Finishing strong

Over 2,000 athletes, more than 3,000 volunteers, 10,000+ spectators ... 2.4 mile swim in a 57 degree Lake Coeur d'Alene, 112-mile cycle leg through Hayden Lake and a 26.2 mile marathon around Lake Coeur d'Alene on a sunny Sunday = Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2011. Images from start to finish HERE.

Pirates of the Coeur d'Alenes

We set sail on the high seas (aka Lake Coeur d’Alene) with the Pirates of the Coeur d’Alenes Monday night and had a great time. The local actors in the roles of Captain Calico Jack (Alex Carey), Mad Molly (Trigger Weddle), Ignacia (Jessi Little) and Paisley Percival (Cory Williamson) put on a show that delighted people of all ages. Info on cruise times and days at 765-4000 or HERE. Pictured, Ignacia and Captain Calico Jack with the ruby treasure.

Paddles away

Paddleboarders all in a row on Lake Coeur d'Alene, across from the city beach. Come Sunday thousands of Ironman competitors will start their journey there.

Lawn Mower Drags

A fun Father's Day tradition takes place on Maine Street (yes, as in the state) in Spirit Lake every year. It's a small town celebration of horse power and testosterone. If you've never been, you're missing out on a decidedly North Idaho experience. Time trials start at 11 a.m. and the event runs until 4 p.m. More info HERE.

Nice ride!

A featured car at the Car d'Lane show on Saturday is a 1939 Cadillac LaSalle “C-Hawke” concept convertible. I saw the car on June 4 during the Post Falls Days car show and visited with the proud owner ... recently retired Kootenai County Undersheriff Tad Leach. Looks like Tad will have plenty to keep him occupied in retirement.

O'er the Land of the Free ...

On Flag Day the Submarine Veterans of Farragut posted new flags over the Idaho Department of Labor building in Post Falls, joining American Legion Post 143 in the ceremonies. IDL staffer Andrea Rue, on right, sang the National Anthem, beautifully.

That's what friends are for ...

Jake Medlock, center, is a hometown guy. He and his wife, Nicole, were dealt a blow when their 2-year-old daughter, Sophie was diagnosed with leukemia in May. As the medical bills mount so does the support from the Post Falls community. On Monday, Pizza Hut came onboard with a special promotion with 20% of sales for the day going to the Sophie Medlock fund. Estimations are that the day's sales are double an average Monday for the restaurant. Pizza Hut was filled with friends and neighbors, including Kelly and Shauna Moore and Amber and John Blanchette.

AAH CHOO!

It's that time of year and for allergy sufferers, it's not fun. At White Pine Park in Post Falls the basketball courts are awash with pollen. Weather.com has a link for tracking the pollen levels in our communities HERE.

Fair Food

There's still several weeks until the North Idaho Fair rolls around but here's a sneak peek at one of the new menu items for 2011. Ekness Catering, a perennial fair favorite food booth, debuted a fried bologna sandwich at Post Falls Days. Nice compliment to their North Idaho Beer Balls. So you can add this to the list of things to try, along with deep fried twinkies & meatballs, elephant ears and the like.

People Watching Pooches

This pair of retrievers enjoyed a great view of the people coming to Q'emiln Park for the final day of Post Falls Days on Sunday.

Sunday Mystery

On Sunday afternoon we saw a banner being towed through the skies over Post Falls, towards Coeur d'Alene. I imagined it carried a fun message, like a wedding proposal. Took a photo and when enlarged was disappointed to find it was just the GEICO gecko.

Feat of Strength

William Dean, Kylee Krahenbuhl, Adam Durflinger and Jamie Helm, members of the Spokane Shock's new stunt team, get in some practice on Saturday in Post Falls. On the Rathdrum Prairie the quartet were silouetted in the sunset.