Kent Anderson

WHISKEY JACK CIRCLE, SANDPOINT, IDAHO – A WATERFRONT COMMUNITY

Most of us want to be a integral part of everything around us. Not only a member of a community, but a member of the natural order of things. When living in a town like Sandpoint, it seems to me that to be removed from the energy of the town itself, is a little defeating. …and yet, when one chooses to live in the beauty of North Idaho, there is also that sense that we need to remove ourselves from the trappings of a modern society and return to the natural order…conversing with nature.

WHISKEY JACK CIRCLE somehow addresses many of these issues. Located on the shores of Kootenai Bay, Whiskey Jack Circle integrates itself with the insurmountable beauty of Lake Pend Oreille while watching the twinkling lights of Sandpoint three miles across the bay. It is not difficult to develop a love affair with this little development.

Whiskey Jack Circle includes homeowners from many walks of life…many different life plans. Currently, there are eight waterfront homes, about 15 secondary waterfront homes and a upper end condominium complex included in the development. There are still a couple waterfront lots available with spectacular views across the lake. Homes occasionally come on the market here, but, typically, are not available for long.

The condominiums sit on a white sand beach remindful of something you’ve seen on your vacations to the Mexican Coast. On the western edge of the condos resides their private marina and a personal slip is included with the sale of each condo. While the condos are twenty years old (approximately) they have been impeccably kept up and their value has remained strong even through the “housing crisis”.

The lakefront homes all have their own private piers and the swimming is nothing short of phenomenal. Lake Pend Oreille is one of the rare Rocky Mountain Lakes that remains “relatively” warm through most of the summer…truly an unexpected pleasure. There is a conservation easement that is strictly adhered to that follows the shores of the entire lake insuring the enduring beauty of the Pend Oreille shoreline. Approximately 70% of the Lake’s abundant shoreline is owned by either the railroad or the Bureau of Land Management mandating the pristine nature of this resource.

The secondary waterfront homes have their own private beach and picnic area hidden in the old growth forest on the eastern edge of the development. The path from the Whiskey Jack Circle neighborhood through the woods and on to the beach gives one a sense of wonder, regardless of your age. Virtually every home has either a view of the Lake and surrounding mountains or a direct view of Schweitzer Mountain to the northwest.

It would be my pleasure to discuss the opportunities of home ownership at Whiskey Jack Circle with you prior to your relocation to Sandpoint, Idaho.

Sandpoint, Idaho..."America's Coolest Small Town"?

Once again, Sandpoint is getting noticed. Budget Travel Magazine has a poll for “America’s Coolest Small Town” and Sandpoint is in the running. (http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/coolestsmalltowns/CST2010.html). If you have been reading my blog with any regularity and agree with my assessment about this area, click on the Sandpoint star on the map, then click “Add to Ballot”, then “Cast Your Ballot”.

I present this information with a certain amount of reservation. The rule here is to "keep your mouth shut" about the virtues of this town. We want everyone to enjoy the natural splendor of this area but...we DO want to keep it that way. Well, the cat is out of the bag, as they say. We've been labeled "The Most Extreme Town" (whatever that means?) by the Banff Film Festival, Outside Magazine called Sandpoint one of the top ten dream towns in the U.S., National Geographic Adventure Magazine calls Sandpoint a "top 12 Adventure Town" and goes on to say, "The only drawback to life in an idyllic adventure haven is that, inevitably, some glossy magazine comes through town and blows its cover." (Hence my previous comment..."keep your mouth shut") and the list goes on. I guess the cat is out of the bag...way out.

At any rate, I love it here and I really can't believe I am lucky enough to call Sandpoint my home. That is, pretty much, the feeling of everyone I know here. Sandpoint sits on the dramatic shores of Lake Pend Oreille, the largest Idaho lake (148 square miles) and the 5th deepest lake in the U.S. Sandpoint is home to world class Schweitzer Mountain Resort (which, by the way, is expecting 30+ inches of snow in the next three days). The Selkirk Crest, one of the largest roadless wilderness areas in North America, is a mere 30 miles NW of city center and the ultra spectacular Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is 45 miles to the east following the shore of the lake. In addition, wilderness hiking trails abound offering access within the city limits!

I'm not going to go on. Too much information. Suffice it to say, this place rocks. I sell real estate here, but I don't "sell-out". I care deeply about this town (as does, virtually, EVERYONE who lives here) and I am proud to be a Sandpoint citizen. As my NOLS training has taught me, "Step softly and leave no trace".

SANDPOINT, IDAHO...AMERICA'S COOLEST SMALL TOWN? ...there is no debate.

Why I love Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho

I have had many requests over the past several months to reveal exactly what my ActiveRain profile picture is all about. I have decided that now is the time to answer those requests. Especially since I just was emailed this great new photo of the baby in question from my daughter in New Zealand. (I assume the baby is the only component of the picture my AR friends are curious about).

In late April of 2009, my wife & I were graced with a brand new grand daughter...Baby Pepper. She was born at Bonner General Hospital, here in Sandpoint, Idaho. That is my wife and me holding Pepper in my profile shot.

The birth at Bonner General is a story in itself. My daughter and her husband currently live outside of Auckland, New Zealand and much of their pre-natal care took place in Auckland at a very high-end clinic. They returned to Sandpoint to spend the Spring with us and enjoy the immense beauty of Sandpoint and the rest of Northern Idaho. We highly recommended Bonner General as the perfect spot to deliver their first child. We are intimately aware of the high quality of health care at Bonner General and the incredible one-on-one attention that is a trademark of this GREAT hospital.

Physically, Bonner General Hospital does not appear to be at the same level that our kids were accustomed to in Auckland and they were quite apprehensive about the pending birthing experience. After a month and a half of final pre-natal care they had no concerns at all. They met many of the incredible care professionals that practice at Bonner General and were duly impressed.

The actual birth exceeded their wildest expectations. Even though labor extended close to 22 hours (without drugs, by the way), the rewards of being carefully monitored by the doctors and nurses at Bonner General made the experience the highlight of my daughter's life. She has thanked us countless times for recommending Bonner as THE place to bring Pepper into the world. (The history of Bonner General is fascinating...check out this link: http://www.bonnergeneral.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169&Itemid=115

I can't say enough about our local Bonner General. It is comforting to know that I can depend on the professionals there if/when the time arrives when my family may require superior health care. ...and the Healing Garden is unbelievable!

Many thanks to all of you working at Bonner General! You ARE the best!

Will wonders never cease? We woke up to 25 degree temps and 4" of new snow on Schweitzer Mountain this morning. Even though the Sandpoint valley warmed up to, a less than balmy, 40 after lunch, the slopes remained under 32 degrees and the snow was fabulous! This was an unexpected gift after experiencing the mildest winter in the past few decades here in Sandpoint. This has been the "perfect winter".

Attention Baby-Boomers – Now is the time to buy your ski escape! …but for a different reason than you might think.

Everyone knows the drill… 1) Prices are great (even if they do continue to self-adjust downward, the deals are still incredible today); 2) interest rates are still at historic lows and, 3) lenders are looking for clients…believe it or not! But, You know what? These are not THE most compelling reasons for you “baby-boomers” out there to take the plunge and invest in your skiing dream.

I had an epiphany on the slopes today (while skiing some more great - albeit heavy - “Schweitzer Mountain powder”) ...BABY BOOMERS, YOUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IS SHRINKING and it would be wise to make your move NOW!

I do not rely on baby-boomers to fund my income stream, however, they are certainly a target market here at Schweitzer. The problem with the “baby-boomer/alpine skiing” relationship is…the clock is ticking. As a “baby-boomer” myself, I understand this relationship. It is a little harder getting up from the lunch table after a morning of skiing. The bump runs don’t look as appealing as they once did to me. I figure I have a finite amount of falls left in me and this does moderate how I attack the mountain each day. My "baby-boomer" message is obvious: …golf is a wonderful pastime but skiing is BETTER. Waiting does not work. We are at that age where “the dream” is now…there can be no more procrastinating.

Life as a “local” at your favorite ski area is different than vacationing at your favorite ski area. Ownership changes the dynamic and enhances the experience exponentially. Skiers understand this.

If you have the “ski-bum” mentality still coursing through those “ageing” veins from that 1970’s trist in the Rockies you enjoyed so much, do not wait. The excitement, joy and total exhilaration of arcing down White Lightning or the Schweitzer Headwall still awaits. The greatest ski years still lie ahead and the youthful energy you felt in those ski-bum years WILL BE UNLEASHED! Powder is KING at our age, and the Powder-Gods reign supreme here in North Idaho as they take us in their arms and guide us down the untracked slopes of Schweitzer Mountain. Trust me, your best years await you.

(Oh by the way, when you’re not skiing Schweitzer here in Sandpoint, Idaho, you’re enjoying Lake Pend Oreille, one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the world. It’s a “no-lose” deal).