So we opted for a Google generated route that took us on a series of residential streets that roughly paralleled Highway 2. Much better option. The interesting variety of residential architecture sure beat the franchise eateries, gas stations, and retail stores that line Highway 2.

And by the time we reconnected with the highway it was a nice quiet 2-lane rural road through the forest all the way into Newport.

Weather: low 70s and sunny. We pulled into Newport in the early afternoon. The night's accommodation was the Antler Motel, a modest but perfectly adequate place to spend the night. Not a lot of food options in Newport, though we missed the one Bar & Grill that looked pretty nice. We opted to eat in, with food from the Safeway market a few blocks away. After dinner we watched Game 3 of the NBA Finals: Warriors 110, Cavaliers 102

DAY 2, Thursday, June 7th, Newport to Coolin, Idaho 40 miles
Another warm, sunny day as we continued on Highway 2 for about 5 miles before turning north onto Highway 57 at Priest River. Highway 57 is a quiet 2-lane road to the tiny town of Coolin, Idaho on the south end of Priest Lake. Although just 40 miles it was all slightly uphill so still a bit of work. We pulled into Coolin quite early in the afternoon and rode down to the lake to have a look at the scenery before checking into our motel. Oddly enough there were a group of priests in long frocks hauling their boat out of the water... somehow we missed the opportunity to take a photo of the priests on Priest Lake. You'll have to take our word for it.

We had lunch at Ardy's Cafe, one of the few commercial establishments in Coolin and owned by the same people who own the Coolin Motel. A typical American cafe featuring the local specialty, huckleberry pie and huckleberry milk shakes (we opted for the latter with our lunch). Dinner was great, sitting at an outdoor table at the Moose Knuckle BBQ. They smoke their own meats and their pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw was exceptional. This was our introduction to the tasty brew pub food we'd be enjoying for the rest of the trip.

DAY 3, Friday, June 8th, Coolin to Sandpoint 50 miles
After a hardy breakfast at Ardy's we headed back down Highway 57. This time it was slightly downhill with a light tailwind that made for our easiest day of riding.

After 27 miles we turned east on to Highway 2 again and enjoyed more light tailwinds the final 23 miles into Sandpoint on Lake Pend Orielle. The weather was still warm and sunny but thundershowers were predicted to arrive late Friday night and linger through the weekend.

After perusing the hotel options we settled on the LaQuinta right in downtown. Great room and a large jacuzzi that revitalized our tired muscles. Lots of brew pubs to choose from and we settled on The Hound for an early dinner, sitting outdoors with a view of Lake Pend Orielle. Then Game 4 of the NBA Finals: Warriors 108, Cavaliers 85.... a 4 game sweep and another Championship! And back to The Hound for a pint of IPA (to celebrate the Warriors and to calm down...)

DAY 4, Saturday, June 9th, A Day Off in Sandpoint 0 miles
Just as predicted the thunder showers started at 11pm Friday and it rained most of the night. We'd built a "rest" day into our trip and this rainy Saturday seemed like the perfect time to take it. So we spent the day in Sandpoint, visiting the touristy art galleries and shops along 1st Street, having lunch at The Spud and dinner at Mickduffs (yup... two more brew pubs). The on-and-off rain didn't bother us a bit, nor did it bother the locals. The usual Saturday Farmer's Market was in full swing all day.

DAY 5, Sunday, June 10th, Sandpoint to Coeur d'Alene, 50 miles
We awoke to overcast skies but no rain yet (it was predicted to start again around 11am). After a breakfast at LaQuinta we were ready to go with fresh legs from a rest day and the jacuzzi. The route to Coeur d'Alene is simple... 50 miles south on Highway 95. It starts with a bike path out of Sandpoint, across a bridge over Lake Pend Orielle and then you're back on the Highway. It was kind of a busy road, but nice shoulders, a good surface, and the usual Northern Idaho foresty scenery.

Sure enough at noon it started to rain. Not really heavy, but with a fair amount of wind. We donned our rain gear and trudged on. Then it started to hail... but fortunately only for 10 minutes or so. Between the weather and the busy highway it wasn't the best cycling we've ever done, but it was okay. Around 10 miles north of Coeur d'Alene the foresty scenery turned to commercial roadway but the rain had stopped and we were nearing our destination.

We checked into the Resort City Inn in downtown and were soon off to dinner at the Iron Horse Bar & Grill. Then a little walk around the shopping district and down to the lake to take in the views.

DAY 6, Monday, June 11th, Coeur d'Alene to Spokane 40 miles
The final day of riding was going to be easy, peaceful and scenic along the Centennial Bike Trail all the way to Spokane. The trail started a block away right on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and meandered along the Spokane River westward. Hardly anybody on the trail on an early weekday morning. It's well paved, wide enough to ride side-by-side, quite scenic, and blissfully free of cars. The final miles take you through Gonzaga Univerity (Go Bulldogs! and God Bless John Stockton) and right into downtown Spokane. What could have been a better way to end a bike trip?