North Idaho
held us captive for a week. We kept feeling like we were in some kind
of summer paradise. Can the water in the river really be that
warm, that clear, that inviting? Does sunset turn the hills to
gold every night? Are there really that many stars? The
beauty kept stunning us at every turn.
As if the
scenery weren't enough, the people were pretty grand, too. We met Terry
& Brenda Cooper, for example. They're both accomplished skiers, and
Terry is a videographer who also invents things like the amazing
bicycle boat trailer he uses to get his kayak to the lake every day.
Sandy Schulz & Jo Ann Ball have created
an idyllic RV resort right on the edge of the river. Steve
Van Ronk has a business that grew out of his interest in electric
vehicles, and Dan & Kathy Garcia gave
up corporate careers in Alaska to open Monarch Mountain Coffee, a specialty
roastery in Sandpoint. Before we left, we were especially glad we happened
upon one of North Idaho's newest treasures, Dianna's Weeping Trees Botanical
Garden and its creator, Dianna May.
It's not
surprising that we found a baffling GIZMO
in an area so rich in creative people. What is surprising is that we were
able to leave before the first snowfall. As we packed up the Phoenix and
left Fox Farm today, we were surprised
a week had slipped by. Summer in Sandpoint is like that. It flows by as
smoothly as the river, so softly you don't even notice.
Our next
stop is Wallace, another town in northern Idaho. This one's known historically
for mining, but right now it's in the news because a movie is being filmed
there, "Dante's Peak." Hope you'll join us for a visit!
