Photo adventuring in Eastern Washington and Idaho
2 people, 4 cameras, 500 miles, 6 days
by Amanda S.
As two photographers from Chicago, my colleague Lauren and I were looking forward to heading west for a week-long photography conference and some nature time on the Washington and Idaho borders.
A three and a half hour flight brought us into Spokane, WA and on our first full day we welcomed sweeping vistas in place of the Windy City skyline. Knowing the week-long conference schedule would be jam-packed, we took full advantage of some free time before and after the conference for a bit of West Coast adventuring.
Our first full day we hit the road in Mike’s Mercedes-Benz E-Class and headed east with coffees and cameras in hand. Bruno Mars kept us company as our driving soundtrack, courtesy of Mike’s wide variety of music. The weather was crisp and sunny, and we leisurely cruised through the rolling green, Palouse hills of eastern Washington to our destination: Moscow, ID.
With traffic at a minimum, aside from some lumber trucks, we decided to stop for a hike in White Pine National Forest. We stretched our legs and took in some fresh air, before making it to our Airbnb.
Our first morning, the charming owner of our cottage knocked on our door to welcome us with cream for our coffee, and to give us a healthy dose of Idaho hospitality. Afterward, we headed to the first day of our photo conference, which took place at the University of Idaho in Moscow, a town of about 23,000 people. Between speakers, lighting workshops, and art gallery visits, we made a point to explore the town.
We stumbled into a colorful consignment shop over a break and a few doors down, found our way into a gem shop, called Gem State Crystals Inc. We chatted with Evan, one of the store workers, and met the shop’s resident rattlesnake Buddy. Buddy has called the store his home for about 20 years now, ever since falling out of a hay bale in front of the store.
Bagel sandwiches from Moscow Bagel & Deli and some coffee from Bucer’s downtown did not disappoint for lunch, and the evening continued with some late night landscape photography in the picturesque Palouse.
As the week continued with more speakers, presentations and workshops, the Mercedes was a comfortable second home as we cruised between events. Finally, at the end of the week, we were drove north to the resort town of Coeur d’Alene, to get away from it all. We did some shopping in boutiques, and I even got an awesome hat and dress.
Then Lauren and I decided to tackle the Mineral Ridge trail, which was the best hike of the trip! It was a great balance of hilly and flat, weaving in and out of the forest, with vistas all the way to the top. We were rewarded with a magical view of the lake, mountains, and forest. But we could tell a storm was rolling in. We managed to get down the mountain and reach the car just as the rain started. It was perfect timing!
At our hotel, the front desk guy, Carl, suggested Anthony’s for a seafood dinner. Lauren and I went in on scallops, tuna tartare, salmon, and rainbow trout with Idaho potatoes! After a full day of hiking and the conference, it was a great finale to the week.
On the day we were set to leave, we dropped the car off with Mike, who was so nice! I totally get Turo. It was such a personal experience, a human connection, rather than just a another thing you do online. We talked to Mike for 20 min about our adventure, and then he dropped us off at the airport.
It was just the right way to end our trip, before heading back to Chicago, cameras full of unforgettable images and rejuvenated from the verdant west.
