A group of 13 of us went mountain biking last weekend at American Falls trail, about an hour north of Priest Lake along the Canadian Border. This was absolutely one of the top 2 or 3 rides of my life, and is one that should be added to the list of every mountain biker in the Inland Northwest!
This is a really fast ride, similar to Mineral Point near Garfield Bay, in that its like a roller coaster, up and down, rather than a sustained climb and descent. The condition of the trail is amazing- super smooth and your tires just stick to the track, especially after the recent rain. There are all kinds of bridges and different features like you'll find at some of the Schweitzer trails. This trail has the perfect combination of fast easy riding, and focused more technical aspects that challenge even the best bikers.
It was our buddy Scott's birthday and so we really had a blast, basically partying and biking all day. The trail takes you to a stunning waterfall is deep in a canyon. We all climbed up the side of the rocks in order to sit in the warm sliver of sun that was making it through. This was definitely not the kind of day where everyone races to the end, so there was probably an hour gap between the first and last of the group. Those of us who pulled back into the parking area built a nice fire where we all hung out for several hours as the sun set.
Another great day enjoying the outdoors in our beautiful countryside of North Idaho!
The Sandpoint Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 300-530pm and on Saturdays from 9a-330p. For our size community to support two weekly markets from May into October is pretty cool in and of itself. But this one always seems to have solid support from both the farmers and vendors, to the locals who make it a habit to buy their groceries at the market.
My wife and I only recently started going to most of the Markets, and we're really hooked now. Since we have been at the Market over the past few weeks, we've gotten to know most of the farmers who are just awesome additions to Sandpoint and the North Idaho community. Most of these people are smaller scale family businesses. You'll usually see all the kids chipping in to help out, talking to customers about the fantastic family potatoes, vegetables, or goat cheese. The markets become a real family and neighborhood event if you participate regularly, as there are so many regulars in attendance each time.
The Market has been able to line up some nice entertainment every week as well, usually very entertaining and engaging. Its fun to see all the kids dancing and chasing each other around while parents visit with each other and buy groceries. Certainly a better experience than the standard trip to the grocery store! And the food is really something else- a great way to stock up on the essentials.
With the last Market taking place this Saturday Oct 10th, there is already a plan in place for a Winter Farmers Market in the Cedar Street Bridge. Hopefully this will be able to get off the ground. Regardless of this, the new online Six Rivers Marketplace is bound to catch on as a great year round alternative to these farmers markets. Local farmers and other 'producers' pay a small fee to sell their product through this website and post their offering online. Then consumers can shop online and pick everything they want, having it bagged and ready for pickup at the Sandpoint Events Center every Wed afternoon. This is a concept that has been huge in towns like Bend, Oregon and is certain to catch on. The basic concept of supporting local business and sustainable living just resonates well around here in these times.
So this final weekend of Harvest Fest is the last Farmers Market of the season. With OctoberFest following immediately afterwards in the Sothebys parking lot, there are sure to be tons of people out enjoying the peak of Fall and talking about another epic ski season on the horizon.
A photographer that I sometimes use for aerial photography of larger listings is taking ongoing aerial shots of the Sandcreek Byway Project in Sandpoint Idaho. This gives a really clear picture, for better or worse, of where the new highway is going and how it will fit into the current Downtown Sandpoint picture.
Here is the link: http://calljerry.biz/BywayProgress8-09/
My personal opinion on the Sandpoint Bypass is that it is needed, but that we really missed an opportunity to have a much better and less obtrusive routing of this new highway bypass. I think everyone in town agrees that there were more preferable routes that would have allowed us to retain the smaller town feel along Sandcreek, including the famous rope swing. There will definitely be some negative impact from this location.
Having said this however, I think there will still be a net gain for the community and businesses of Downtown Sandpoint. The current situation having semi trucks driving through the heart of Downtown Sandpoint is definitely unsatisfactory. I've heard some people argue that bypassing downtown will hurt merchants, but I think it is the opposite. Our downtown will become much more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, encouraging even more people to make it a destination for shopping, eating, and just strolling. The trucks that are cruising through aren't what is supporting the downtown businesses; rather its the locals and the tourists here for vacation.
I also have seen some of the plans surrounding additional park space along Sandcreek, and a connection from the Cedar Street Bridge allowing another way to cross over to the City Beach and other amenities. All in all our town will ultimately be better off.
For more information you can visit the Cedar Street Bridge where a model is available, or continue to watch the web link shown.
Rick Evans
208-304-5665
Dover Bay Resort is now offering incredible finance incentives for standing inventory, to anyone who initiates a Purchase offer before October 1. Dover Bay has worked with Mountain West Bank to create this opportunity, with rates that really provide an exceptional savings. However this is a short term offer that applies to any Purchase & Sale agreements that are initiated by October 1.
For conforming loans (up to $417,000) the following rates are being offered: 3% Interest Rate for year 1, 4% Interest Rate for year 2, and 5% for years 3 through 30. This is based on excellent credit, 10% down, and a primary residence purchase. Second home purchases however should be much the same, except for potentially requiring 5-10% additional down payment. For a Bayside South condo priced at $388,000, your payments would be as follows: $1472/month in year 1, $1667/month in year 2, and $1875/month for the balance. No funny business with these loans- simple 30 yr fixed, but with Dover Bay negotiating what amounts to a 'rate buydown' for its purchasers.
Special finance packages at Dover Bay are also being offered on Jumbo loans (loan amount over $417,000) as well as Home Site Loans. The Jumbo mortgage market has been particularly challenging in the past year because of the lack of a secondary market to purchase these loan funds, and rates have typically been at least 7%. Dover Bay's offer will provide a 5% rate for year 1, 6% for year 2, and 7% thereafter with just 10 to 20% down. Home site loans will be offered with 25% down on a 20 year loan with 5 year call, at 7.5%. Of course all of these rates are subject to change based on market conditions.
For those people who have been sitting on the fence waiting for the right time to purchase the perfect home, this should provide the motivation for many to jump! Coupled with new pricing on the Cabins in the Woods, new floor plans and aggressive pricing for the Cottages and Parkside Bungalows, this is probably the best buying opportunity in the history of Dover Bay.
Signs have been pointing to a real estate market recovery, both nationally and locally in the Sandpoint area. Many don't realize that our market in Bonner County has actually been trending downward going into its 5th year, which is typically the longer end of down market cycles. The price per unit is definitely stabilized, with inventory leveled off in most submarkets. Our office of Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebys Intl Realty, which accounts for roughly 1/3 of all transactions in the county, has been experiencing incredible volume in closings and pendings over the past couple of months.
To discuss the real estate market and buying opportunities in Dover Bay or the Sandpoint area, please email me at rick@sandpointresortrealty.com, call 208-304-5665, or visit my website at www.SandpointResortRealty.com where you can search the entire MLS and find more detail on Dover and other area developments.
My wife and I have always wanted our kids to have a well-rounded upbringing, with the experiences of camping being a part of this. North Idaho has so many amazing spots, with all the wilderness and public lands available to us.
This past weekend we drove to a spot called Smitch Creek, located a few minutes north of Bonners Ferry near the Canadian border. Its only about 65 miles from Sandpoint but you are certainly 'away from it all'.
We met up with several friends and their kids, with four boys ranging in age from 2 to 4, another girl age 3, and an infant of about 4 months. (Sidenote: its amazing how you learn to tune out other people's screaming kids once you have one of your own). In any case these kids were great for the most part and our little guy who just turned 1, did his best to jump right in there. It was probably the first time I really saw Trace as a little boy rather than a baby, as he was waddling around the campsite, tripping over everything, pushing dump trucks thru the dirt, throwing rocks, and just having a blast!
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Our camping spot was right on the creek, and there were natural water slides and rocks to jump off, along with all kinds of trails for biking and hiking. I had my mountain bike with me and was able to explore some amazing scenery. On Saturday we hiked to an alpine lake called Hidden Lake, where we spent a couple hours in the sun playing in the water, throwing more rocks, and having lunch. The water was cold but the setting was unreal, and we had a really nice relaxing time. The return hike back to camp knocked Trace out...
What a great weekend! These trips are so much more rewarding now that we have a son to experience them with! Our next venture will be Priest Lake sometime in September we hope.
For more photos of our trip and others visit my Facebook page, or www.SandpointResortRealty.com.
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Broker specializing in waterfront, ski, and resort real estate, including new construction and land. 15 years experience in the resort business. Manage Schweitzer Ski Resort Discovery Center.
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