Rocky Mountain Diary by Alf Alderson

Day 2: Coeur d'Alene, N. Idaho September 5th

Coeur d’Alene chooses to defend its northern flanks with the most hideous splatter of fast food joints, garages, furniture stores and motels. Down in the centre of town, alongside Lake Coeur d’Alene (there’s an inspired name), things are somewhat better.

Good points - the lake (warm enough to swim comfortably) and forested hills surrounding it; the ambience as people stroll, bike, swim, shout and scream, play beach volleyball, picnic (a pursuit at which Americans lead the rest of the world).
Bad points - the whine of jet skis, motor boats, even float planes on the lake; lack of places to eat and drink alongside the lake; the Coeur d’Alene resort, a bizarre, beige, luxury skyscraper hotel beside the lake which is as out of place as the Pope at an orgy; and, yes, more men in white socks and sandals.

The afternoon ended with my watching a college baseball game. I used to think cricket was dull until I saw this...