Idaho: A Hidden Gem with Beth Hanggeli

Idaho. Yes, the Potato State. It’s even on our license plates: Famous Potatoes. Although truth be told, the famous ones are grown nine hours south of where I live in the northern panhandle. In fact, we don’t see Idaho potatoes in our stores; they’re exported so you can enjoy them!

Up here, we relate more to our nickname, the Gem State, because Idaho truly is the jewel of the Northwest. Emerald green mountains, crystal blue lakes, shimmering white snow and black lava combine to form a kaleidoscope of color that fills your senses.

We’re located in the northwest corner of the country, sandwiched between Montana and Washington. (You’d be surprised how many people think we’re in the Midwest: “Aren’t you one of those ‘I’ states?”) We’re the 14^th largest state, yet the 7^th least densely populated, with 19.2 people per square mile. Most of those folks live in the southern part of the state, though; less than 10% of the population calls my county home. So we have plenty of room to stretch out.

You’ve probably never met anyone from Idaho; we don’t travel very far. There’s too much to do here! Winters are spent snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and cuddling by the fire. Spring and fall, it’s hiking, whitewater rafting, bike riding, or hunting. But summer...ah, summer. With 16 hours of daylight on the longest day, there’s plenty of time to swim, sail, kayak, sunbathe, and camp. The days are warm, the nights cool, there’s no humidity, and very few bugs!

 

My little town, Coeur d’Alene, is nestled on Lake Coeur d’Alene, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Whether it’s sipping a latte at a sidewalk cafe, schussing down a run at one of five nearby ski areas, riding your bike on a rails-to-trails bike path, or playing golf at the Coeur d’Alene Resort (home of the world-famous floating green), you’ll find something to love here. In the summer, baskets filled with fragrant petunias grace the downtown light posts; in the winter, fireworks light up the night as Santa parades through town the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, our holiday light display was voted #4 in the country by USA Today!

If you do find yourself in our neck of the woods, be sure to stop at Michael D’s for breakfast. Thirsty? Slate Creek Brewery offers locally made microbrews and free peanuts (just toss the shells on the floor). Don’t miss the huckleberry ice cream at Roger’s, handmade gourmet pizza at Capone’s, or the Bowl of Soul (a Mexican mocha, complete with hand-whipped cream) at Java on Sherman.

As a writer living in Idaho, I’m in grand company: think Papa Hemingway. My first book, Soul Searching, the story of a house that teaches a woman the truth about her past, can be found at Amazon.com and in most eReader formats. My second, Forget Me Not, will be available as soon as I find time to finish editing it.

Stunning natural beauty, gourmet dining, art galleries, shopping, recreational activities, and a host of other amenities make Coeur d’Alene — and North Idaho — the perfect vacation spot. Come visit us!

If you’ll leave a comment, I’ll give away an autographed copy of Soul Searching to one lucky winner (or an e-version, if you prefer, although obviously I can’t autograph it).  Easy contact information please, so I can find you to award your prize!

Beth Hanggeli is a writer and a lyricist. She loves the beach and the mountains, friends and family, tequila and chocolate, although not necessarily in that order. While she has spent most of her life traveling the world, these days she calls North Idaho home. When she’s not working on her next novel, she dreams about sipping a cold drink at a tiki bar and listening to a Trop Rock band. Visit www.bethhanggeli.com or follow her on Facebook to learn more about Beth and her work. Her lyrics can be heard on Radio Margaritaville and on your local CD player. http://www.bethhanggeli.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soul-Searching/1388754221361726 

To my book on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/mwcru29 (both paperback and Kindle)

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