Sandpoint and a Floating Dinner.
Today was our last day in Coeur d’Alene. The plan was simple: put about 100 miles on the new tires and wheels, then swing back by Les Schwab so they could tighten the lug nuts. We also had dinner reservations at the floating restaurant next to the campground, something we’d been looking forward to.
Lynn was up at 0645 to a chilly 54° morning and unhealthy air (AQI 139). By 8am she headed out for her walk anyway — last day here, last chance to wander. She was glad she went. Plenty of interesting RVs to look at, plus she found a new trail that led her right to the lake’s edge and a small pond she hadn’t seen before. Too marshy to explore, but still a fun discovery.
Kirk was up around 9am. We had a light breakfast in the RV and then headed out to put miles on the new tires and wheels. Sandpoint seemed perfect — about 50 miles north of CDA, just enough distance to break everything in.
We arrived in Sandpoint around 11am. It was just as smoky and hazy as CDA, perhaps worse! We drove through town and stopped at Sandpoint City Beach so Lynn could check out a Roadside Attraction on her list: a mini Statue of Liberty at the end of a small pier. After a few photos and a wander along the beach, we looped through town again and headed back toward CDA.
We reached Les Schwab around noon. Jorge tightened the lug nuts while we walked over to Chopsticks for lunch. It was just as good for Lynn as last time — not quite as good for Kirk, but still a solid meal. We picked up the truck and headed back to the RV. We were both somewhat productive: Lynn got some blogging done, Kirk chipped away at traffic school. We also squeezed in a nap and finished The Crowded Room (so‑so). Only then did we realize we forgot to give Jorge the hubcaps and hardware they’d left in our back seat yesterday. So now we’re traveling with useless tire parts. Lovely.
We had 7:45pm dinner reservations at The Cedars Floating Restaurant, just down the road from the RV park. Our table wasn’t quite ready, so we sat at the bar for a cocktail. That’s when Lynn started wondering if dinner on a floating dock was a terrible idea. With her motion‑sickness tendencies, even a bathtub can be risky. She talked herself through it and was fine — mental battle won. Our table was on the floating patio, a corner spot with awesome water views on two sides. Too bad it was so smoky out. She felt a little queasy at first but kept her focus steady.
We ordered a smoked trout appetizer that was excellent. Lynn had the filet, Kirk the prime rib. Lynn’s was fantastic; Kirk’s was okay. The clam chowder was very good, and the key lime pie was tasty, though a bit sweet. Overall, it was a wonderful dinner — sunset views, fishermen nearby, and only the occasional wake rocking the dock. Maybe the cocktail helped. Kirk’s first old‑fashioned (from the bar) was great; the second one (from the table) was… something else entirely. Not sure what he ended up with. It was a great unique experience. Food was good and the smoked trout was the overall winner of the meal.
A great way to end our last day in Coeur d’Alene.
Weather – High 87*, Low 52*. Winds 2-4/9 mph. No rain, slight humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – The Cedars Floating Restaurant – very good overall.
Notable – Sandpoint, Cedars Floating Restaurant.
