Coeur D'Alene Idaho 8/03

The Oregon VCA put on another fun event.  This time it was a run from the Portland area to the Coeur D’Alene area in Idaho over the weekend of 8/23/03.  Total distance covered was about 800 miles in two days, so it was mostly a road trip.

Everyone grouped at the Troutdale truck stop at exit 17 off I-84.  There were 9 cars total which included 7 Vipers and 2 Vettes.  Some arrived with a little less spring in their step than others. After a bite to eat, we were off by about 7:15AM.

The group headed out I-84 through the Columbia Gorge, before turning north and going through Washington.

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Time for a rest stop.  Jenesa checks to make sure that big Hennessey rear spoiler hasn't come loose from their FE while Cody checks the action of the strut on his rear hatch.  You can never be too careful.

The trip out was relatively uneventful as the group took care to observe all reasonable traffic laws.  There was one incident in Spokane where Cody decided to run a blocking maneuver on one of the local gendarmes.  Apparently he was not happy with the low amount of interaction we had had with law enforcement up until that point and with the trip almost over, it was his last chance.  Despite his best efforts, we remained unmolested.

Once we got to our destination in Post Falls, we had a late lunch at the Hot Rod Café http://www.hotrodcafe.org/

The group then checked out the Choppers in the adjacent bike shop called Easyriders Roadhouse.  http://www.easyridersroadhouse.com/

After lunch, we got into the Red Lion Templin hotel around 3:30PM.  A couple of us arrived at around 3:40 after taking the scenic route the last couple of miles.  Nice place with lots of open parking for the Vipers.  The picture at the top of the page is a panoramic view from the back side of the hotel looking out over the river.

With dinner scheduled for 8:30PM, some of us with only a few hours of sleep the night before took advantage of a quick nap while others partook in exploring the local roads, attempting to finagle their way into local Country Clubs, or checking out the shopping in the big city of Post Falls.  Rick and Anne scored some dishes and then had to figure out how to fit them into their Vette for the drive home. 

Eventually most everyone found their way to the local watering hole for some liquid nourishment.  As we regrouped to head out for dinner, we couldn’t help but notice that one of the Vettes had found some preferred parking.  I guess driving a Vette 'could' probably be considered a form of handicap. 

As the group gathers for dinner, Rick, Anne, Sharon and Ron all ponder some deep thoughts while John keeps an eye out for any available hot chick looking for a ride in a cool black Viper RT/10.

Meanwhile Rob points out to Dean the error of his ways.  Probably a bet over whether a Superbird is a Dodge or a Chrysler badged product.

Dinner was at the Wolf Lodge Steakhouse in Coeur d'Alene.  Well worth the 400 mile drive to get there, as they had great steaks.  Dean & Doris check out the menu while Sharon prays that her food will be coming soon.

While most enjoyed various forms of steak, a few satisfied their palate with a different form of meat.

After dinner, the group caravanned back to the hotel.  Security was provided for the Vipers overnight.    From the attention the cars were getting in the parking lot, there apparently aren’t a lot of Vipers seen in this area.  Here’s Shelby checking out the security guards uhmmm… credentials.  Surprising that Sharon wasn't around, since there is a history of those two tag-teaming security guards.

That night, the group decided to check out the hotel lounge, have a drink or two or three and enjoy the live entertainment.  The drinking took on more importance given the level of talent of the band that was playing.  The most competitive of the group descended upon a video golf game with a great amount of gusto.  After closing down the lounge, some of the group continued to party in one of the rooms for a while longer.

Next morning, everyone was up and had breakfast by the crack of 10AM or so and we hit the road home shortly thereafter.

Coming home, we made better time than when we were going out.  Police escorts tend to slow you down.

The only major stop coming back was at a fruit and chocolate store called The Country Store.

The ice cream counter seemed to get the most attention.

John spent most of his time looking for the lingerie section.  

The Group arrived back in the Portland area around 5PM.