Category: Travel

5 Best Brunch Spots in CDA

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(CDA: Coeur d’Alene)


Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely LOVE breakfast food. 

It can be eaten at any time of the day. 

It always comes with the best vibes.

You can usually be convinced to have a mimosa, which is just a classy way of day drinking.

It can usually cover you for the entire day because you always eat way too much.

Naturally, I scoped out five of the top listed breakfast/brunch joints in the area, and I came up with a list of my favorites.

I ranked these places on a few key points (keep in mind that I am in no way an expert or a foodie): food deliciousness, price, and ambience.

I chose not to rate them on service, because believe it or not, every single restaurant had absolutely AMAZING service!! 

Take a peek!

#5 Franklin’s Hoagies
  • Food deliciousness: I got Eggs Benedict (of course) with red potatoes. The Benedict was ok: eggs didn’t have runny yolk, hollandaise was pretty oily, but had good flavor, ham was yummy, and potatoes needed ketchup. 
  • Price: Very good price for how much food I got.
  • Ambience: Had a “this is where the locals go” kind of feel to it. Not fancy, or even that clean, but I could tell that the establishment had been around for a while and was well known. 
#4 Fine Brewed

  • Food deliciousness: I have gotten many things from Fine Brewed: Nutella bagel, açaí bowls, burritos, breakfast bagels. All of them have been delicious. Fine brewed is more of a coffee shop that happens to have quite a bit of food options. I would not say that their food is as delicious as a place that was made for breakfast food; however their coffee never disappoints.
  • Price: Good prices for the amount of food offered, and the quality. 
  • Ambience: This is probably one of my favorite coffee shops in CDA because of the ambience. It’s cozy, but modern, friendly, and has a multitude of seating options (window, booth, and bar). I can go there and write, or go to watch a football game and the establishment feels perfect for both.
  • (Soon to come: top 5 coffee shops in CDA)
#3 The Wellness Bar
  • Food deliciousness: Hands down the best açaí bowls I’ve ever had. Delicious breakfast bagels if you’re wanting something heavier as well. Also do protein bites, smoothies, juice, salads, and quinoa salads. Very fresh, filling, and delicious.
  • Price: Somewhat pricier, but all of the food is fresh, and they make it right in front of you. I’d say well worth the price.
  • Ambience: Light, cheerful, fresh. Patio seating outside. Summery, beachy feel.


#2 Ten/6

  • Food deliciousness: With a Southern, New Orleans feel, this brunch joint never disappoints. The beignets are light with the perfect amount of powdered sugar. The Eggs Benedict (of course) has a delicious hollandaise, and the yolk is always runny (my favorite). The potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The mimosas are super fun, covered in Mardi Gras beads and super sweet.
  • Price: It’s easy to wrack up the price at Ten/6. Getting a full breakfast, beignets (which are a must), and a mimosa will drive the price up, but the food and drinks are delicious, and they put in so much time into making your food, it is well worth it.
  • Ambience: This is what makes Ten/6 so special! The restaurant is a hilarious mix of New Orleans and Alice in Wonderland themed. The tables and chairs are all painted to look like a tea party, all of the wall decorations have something to do with Alice in Wonderland, and in the back, there is a giant chess board, with huge fake flowers coming off of the walls. It really feels like a different world.
#1 The Garnet Cafe 

  • Food deliciousness: Some of the best, most unique food I’ve ever had. Many of you will recognize this place from a previous post. I had an amazing veggie and potato scramble, other friends had spaghetti and eggs (weird, but delicious), pig in a blanket, French toast, and duck omelette. Such a unique conglomerate of food, and all absolutely amazing.
  • Price: This brunch place is probably the most expensive, but rightfully so with their unique foods and mimosas.
  • Ambience: The Garnet Cafe is in a refurbished house! Needless to say, it’s very homey. It is quaint, relaxed, and always packed with people! But service never faltered, they’ve got it down to a science.

The Garnet Cafe is the winner!!

In reality, all of these choices are super fun and perfect for this small town I live in. 

Here’s your call to Do One Thing and try a local breakfast spot that you’ve never been to! New flavors, new people, new ambience that you just might fall in love with.

Happy eating,

Rachel

Lake Pend Oreille

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Wow, what a day!


There’s nothing quite like spending the entire day out on a beautiful mountain lake.


This time, it was Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced: ponderay) in Sandpoint, Idaho. This is about 40 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene on highway 95.

Pend Oreille gets its name from the French, who gave their own name to the Kalispell people (the native people from the area). Pend Oreille means “hangs from the ear,” which came from the large shelled earrings that the Kalispell people wore. 

The Kalispell people now live in a reservation on the Western part of Montana that borders Idaho.

Some friends of mine, who I met when I worked in an ER back in Colorado and moved up here before me, bought a boat, and were kind enough to invite me along. 

We packed the boat with food, beer, and towels, and hit the road. 

We decided to dock at Sandpoint City Beach, which is right downtown. It was just about the easiest process we could have asked for. No extra fees, no lines; thank goodness for places in Northern Idaho. 



At first, our mission was swimming, so we drove across the lake to a more shallow cove to find warmer water.

Lake Pend Oreille is the fifth deepest lake in the nation, its deepest point being 1,150ft deep! There is a Naval base located off this lake for testing and training due to the astounding depth of the lake. This also means that swimming can be extremely frigid, especially near the deeper parts. Luckily, we got a warm day and stayed closer to the edges to swim, making it chilly, but completely tolerable. 

After our first round of swimming, we decided to tour around the lake a bit. 

The entire lake is massive, with a surface area of 148 square miles, and 43 miles long. So, we couldn’t tour the entire lake, but we did see some amazing views!



Lake Pend Oreille is popular for all kinds of water sports: kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, sailing, 
wake boarding, and waterskiing. We only swam for this round, but people all over were enjoying the lake in every which way.




Castle Von Frandsen is a real castle on the coast of Lake Pend Oreille. It is used for filming (The History Channel did a program on it) and events, although it is under construction currently. 

Though I didn’t have time on this trip, I would add an extra stop to the local museum in Sandpoint to learn more about the places we saw off of the water. 
Although it’s a little town, it comes with a rich history.

We ended this beautiful day on the water with a gorgeous sunset. Enjoy…


It is so worth it to enjoy the local gems. 

I am always thinking that I have to catch a flight to find something beautiful and worthy of photos, never stopping long enough to notice that I live in such a place.
Adventure on,
Rachel



Maryhill Wine Tasting

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I went wine tasking for the first time last night! A little treat for working for six nights. 


Side note before I talk about wine tasting… I think it is so important to celebrate little things like getting done with a stretch of work. It makes the little things seem bigger, and it’s really fun to celebrate things! So why not do it more often?

Anyway… wine tasting.

I’ve been extremely nervous to do this for a long time due to the fact that I don’t particularly love red wine. I’m a “cheap pink wine because it tastes like juice with a kick” kinda girl. 

However, I have dreams of going to Spain and Italy one day, so I think I’d better start!

So I decided to try Maryhill Winery. They have a tasting room location right down the road in Spokane, WA. It’s cute. It’s classy. It’s lower profile on a Wednesday night for newbies like me. It was perfect. 

Here’s how it works:

You start by going up to the wine bar and asking for their “flight.” Newbie me thought only beer tasting had flights. I was very wrong. 

The flights are in a specific order. They start you off with a lighter white wine, then ease you into the sweeter reds, followed by darker reds, and ending the experience with a lighter white or rose. I received a piece of paper with the list of wines, and a small description of flavors that was to be expected with each wine.
 


Going up to get each taste of wine, I learned about the different areas of the tongue to focus the taste on. 

For example, some of the more sour/bitter wines, it is helpful to push the wine to the sides of your mouth when drinking it because you’ll taste the initial sweetness at the tip of your tongue, then skip some of the bitterness that would normally come as the wine hits the back of your tongue. I also learned that with Merlot’s, it is best to pair them with a steak. This is because they intentionally dry out your mouth to reset your pallate. Because what is the best bite of a steak? The first bite— so they attempt to recreate that first bite after each sip of wine. 

I knew that wine tasting was an art, but I had no idea that this much thought went into each and every wine!
To get into my thoughts on the wine…..

I loved the initial white wines (and I’ll be honest, I remember absolutely none of their names, and I apologize). The first was sweeter and smooth. The second was slightly more sour, but still smooth and light. 
Into the reds I went blindly. I was surprised, but I liked two of the four reds that I tried!

The dry, bitter ones (like the Merlot) I did not care for as much, but I would be interested to try them with the food that they are meant to be paired with. 

The two that I did like were sweeter with a slightly bitter kick at the end. They didn’t dry your mouth out, so they were more pleasant to drink by themselves. 

The final wine was a rose. This one was my favorite, naturally. Sweet, light, and the perfect way to end the night. 

Now, let me paint you a picture…

You’re sitting on a patio, the sun is setting on a warm, but not hot day, the patio chairs are soft and comfortable, you have a couple sips of wine in your hand, people watching as they bike/run/walk past on the sidewalk, a slight breeze. 

Sounds magical, doesn’t it? 

That was my night.

It was the PERFECT way to celebrate six nights at work: relax, sip some wine, have a slice of pizza, watch the sunset. 



It’s the little things.

If you’re in Spokane, head to Maryhill Winery to try their wine flight! Or find a local winery near you to explore. 

Some tips for this adventure: 

  • Ask questions if you have them! People that are into wine love to talk and educate those who aren’t yet. Even if you know wine well, ask about the specific winery or wines that you’re tasting.
  • Be open minded. It’s ok to not love every wine that you try, but still give it a chance. They say, at least three sips to determine if you like it or not. 
  • Relax into the atmosphere. Being in a new place and trying a new thing can be stressful, but be mindful of your stress and try to dial it down and enjoy the place you’re in and the things you’re doing. You’ll be able to remember it more like that.

Good luck, and cheers (literally)!

Rachel




5 Reasons Why You Should Learn a New Language

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I was fortunate enough to have my mom know Spanish and begin teaching me at a young age. That, along with taking classes in high school and college, I can now speak Spanish conversationally.

I also just signed up for a Sign Language course at the community college in my town. This one has been on the bucket list for years!

Languages are a beautiful thing. They are artistic, they bring us closer together, they allow us to open our eyes new new worlds.

However, learning new languages can be daunting. I hear often:

“I’m not good at learning languages,”

“It’s too hard,”

“I’m not very creative,”

“I can’t remember all the words.”

These are common misconceptions about learning languages.

The truth is: ANYONE can learn a new language! It just takes a little time, patience, and excitement.

I’m here to help with the excitement aspect. So, here are 5 reasons why you SHOULD (and can) learn a new language!

  • #1 It will connect you to your creative side.

  • Everyone has a creative side! Sometimes it just takes a little time to expose itself.
  • Giving yourself the opportunity for that side of you to show is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. It will open up a whole new world and new opportunities.

  • #2 It will allow you to communicate with a wider variety of people.

  • Languages bring people closer together.
  • They allow you to share emotion: happiness, sadness, frustration, joy, thanks.
  • Millions of people (depending on the language you choose) speak this language, and you now have the opportunity to learn from them!

  • #3 It will CHALLENGE you.

  • Challenges are so good for you! They give your brain a boost and wake it up.
  • Once you’ve started to learn the language, you will feel so accomplished in the midst of this challenge.
  • Challenges give people motivation and excitement for life. Let that fuel you!

  • #4 It will give you a wider perspective on your own and others’ cultures.

  • Language and culture are deeply linked. Learning another language will give you insight to that culture. It will allow you to see life through different eyes.
  • It will also have you looking at your own culture differently. Understanding another person’s perspective on our culture will give you growth, confidence, and a new outlook on life. It is truly life-altering.

  • #5 It will open up more job opportunities.

  • There, I said it. Everybody knows it, and it’s true. Employers LOVE employees who speak another language.
  • This goes back to that communication piece. Being able to communicate with more people means that you are a huge asset to a company. You will be invaluable to them.
  • The world is moving so fast, and in order for companies to keep up, they need to expand and be open to a broader population. This means globally. Learning another language will open doors for you to travel for work, communicate to help a business, and make you an irreplaceable team member.

    • What are you waiting for?!

    Head to the library, a local community college, or find a tutor online to help you begin.

    Remember to stay patient with the process; good things take time.

    Best of luck!

    Rachel

  • Never have I ever traveled to…

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    My official list of the top 6 places I’d love to travel to (because I couldn’t narrow it down to 5). 

     

    #6 SPAIN

    • To hike El Camino de Santiago. This is a pilgrimage from France to Spain that bypasses beautiful Spanish countryside, magnificent architecture, and incorporates old Catholic traditions. I love learning about religions and cultures, and this would be a great way to get immersed.
    • They speak Spanish. I speak enough conversational Spanish to help me travel, so this aspect is extremely inviting.
    • Wine and dine. I have never been to Europe, but am fascinated by their food and drink culture. Spain would be a great taste of that. (See what I did there?)

    #5 ICELAND

    • I would love to rent a camper van to drive around Iceland. I have a few friends who have shared their experiences in Iceland with me while doing this, and it sounds absolutely breathtaking.
    • This country would be about hiking, waking up to see the sunrise, and astonishing beauty.

     

    #4 THAILAND

    • This country is self-explanatory for a backpacker’s dream destination: beautiful ocean, wildly different culture, eclectic foods.
    • Not to bring in finances, but it is incredibly CHEAP to travel around Thailand! Getting there you have to be crafty about your plane tickets; however, once you’re there, you can survive and thrive on very little money.
    • Again, religious practices intrigue me. Seeing temples and the practices of the many different religions in this one country would be incredible.

     

    #3 NEPAL

    • My purpose and desire to go to Nepal is to do a relatively famous trek: the Annapurna Circuit.
    • This is an 11+ day trek in the Himalayas that begins and ends in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. 
    • The tallest point is Thorong La Pass (17,769ft). You can make a side trip to Everest Base Camp if you would like to.
    • This trek would be the ultimate physical and mental challenge that I could ask for. It also is lined with opportunities to converse with locals, as well as discovering local food and culture.

    #2 COLOMBIA

    • The rich culture and history draws me to this country. Also, the fact that they speak Spanish.
    • My research on this country, as well as speaking with friends who have traveled here has shown me that this is a must-travel. That is because it is relatively isolated due to it’s history with violence due to drugs. Travelers and backpackers have found the safe places of the country to explore, and they are magnificent. Colors, wildlife, culture, food, people, the list goes on. 
    • My love for hispanic culture stems from their values for family. Family is the core value for hispanic culture, with family members of all generations commonly living in the same house, and all work is performed with the good of the family in mind. I love and cherish these values.

    #1 INDIA

    • India is usually a highlight for most backpackers. This is because there is usually a cultural and spiritual transformation that occurs while traveling and experiencing the country. 
    • Covered with temples and other spiritual architecture, India has ample opportunities to get fully immersed in their culture.
    • Similar to the other countries I desire to visit, India has flavorful and exotic dishes that I am dying to taste.
    • India makes me excited to travel, and also extremely nervous! The language, hustle of the cities, and vastly different culture are something I have never experienced before!
     
     
    As my savings rise because I’d rather eat salads everyday and travel than do anything else, I hope to buy my plane ticket to one of these destinations soon. 
     
    Having a desire to travel fuels me. It drives all of my actions and gets me truly excited for the future!
     
    I hope this list sparks you to build your own list of travel dreams, and that you have the courage to go!
     
    Rachel
     
     
     

    ten days

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    A lot happens in ten days! My apologies for not writing sooner.

    At the start of these past ten days, I was working. I am an ICU nurse working night shift. I work 7pm to 7am, I have two patients, and it’s usually pretty busy for most of the night. My patients need constant checks on vitals, medications, safety, etc.

    And I love it.

    It is interesting, fun, scary, exciting, all at the same time, and my shoulders sit uncomfortably in my ears from stress for most of the night. Having people’s lives in my hands is no picnic, especially for a newbie. It has only been six months, so I am still learning every single day. Not that I ever plan to stop.

    So, a quick overview of new work experiences:

    • I gave blood by myself (no preceptor) for the first time to a patient who was bleeding internally.
    • I got a patient on a medication that I had never cared for by myself (no preceptor) before.

    I know these are silly things, but being a new graduate nurse, I still get excited over the little things. I’m going to hold onto that for as long as I can, with burnout and compassion fatigue being so prevalent in my profession (I’ll get to my thoughts on those in a later post).

    After my four days of work, I flew to Colorado! So, here we go.

    August 14th: I got a new haircut! I got about eight inches cut off! It seems like a lot, but my hair was super long. With the cut, it’s still below my shoulder blades.

    August 15th: I went to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater for the first time! I got to see Mumford and Sons (for the second time; the first time was a week prior at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington). It was a super cool venue! The front section are all seats, and the back is grass. We sat on the grass- just brought a blanket. Once the show started, everybody stood up. They were absolutely phenomenal.

    August 16th: I got to have lunch with my best friend from nursing school! We went to this adorable restaurant in Louisville, CO called The Huckleberry. She got crepes, and I got eggs Benedict, and they were both unbelievably delicious! I hadn’t seen her in six months, so it was wonderful to catch up. Just to toot her horn a bit… she is an amazing float nurse (meaning she floats to most of the floors in the hospital) at Children’s Hospital in Denver, CO. This hospital is incredibly competitive to get into, and she got in right after nursing school!

    August 18th: I did a beautiful hike to Lake Isabelle with my mom this day! I’ve hiked to this lake before, but it was a notable day to get to be unplugged for a while and relish in the beauty of an alpine lake.

    Lake Isabelle– CO

    The other occurrence of note on this day, was that my plane home got turned around just prior to take-off due to a person having heart palpitations. They had to turn around and go back to the gate for the paramedics to help the person off of the plane! It was quite the lengthy journey back to Idaho.

    August 19th (today): Wow. Today hurt my heart more than it’s been hurt in a long time. Today, my friend took me to a house north of Coeur d’Alene where she was watching the house and animals of a woman she met. The woman was in the hospital, and had three horses and three dogs that needed to be cared for on her property. What I did not know, was that these animals were not well cared for due to financial reasons (though they were getting excellent care from my friend). I was fortunate enough to never have seen a neglected animal before, so the sights today were haunting. It hurts my heart that animals even have the potential of being neglected, and I hope that better homes can be found for them soon.

    • Waterfall to Lake Isabelle
    • Long Lake– CO
    • Elephant head flowers
    • “…I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” Robert Frost

    Quite the eventful ten days.

    I will try to be more regular about posting, sometimes life gets away from me, but at least it’s being filled with fun, new things! I’ll leave you with a quote that spoke to me after my Colorado time.

    “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”

    John Muir