From the fun of Zachary's wedding we drove east to Spokane, a long day but pretty drive over hills and dales and past the Grand Coulee Dam. Since we were on a mission to get to the Elks Lodge in Spokane, we looked but didn't stop at the visitor center. Arriving at the Elks in Spokane Valley in the mid afternoon we were lucky to get the last site open. Nice location on a hilltop over looking Spokane Valley, electric and water sites, and friendly hosts. We did move after a couple of days to a more shaded suite as the days were in the high 90s. And, we ended up staying for 2 weeks.
Paul had a repair to get done on our jacks so he was busy getting removing the parts and getting them to the repair shop. I did some local sightseeing and found this darling Blackbird Cafe for lunch outside.
We left the RV for a 4 day trip to Boise, ID to visit Paul's college roommate, Steve Dyer and and his wife Sherry. Flying bright and early, we were in Boise at 8AM. Steve and Sherry and their beautiful poodle, picked us up and after breakfast at the Trolley House we were off to the tiny mountain town of Atlanta, ID.
The 4 hour drive goes east from Boise and north on paved road to Idaho City before turning onto a winding graveled road for 40 miles. Though the distance isn't much, about 80 miles from Boise, the terrain slows the car but such beautiful views of the the surrounding mountains. Atlanta sits at an elevation of 5300'. The roads are the biggest problem in getting access to Atlanta, but that also helps maintain its charming personality and discouraging it from becoming a tourist destination. We definitely would never drive the RV down the dirt and gravel roads, even though there is a lovely forest service campground along the river.
Atlanta was once a vibrant mining town in the 1860's and somehow was never completely deserted as so many others. The town is actually named after Atlanta, GA. Many of the early settlers were from that area and came west when gold and silver was discovered about 1863. Today a small community still resides in this township; cabins, a library, a local bar and small homes being rebuilt with original materials from the surrounding area. This home, and many others, was deconstructed on its original site and moved to its new location in the town.
As we entered the main street this sign on the side of the local hangout caught my eye.
With a couple days to see the area, we started Friday morning with a visit to the local cemetery, dates and stories of the folks who once lived and mined and walked these hills.
Many headstones are individually surrounded by picket fencing, with the older weathered ones and some newer painted sites.
Time for a few photos of the 4 of us.
This cabin is the local shop to find just about anything...a thrift store of sorts with an interesting character who opens the store for just a couple of days each week.
The area is also dotted with hot springs. This one was perfect for a little sit and relax time.
From the hot spring to the Middle Fork of the Boise River our tour of the area continued.
Steve and Sherry purchased their darling home a year ago and love spending quiet days there. I'm pretty sure its the only home in the town that is newly built and the delight is in seeing the recycled materials used in its construction. Plus Steve and Sherry have made the interior so wonderfully cozy and inviting with all their personal period pieces. It IS the only white painted building in the town. The rest resemble their neighbor's house above.
This was the view from our bedroom window on the second floor.
Paul and Charli, their dog, resting inside on the hot afternoon.
View of Steve's cabin from the street.
Front porch time, shaded by a wall of hops growing from the ground to the roof.
Steve and Sherry
We ended our stay back in Boise Sunday afternoon and a fantastic dinner with the whole family! Such a wonderful four days.
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