Boise, ID

The steep winding road above Lewiston is beautiful drive. We could see the whole valley below, from several terrific viewpoints. One could only dream of what the fledgling trading post, back in the early 1860’s looked like. Once known as “Ragtown,” for an area made up of tents-one could imagine a late night view of flickering yellow lights, as they lit up miners tents and saloons. (Public use image from USGS-Lewiston & Snake River, 1900-Photo Credit, Washington State Univ. Archives)

The rolling hills above Lewiston, were dotted with miles upon miles of flowing, golden wheat fields, on each side of a newly paved and well maintained highway. I remarked that our road system in Boise should be in such good shape.

Passing through the small town of Genesee, we wound our way up US-95 towards the town of Moscow. If we would have had time, I would have liked to drive through the University. The park like grounds were abloom with a full abundance of bright flowers and other foliage.

The town of Potlatch was next. The once great “Company Town,” grew out of attraction of “Lumber Barons,” to harvest the massive White Pine timber of the region. As with other areas of the early west-the once great Milltown, is now a shadow of it’s former self. (Public use Image, Potlatch River, Idaho-Photo Credit, USFS)

We passed through Potlatch and over the March Hill Summit, and through the tiny towns of Sander, Desmet and Tensed. Plummer was next, then our final destination for the evening, Worley, appeared around a bend.

Expecting to see an Indian Casino, we were pleasantly surprised to see the lush green grass of an 18 hole golf course, surrounding a fairly new 6500 sq. ft. clubhouse. It seemed almost out of place in the landscape-more like it should be located in Boise, than in Worley, Idaho. The awesome view of the area certainly fit it’s name–The Circling Raven! (Image CircRavenHole8b Copyright Circling Raven Golf Course, Used with permission of Idaho Div. of Tourism)

Just past the golf course, I spotted a large parking lot, then the Cour D’ Alene Hotel & Casino. In a matter of minutes we had signed into our reserved rooms and freshened up. It was late morning when we arrived, probably around 10:30AM or so. (Image CDaCasino1.jpg, Copyright, Idaho Tourism. Photo Credit: Ron Gardner. Used with permission of Idaho Div. of Tourism).

We had left Lewiston without eating breakfast, so by the time we arrived at the casino, we were pretty hungry. We found a place inside the casino called the High Mountain Buffet. Both ladies declined to eat there, more out of bad past experience with buffet food, then anything else.

I inquired about a regular restaurant and was directed to the Sweetgrass Café. As it was in the midst of a remodel, all they were serving was pizza. A friendly waitress, directed us to a Food Court. Like the café before it, all they had for breakfast was hotdogs or sandwiches.

Observing that the gals were getting frustrated, I cornered a cashier and asked if there was a good restaurant or café in town. She advised me we didn’t have to go that far.

“The Twisted Earth Grill, over at the Circling Raven Clubhouse, has the best food!” She stated.

She escorted us outside large glass double doors to a waiting golf cart.

“Please take these folks to the Twisted Earth Grill,” She informed the driver.

We thanked her profusely then clambered aboard our fringed topped ride to the Circling Raven. In a matter of minutes, we were seated at a table, adjacent to a large window, that gave a view of the surrounding landscape. The hostess and waitress were friendly. Our breakfast was served fast, hot and with plenty of great coffee!

My aunt left to look for a gift for her golfing nephew, but returned quickly. “Out of sight!” She said, referring to the unusually high prices of the gift shop. Like many other golf courses I’ve been too, they cater to a very upscale clientele!

Unable to raise a return trip to the casino, I cornered one of the young golf attendants nearby. In a matter of minutes he escorted us to a luxurious Lincoln Navigator and gave us a ride back to the casino. Needless to say, we tipped both the driver of the golf cart and our young Navigator pretty well!

To read the previous post in this series, go to Idaho Adventure Part 4.