The Long Bridge Swim - Sandpoint ID
Beauty abounds in Sandpoint as I think we are all aware of; but during the summer months often times we focus in on what we feel embodies that beauty: the lake. Pend Oreille Lake offers many refreshing activities when the mercury is rising outside. From boating and all the activities that inherently brings, to just lounging out at the beach enjoying the cool water. But there is one particular event that is drawing attention from many other areas. The Long Bridge Swim, an event that happens once a year and draws record crowds and participants every year, is billed as the longest open water swim in the Northwest. This year over 800 participants and thousands of gawking bystanders made this event one not to be missed. Read the rest of The Long Bridge Swim - Sandpoint ID »
It has been said that nothing is as strong as the heart of a volunteer. Nowhere could this have been more evident than at Sandpoint’s 14th annual Long Bridge Swim. If not for the many people who organized, oversaw, directed and managed this event (right down to the homeowner who provided the starting line), we swimmers would have never entered the chilly waters of Lake Pend Oreille.
Camping in North Idaho is such a perfectly easy thing no matter where you are, it seems like you are minutes away from great camping. We decided to get out of town and we quickly landed on Priest Lake. Less than 50 miles from Sandpoint this seemed like the perfect place for a weekend getaway. The one downside of a trip to Priest Lake is often times it is so popular that finding a camping spot is nearly impossible. This being the third trip up (the other two ending in not a single spot open) we had to say we were a little worried that we’d find anything open at all (the easy way would be to make reservations but then it wouldn’t be spontaneous). 
We left from the Selle Valley area around 9:00 a.m. to make sure we arrived early at Riley Creek Blueberry Farm. Because it is high summer, we knew picking berries would be a lot more pleasant in the morning when it was cooler. My sister, my nephew and I drove the 13.5 miles on Hwy 2 through Dover to Laclede and turned right at the gas station. From there it is simply a hop, skip and a jump to the farm on the left. You’ll see the sign, and also around 5,000 blueberry plants. 
On a recent trip to scout out locations for my friend’s September wedding we stopped by Jewel Lake. Jewel Lake is located off of Dufort road in Sagle, near Vay and the Hoo Doo Valley. I know it sounds like a lot, but it was actually easy to get to.
If you can race it, I will watch it. Needless to say when I was traveling to Spokane on a Saturday and we passed through Oldtown and Newport I looked down the Pend Oreille river and saw mini hydroplanes and I was beside myself. I knew they had a yearly hydroplane race and I had been to it when I was younger but as an adult I never remembered to look up the date. Luckily I noticed the boats that day and hoped that they would be racing on Sunday as my Saturday plans could not be cancelled. 
Tuesday there is always a buzz at my office about trivia night at Mick Duffs. I finally decided to round up my friends and give it a try. I had heard you needed to get there early to get a good table, near the large TV screen is best because this is where the questions were posted. I arrived at 6pm with trivia starting at 7pm, thinking that was plenty of time. 
Located west of Priest River is Albeni Falls Dam on the Pend Oreille river. My friend and I stopped one day on a trip back from Washington. Inside the visitor center we found a list of tour times, with the next tour leaving in 30 minutes. We waited outside in their picnic area where there were a few information signs about the dam and several picnic tables. Once it was time for the tour we met up with our tour guide and another group that was taking the tour. Our tour began with a descent down a small hill towards the powerhouse. 
Each Thursday beer drinkers from all around town join together and hoist their mugs up as they enjoy dollar pint night at Eichardt’s. The dollar beer changes weekly so it’s always a surprise when you arrive. The night my friend and I went they offered PBR. I know you are thinking, that’s usually a dollar beer anyways. That may be but we witnessed a bit of history that night. This was the first time PBR was offered for dollar beer night according to the bartender. Oddly enough PBR had been requested by so many people Eichardt’s decided to make it the beer for the night. Luckily I was not disappointed by their choice and my friend and I ordered some pints! 
Watching fireworks from Sandpoint’s City Beach, packed shoulder to shoulder with other revelers can be fun. You get to hear everybody else’s oohs and aahs and you can walk over the foot bridge with all your newfound pals carrying your stuff when it’s all over. If you’re looking for another type of pyrotechnic display, check out the City of Hope’s display next July 4 — it blows all the others away!
