A North Idaho life: 'I love where I live'

Last week, some friends and I took a day trip to the town of Bonners Ferry. To look at it, tucked in along the Kootenai River, it appears a little sparse between its towering neighbors, the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains. Don't be fooled — it's a gem of a spot.

When Edwin Bonner got his ferry up and running in 1864 to help prospectors access the gold discovery in British Columbia, he couldn't have visualized a major bridge with motorized vehicles crisscrossing the river. The Sweet Ps — my nickname for mother and daughter both named Phyllis — and I crossed it to get to Bent Tree Farm north of town. 

It's advertised as a “small family farm with the finest free range, grass fed natural beef and pastured pork.” Their farm store is currently open Thursday-Saturday. I'm soon to find out how good it is; I bought ribs and ham, along with spice mixtures. It didn't hurt that Tom wrote a page of instructions on his 3-2-1 method for smoking perfect ribs.

The first stop in town for me is always that book magnet — Bonners Books on Main Street. Creaky hardwood floors, a resident black cat, tidy shelves stuffed with fascinating reads, gift books wrapped in maps. The recent owner Bret, who loves the bookstore as it is but adds his own flair, can help you find anything — new, or used-in-good condition. I was astonished to come across “The Alice Behind Wonderland.” I had just been researching the real girl, Alice — now I have the full story.

The Sweet P’s lunch choice was The Rusty Moose — I never turn down their balsamic portobello on a bun. I am fortunate enough to be returning to Bonners Ferry this week — and I'll order that delicious turkey cranberry sandwich from Under the Sun — also on Main Street.

In hunting for a mailbox, we found the impressive 1938 post office. The elder Sweet P is about to turn 95 — she maybe wasn't as impressed as I.

The Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, with its short scenic hike to Myrtle Falls — is an end-of-the-week possibility. The old schoolhouse — Northside School Bed and Breakfast — another great discovery. There is a casino — and a museum. The two are connected by the “one-armed bandits” — old slot machines on display in the museum.

This set of friends I will be touring with Friday are Panhandle newcomers — have never been to Bonners Ferry. I made them promise not to go until I could come, too, and show it off. It is that fun and interesting. I often read posts on North Idaho Life's Facebook site of contributors saying, “I love where we live.” There is something about being able to say that, that speaks huge.

“I love where I live.” Five words that send the heart soaring.