Bob Gunter

     My wife, Cille, and I drove into Sandpoint in the late 1970's. We had made the trip from Costa Mesa, CA to see our new granddaughter who had made the wise decision to be born in North Idaho.

     The first thing that impressed us with Sandpoint and Bonner County was the natural beauty. Crossing the Long Bridge for the first time was an experience I shall never forget. The magnificent panorama of the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, coupled with the awe-inpiring expanse and beauty of Lake Pend Oreille, made us feel that this place, this Sandpoint, had to be just one hill over from heaven. Little did we know that the small community nestled at the north end of the Long Bridge would soon be our home. When we started, Sandpoint had been a destination, but in 1983, Sandpoint became an exciting experience that took place in three phases.

     We purchased our house in 1983, and a great adventure had its beginning. We delighted in what we called, "Our exploring trips." Cille and I would drive a different back road each week just to experience the majesty of the valleys, the trees, and the many streams. I have never lost the awe and appreciation for this area of North Idaho.

     The second phase of experiencing Sandpoint came into play when we would walk downtown to pay our water bill at City Hall, buy our groceries at Safeway, drop off a pair of shoes at Rosholt's, and have a milkshake at Fabulous Fifties. It was then that I started noticing the buildings in town. A walk to the depot, seeing the homes of early pioneers, like the Whitakers and Coons, or just walking the streets and looking at all the buildings became important to me.

     Eventually, the Bonner County Daily Bee allowed me to write a column I called "Do You Remember?" I would put a picture of a building in the paper and ask anyone that remembered it to give me a call. It was a good way for me to learn more about my hometown and bring some pleasant memories to many people.

     Phase three was ushered in by a telephone call, in August of 2000, from Erik Daarstad, a local cinematographer. He had consented to film the Sandpoint centential movie and asked if I would work with him and do the interviewing. For four years, we talked to many of the people that make Sandpoint what it is today. People, who had worked the woods, ran the railroad, labored in the mills, worked in the various stores in town, and dug the mines that dotted the mountains of the area. When the movie was completed, I missed the unique experience that had allowed me to better know, and understand, our community.

     I turned again to the Daily Bee and the article, "Who Am I?" appeared in the Sunday edition of the paper for the first time. I owe a debt of gratitude to all the people who allowed me to visit with them and shared with me the story of their life, from the beginning to the present. It was an honor and a privilege.

     ~ Bob Gunter

     Bob Gunter is a frequent contributor to the Daily Bee. For over a decade his love of the tremendous stories of the area has fueled many articles, columns and books. Bob's inability to stay still, coupled with his long love for history will, undoubtedly, fuel countless more stories in the future. Look for Bob's columns in the Bonner County Daily Bee, the Priest River Times, the Bonners Ferry Herald, and this web-page.