Pullin' Chocks

Idaho's Panhandle

We finally made it to Idaho after playing our Idaho game for nearly 20 years, "...we're sitting on the bank of the Snake River drinking our coffee..." While we didn't drink coffee on the Snake RIver this time, we did enjoy fine wine with dear friends overlooking the Kootenai Valley in Idaho's Panhandle. We stayed at the Amish restaurant and country store. One of the managers, Norv invited us to park as long as we liked. We asked if he had a parking fee and Norv said no fee, but you may show your appreciation when you depart; and we did.

On this trip we got to visit some new RV friends John and Susan on their new 100 acre wilderness sanctuary they purchased in the Bonners Ferry, ID area a year or two ago and have been managing it into a splendid sanctuary since. Their RV Blog can be found at RVino Blogspot, http://r-v-ino.blogspot.com/

In addition to a day trip to Canada, several wonerful wilderness hikes, and fun meals, we got to meet another kindred spirit Jerry from South Dakota. Jerry received his mining engineering training in Rapid City, SD our new hometown. Jerry is now residing in Buckeye, AZ home of several baseball teams springtraining facilities. We are thinking Buckeye may be a good place for our eventual homebase too.

A short hike on John & Susan's Sancutary. That Gari & Carly too. There was some smoke from the fires this day as it can be seen across the Kootenai Valley in this shot.

That's Jerry and his canine pal Lucy taking a moment for reflection at the abandoned grain elevator which used to serve the railroad that ran through the now sancuary 100 years ago.

Pepé and Penelope parked outback at the Amish Market.

Susan and John graciously setting a spread for friends. We dined at the picnic area on the Sanctuary which had a wonderful view up, down and across the Kootenai Valley. Susan identifies all the foodstuffs at the feast. It all came out of their garden or the woods (elk sausage). The wine was their own brand from a previous vineyard they owned. What a wonderful time we had!

We all went on a day trip to Creston, British Colombia which was only about a 35 mile ride from the Bonners Ferry area in Idaho. Creston is a small farming community where we visited the farmer's market, enjoyed excellent fish and chips at Tim's, saw exhibits at a local antique car show, and topped it off with a brewery tour. Gari found a team of draft horses below that helped her haul a load of logs down Main Street!

Fresh apples, pears, plums and tomatos at the Farmer's Market

A couple of grain elevators in Creston, BC similar to that on John and Susan's Sanctuary.

John found his dream car, a Delorean at the car show.

Colombia Brewery Tour!

Gari at the Fermenters

Quality Inspection of the products after the tour. Happy to report all products passed with high marks!

The epic hike to the top of Mt. Clifty. John and Susan hauled their Yamaha ORV to the Forest Service road, which we rode 20 miles or so to our hiking spot; Jerry followed on his dirt bike. Enroute we saw a huge Black Bear, Bull Elk, and a few Mule Deer run in front of our path. Sorry we were not fast enough with the cameras.