We left Glacier National Park and headed back west to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, our next stop. Coeur d’Alene sits on a beautiful lake and is surrounded by mountains. This was to be no more than a waypoint to our stop in Bend, Oregon. But, we knew it was pretty and would be worth a quick visit.
Then, as we planned our stop, we saw that there was an RV park right on the lake called . . . Blackwell Island RV Park. Yes, the RV park was on an island on Lake Coeur d’Alene called Blackwell Island. Well, we have to stop there. Lisa and I took a trip to the British Virgin Islands and sailed by Necker Island which is owned by Richard Branson. We didn’t own Blackwell Island. Heck, we didn’t even know it existed until now. But, we knew that, unlike Necker Island, we could stay there.
It was a short drive from Glacier to Coeur d’Alene so Lisa and I headed into town for a look before going to “our” island. As we got downtown we saw many street closures and a lot of people milling around. So, we had to stop to take a look. Turns out there was the Coeur d’Alene Ironman taking place that day and downtown was the finish.
It was fun to experience the energy of the event. We stopped to grab a beer. Well, I grabbed a beer and Lisa got an iced tea. A trio of Irish singers came along and did a number for us. Coeur d’Alene is so welcoming. Of course we had to tip them so maybe not that welcoming.
We moseyed over to the lake where people were lounging on the beach. It was 98 degrees here which was a bit of a shock to our bodies that had acclimated to mountain chill. A welcomed shock, however.
We then went back to the Winona Rider and, with great anticipation, headed over to Blackwell Island. We drove up and I went into the RV office to check in. When the woman asked my last name, I said, “Blackwell.” The whole staff (all three of them) turned around to look at me. One of them said, “We’ve been laughing about that one since we saw the reservation.” I wasn’t sure how to take that.
I asked who the Blackwells were and they point to photos on the wall behind me. There they are. They owned a big sawmill and gave most of the land for the beach and parks to the town. There you go. If you want an island named after you you have to have a sawmill and give the town a park.
It was a cute little island and we had a nice spot overlooking a small park and the water. Other than that, it was a nice, uneventful visit. We grilled a couple of steaks, had salad, and nice bottle of Hall wine and took a sunset walk.
Other than that, nothing really happened. Sorta reminds me of the old Smothers Brothers song, The Wreck of the Old 49, where nothing happens.
Anyway, it was a nice visit, it was fun to stay on a namesake island, and maybe Richard Branson will read this and invite us to Necker Island. I doubt it though.
Next, we’re off to Bend, Oregon.
Lisa and Brad's Travels 