I stayed with a couple from couchsurfing. New to me and a great resource. The fog was heavy and the first 24 hours didnt reveal much in terms of sights. However the smell alone was strong enough to know this place was diffferent. Ponderosa pines are wonderful.
Silver Mountain ski resort offers the worlds longest Gondola. A simple way to get above the fog for someone pressed on time. It wasnt long until I felt like I was in mountain country again. Always a pleasant feeling.
Never enough.
Since there was much to do in a short time, the local amenities needed some perusing. The local hub of Couer D'Alene needed a visit to see what the big "town" offered. I found a clean well kept uplifting happy place. Even in the off season there was plenty of life to the town. To me it was a city. More than enough for anything Id ever want.
The bodies of water were fresh and inviting, even in January. The unseasonable warm temperatures were a welcome surprised from the subzero temperatures I left at home. The sun set after I indulged in the local fare of anything with huckleberries on it. Just a few minutes out of town things got quiet quick. Maybe sprawl will be an issue someday but from what Im used to sprawl is not an issue presently.
Top notch stuff.
Unfortunately the town I came to see was covered in fog my entire stay. The town of Sandpoint is small. Small enough that not much happens there yet still big enough for a simpleton. I drove up the mountain serpantine road to a local ski resort and took one more look.
Sandpoint is in there somewhere.
A googled photo of Sandpoint. At least I got a feel for it. Ill be back, even if its just for a visit.
