Women with Bait Steelhead Fishing Tournament. Susan Olson with Bait Boy and her steelhead catch

I was recently invited to fill an empty spot on a steelhead fishing adventure to the Salmon River outside of Riggins as one of my friend’s prior attendees was unable to make the trip. My friend had arranged to participate in the Women with Bait Steelhead Fishing Tournament held each year in Riggins.

This was my first time. There are six slots available per boat and the boat is provided along with a captain and a “bait boy” – yes, that is what they refer to him as. Three of us were professional women from Boise, one was retired, one was a school teacher from A-Rock Oregon (look that up on a map), and one was a school teacher from John Day Oregon.

We all converged upon Riggins Friday evening and stayed at the delightful Best Western right on the river complete with a hot tub and swimming pool as well as pleasant hosts. We were on the river with our poles in the water by 8:30 AM on Saturday morning. We had until 5:00 PM sharp to land our fish.

It was a tough day of fishing with muddy, cloudy water and rain, snow, and wind but we powered through and the heaters within the covered shelter on the boat gave us refuge from the elements and time to warm up and devour our snacks and beverages as the captain gave us a wonderful tour of the river in search of the perfect fishing spot.

We saw big horn sheep and at least 100 head of beautiful elk along the hillsides throughout the day. In total, we landed 4 fish. Mine was 33 inches and I caught it at 4:10 PM. You could call it a day of a thousand casts. It was completely worth the effort and the thrill of reeling that fish in and landing it on the boat made it all worthwhile.

It was an adventure I might not have otherwise thought to take had a friend not shot me the email invite. I would do it again in a heart beat.

Guest Blogger Susan Olson

1)  Sweetheart Sunset Dinner Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene
A romantic dinner on the lake that includes prime rib, chicken piccata, Caesar salad, au gratin potatoes, fresh fruit and a special Valentine’s dessert, served with a complimentary bottle of champagne.
Saturday, February 11th | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, February 14th | 6:30 – 8:00 pm

2)  Wine Tasting and Chocolate Pairing at Sawtooth Winery
Enjoy an array of Sawtooth Winery’s wine paired with
The “Chocolat” Bar’s chocolates, for a most enjoyable taste treat.
Saturday, February 11 |12:00pm to 5:00pm
Sunday February 12  |  12:00pm to 5:00pm

3)     Stay & Spa – Mountain Decadence at Shore Lodge in McCall
Steal away to Shore Lodge with the one you love. Shore Lodge has prepared the perfect evening of decadence for you and yours.  Decadence package includes: One-night stay in a Lake View Suite; Two one-hour spa treatments of your choice at The Cove, an authentic McCall Spa; in-room champagne and strawberries nightcap.
Be forewarned! The Decadence package is stronger than Love Potion #9.  Plan accordingly.

4)      Romance Package  at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg
Luxurious condo, chilled champagne or huckleberry wine, two complimentary wine glasses, bath salts for the tub, souvenir candle and sweetheart chocolates. Deluxe romance package includes his and her massage and dinner for two at Noah’s Canteen.

5)      Celebrate with your Valentine in Sun Valley
Forever Plaid will serenade your sweetheart in the Boiler Room.
Swing back through time to the 1950’s with the Plaids as they revive close-harmony hits such as
Moments to Remember, Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby, and  Love is a Many-Spendored Thing!
Tuesday, February 14 | 7: 30 pm
Cocktails at fire pit 2 hours before show time

6)      Trinity on the Beach in Sandpoint
Enjoy live acoustic music, along with food and drink specials.
Tuesday, February 14 |  5:00 – 8:00 pm

7)      His & Hers Valentine Special at Hotel 43 in Boise
Spoil each other this Valentine’s Day with a special night .
You will be treated to two nights in a Capitol level room, “Hers” night is tickets for two on Friday, February 17th to La Bohme presented by Opera Idaho plus “His” night tickets for two on Saturday night to the Idaho Stampede basketball game. To top it off, enjoy breakfast for two on both Saturday and Sunday from the Metro Café.  Valet parking for two nights, plus special Hotel 43 Valentines treats will be waiting for you upon arrival.

8)      The Whole Ski Bang!
Skiing, pampering and tasty treats, this getaway to Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs in eastern Idaho promises quality couple time and a lot more!  The Whole Ski Bang! package for two includes: a two night stay at Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs; a day of skiing at Pebble Creek Ski Area; a half hour of facilitated stretching and sports massage, day passes for soaking in the hot springs pools, soothing massages after a day on the slopes; Grounds for Change brand organic coffee, Chocolove chocolate bars, bottled water; chilled champagne or cider and more!

9)      Inn-Credible Idaho!
Seeking a bed & breakfast that is intimate, romantic or rustic?  Browse through “Inn-Credible Idaho”  to find the accommodations that are right for you and your valentine!

10)   Sweet to Spicy at the Idaho Botanical Gardens in  Boise
Mustard is the king of condiments.  From Dijon, France to Boise, Idaho and from sweet to spicy, the possibilities are endless. Join Sylvie Ryan to discover the wonders of cooking with mustard. Sample different mustards, including local products, and prepare a few simple recipes that are sure to bring sweet and spicy inspiration to your Valentine’s Day Feast!
Thursday, February 9 | 6:30 p.m.

11) “The Chocolate Affair” in Downtown Coeur d’Alene
The sweetest ‘Walk’ of the year ~ for the chocoholic.   Join in the tasting.
Friday, February 10th | 5:00  – 8:00 pm.

12) Sweetheart’s Weekend at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg
Speed dating session on chair 3 and cupcake tasting paired with wines from Cupcake Winery.
Saturday,  February 11

13) Oh Fudge!   Make your Valentine’s Day even sweeter with this decadent fudge.
Idaho’s “Black Canyon Fudge” makes mouthwatering sweets with real cream and butter.

Where’s Waldo? Remember him, the mystery man wearing a camouflage type red and white sweater, matching hat and blue pants? I took a trip to a small, quaint historic town in northern Idaho where many people might ask, where’s Wallace?

Wallace, Idaho, home to a mere 784 people and a long-standing history is a timeless experience just off I-90. After arriving at the Wallace Inn, I immediately felt something special about the town, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was until I had some time to explore. It was like an episode of Cheers, where everyone knew my name! Well, not quite, no one knew my name, but locals acted like we had been neighbors for years. As captivating as the people in town is the history that surrounds it. The rich mining in Wallace led to the building of 13 bars and 13 churches – so you knew exactly where everyone was on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Until 1988 when the last one closed, there were five bordellos in town to accompany the lifestyles of the lead, copper and silver miners. So if you see small huts (usually about five in a row) or extremely steep, covered staircases from the street to the second story as you’re walking through town, you know you’re in the midst of some Wallace bordello history. Unfortunately, the Oasis Bordello Museum is closed from October to April, but it’s an absolute must see during the warmer months.

Outdoor enthusiasts also have reason to be excited about this small town in the Idaho panhandle. Whether you’re into skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months or mountain biking and trail running in the summer, Wallace is the ticket for everything recreation. Two pristine mountains, Silver Mountain and Lookout Mountain are both within 10 miles of Wallace. They offer hundreds of miles of road and trail riding, including five nationally recognized trails (Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, Northern Pacific, Route of the Hiawatha, Milwaukee Scenic and Centennial Trail) with variable levels of incline so it’s easy to find a ride that’s right for you.

During my time in Wallace, I took the short 10 mile drive to Idaho-Montana border on what many would call a perfect day on Lookout Mountain. Sun shining and fresh powder in 30 degree weather, hello paradise! For the first time I experienced the adventurous side of snow-shoeing. After riding up the main lift at Lookout, I ventured down the backside of the mountain through the trees and untouched snow. The spectacular mountain scenery combined with three hours of snowshoeing epitomized what it felt like to find a hidden mountain secret. After seeing endless lifts with shorts lines and beautifully groomed runs I look forward to my next trip to truly take advantage of the slopes and experience what it feels like to be a “local” with the mountain all to myself!

Wallace, Idaho– a place you’ve probably never heard of, but a place you’ll never forget. When you’re in town, be sure to visit the Wallace Mining Museum & Visitor Center for fun facts, cool sights and endless information about the unique town of Historic Wallace.

Written by guest blogger Austin Rogerson.

Once the largest city in Shoshone County in northern Idaho at the end of the 19th century, the town of Wallace boasts a storied past that includes silver strikes, prostitution, devastating fires and government battles. Today, the town exudes an Old West ambiance and a legacy for producing 1.2 billion ounces of silver since the late 1800s.

Wallace came into being in 1884 when Colonel W.R. Wallace, drawn by deposits of silver, gold and other precious metals, bought 80 acres of land and built his cabin in the area that became the site of the present city. Within three years, the downtown contained numerous businesses, mining claims dotted the hillsides and the railroad came to town.

Once laid low by the Great Fire of 1910, Wallace lost one-third of its downtown to the fire that ravaged 3 million acres in Montana, Idaho and Washington. It faced potential destruction again in the late 20th century as an Interstate Highway expansion of the I-90 threatened to destroy a major portion of the downtown.

By placing every downtown building in the National Register of Historic Places, the Federal Highway Administration was forced to reroute the freeway away from Wallace in 1991 via an elevated viaduct that looms over the edge of town.

The downtown’s standing on the Historic Register is not folly, though, as I learned wandering the easy-to-maneuver town. History truly is around every corner and every building seemingly has a story to tell.

The historic Jameson Inn

The historic Jameson Inn, built in 1889 by Theodore Jameson, boasts its own ghost, Maggie, who waits in room No. 3 and paces the halls waiting for a long-lost love. After striking it rich with a claim, her lover took a “quick” trip back East and left Maggie at the hotel to wait. With the promise of marriage, she stayed at the hotel for years, but he never darkened the hotel’s doorstep again. Maggie finally gave up and left herself. The story goes that after her death, she returned to the Jameson Inn to continue her vigil.

Another building with a storied past houses the Oasis Bordello Museum, which was one of four establishments offering up ladies of the night until the late 1980s, before a looming federal raid finally put the kabosh on the business once and for all. Now a museum, you can roam the halls of the Oasis to see how the girls lived and entertained clients.

Just on the outskirts of the city proper is the Sierra Silver Mine – which changed hands many times over a whiskey bottle or card game – where you can learn about hard-rock underground mining techniques. Catching the trolley from town to the mine, I wasn’t sure what to expect on the tour. But Lenny, a retired miner of Norwegian descent leading the tour, gave quite an oration, as he shared the history and techniques of mining for silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper, and his own experiences of decades under the earth.

Sierra Silver Mine Entrance

Entering the mine, I was met with the coolness of the air and the dampness of the earth. Lights are strewn along the perimeter of the tunnel. Further in, Lenny turned them off and demonstrated how he worked all those years ago with a single headlamp mounted to his helmet. Along the way, he told the history of the mine, demonstrated equipment and playfully joked with everyone on the tour.

While this mine was cold – around 50 degrees F – he told us he used to descend into a mine with his partner daily, working in temps and humidity that hovered around 100 degrees F for up to eight hours a day.

He showed off a badly scarred leg that was crushed on the job – one he was supposed to never be able to walk on again. His doggedness got him back to work in nine months. I asked him if he was happy to be retired from such a grueling life, and he said without a doubt he’d go back in a heartbeat: “It gets in your soul.”

It seems the town of Wallace, once reputed to be the “Silver Capital of the World,” has also eased its way into the souls of its inhabitants who’ve worked so hard to preserve and share its history and legacy.

Written by Guest Blogger, Wendy Geister
Wendy Geister has had a penchant for travel and adventure for as long as she can remember, and has traveled extensively in North America, Europe and Australia. She co-launched The Adventure Post to inspire people to embrace a spirit of exploration through first-hand trip reports, travel tips, product reviews and more.

Written by guest blogger, EA Stewart.

Boise, Idaho

We started the trip in Boise, Idaho which is a really cool city.  Last time I was there I was about 5 or 6.  I don’t remember much from that trip, other than going snow shoeing, but I’m guessing things have changed a little.  We had a delicious dinner at Chandler’s Steakhouse the first night, then spent the next morning exploring an incredible local farmer’s market, along with the state Capitol Building.

Little Salmon Lodge

We spent two nights at this beautiful lodge nestled beside the Little Salmon River.  My family shared a room with 2 double bed and 6 bunk beds.  As excited as the kids were about those bunk beds, in the end they chose to sleep in bed with us.  Oh, and not to boast, but we played a game of croquet by the river, and guess who won???

Clearly a major highlight of the trip!  This was my first time ever white water rafting, and it was a blast!  My dad had been once before on the Colorado River, and Ian had done a few day trips, but the kids and I had never been before.  We did mostly class 2 and 3 rapids, with a couple of class 4′s as well.  I now know how people can get addicted to rafting, and I’m already thinking about where our next rafting trip should be! Any suggestions?

Each day we spent about 5-6 hours on the river, then ended our days on beautiful sandy beaches.  The setting was truly spectacular!  One of the best part of the trip for me was waking up in the morning, unzipping my tent to the beautiful view, then making my way across the sand to the BEST camp coffee ever!  Oh, and it was a delight watching my kids unplug from their electronic gadgets and spend HOURS of time playing in the river, on the sand, skipping rocks, catching frogs, and simply enjoying nature!

The Food

I couldn’t write this post and not mention the food!  Best camp food ever.  Period.  I already mentioned the delicious coffee each morning.  Breakfast always include fresh fruit and fixings for oatmeal, then depending upon the day, eggs or pancakes.

For lunch, we would stop somewhere on the river for fresh fruit and a salad or cold cuts, and veggies.  Oh, and then there were cookies for dessert!

Around 5 pm when we were at our camp site, the appetizers came out.  Tuna Poke one night… turkey, cheese and asparagus roll-ups another night…cheese, crackers, and veggies…bruschetta…You get the picture!

Dinner was served around 7 or 7:30 and was always delicious…lasagna….enchiladas….roasted asparagus…surf and turf!  And the best part of all???  I didn’t have to cook any of it! Of course I love cooking, but it’s nice to take a break once in a while!

The People

The guides on our trip from Northwest Voyageurs were incredible!  Their days lasted from 6 am until around 10 pm when most of us started heading off to bed.  They hauled 26 people and all our gear for 5 days down the rivers.  They cooked us all our meals, rowed our rafts, set up our tents, played games with us on the beach {volleyball…washers…frisbee…raft sliding…and, last, but not least, “butt darts”-I’ll only tell if somebody asks, all with big smiles on their faces.  Truly amazing!  And, then, of course, there were all the fabulous people and families we met and hung out with. It was truly an adventure my family and I will never forget!