International Travels

After the success of our 3 day bike tour on the old rail bed from Castlegar to Christina Lake we decided to continue our exploration of other rail grades.  We were originally planning to do part of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) but then found a rail bed in Northern Idaho that's 72 miles long (116km for us Canadians) and is paved the entire way! It's called the Trail of the Coeur D'Alenes and is filled with beautiful scenery.  It was also a little easier on Audrey's little bobbling head!  Before spending three days on The Trail of the Coeur D'Alenes we warmed up with a one day trip on the Route of the Hiawatha that begins in Montana and ends in Idaho.  This is a 15 mile rail grade that has also been converted to a bike trail.  Like parts of the KVR, it's full of trestle bridges and tunnels.

ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA

Audrey all bundled up for the 2 mile long tunnel! 

Inside the tunnel - lights are mandatory.

The state line between Montana and Idaho is inside the tunnel. 

  

Lynda with Audrey in tow, trestle bridge in the background. 

 

TRAIL OF THE COEUR D'ALENES

We found this cute little Portuguese elf on our porch so we decided to take it along for the ride.

Sound asleep

Any beer with the word 'drool' in it works for me! 

Mornings were brisk but Audrey kept happy in her camping high chair.

The sign says it all.  Welcome to America!

One of the several swampy, marsh areas we cycled through. Moose are frequently seen along this trail but the only moose we saw were on the bottles of beer Audrey kept pounding back as we rolled through.  Don't worry, she had two designated drivers.

One of the rest areas along the way.

Check out my ride.

Eat your 'hart' out Amelia

The trail crosses over Lake Coeur D'Alene on this long, stepped bridge.

On our way to Harrison, a quaint little town on the lake.