My blog ("KENT'S SANDPOINT, IDAHO / SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN BLOG") centers around the uncompromised attributes of Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho. There is a part of me that feels a little guilt about exposing what we have here to anyone who is willing or able to read about it. I have to say, I'm over it. In a weird way, it seems that what is wrong with North Idaho is the very thing that makes it such a great place to live.
Our weather is definitely questionable. If you are looking for bright sun, low humidity, moderate temperatures and calm winds...this is not for you. We have four distinct seasons. Winter can be miserable, especially if you are used to Southern California, for example. We get sleet, clouds, rain, heavy snow and even some below 0 temps. The roads get rutted with ice. The snow can build up so deep in downtown Sandpoint that the plows need to pile it up in the middle of the streets. Winter rains can be the worst weather of all. Getting drenched at 35 degrees is very tough to combat. Because we have "winter", heat bills can become burdensome. In short, it can be difficult.
Spring is always a question mark. A betting man would always bet on Spring being less than perfect. As a tennis coach, I can tell you, outdoor tennis practice is spotty throughout our Spring outdoor season. (H.S. tennis begins February 26 and ends in early May). We are forced to play in sleet, rain, wind and, sometimes, even snow. (That's snow falling in the photo at right).
Fall...no comment
Summer...no comment
I must confess, these seasons are almost perfect.
The fact remains, however...North Idaho is NOT perfect. I am the first to tell potential (out of town) home buyers the pitfalls of our area. I definitely don't want any surprises. I had a client this weekend who was quite shocked by the oppressive fog at Schweitzer Mountain most of the weekend. She asked me if this was common. Matter of factly I told her, "Yep. This actually occurs quite often. It makes skiing a little challenging to say the least, but if you can ski in this stuff, you'll be unbelievable when the skies clear...if they ever do...just kidding.) It is true, though. We DO NOT get the Colorado sun...except for the 2009 season, that is.
It is the weather challenges that makes Sandpoint and North Idaho the greatest place to live. Those who decide to move here are people who REALLY want to be here. They willingly get involved in all sorts of community activities and truly care about our community's future. The debates over the area's "Comprehensive Plan" at City Council meetings, Monarch Mountain Coffee or a sundry of other local meeting places are lively. The good news is, the passion is real. The residents here care. Volunteerism is abundant, "giving" is a given. The people are our greatest natural resource. Our motto goes something like this...
“If you are lucky enough to live in Sandpoint…You are lucky enough.”
Thanks to Jason Nyberg for the Christmas morning and Christmas evening pictures above.
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