Dawn Smith

1068 Old Crouch Road

Garden Valley, IDaho

(208) 861-0734

Central Idaho offers countless year-round fishing opportunities. Garden Valley Real Estate offers a selection of homes in every price range, and every one of those homes is within minutes of the Payette River.

01-13-11

This part of Idaho is famous for challenging freshwater fishing, and those of us who live here are lucky enough to be within minutes of the water at all times.

Check out this 11lb. Mackinaw (Lake Trout) my friend caught at Stanley Lake two years ago. Believe me, she hasn't stopped bragging about it yet!

This young lady, visiting from Japan, was proud of the Rainbow Trout she caught at Martin Lake. Martin Lake and Bulltrout Lake are located within a few hundred yards of each other, on the Lowman Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. Both lakes are stocked regularly during the summer months, and offer handicapped fishing access.

Martin Lake

Countless small lakes can only be reached on foot, such as Bench Lake. Bench Lake trail is an easy, downhill (if you do it the right way!) overnight backpacking trip.

These two girls just landed this beautiful 17" Cuttthroat/Rainbow Trout hybrid from a small boat on Deadwood Reservoir.

Deadwood Reservoir is a fabulous multi-day getaway located about 25 miles north of Garden Valley. Check out the Idaho Visitor's Bureau for more information on Deadwood Reservoir, or a recent article on Deadwood campgrounds in the Idaho Statesman.

The state record for Atlantic Salmon was set here in 1995, when Garrett Buffington landed one weighing

13 lb. 6 oz. The reservoir also offers Chinook and Kokanee Salmon, and native Rainbow and Cuttthroat Trout.

Of course, it's not always summer here. Closed bodies of water remain open year-round, so these die hard ice fishermen use a hand auger to drill fishing holes at the Lowman Nature Fishing Ponds.

Aren't they adorable?

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game offers fishing licenses for sale by the day at a reasonable price, so prospective buyers can combine a home viewing visit with a day on our waters. Good luck!

-Dawn

Garden Valley Real Estate

(208) 861-0734

Thousands of snow geese, goslings in tow, spent the night in Garden Valley on their migration path

01-10-11

In the 10 years that I have lived in Garden Valley I have never had the opportunity to see this many Snow Geese land overnight in Garden Valley, Idaho.

Thousands of the birds landed in the fields near the Garden Valley School, turning the pastures brilliant white.

Here is a picture of the thousand that were on the ground and the following pictures shows the Snow Geese as they came wave after wave and landed. These Snow Geese were resting during migration, stopping only to feed on plants, rest, and resume flight the following day.

Snow Geese winter in the Pacific Northwest, down through California, across the Southwest, Texas and lower mid-west, the eastern Great Lakes and eastern seaboard. They avoid the warm southern states. The Snow Geese will often migrate back to the same properties every year.

When spring arrives, we may see these snow geese again as they return north to their breeding grounds on the tundra of the Arctic Circle.

By June, the adult pairs (which mate for life), will produce two to six eggs each year in a shallow ground nest. Their chicks are self-sufficient within hours, swimming and eating on their own. They stay with their parents for the first year or two, enjoying parental protection from Arctic Foxes, Bald Eagles, and Skua.

The huge, honking flocks may appear as a "U" formation or simply as a large "snowstorm" of white birds. Along the way, they rest in wet grasslands, and fields. Their diet is entirely vegetarian, consisting of grasses and grains, grazed from damp soils or even shallow water.

Adult snow geese are 27 to 33 inches long, with a wingspan of 4.5 feet. They weigh 3.5 to 7.3 lbs

Snow geese populations have bounced back since hunting was banned in 1916. So much so, in factm that hunting has been reinstated to reduce the impact large snow geese populations are having on fragile Arctic and salt marsh habitats.

I hope you enjoyed the rare treat of seeing thousands of these beautiful creatures briefly sharing my valley with me. -Dawn

Garden Valley Real Estate

(208) 861-0734

A Winter's Walk

01-06-11

TThe small town of Lowman is a real treasure in Boise County. Most of the homes here are in small subdivisions adjoining forest land.

The day I visited was one of those amazing winter days when the landscape sparkles under a brilliant blue sky. I listened to the quiet for a moment. It was so still, I couldn't help but wonder: If I lived here, what would I find to do in the winter?

Determined to find out, I wrapped my scarf a bit more snugly, grabbed my camera in my gloved hand, and set out for a short walk.

First, I see the little red one-room schoolhouse. Part of the Garden Valley School District, the Lowman Elementary School consistently ranks first among elementary schools in Idaho, beating out 320 schools statewide.

The school's six students enjoy cross-country skiing and sledding in the winter. In the summer, the kids grow a large vegetable garden on the school grounds.

With just 150 people living in Lowman year round, it is a treat to see some neighbors out enjoying the sunshine. I pause for a moment to chat with Don and Joann.

Folks here are quick to help out a friend in need, but also respect each other's desire for solitutude. People in the surrounding communities often mention what a great place Lowman is, and how much they like the people there.

I walk less than 100 yards before I come across several elk bedded down under large ponderosa pines.

I try not to disturb them, because I know how important it is that they conserve their energy in the winter, but this one decides to hop up and put a little more distance between us.

Further down the road, I cross the South Fork of the Payetter River. In the summer, kayakers and rafters flock to downstream sections of this river to test their skills on Class IV and Class V rapids. This particular section is not as popular, so the occassional brightly-colored kayak passing by in the summer is a welcome sight.

The river also offers anglers the opportunity to catch native rainbow trout. Otters, bald eagles, hawks, and Canadian geese are every-day residents.

I stop for a moment to visit with some folks from Boise who are preparing for a snowmobile ride into Bear Valley with their cocker spaniel.

For a snowmobiler, Lowman is a dream come true. Hundreds of miles of trails in the Boise National Forest and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area can be accessed from many of the properties in town. There's no need to even trailer your sleds!

Kirkham Hot Springs steams in the chill winter air, inviting soakers to relax. For locals, it is easy to grab towels and a bottle of wine to enjoy one of the four large hot springs located in the area.

With lots starting at just $20,000 it is easy to find just the right lot to build your dream cabin in the woods. Of course, your cabin might just be waiting for you already. Homes are for sale ranging from $45,000 to $265,000, Garden Valley Real Estate can help you find it.

Just don't be surprised if the search for your dream cabin ends in Lowman!

Thanks for taking a winter walk with me!

-Dawn

Garden Valley Real Estate

(208) 861-0734

2 Comments

Gorgeous Garden Valley Idaho

05-25-10

I cant think of any better way to show you why you should but real estate in Garden Valley, Idaho then to share this incredible picture with you. I woke up to this view yesturday morning from my homes window. Folks if this doesnt convince you that heaven and earth meet in the mountains of Idaho and Garden Valley was created I dont know what more I can say!! LOL

This is a fantastic small mountain community to own a cabin, home or piece of land. There are lots of properties for sale and this is a great time to buy real estate!

Dawn

Garden Valley Real Estate as

43 Degrees North Real Estate

208-861-0734

http://Gardenvalleyrealestate.info