Sandpoint Fun Times 7

I had a crazy idea, inspired by a friend of mine. I thought, this could be fun. So, Country Living magazine in hand, I contacted the people who could make my idea a reality and within a day or two, I was on my way north by northeast to Sandpoint, ID. Our twice yearly show, Funky Junk Antique Show & Crafts Market, is held in Spokane, WA in the spring and in Sandpoint, ID on Labor Day weekend.

Ever since I read the June issue of Country Living, I have wished I could take a trip up and experience the "Seven Reasons to Visit Sandpoint, ID." Serena Thompson, of The Farm Chicks, wrote the article. I think that that made me think it was a doable and fun excursion. She lives in the Spokane area, I live in Spokane. She runs an antique show, (although on a much grander scale than do Jennifer & I), and I co-run an antique show. So, jewelery on my wrist and bravery in hand, I set out on my adventure, ready to be a tourist with fresh eyes in the city that the Funky Junk Show calls home once a year.

I drove up through Newport, WA from Spokane. This is the scenic route, and I'll be blogging about my stops along the way later this week. It was a great way to go. By the time I pulled into Sandpoint, my anticipation was building. My business partner Jennifer, lives in Sandpoint, grew up there in fact, and she, her husband Nathan, and their 6 week old baby Glenn spent the day hosting me and showing me the sites, both Serena's seven and some of their personal faves.

We met at Marketplace Antiques, #2 on the list. Carol Steinway, one of the vendors who will be at the Funky Junk show Labor Day weekend, has her amazing finds there. I enjoyed browsing and seeing the antiquing flavor of the area displayed like jewels. I picked up some sign letters to bring home with me, reunited with Jennifer, Nathan and new baby Glenn (so cute!) and even ran into some Funky Junk shoppers whom we love! All this before lunch.

We set out to accomplish #3 on the list, eating pie at the Pie Hut. We ate lunch there also. I had a super good grown up grilled cheese sandwich and yummy curry chicken soup. Just right for this hungry junker! When it came time to choose a piece of pie, Nathan generously let me choose two, one for me, and one for him that I could sample. So I went with cherry a la' mode, my absolute favorite in the world and he got the gourmet piece with bacon, maple and candied pecans. Both heavenly, and Serena's right on about the crusts and fillings!!

I had already reserved my place for the night, #1 on the list, a lakeside cabin at Sleeps Cabins. We decided to head over the Long Bridge to check in before we hit the town for our other two spots for the day. I fell in love at first sight! My cabin was the Cowboy Cabin and truthfully, I could have spent a whole day and night in there by myself and come out completely refreshed. The decor in each of the cabins is themed and decorated by Tawnie, half of the owner husband/wife team that goes back several generations. My cabin had such fun vintage touches, not to mention thoughtful inclusions like a mini coffee pot, tourist info, fans in the cute painted windows...it was definitely a place I will be coming back to! Later that night, I walked down to the dock past the campfire pit and laid on a bench, listening to the water lap against the rocks and let my eyes search the heavens for limitless stars. What a show!

Ah, but back to the list. After relaxing at the cabin and peaceful grounds for a bit, we all decided to hit the beach. Jennifer & Nathan warned that I may just want to stick my feet in the water this trip and save swimming for next time. So we parked at the City Beach on Lake Pend Orielle, #4. The alpine lake proved to be cold, but that wasn't keeping anyone out of the water. The beach was dotted with umbrellas, babies and tanning sun seekers. We cooled off, enjoying what we had time for this trip, walking along the waterfront, feet meeting sand and clear waterfront. We decided reluctantly to leave the fun scene on the lake and head for Downtown Sandpoint.

Which was only a few blocks away. The cool thing about Sandpoint is how close every destination is. We easily found street parking (at least on a Thursday) and headed to check out #5, the Panida (pronounced like Canada) Theater. Jennifer said that she and Nathan have enjoyed many movies in those walls and Jennifer has even been involved in a production there. Yes, Funky Junk girls are dramatic. The theater doors were open, so we peeked inside and I was treated with a taste of the art deco surroundings. What a cool spot, historically and temperature wise. We spent a bit more time just hanging out downtown at some great places I'll blog about in part two of my adventure. My hosts took me to their home for dinner and dessert and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality that Sandpoint is known for.

After an amazing night's sleep in my cozy cabin, I took a drive just a bit out of downtown Sandpoint to do #6 on the list. Yes, city girl was going to go ride a horse at the Western Pleasures Ranch. I stopped for some drive by junking along the way, so I pulled in five minutes before the trail ride was to leave. I had planned ahead and emailed and called, but was still worried (on city time) about missing the fun. Thanks to the lovely ladies at the ranch, including Janice, the wife half of the spouse owned ranch which goes back four generations, I was immediately put at ease, welcomed, checked in for the ride and reassured that I was just fine. A wonderful teacher/trail guide, Barb, took our group (a family from So. Cal. was riding too) on a beautiful two hour ride. It was worth every penny, and I was transformed into a beginner rider pretty quickly. Peaches was probably the most gentle, calm, well trained horse on the ranch, and thank goodness, the perfect match for me. Her saddle even had pink stirrups...a match made in fashion heaven! The trail ride left me content, refreshed, like I could do anything. That's what a little time out in the beautiful wilds of North Idaho will do for you.

I had to leave too soon for my liking, but this will be another place I come back to play and stay someday. And it's only just down the rode from our grange! I changed my pink cowgirl hat and pink cowgirl boots and converted back into city garb, ready for a big lunch. I was going to try to eat breakfast at Dish, #7 on the list, but it was open later during the week, so I settled for lunch. And I was not disappointed. The portions are hearty and perfect and yummy. Now I've eaten there for dinner(during Funky Junk of course!) and lunch and will just have to pick up breakfast there on the show weekend this time. My tummy happy, I sadly left Sandpoint. I took the other route, down Hwy. 95 to home, sweet, home Spokane. I was happy to see my husband and boys and felt like a really, really lucky girl to have been able to live out, if only for two days, a bit of a fun dream come to life. So, thank you, Serena and Country Living for the list, to my hosts and friends, Jennifer, Nathan and a very cute and patient baby Glenn, and to Sandpoint, ID for sharing the love, fun and junk that I'd been hoping to find!
~Hollie