I’ve traveled all over the United States, but North Idaho feels like home
As someone who has personally lived in or at least spent a good amount of time in 49 out of 50 states, I can honestly say that North Idaho is a special corner of the world. I was born in Utah and spent my early years bouncing from Boise, ID to southern California and back to Boise again. When I was 10, my family moved to Palmer, AK, a farming town with a population close to that of Sandpoint, ID. This is where I grew up and I loved it. The people there are hardy, the mountains are magnificent and the fishing is out of this world. The only downside to Alaska is that it takes two or three days to get anywhere in “the lower 48”, as they call it up there. North Idaho is the only place I’ve been that I can truly say reminds me of Alaska, without being clear on the other side of Canada.
To make a very long story short, my family started playing music together just before I graduated high school. In 2007, we sold our home in Alaska, bought an RV, and spent the next 12 years touring all over the country. We lived in Missouri for the first couple of years and then moved to Music City, Nashville, TN as we got more serious about music. We were never home for long though, as we played in every state except Hawaii. From the Florida Keys to historical Boston, MA, past Iowa & Kansas cornfields, on over to the orange groves of sunny California. As Johnny Cash would say, “Man, I’ve been everywhere!”
With this frame of reference, I can honestly say that when we left Nashville, TN for North Idaho, I felt like I had come home. There is a little piece of all the aspects I have loved from my travels, tucked away in the forests of the Idaho Panhandle. For instance, I enjoy a good beach, but I’ve got to have all four seasons! North Idaho offers both. Lake Ponderay, Lake Coeur D’Alene, and Priest Lake are just three of the popular destinations for fishing and water sports. Not to mention the mountains! You get to enjoy the beach in the summer and then you also have access to all of your favorite winter sports (check out the Schweitzer resort). Another perk to North Idaho is that it doesn’t have high humidity. I love how green some of the southern states are, but you’re chilled to the bone in the winter and you may as well skip the shower in the summer because you’ll just start sweating again as soon as you step out of the A/C. Possibly my favorite thing about North Idaho is the ability to spread out and escape mainstream society. When you get far enough north, away from the pollution and the rat-race of city life, it’s easier to focus on the things that matter most.
About the author:
My name is Kendra. I’m a mom to three sweet and crazy boys. I’m a homeschooler, musician and blogger. I love that writing gives me a creative outlet and allows me to connect with people all over the world. Thank you for reading!