Sandpoint, ID

A good friend and I were sitting around realizing that we are getting older and we are no where near the shape we used to be in. So what to do to get back in shape as well as have fun while doing it? The answer for us was easy…. Mountain biking. Though we [...]

On Saturday we decided to visit Copper Creek Falls, just this side of the Canadian Border. We were pleasantly surprised when the hike turned out to be very easy and the falls beautiful. The Falls is not just some little stream with a little tiny waterfall, this was the real deal. While [...]

Ever had one of those weeks where work seems to be more than you want to handle, and nothing seems quite to be going your way? That was my week for sure, what I needed was a recharge and fast. And I found the perfect place for exactly what I needed. Moments away from virtually anywhere in Sandpoint, Mickinnick is the perfect trail for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, without having to fill your gas tank to get there.

Late May through early June, you can watch controlled chaos unfold, all in the name of sports and sportsmanship. They start ‘em young here in Sandpoint when it comes to international sporting events. Of course, I am talking about Sandpoint Youth soccer games. Played in the Farmin/Stidwell fields on Division Street in Sandpoint, this is the training ground for the talented high school teams Sandpoint turns out later. Teams are organized according to age, ranging from under 5 to under 18. But mostly you’ll see grade schoolers going head to head in the quest for local renown. Hopefully, they also learn some good lessons and skills on the side.

This is often what runs through my mind as I stroll with my young daughter through Travers Park, because at this park you can do exactly all those things! This park is a fantastic resource located right in town, yet it’s a large park (almost 25 acres!) so you don’t feel crowded. We go at all times of the day and we’re usually surprised by how few people are there. But I think that’s just because the people that are there are spread out doing various activities.

My friend at work had gone to Snow Creek Falls the weekend before and told me how amazing it was. Due to the warm weather and the extreme snow pack, the falls were flowing heavy this year, which gave an amazing site for us to view.

I was expecting to find just a bit of grassy area and a sandy beach, but Dover City Beach is so much more than that — there is a really cool trail system that meanders through wetlands, perfect for pointing out water fowl for my young Audobon.

This trail is great for biking, walking, jogging, roller-blading, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, sledding…just about everything non-motorized. It’s open to all users, and of course, it’s free. This is a great trail for so many reasons: the re-use of something existing, bridging communities, and the town-to-forest uniqueness.

My friends and I attended Schweitzer’s last day open for the winter season this year, otherwise known as Tropical Daze. I was pretty excited about the festivities that were going to take place, a downhill dummy derby, the slush pond and music on the patio in front of Taps. It was looking to be a great day of fun. Parking was hard to find but I was delighted when they offered a free shuttle to the village from the lower parking lot, where we had parked.

Each year Yoke’s grocery stores and Schweitzer team up to bring the Outrageous Air Show to Sandpoint for Friday and Saturday night shows one weekend a year, usually at the end of February. The events start around 6pm in the village of Schweitzer Mountain Resort. The torch light parade starts the night with skiers, skiing from the top of the mountain down to the village with red glowing torches.