Tubbs Hill, Coeur d'Alene, ID

Friday, August 21, 2015

It is very smokey here in Spokane today from the forest fires.  We decided to drive to Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene, ID with the hopes it would be less smokey.  WRONG!  We could see ash in the air as we got out of the car.  We decided to both wear bandannas to filter the ash.

Here's a map of the peninsula showing the hiking trails.  We are going to take the 2 mile outer loop.

This large hotel and marina are just next to the Tubbs Hill.

There were lots of view points.  This was our starting point.

Dusty didn't realize Tic had stopped to take pictures.  

A pretty little cove.  Close by you can't tell the smoke is so thick.  Look in the distance in the top of the picture.  The smoke is so thick, the sun is making it look pink.

Here is more of the trails.

This view would be gorgeous if it wasn't so smokey.  We are glad we have our bandannas on. 

Do we look like banditos? ☺  We had several people tell us it was a good idea.  Then there were the kids that asked their father why we had masks on.  It may have looked liked we were overly cautious, but we could tell the difference.

There goes Dusty again!

Dusty did not like this swaying bridge.  She hung on for dear life.

On the drive back, Spokane's smoke was even thicker.  After we got home, we heard on the news that the air quality index was hazardous at 330. Hazardous conditions start with an air quality index of 301 and is highly likely to affect everyone.

As we sat in the coach, the smoke got so thick it seemed like the sun had already set, but it was only 6:25pm.  It is hard to tell in this picture, but the sky looks pink here also.

We are staying in the coach with the windows closed.  However because the windows are closed we did have to run the air conditioner.  At least the air conditioner has a filter.  It did not smell smokey inside the coach.
       So much of Washington is on fire.  It is sad!