Idaho Lake Cabin Vacation

We spent a long weekend at a lake cabin on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. There was no cell service or tv, but there was a big kitchen, electricity, running water (showers and flushing toilet!), games, good company and an acre of property to spread out on.

We were excited to drive out I-84 east toward Idaho, a roadtrip neither of us have taken. We were up early for the seven hour drive and the sunrise on the Columbia River Gorge was totally worth it.

After a short visit with family in Spokane, Washington, we were off to the cabin. We pitched our tent and was ready for a long relaxing weekend.

The lake is a short walk from the cabin and Lake Pend Oreille is absolutely beautiful. The fifth deepest lake in the US, the lake was crystal clear down the colorful rocky bottom. The lake boasts all sorts of beaches to enjoy from sandy beaches to rock cliffs to jump off of. We spent most of our time at the local residence only Emerald Beach with picnic tables, chairs and fire pits; we floated in the pristine water, skipped rocks, sunbathed and enjoyed the incredible scenery.

We didn't venture too far from the cabin where we ate our weight in little sis's home-cured bacon, played games late into the night (bananagrams is our new obsession), listened to music, enjoyed the serene property and played with the doggies.

The cabin is a short drive from the cute town of Sandpoint, Idaho, where we had dinner our first and last nights. Sandpoint has a park where the only "sandy" beach lies. How lucky are the locals to have such a gorgeous park?

Our last day we visited family friends who have been spending summers on the lake for 30+ years. We enjoyed their private dock and next time we'll take the canoe out!

Soon it was time to pack up the tent and head back to reality.

We weren't ready to head home yet and decided to spend the afternoon in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, which was absolutely adorable. We had lunch at a Southern BBQ restaurant where pulled beef and the most delicious sides was on the menu, as well as fully loaded baked potatoes topped with your BBQ meat of choice - when in Idaho you must eat spuds!

Relaxed and rejuvenated we were ready to head home. The forested area of Spokane County, high grasslands of southeastern Washington and spectacular eastern Columbia River Gorge wind farms made the long drive home go fast. We pulled over on I-84 to stretch and enjoy the sun setting.

It was so nice to unplug, spend some time with family & friends and enjoy some incredibly beautiful scenery. Thank you Byrnes/Smith family, it was much needed and appreciated. Until next time...