Fall into sports

Fall is here and it’s a great time for sports that cater to all walks of life.

The great thing about living in Inland Northwest is that there is something to do every season, and currently the weather is just right.

Bicycling is a very enjoyable thing to do in the fall. North Idaho and Eastern Washington both have an extensive network of designated bike paths.

The best ones in the area are those that belong to the Rails-to-Trails system. Many of the trails that are part of the system are free to ride, but even the ones that aren’t are worth the price to pay.

The Centennial Trail goes from Nine Mile Falls in Washington to Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene, covering more than 70 miles. It is a great trail if you want to maintain a view of the Spokane River, as the trail stays pretty close to the water for most of the ride.

If you want to see Lake Coeur d’Alene and its tributaries then The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s is the perfect trail to take. The 72 mile long trail begins in Plummer, Idaho where you circle and cross the Lake Coeur d’Alene before finishing in Mullan, Idaho

The best trail has to be paid for, but it is well worth the $15. The Route of the Hiawatha is an easy downhill 15-mile ride. The trail goes through several tunnels, the first one being over a mile long and completely dark. It also crosses 17 train trestles all of which are over 100 feet in elevation.

Another thing to do if you ever have a free day is disk golf.

There are two courses within ten miles of Coeur d’Alene, Corbin Park in Post Falls and Cherry Hill Park in Coeur d’Alene.

If you are a beginner disk golfer then Corbin is the place to start. You will probably shoot around an 18 your first few games, but with time the scores will improve.

Beginners should skip hole 10 on this course. It takes you right over the Spokane River, so if you have not mastered control over your disk you will lose it in the river.

The Cherry Hill course is slightly more difficult. There is a lot of elevation change and the course is moderately wooded, making it easy to lose your disk in the underbrush. It is a medium difficulty course and the scores will show it.

For those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt, North Idaho is the place to be in the fall. There are white tailed deer, elk, moose (if you’re lucky enough to get the tag) or a simple afternoon grouse hunt to name a few of the many game options that North Idaho supplies.

Hunting can not only be a great way to spend some time in Idaho’s beautiful forests, but you are also rewarded with a freezer full of delicious meat at a price that won’t break the college student’s bank account.

If you just want to get out and enjoy nature in peace and quiet then the lakes are the best escape.

Paddling around placid lakes is the best bet for seeing nature in the raw.

Whether you are watching the wildlife on the shore or the various aquatic species, paddling gives you that fly on the wall perspective.

So if you have the urge to get out on the water and just enjoy the fall scenery from a low height try kayaking or canoeing. You will not be disturbed.

Regardless of whether you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, avoiding bogies in disc golf, paddling around the lake or peddling on the paths of old railroads, the Inland Northwest is the place to be. Everything is close by and the land offers a diverse array of things to do.