Presbyterian mission. Pick up the map at
the museums that will show you 38 historic and culturally significant
sites of the Nez Perce Nation. You will leave with a deep appreciation
for the nobility of the Nez Perce and an awe of the courage of their
great leader, Chief Joseph. The words of his surrender speech will
linger with you for a long time: "From where the sun now stands,
I will fight no more forever."
For more information contact:
Idaho
Board of Tourism
700 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83720-0093
Ph:
(800) 635-7820
Fax: (208) 334-2631
or
visit their web-site at:
http://www2.state.id.us/home/tourism.htm
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