Washington and Idaho were important and quick.

We enjoyed a relaxing night at a pristine RV park in North Spokane WA, our only day in WA, aptly called the North Spokane RV park.  They had a pool and playground and the most manicured lawn between perfectly paved slips of concrete.  A bit of a smallville feel only RV style. We splurged...spending $70 for the night but needed it after the night prior dealing with our blown tire fiasco. We longed for clean bathrooms to shower and needed to reset mentally.  We had a few cocktails and played frisbee until almost 10:30pm.  The next day we would head through Idaho, briefly visiting Coeur d' Alene, and then be into Montana by night. 

We found the town of Coeur d' Alene to be a touristy spot along this huge beautiful lake, a destination that might be more suitable for an adult getaway for Erica and I (plus we couldn't find a stopping point for 44' of vehicle in the narrow town streets) so we pressed on toward Montana.  

We pulled off at this historic state park called Old Mission just outside of Coeur d 'Alene and what a treat this was. It was perched high on a hill and the gounds were perfect for stretching legs. The kids did activities to earn Idaho State Junior Ranger patches...a bit reluctantly honestly but we strongly encouraged it because Erica is collecting patches to make a sweatshirt or blanket with these patches as mementos for the kids.  Once they get going, then they enjoy it more...too much like homework I guess.  The mission is the oldest building in Idaho from the mid 1800's.

We really felt the time in Idaho should have lasted longer but we are excited to spend more time in Montana and we have to be in Canada by July 4th to make sure we had spots to stay since we didn't pre-book a spot for the holiday weekend. Man, so much to see and besides we know we have to return to Idaho regardless since we still have yet to see a moose on our trek.  While at the state park a couple walked up really excited and told the four of us to hurry up and run over about forty yards to see a female moose and her calf getting out of a pond.  We excitedly took off and never saw a dang thing.  How do two huge animals like these disappear that easily?? The elusive moose we are now calling it and with eight eyes someone in our troop is always tracking. Maybe it will happen in Montana!