Idaho Panhandle

I drove the Idaho portion of the International Selkirk Loop, including US 95, to the Canadian border at Eastport.

"The International Selkirk Loop, an All-American Road National Scenic Byway, is known for its rugged scenery, outdoor recreation, and small town charm.  The driving route encircles the Selkirk Mountain Range through two states and two countries along glacially carved river valleys."

I took some waterfall strolls, along with a visit to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Eagle nest; the Kootenai River Valley; Myrtle Creek Falls

Along the walk to Myrtle Creek Falls are plaques with entries from the Diary of a Worm;  I think to distract you from realizing the walk is completely uphill.

Here is a sample of the comedic relief:

May 28:  Last night I went to the school dance.  You put your head in.  You put your head out.  You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself about.  That's all we could do.

June 15:  My older sister thinks she's so pretty.  I told her no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end.  Spider thought that was really funny.  Mom did not.

The illustrations help.



Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge preserves 2,774 acres of key waterfowl habitat, just west of Bonners Ferry in Idaho. Over 300 different species of wildlife can be found on the refuge, indicating the richness and diversity the area holds.  The refuge has a 4.5 mile auto tour route.  

Just as I arrived at the Refuge, I received a warning on my phone for a fire weather watch and air quality alert.

I thought this bike rack was cool.

At Copper Creek Falls I took both the loop trail and the overlook trail; along both trails are informational plaques identifying the various trees and their use, the habitat, the plants, and the critters that live there.  It was interesting.

Copper Creek plunges 80 feet from a cliff to form Copper Falls.

There was a family playing at the bottom of the fall; I have no idea how they got down there unless they walked up the creek.