Speaking of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, I received this note from Sandy Wiese, a rider I met while on the trail. Sandy and her husband where doing a multi day tour of the Coeur d'Alenes Trail so I asked her to send me some information about the inns where they stayed. Here's what she had to say.

"In Harrison we stayed at the Osprey Inn - a very nice B&B just minutes from the bike trail with great breakfasts and very nice rooms.

Off the Enaville Exit (sp) from the trail - we stayed at the Country Lane Inn. It is a six easy miles off the trail.

Plus: just across the road from the river and a decent swim hole over there, the owner is extremely nice and will rent you inner tubes and take you up river and you can float back to the Inn, the restaurant there is excellent - doesn't look it, but is very good. The public space downstairs at the B&B is great and would really work for a group. There is a washer and dryer. The owner will pick you up at the trail head if you want.

Less than Plus: There is a shared bath downstairs that accommodates four rooms and a single bed in the shared area. There is also a shared bath upstairs with a Jacuzzi tub - but is shared by all in house. Could be very crowded. One room, the Brass Room, is just larger than the kind sized bed and has no windows. It is more like being a guest in someone's home with them sharing the bath and shower with you than what I'm use to in a B&B."

While we're discussing lodging, I should also chime in on 2 excellent lodging choices:

>>In Spokane, WA: Holiday Inn Express On The Rock
The Inn on the Rock has an excellent location, great staff, clean rooms and great breakfast. They're just a block from the Spokane Centennial Trail and near to the Riverfront Park as well as the Convention Center and other attractions downtown.

>>In Wallace, ID: Wallace Inn
Just off the I-90 in Wallace with restaurant in house. Two stories (no elevator) with indoor heated pool, hot tub, dry sauna, weight/exercise room, full service restaurant and gift shop. Wi-fi internet in the main lobby. Guest lockers & fridge just off the main lobby with key access for cycling/ski equipment, left luggage. Also very friendly staff (Rick, the GM, knows local trails and is a serious mountain biker himself).

By the way, at my suggestion, Sandy & her hubby rode the Hiawatha Trail. Sandy reports that it was wonderful and they were glad they could fit it in.

Larry
RideTHISbike.com