To celebrate the 150th birthday of its confederation, Canada is giving everyone the gift of free admission to its National Parks!

One of the most scenic places that we have ever been in Banff National Park, which straddles the border of British Columbia and Alberta just a couple hours north of the international border.

This area of granite peaks, carved by glaciers and spotted by multiple emerald blue streams and lakes is simply breathtaking in any direction you look.

If you are looking for a Canadian park near you, here is a map to help in your search;
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/cnpn-cnnp/carte-map

And if you are ready to order your free pass, click here;
http://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/parksb2c

Have fun exploring Canada!

One of our favorite ways to get outside during the winter is to head over to the Wolf Lodge area of eastern lake Coeur d'Alene to watch the eagles.

Every year from Thanksgiving to the end of the year, dozens of Bald Eagles congregate in the area to feed on the dying salmon that have finished spawning in the lake.  These salmon, called Kokanee, are red salmon that became trapped in the lake when the dam was put in.  They survived the entrapment but no longer make their journey to the ocean, which accounts for their much smaller size compared to their oceanic brethren.

It's that time of year again - time to start thinking about skiing!  So far it looks like we are getting the La Nina weather patterns that some had predicted, because we have had one wet storm after another so far this fall.  There is already snow starting to pile up in the mountains, and chances are there will be much more to come.

Skiing is a great outdoor winter activity, but it does not come cheap.  Every fall we share some of the best ways we have found to save money, and the first one on the list is the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap. 

The Yellowstone Park Foundation is holding its second annual photo contest, and the deadline for entering has  been extended an additional month.  This is a fundraiser, so there is a $25 fee to enter up to 20 photos, but it goes to a good cause and there are several categories with prizes up to $5000.  So if you are a shutterbug who loves the National Parks, you might want to check it out on their website here.

And for a little inspiration, here are a few of our favorite Yellowstone photos.

If your child has ever expressed interest in fishing, but you just don't have a lot of experience with that and aren't sure where to begin, then you have a great opportunity in front of you next weekend.  Washington and Idaho are both offering free fishing days  this coming Saturday June 11th where no fishing license is required.  Actually, kids under 14 don't need a license to fish in either state, but this is an opportunity for you to show them the ropes without incurring additional expense for yourself.

In Washington you get both days of the weekend where anyone can fish without a license.  More info here.

Idaho goes further in offering events aimed at kids where they have information booths, food, and sometimes free giveaways of gear to youngsters.  We've benefited from these over the years as the photos will attest, and you don't have to be an ID resident to partake.  More info is available here.

So if you are wanting to get your kids started fishing but are a little intimidated, this is a great place to start.  Go to the Idaho link and find a place close by where they are offering clinics, and you won't be disappointed.  These days are really all about showing the kids a good time and they do a good job of making it fun to help get kids interested in fishing - and away from the electronics!

So go out and make it happen next Saturday.

Another nearby gem of a place to get outside that is close to Spokane is the Dishman Hills.  This is actually comprised of 4 different sections, and this Spring we have already visited the Iller Creek portion a couple times and the Dishman Hills Natural Area once.  The latter is just off Appleway in the Spokane Valley, and the main access is Camp Caro across the street from auto row.  It has a number of great trails through rolling hills that go to hidden ponds and beautiful vistas.

Iller Creek is found a bit further south off Dishman Mica road with a trailhead in the Ponderosa development.  Trails here climb to sweeping views from the eastern ridge, or stay low in the cool creek valley which is great for escaping the heat on a warm day.

Any way you do it, it is a great place to escape outdoors for a short excursion.  More details can be found at the Dishman Hills Conservancy website, including a list of upcoming events in May and June that look very interesting.

We wrote earlier this year about this nearby gem, the Saltese Uplands Conservation Area.  Back then it was an early season hike when winter was losing its grip and we had a warm afternoon to sneak away.

Well, Spring is in full bloom now in the Saltese Uplands, with wildflowers and trees blooming and the grass greening under your feet.  One of my boys and I snuck away the other day to get in some mountain biking, and we were glad we did. A quick video highlight of our trip is to the right.

So get out in this beautiful Spring weather we are having and make some memories of your own!