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Autumn sunset at Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho. Photo by Sue Frause.
Pacific Northwest Getaways by Sue Frause
This is the ninth of 10 Pacific Northwest Getaways that are fun to explore in the fall and winter -- or any time of year. They're in no particular order or ranking, but range from small island towns to large cities, and from affordable family overnighters to luxe accommodations for two.
I visited Sandpoint, Idaho in mid-October, a crispy morning time of year with the allure of snow falling on nearby Schweitzer Mountain warming the hearts of skiers. Located 60 miles south of the Canadian border, what was once a mining and lumber town is today an all-season tourism destination. Although you'll find chi-chi wine bars like the one above Coldwater Creek, Sandpoint is still charmingly rough around the edges. As far as I could tell, the vehicle of choice by every male resident is a pick-up truck.
I enjoyed a light lunch at the wine bar located above Coldwater Creek on First Avenue. With vino, of course. Sandpoint is the worldwide headquarters of this popular catalog store, and it's a destination in itself. Just down the street is the restored Panida Theater. Opened as a movie house in 1927, it deteriorated over the years and was rescued by local citizens in 1985. Today, its a community cultural center for cinema, theater and music.
You'll need a car in Sandpoint to soak up the region's beauty. I rented one at Spokane International Airport after spending a few days in that city; from there, it's an easy 90-minute drive to Sandpoint. One afternoon I took the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway to Clark Fork. Here you'll drive about 30 miles on Highway 200, heading east to the Montana state line while hugging the rocky shores of Lake Pend Oreille.Take time to stop and read the five interpretive signs along the way. The historic Hope Hotel, built in 1887, has had five owners in the past century. The guest list includes such luminaries as Bing Crosby, Teddy Roosevelt and Gary Cooper.
What to Do: Schweitzer Mountain Resort is just 12 miles from Sandpoint, and has been an official ski destination since the early 1960s. Do some tastings at Laughing Dog Brewing for suds and the Pend d'Oreille Winery. The Sandpoint Winter Carnival is Jan. 14-18, 2010 and includes a Taste of Sandpoint, Winter Art Trek, Fireworks at Schweitzer and a K-9 Keg Pull. Dine Around Sandpoint is Jan. 15-Feb. 16, 2010 and features local restaurants with prix fixe three-course dinner menus.
Where to Dine: I had a yummy breakfast at Trinity at City Beach, located in the Best Western Motel with wonderful views out the lake. If you're out and about for lunch, stop in Hope where you'll find the Hope Market Cafe, Ice House Pizzeria, Wily Widgeon and The Floating Restaurant. For dinner, 41 South Restaurant and Lounge is also located on the lake, although across the bridge in an area called Sagle. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch.
Where to Stay: I'm a fan of old family resorts, and Sleep's Cabins is the real deal. Built in 1936 by William and Frances Hamilton Sleep, the six cabins on Lakeshore Drive are the perfect place for ... a good night's sleep! Open-year round, and also fun for small group retreats.
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