Thursday, March 29, 2007

Sandpoint, Idaho: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Well, it's really beginning to look as though we will be moving back to Idaho this summer. I have mixed feelings on the subject, but it's probably for the best. In addition, I'm considering grad school and Gonzaga down in Spokane may be an option. Who knows.

What I do know is that we just got back from visiting Sandpoint, Idaho (the town we plan on moving back to). Like anywhere, the town has it's advantages and disadvantages. For starters the scenery is great.

East of Sandpoint on Sunnyside Road


The Former Coldwater Creek store/bridge over Sand Creek


The Pack River just north of Sandpoint


Even the apartment complexes have decent views

But sometimes the views are, well, let's just say inhibited by the rapid sprawl taking place.



Sandpoint is also interesting for it's great number of espresso huts/cafes. I believe they out number bars, which seems strange since I live in Wisconsin. Of course churches out number espresso stands, so I'm not sure what that says about the area.



Then there is the tension between all of the "newbies" and the "locals". The newbies are acused of being rich elitist yuppies from California who walk over the locals driving them out of their homes, while building mansions on the sides of mountains and on the lake front. Then, the locals are accused of being rude, backwards rednecks that are greedily eager to take advantage of the newbies. It's pretty intense. Go figure.

So the cynical Sandpoint: millionaires, yuppies, ski bums, rednecks, bible thumpin' evangelicals, urban sprawl lovin' espresso drinkin' hunters with NRA stickers on their rigs. Hey maybe it's not so bad. There really are some great things happening there from local foods, great restaurants, wonderful library, and a decent art scene. Plus it's close to BC. So perhaps I shouldn't complain. After all, what's in your neck of the woods?

13 Comments:

At 12:05 PM, Blogger Niobium said...

What will you major in?

 
At 1:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The nomad in me says go Burdock Boy go!
All of those so called negatives are really what makes life interesting ya know? Now,if you have to live right in the midst of them then that might be another story.
And the land is awesome.

 
At 5:55 PM, Blogger BurdockBoy said...

Nio:
Howdy. I'm thinking education. Gonzaga has a teaching at risk youth major that I'm looking into. Nothing is anywhere near certain, but I am looking into it.

Kim:
Hello.
I have lived there in the past and much of what I mentioned really bothered me. I wasn't expecting what I was in store with. This time I may be a bit more prepared plus I have a new outlook and new connections. We'll see.
And yes the landscape is remarkable. Plus Glacier NP is less than 4 hours drive.

 
At 8:34 PM, Blogger gtr said...

Hey, welcome back! Glad it was a good trip. But worry to hear you might be leaving the Northland, though (pun intended, eh). Sounds like some good leads, though- New scenery, new direction.

Would be fun to meet for coffee in person with WF and I sometime before you move out of the area... What do you think?

 
At 4:24 AM, Blogger Maggie said...

looks beautiful albiet cold. If that is urban sprawl I will take it. They say 10,000 a day move to florida and I'm plop dab in the middle of the most populated county per square foot. No room laterally so they build up. I use to live here for the beach and all the green, but if they see green they build a five story condo on it. I still have my beach but I guess we to will move up and out before the state finally sinks into the gulf. We are road rage city, lightning capital and golf capital. But i can take my kids to the beach and see dolphins and manatees. Not to mention only owning two pairs of socks. So you see every place has its tradeoffs. loved those pics though.

 
At 11:14 AM, Blogger peppylady (Dora) said...

Cool! I guess if I was going to move in North Idaho.
I would move closer to the west side. More toward the selkirks.

Maybe we actual could met I've never met a blogger before in real life.

Do you have an favor restrunts in Sandpoint? I briefly stop in little coffee shop across from the gardenia center and got a quick cup of coffee but didn't get any goodies all looked mouth watering.

Maybe this summer my hubby and I will check out porcupine lake.

 
At 1:52 PM, Blogger BurdockBoy said...

GTR:
Hello.
I definitely have a love of the Northland and have mixed feelings for choosing to leave, but at this point it seems that it is for the best. Still, it will be a place to come back to visit-once you leave "The Lake" always calls you back.

As for coffee, that would be cool. We've been planning to get up to Duluth soon or if you guys make it over to the South Shore-whatever. We'll figure something out.

Maggie: Hello. It may look cold, but Idaho has othing on where I am currently living. You're right the sprawl in Sandpoint isn't nearly as bad as other places, but it still sucks. I don't envy you having to witness the constant influx Florida gets. I've visited down there several times, mostly up north around Steinhatchee (sp?) and St Augustine. I visited the Tampa area once, but it was way too busy for the rural boy in me. But dolphins and Manatees-that would be cool. I loved the tidepools when I lived out in Oregon.

Peppy:
I love the Wrenco Loop and Dover Hill area just west of town. But that new development on Dover Bay almost made me lose my lunch. Yuck. Sagle is cool, but when acrege is like 80 grand an acre forget it.

Favourite restaurants- Joels of course, but I do like Eichardts for a good burger or Salmon salad and the food at Common Knowledge book store is great. They also have the best espresso in town. I go to monarch mountain as well, mostly for bagels or breakfast burritos.

I'm sure Moh will be going to the Gardenia Center so we could meet for coffee afterwards. BTW there are a whole lot of bloggers in the Sandpoint/N Idaho area. I was surprised.

 
At 1:44 AM, Blogger The Fool said...

H'lo Burdock. I like easy questions. We have "woods" in my neck of the woods. Go figure. And as regarding your next destination...hey, it sounds like diversity...and diversity is key.

And, you know, you made me smile. I've been waiting for you to say "it." Now good luck. It's not easy, but it can be very rewarding. You'll learn a lot. Be your own.

:)

 
At 1:37 PM, Blogger Carla said...

Thanks for the head's up on that article from the New York Times...I decided to do a little post on it as it is one of my recent favorite cookbooks.

 
At 9:36 PM, Blogger BurdockBoy said...

T.Fool
About all we have in my neck of the woods is woods as well. That and a big freakin' lake.

As for the "it", I have to say you have had a bit of influence on me for perhaps making the decision. Still, we'll see what becomes of it. I could land a sweet enviro job this summer and all will be forgotten. Be well.

Carla:
Your welcome. The Times really has some crazy places in their travel section sometimes. I may have to order that book as well.

 
At 8:33 AM, Blogger JBelle said...

This is the neck of my woods. You nailed it. Gonzaga??? yo!

 
At 12:40 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

viagra soft tabs viagra vs cialis viagra cialis levitra sublingual viagra viagra online uk viagra liver damage viagra equivalent lowest price viagra viagra by mail viagra cialis levitra what is viagra generic brands of viagra online free sample pack of viagra viagra by mail

 
At 11:23 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! some beautiful colored pieces there mate! Those aren't
chinese are they?

 

Post a Comment

<< Home