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Idaho: Sandpoint, An American Family Vacation Secret Place – Fun, Care Free, Cool.  We just got back from Sandpoint – two teens, two adults and tons of fun. Sandpoint gave us the sense that we had happened upon someone else’s family reunion, and we were welcomed to join the fun. Here’s the scoop. If you are looking for a beautiful, mountainous family vacation spot on a cool (really cool) lake that has not been spoiled by money-hungry developers then Google Sandpoint in Northern Idaho’s panhandle. The area has a terrific high value/low cost ratio for families. For example: at Silverwood Theme Park parking is $4 parking all day; a fabulous breakfast with a view of the lake and mountains is only $8 at Trinity Restaurant; smiling gelato servers at the downtown market serve customers even when it is “past hours” (Thanks Autumn!) and there are even kayaks available for general use free of charge at Sleeps Cabins in Sandpoint.
Share our “Cowboy Cabin” discovery. We spent our first night at Sleep’s Cabins (owned by Brent and Tawnie Sleep). The cabins are arranged on a strip of land hugging the shore of Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced: “pond-o-ray) in Sandpoint. When we first arrived we discovered warm brownies on the table in our cozy and cute “Cowboy Cabin”. The cabin was an actual cowboy’s cabin that was hauled down a mountain to the lake by a team of horses.  After settling in, we walked down to the lake, sat on the dock, and dangled our feet in the cool water of Lake Pend Oreille. While we ate our dinner on the picnic table outside our cabin, Brent (the owner) walked over, introduced himself and cordially welcomed us to his little retreat. I learned there was a fire pit and lots of firewood available to us at no charge. It was ideal for roasting marshmallows later that evening. He mentioned that his friends owned the cruise ship we would be taking during our stay to tour Lake Pend Oreille, and asked us to say “hi” for him. Truly, Sandpoint is a family affair. Family bonding at Silverwood Theme Park. Our first full day away from Seattle and the demands of everyday life was spent just south of Sandpoint, Idaho at Silverwood - the Northwest’s biggest theme park. (Silverwood is a family-owned and operated - family is the key.) The owners’ five children are all actively involved in the managing and administrating of Silverwood. It seems that just as much effort has gone into beautifying the grounds and keeping them clean as into providing a good variety of great activities for families. We also all noticed that the employees were friendly, focused, and full of energy for their jobs. Bonus points: Silverwood actively gives back to the North Idaho community with a variety of programs and special savings. While we were there, there was a sign for “Toyota Tuesdays” - certain days when Toyota drivers could get passes to the park. Magic and a little music on ice. Nick Norton, one of the owners’ sons performs a magic show in the pizza pavilion. Nick employs video screens, music, and lights to add variety to his show. The quality of his magic was a bit less than what you would experience at the Cirque-du-Soleil in Vegas, but only a bit less. We were entertained and stumped! Our family also enjoyed the ice-dancing show. Our 13-year-old enjoyed the modern music to which the skaters were dancing, and the main skate couple was quite impressive. One other skater twice did a back flip while skating backwards. The skaters seemed very attentive to the audience, waving and smiling and connecting after each element of their program.  Try the “Snickers”. Speaking of good food, we had dinner at Sandpoint’s sit-down, full-service restaurant called Lindy’s. (The name is a tribute to Charles Lindbergh, since Silverwood is built on an old airstrip.) The best thing on the menu (of all things) Gingham Salad -fresh ingredients, light and flavor-full dressing, crisp and full of variety; it also included the famous huckleberry, so prominent in North Idaho this time of year. All the portions at Lindy’s were way beyond ample, so try the salad and split the meal. Insider tip: We sampled Silverwood’s home-made fudge. It didn’t make it back to the car, if you know what I mean. Try the “Snickers”. Boring or not? Our 16-year old daughter, Alison, can best tell you what she thought of the rides at Silverwood. How thrilling was it? At sixteen, the phrase ‘water park’ is synonymous with “sit on a lounge chair and try not to be splashed by screaming children in the six-inch wave pool.” I don’t particularly like water parks because there is nothing to do unless you are younger than age of seven. I expected Silverwood to be the same and was not extremely excited to go. I could not have been more totally wrong. From the moment we arrived until the time my parents dragged me away, I had one of the best times of my life.
Avalanche Mountain, Velocity Peak, and Lightning Falls – get the idea?  My thrill-seeking dad and I started out by splashing down the Avalanche Mountain raft ride, a fun ride that keeps you laughing and screaming the whole way down. Even my mom and sister, both not liking slides, had a great time with us. We also had fun racing each other at Rumble Falls, a milder, but still pleasant, row of four slides for people who like water slides but aren’t too hot on going 60-mph. Where I truly found my heart, was at Velocity Peak Slides. Oh, man! It is an intense, high-speed trio of slides steep enough to almost stop my heart. My dad and I went on one after the other in order to build up my courage for the last one: Lightning Falls. Lightning Falls seemed to be a hundred-foot straight drop down. Even though the others definitely required courage, the twisting, speeding Undercurrent was insanely wild; Rolling Thunder had me praying that I would live. Lightning Falls was the kind of ride I promised myself that I would never go on. But I did, and I think it topped nearly every thrill ride I have ever experienced. When I reached the bottom, I hopped off and shouted to the crowd standing around, “That was so awesome!” (Yes, there is often a crowd standing around this ride to see how well their loved ones survived.) I felt like I was indeed seven years old again. So, in short, Silverwood blew any other water park out of the - well, water. Duh. I completely enjoyed my whole time there, as did my family.
Boring or not? Our 13-year-old daughter, Sarah, had her own comments about Silverwood Theme/Water Park. Friendly people, awesome food, waves, and the Avalanche Mountain.  I love water parks. This place was so fun and so family-oriented that I can't begin to explain it! Well, maybe I can. I'll start with the people. First off, everybody was so nice there, it was awesome. The lifeguards were really great and experienced, not totally bored and dead-looking. They seemed to be actually enjoying their job and not drooling or pacing around like caged tigers. Second, the food there was AMAZING. The service was great and everything was totally delicious, so I we definitely enjoyed our meals. Third, the most important- I think, were the rides. I love water parks but am usually disappointed with the slides and stuff. But at Silverwood I was not disappointed in the least. I was laughing so hard in the wave pool, I seriously almost drowned. I had to get out of the water and take a deep breath before I could calm down. For me the Avalanche Mountain Raft ride was totally fun. I was screaming so loud I saw my dad wince, but after I got out, I was jumping around yelling, “That was so fun! Let's do that again!” All in all, I had a super fun time and would love to go back. Cruising the lake Shawnodese. Our second day found us cruising on Lake Pend Oreille (The name means ‘hanging from the ear’ in French.). Our 1 1/2 hour historic boat tour was on a boat designed and constructed by Captain Curtis Pearson. WOW! The captain’s wife, Linda, was the first-mate, and she gave us a first-rate history lesson of the famous lake. They also ran a little contest to see who could be the first to spot an “osprey” after explaining clearly what one looked like. Our 16-year old was first, and she went home with a “Shawnodese” mug as her reward. Bonus points: To keep kids involved, because they usually tune out of history talks, the captain invited each one to “captain the boat” for a time. Each child who participated received a certificate of ‘captain for a day’ and all the other passengers applauded their success. Art on the lake. Lake Pend Oreille is the center focus of Sandpoint and the area is home to many artists. We had fun meeting and watching artist Lisa VanDerKarr paint some of her amazing European-style works. She took time to explain her process of mixing her colors directly on the canvas, the way Monet and VanGogh did, to out teen girls. They spent 1/2 hour with her learning the difference between palate-mixing and on-canvas mixing of colors. We would love to adorn our home with her uniquely colorful pieces.  Best Reuben in Idaho. I had an amazing salad at “Old Geezer’s” International Deli and Bakery at the Cedar St. Bridge Public Market. I think if the salad is right (fresh and tasty) then everything else will be great and in this case my rule held true. But Rueben lovers get in liine becuase Old Geezer's is also known to make “the best Reuben in Idaho.” At the Public Market we also found the made-fresh-daily gelato. Seeing that we were desperate for a late-night treat, Autumn kindly opened her doors after hours so we could taste her delicious gelato. Need to know: Everything was closed by 9 p.m. Location on the planet. Sandpoint, in the northern tip of Idaho, is a family-friendly vacation destination. Sandpoint is located on magnificent 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains with Schweitzer Mountain ski resort minutes away. The town is home to a thriving arts community, the historic Panida Theater, a busy events schedule, a plethora of excellent restaurants, fine hotels and unusual shopping keynoted by the national retailer, Coldwater Creek. Make it happen. Greater Sandpoint Visitor Center 231 N. Third Avenue Sandpoint, Idaho. Toll-free 1-800-800-2106, (208) 263-2161 or www.visitsandpoint.com Planning details. Silverwood Theme Park. Silverwood has more than 65 rides, shows and attractions, from raging roller coasters with thrilling 65-mph drops to rides built just for the little ones plus water slides, wave pools, a steam engine train, magic shows, cheeseburgers, and ice cream. Silverwood Theme Park 27843 N. Hwy 95 Athol, ID 83801. (208) 683-3400 or www.silverwoodthemepark.com
Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. Although reservations for public cruises are not required, they are strongly suggested. Summer Cruises board at Sandpoint City Beach Dock, downtown Sandpoint. There is a no host bar and snacks available on board. (208) 255-5253 or www.lakependoreillecruises.com
Artist Lisa Van der Karr. Downtown studio Art Studio 111 Cedar Sandpoint, Idaho. (208) 610-6494 or www.LisaVanderKarr.com On our list for next time. Bird Aviation Museum. The museum is dedicated offering a world-class educational experience centered around the themes of aviation and innovation. We heard two different people mention how wonderful this museum is. Take HWY 95 south to Sagle Road. Turn left on Sagle road, travel 11.8 miles o Bird Ranch Road, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864. (208) 255-4321 or www.BirdAviationMuseum.com Green Bay. An afternoon at Green Bay, relaxing and collecting “one of a kind” rocks at this special point. Again, we spoke with two locals who specifically mentioned this out of the way bay. Take HWY 95 north from Silverwood Theme Park, just 1/4 mile before the long bridge into Sandpoint, turn right onto Sagle Rd toward the town of Garfield Bay. Just before Garfield Bay, look for the brown park service sign to Green Bay.
Huckleberry picking. The first week of August is the Huckleberry Festival. The huckleberry is the state fruit, and found in abundance in North Idaho. Unfortunately, a late frost pushed back the harvest season, so we did not go berry picking. We did get to taste huckleberry ice cream, and huckleberry torte. We could have had pretty much anything we wanted in huckleberry flavor it seemed.
The Festival at Sandpoint. Each August for almost three decades Sandpoint plays host to eight nights of eclectic music under the stars, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. The Festival offers participants a friendly comfortable atmosphere. It is the place to experience great music –naturally. The popular family concert is always only $5 per person. Toll-free 1-888-265-4554 or www.festivalatsandpoint.com
Content and images provided by Kelly, Allison, and Sarah Czech. Copyright 2010.
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