The Summer/Fall 2024 edition of Nspire Magazine celebrates the Pacific Northwest lifestyle—blending outdoor adventure, seasonal flavors, and refined living. Featuring UTV forest excursions, Glacier National Park trips, coffee-inspired summer drinks, bass fishing on Coeur d’Alene, and custom home design, it inspires travel, home improvement, and mindful living.
THE SPIRIT OF LIVING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Coeur d’Alene National Forest UTV Adventure
Luxury Meets COMFORT
summer DRINKS 4 on Hayden Lake delightfully fresh
Three-Day Journey
to Glacier National Park
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 3
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 5
EDITOR’S NOTE
In each edition of Nspire Magazine, we feature chef-inspired recipes from area eateries. Over the years, we’ve published an array of epicurean delights such as lav- ender smoked short ribs, black forest cake in a caramel glaze and sushi nachos to name just a few.
In this issue, we feature drinks! When I think of summer drinks, coffee doesn’t necessarily come to mind. But the folks at DOMA Coffee Roasting Company in Post Falls have prepared a couple recipes that highlight the versatility of coffee. Coffee making is not just about brewing a beverage. It’s an art. A single cup of coffee engages sight, smell, touch and taste. If it’s good, a cup of coffee can affect your mindset, lifting your spirits. If it’s bad, it can make for a rough start to the day. I recently toured DOMA’s roastery and learned more than I could have imagined about coffee making and the journey of the coffee bean. Each step, from bean selection to brewing method, influences the final cup. It begins with the sourcing of beans, where factors like altitude, soil and climate impart distinct fla - vors and aromas. Grinding the beans, as it turns out, is a pivotal moment in the process, where the transformation from solid to soluble begins. The grind size dictates the surface area exposed to water, influ - encing extraction. Too coarse, and the brew lacks depth; too fine, and it becomes bitter. Water is often overlooked. Yet its quality and temperature profoundly impact extraction. Purified water allows the coffee’s true character to shine. Temperature control during brewing ensures optimal extraction without scalding or underwhelming the brew. It’s a science and oh so fascinating! But really, whether it’s a cold brew on a warm afternoon or a hot espresso on a chilly morning, coffee is at its core a connector, bringing people together over a shared love for this beverage. See DOMA’s summer twist on the classic java in our Reci- pe’s section, and while you are there, check out Moon Time’s cool cocktails. Lark Patton shares some delightful and refresh- ing beverages that take our drink recipes from day to night. Kristina Lyman
Enjoy!
6 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
SUMMER/FALL 2024 7
THE NSPIRE TEAM
PUBLISHER
Andreas John
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kristina Lyman
ARE YOU PROTECTED FROM RADON?
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Joel Riner
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Celentano
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Adam Graves
SR. DESIGNER
Patrick Fanning
Radon is the second lead- ing cause of lung cancer in the US. If you have not tested the home you live in there is a potential health risk to you and your family. With profes- sional mitigation most homes will fall below the EPA’s action level.
NUTRITION EDITOR
Michal Bennett
HOME EDITOR
Joe Butler
GENERAL MANAGER
Kyler John
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Kelly Miller
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jason Wilmoth, Amanda Rohde, Abby Owens Taylor Allen, Patrick Martinez, Adam Hicks, Tim Christie, Jason Wilmoth
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY:
Services
ON THE COVER:
Glacier National Park Cover photo by: Joel Riner
• Radon education for home owners and poten- tial home buyers. • Training classes for Real Estate professionals. • Radon testing for real estate transactions and home owners or renters. • Radon Mitigation in exist- ing homes or new con- struction.
Nspire Magazine is published by Mauer Publishing. Opinions expressed by authors and contributors in this issue are not necessarily those of Mauer Publishing. All materials in this issue of Nspire Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. For advertising information email: info@nspiremagazine.com or call 208-930-0114. Nspire Magazine • 409 E Coeur d’Alene Ave, Ste B Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (208) 930-0114 phone Nspire Magazine, Copyright, 2024
Scan code to subscribe and save 50% off newsstand prices.
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 9
IN THIS ISSUE
58
>> ADVENTURE
>> FOOD
COMFORTABLY GRAND Hayden home is comfy and luxe.
20 SIDE-BY-SIDE FUN
12
64
SUMMER DRINKS Recipes from area establish- ments.
RENO THAT WOWS South Hill home is transformed.
Exploring the forest on a UTV.
>> LIFESTYLE
28
BASS FISHING ON LAKE CDA Hook, line & sinker.
44
VERSATILE VINEGAR The many uses from cooking to cleaning. LOCAL DINING Experience the area’s finest epicurean hot spots.
46
PICKLEBALL CRAZE Fun and fitness combine.
34
OVERLANDING ADVENTURE Off-road camping in the backcountry.
92
48
CAPTURING WILDLIFE Local photographer is one with nature.
70
STUNNING HIKES Getting outside with local photographers.
>> HOME
84
GROWING FOOD Gardening brings us together.
78
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Nspire Tours three-day adven- ture.
42
BATTLING WEEDS From pest to pesto.
88
LEADING YOUTH Girl Scouts troop director inspires.
52
HARDSCAPE OASIS A sleek place to relax and soak up the view.
10 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
SUMMER/FALL 2024 11
AMAZING RECIPES
WHIPPED STRAWBERRY
LATTE
Photos by Joel Riner
DOMA COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY KAITI BLOM & DELANEY ROLLINS
Spokane residents and career baristas, Kaiti Blom and Delaney Rollins have 26 years of industry experience between them. Their roles at DOMA Coffee Roasting Company are varied, but they are always in pursuit of exceptional coffee and bringing the most they can to their customers and clients through their expertise and training. Kaiti is DOMA’s head of education, and Delaney is the manager for DOMA’s new café opening this summer.
INGREDIENTS » 1 sachet (about 5g) DOMA’s Instant Craft coffee
» 1 cup, plus 1 tsp granulated sugar » 1 cup strawberries, plus more for garnishing » ½ cup, plus 2 Tbsp water » 6-8 oz milk of choice » Ice
Start by making the strawberry syrup. Add 1 cup granulated sugar to 1 cup diced strawberries and mix well. Fully coating the strawberries in the sugar will start the maceration process, drawing out the fruit juice and tenderizing the fruit. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes, then place in a small pot and add ½ cup of water. Continued online...
Scan the code for the complete recipe online and full instructions.
Turn the page for another recipe from Kaiti Blom & Delaney Rollins.
12 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM Download a complete copy of this
recipe at NspireMagazine.com
IF YOU TAKE ONE THING HOME Make sure it’s authentic Coeur d’Alene
VISIT US TO FIND Trusted, Quality Service
Luxury Retail Craftsmanship Custom Pieces
COEUR D’ALENE’S LARGEST JEWELRY STORE
1524 Northwest Boulevard • Coeur d’Alene • ID • 208 676 1645 CHERYLBURCHELLGOLDSMITHS.COM
SUMMER/FALL 2024 13
AMAZING RECIPES
DOMA COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY KAITI BLOM & DELANEY ROLLINS Sparkling GRAPEFRUIT
INGREDIENTS: » 2 oz espresso strength DOMA coffee (we suggest our Summer Lovin coffee) » 3-5 oz tonic water
» ½ cup grapefruit juice » ¼ cup granulated sugar » 2 grapefruit slices » Ice
To make this sparking and delightful coffee beverage, dissolve by stirring together the sugar and grapefruit juice (fresh is best). Once the sugar is fully dissolved, add about 2 oz of the sweetened juice to a serving glass, add ice and top with tonic water until there is about an inch of headroom on the top of the glass. Now you’ll need to prepare your espresso. We love this recipe with DOMA’s 2024 release of our Summer Lovin, a single- origin Ethiopia. When pulled on espresso, we are tasting sweet lemonade and grapefruit peel. Don’t have an espresso machine? No problem! Using 2 oz of a concentrated cold brew will yield a similar flavor profile. (Need a cold brew recipe? Visit us at www.domacoffee.com) Next, slowly pour your coffee over the tonic, add your grapefruit garnish and enjoy! Feeling a little frisky? Try the addition of tequila or gin to take this beverage from day to night.
Scan the code for the complete recipe online.
14 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM Download a complete copy of this
recipe at NspireMagazine.com
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 15
AMAZING RECIPES Indigo75
Photos by Joel Riner
MOON TIME LARK PATTON
Lark Patton is an Idaho native who has lived in Coeur d’Alene for 23 years. She has been in the service industry for 27 years and has worked at Moon Time for 19 years. She loves learning about all things food and beverage as well as getting to know her customers. Long-time customers know her by her frequent change in hair color as well as her six years spent playing roller derby. INGREDIENTS » 3/4 oz Indigo gin (Empress) » 3/4 oz Elderflower liqueur (I use St. Germain)
» 1/2 oz lemon juice » 6 oz sparkling wine » Lemon peel for garnish
Shake the gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice with ice, and strain into a wine glass. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with lemon peel.
Scan the code for the complete recipe online.
Turn the page for another recipe from Lark Patton.
16 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM Download a complete copy of this
recipe at NspireMagazine.com
MEET YOUR ROBOTIC ARM, KNEE-REPLACEMENT SURGEON.
DR. JEFFERY LYMAN, MD ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS INSTITUTE
Some North Idaho hospitals have recently begun to offer robotic knee surgery. But it’s nothing new to Dr. Jeffery Lyman, MD, with the Orthopedic Sports Institute in Coeur d’Alene. He has already spent six years performing partial and total knee replacements using the advanced Mako Robotic Arm by Stryker. The Mako Robotic Arm uses 3D CT-based software to review your anatomy and create a personalized surgical plan. It then precisely guides the surgeon’s cuts to preserve healthy bone, ligaments and tissue. The Mako also provides the surgeon latitude to make small but necessary adjustments during the operation—something most robotic arms can’t do.
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 17
AMAZING RECIPES
Mexican moon
INGREDIENTS » 1 1/2 oz Anejo tequila » 1 Tbsp cinnamon agave syrup
» 3 dashes orange bitters » 3 dashes chocolate bitters » Bordeaux cherry and orange peel for garnish For the cinnamon agave syrup, bring one cup agave, two cups of water, and 6 cinnamon sticks to a boil on the stove. When it’s boiling, turn it down to simmer for about 30 minutes. When the mixture starts thickening and is very fragrant, you can strain the cinnamon sticks and let it cool. To build the drink, put one tablespoon of the agave syrup in a rocks glass with a cherry and some ice. Muddle the cherry if you like, add the tequila and both bitters. Stir a few times and add an orange peel for garnish.
MOON TIME LARK PATTON
Scan code for the online recipe of Lark Patton’s Mexican Moon.
18 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM Download a complete copy of this
recipe at NspireMagazine.com
SUMMER/FALL 2024 19
EXPLORING THE NATIONAL FOREST BY UTV
Epic lookout spots treat those willing to navigate these backcountry trails.
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ADVENTURE
F resh morning air teases at my hair and fills my lungs as it rolls in through my open windows. The June sun is already brilliant at 7 a.m., promising a warm day as I head north on Highway 95 to- wards Bunco Road. I pass the stoplight at Lancaster and 95, and the sky seems to open up, the forest draws nearer, and my anticipation builds at the prospect of getting out into the mountains like I never have before. I’ve lived in North Idaho for nearly 20 years, but today will be my first time delving deep into the Coeur d’Alene National Forest by UTV.
A ride full of laughter, adventure and lasting memories
By ABBY OWENS Photography By JOEL RINER
As I pull into the parking lot at the Bunco Trailhead, I see it is already quickly filling with trucks, trailers and off-road vehicles owned by mem- bers of the Backcountry ATV-UTV Association. I am quickly greeted by the club president and secretary, Bret Uhlich and Nancy Conley, who have invited me to join them for an all-day ride to Clark Fork. It will be about 50 miles there taking forest roads, and then another 50 miles back on a dif- ferent route that winds closer to Lake Pend Orielle. Nancy then introduces me to Jeff and Marjorie Heintz, the couple who will be generously hosting me in their four-seat UTV for the day. UTV’s, or utility task vehicles, are also known as side-by-sides and are different from ATVs, all-terrain vehicles, which are designed for single riders. While grabbing my backpack from my vehicle, I see that the group con- sists of about 15-20 machines and maybe 25-30 members. Most are re- tirees still hungry for adventure, and some have even brought their four- legged canines along for the ride. Bret and Nancy call everyone to- gether for a quick briefing around 8 a.m., and then it’s time to load up and line up. The ride leader for the
day pulls into position at the head of the pack, and someone volunteers to bring up the rear. I climb into the back seat of the Heintz’s UTV and get myself situated as engines come roar- ing to life all around us. One by one, members of our cara- van are swallowed by the forest, the next machine in line at the trailhead waiting a few seconds before rum- bling off after the rest. We’re some- where around the middle of the group, crawling forward slowly until I realize the UTV in front of us is all that’s between us and the trail. Jeff waits 10 seconds or so to give them some space, and then we’re off. Golden sunlight streams down through the trees and is cast into beams of hazy light against the dust stirred up by the UTVs. The dirt trail is lined with lush grasses and linger- ing wildflowers, the trees sometimes so dense that their leafy branches almost create a canopy over us. Jeff keeps the taillights of the vehicle ahead and the headlights of the one behind ever in sight, like bobbing red and white eyes blinking in the haze. There’s an eerie, almost prehistoric feel to it all, heightened by my aware- ness that civilization is getting fur- ther away with every turn.
SUMMER/FALL 2024 21
Riders take advantage of a break to stretch their legs and chat with other group members.
Pristine view of Lake Pend Oreille from Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
Despite the omnipresent drawl of the UTV motor, I’m able to chat with Jeff and Marjorie and learn a bit about their story. They’d found the Back- country ATV/UTV Association about four years ago because the place they bought their UTV from is one of the club’s sponsors. They’ve been grateful for how owning a UTV has enabled them to keep feeding their adventur- ous spirits as they’ve aged, especial- ly when Marjorie was diagnosed with cancer. Their machine’s enclosed de- sign with door flaps and a full wind - shield, with a few adjustments, has enabled her to continue exploring the outdoors and visiting new places with her husband and friends as comfort- ably as possible. The group makes a point to take stops every so often to stretch legs, socialize and enjoy the views. At our first stop, I’m amazed by the fine layer of dust already covering my leggings, windbreaker and hair. Ev-
eryone is very welcoming and friend- ly, and laughter can be heard running up and down the line of the varying models of UTV. I start chatting with Bret during one of our stops, and he says one of the club’s passions is helping steward the public lands they ride on. UTV riders apparently have a reputation for not caring about the trails, often going on ones they shouldn’t with cer- tain sized rigs, but the Backcoun- try ATV/UTV Association works to break this stereotype by partnering with the state to help take care of the land they enjoy. A few ways they do this is by donat- ing to local charities, participating in highway and trail clean ups, and vol- unteering at community events. Bret said they try to mix it up a bit each year, but they’ve done events like helping with parking and the beer garden at the Idaho State Fair, and serving lunch for Farm to Table. This
mission has earned the Club a good name within the community and nearly a dozen sponsors since its in- ception in 2002. Back on the road, I ask Jeff about some things I’d noticed throughout the morning. He explains there’s a trail etiquette riders abide by that has cultivated a culture where there are no true strangers up here in the mountains. Everyone is willing to help out if they come across another in need, especially when inclement weather hits the trails. Passing indi- viduals who are riding within a group will hold up a number on their fingers to indicate how many more rigs can be expected after them, which is help- ful when approaching blind corners. Jeff said they sometimes have to get comically creative with their group, as their outings frequently number more machines than one has fingers. One thing the Backcountry Associ- ation does to minimize the chance of
22 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
Clark Fork rests quietly in the distance, a hidden gem situated between the Cabinet and Coeur d’Alene Mountains.
SUMMER/FALL 2024 23
UTVs are a versatile hobby for outdoorsmen and women of all ages and skill levels.
able to ride with him in his two-per- son UTV for a bit. Steve used to ride motorcycles and loved the thrill of the speed, but references some ad- age along the lines of “with age, get a cage.” He made the switch to UTVs about nine years ago and has now been with the Club for five years. His UTV has a split windshield instead of a full one like the Heintz’s, which means a bit of a dirtier ride that bal- ances out with the increased airflow. Steve’s been able to put a lot of time and money into decking out his ma- chine, and the evidence is felt in how smoothly it handles over rough por- tions of the road. I trade out my sunglasses for gog- gles, and find that the rumble of the UTV motor has faded into the back- ground of my awareness, becom- ing just another beat to the wild soundtrack of wind, nature and free- dom. The trail starts to cut back and
getting separated on the trails is have the leading UTV drop cones at each intersection that are then picked up by the final driver. There are also a handful of machines — Jeff and Mar- jorie’s being one of them — outfitted with radios in case something needs to be communicated quickly through- out the group. Although quite dusty at times, there are many stretches where the air is mostly clear and I’m in awe of the breathtaking landscape we’re passing through. Sometimes my gaze is caught by how the dust clouds set- tle and swell in mesmerizing dances; other times, by how the white heads of flowering beargrass contrast stark - ly against swaths of green grasses. By far the most captivating scene is how the mountains roll out in ridge upon ridge into the distance. At one stop, Nancy introduces me to a member named Steve, and I’m
forth as we descend the mountains surrounding Clark Fork. Glimpses between trees reveal scattered build- ings in a stunningly picturesque val- ley streaked with the reaching fingers of tranquil ponds. The trail brings us down right alongside the Clark Fork River, so full of winter runoff it seems ready to claim the road as part of its watery domain. We cross the river at a bridge that parallels some train tracks and ar- rive in Clark Fork. A few members of the group head to the gas pumps to top off their tanks while the rest park and decide on sandwiches or burgers for lunch. Steve will be visiting with a friend nearby instead of heading back with us, so I thank him for the lift before going in search of a sand- wich. There’s a bit of time left after I eat, so I wander down the main street to Scotchman’s Coffee, named after Scotchman’s Peak which is accessible
24 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
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SUMMER/FALL 2024 25 CITY TOURS l WINE & BEER TOURS l MULTI-DAY EXCURSIONS l HISTORICAL TOURS
Days spent exploring mountain trails are always more enjoyable with a copilot.
nearby. I look out at the mountains northeast of town, some still speckled with stubborn patches of snow. I’ll be back for that epic hike someday. I jump in with Jeff and Marjorie again for the drive back. The return route proves just as scenic, but we’re treated this time with sweeping pan- oramas of Lake Pend Orielle, its sap- phire surface wind-pocked and edged in lush shades of green. Jeff and Mar- jorie tell me about a rest stop and ho- tel off one of these trails where the employees have to take a boat to get to work. We aren’t able to go by them today due to time, but they say the group sometimes visits the tiny town of Lakeview right down on the lake and Gold Creek Lodge up Gold Creek a bit when they do this ride. They explain that the club does this ride to Clark Fork every couple years
because it’s a popular one, but their rides usually average 50-60 miles. They go out almost every weekend during the warmer months, and fre- quent areas like Fourth of July Pass, Cataldo, Wallace and Harrison. Jeff says there were about 50 members at the last meeting, but the Club cur- rently sits at about 175 members. As we near the end of our ven- ture, I feel unperturbed by the layer of dust I’m wearing, lulled into con- tentedness by the smells of sunblock, sun, and summer-warmed forest. It’s about 5:30 p.m. when we reach the Bunco parking lot, and although the energy levels are much different than they were about 10 hours earlier, the smiles and laughs are still genuine. I’m impressed by the sense of fami- ly and camaraderie among the mem- bers of this group, and how quick they
are to let new people in. I say good- bye to some of those I chatted with, shake hands with Bret and Nancy, and especially thank Jeff and Mar- jorie for their hospitality all day. Driving UTVs is a thrilling activi- ty in itself, but doing so with a great group of people through gorgeous ter- rain makes for a truly lasting experi- ence. Whether one is young in body or young at heart, UTVs offer an ad- dicting avenue for escaping the chaos of civilization, discovering new des- tinations without ever using a high- way, and filling one’s soul with the profound beauty we are blessed with here in the Inland Northwest. N ~In memory of Marjorie Heintz~
Want to see more? Scan the code for more images of Abby’s UTV experience.
26 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
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Jesse Kroetch teaches Jason Wilmoth the basics of bass fishing as the sun rises over Lake Coeur d’Alene.
28 NSPIREMAGAZINE.COM
ADVENTURE
Bass Fishing ON LAKE COEUR D’ALENE
By JASON WILMOTH
W ith the first cast, I won - dered whether my fishing plans would be success- ful. The lake was glassy calm, the sun was rising over the mountains above Beauty Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene. This early spring day looked so prom- ising I’d even brought shorts, which I had to dig out from the depths of my closet. Everything was primed for an awesome day of fishing, except for one minor fact: I am not a fisherman. Jesse Kroetch and I had been talk- ing for several months about this adventure. I wanted to write a sto- ry about fishing, and Jesse wanted to share his love of fishing for small - mouth bass on Lake Coeur d’Alene. We watched as spring progressed and the water began to warm. Finally, we settled on a date. I would be Jesse’s first client of the bass fishing season. After meeting Jesse at the boat launch, we stowed gear and made our way across the lake to our destina-
I know very little about fishing as most people understand it, so on that first cast on Lake Coeur d Alene, I was very much out of my element. How- ever, I enjoy learning new things. I also enjoy watching someone who is in their element and passionate about what they do. Jesse, who works with CastCadia Outfitters, is clearly passionate about fishing. He talked me through what he called “technical bass fishing,” techniques such as fishing with a lure that mimicked a crawfish crawl - ing along the rocky bottom. Initially, I struggled to get the feel for the lure as I dragged it across the lake bottom, not sure of what I was feeling until the moment I felt exactly what Jesse had explained. A smallmouth hit the lure hard. Surprised, I made an attempt at set- ting the hook and began reeling in. As it neared the boat, I was excited to see that the bass was fairly large,
tion, an area Jesse believed was just “comin on.” I pulled my hood tight and tucked into the wind that was just on the verge of being cold. As the boat came off-plane and slowed into the area where we would fish, I was thankful for the respite. In my early 30s, I worked for several years as a water quality and fisheries technician, where I had the opportu- nity to be part of a Pacific White Stur - geon project on the Columbia River. I spent three summers working on ev- ery aspect of the project, from data collection, deploying egg mats, catch- ing sturgeon on set lines and trans- porting viable sturgeon to a tribal hatchery for spawning. At the same time, I worked on several other proj- ects where I electro-fished local creeks and lakes, conducting trout surveys and tracking invasive common carp. I could identify nearly every species of fish we have in the Inland North - west, but I have almost never fished with a pole.
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The great fishing continues as the morning warms. Several surprisingly large bass are caught and placed into the live well.
not what I expected for the morning and somewhat of a vindication that I CAN catch fish with a pole! Jesse was ready with the net and brought the fish into the boat. I posed for pictures, the bass went into the live well and I went back to fishing, determined to catch another. With me this morning, as I tried in vain to look like I knew what I was doing, was my wife, Lindsey, who of- fered to help with photography on my promise of sunshine and a beautiful lake morning. As the sun continued to rise, offer- ing the first sensations of warmth in the cool morning, the three of us talked about everything bass-relat- ed, from their life cycle and common ages of smallmouth in Lake Coeur d’Alene, to the varying methods of catching them. Jesse shared with us
his thoughts on integrity in guiding on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Lindsey was excited to learn we would be releasing all the bass we caught as Jesse firmly stood on the belief that releasing the fish, which grew slowly in our cold wa - ter and could range in ages up to 20 years old, was being a good steward of the lake he loved and grew up on. Slowly, I began to get the feel for fishing with the crawfish lure, and then we moved onto another lure that mimicked a sculpin, which is a fresh- water fish that bass feed upon. Some - how, I continued to bring in large fish, and I was getting better at dis - tinguishing the feel of a rock to that of a bass taking the bait. Then, Jesse had me switch to a jerk-bait. The method for using this lure was completely different and in- volved jerking the lure forward in
short movements within the water column and mimicking a fish swim - ming above the bass. There’s a very specific jerking motion that makes this lure effective, which at first I was not achieving. Jesse warned me that if conditions were right the bass would absolute- ly hammer the lure, and he wasn’t wrong. The first hit surprised me, and I didn’t set the hook correctly. The second time I was ready, or at least more ready, as I was still in dis- belief. But I was able to set the hook and bring the fish into the boat. We were catching enough bass that the live well was filling up. Every time a large fish was landed, the smallest of the bass in the live well was released, so that only the largest of our day’s catch remained in the live well. Other fishermen began to move
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Bass being released after a successful day of fishing on the lake.
into our direction as the morning pro- gressed. While I was almost near- ly preoccupied with trying to learn how to fish for bass, I was also able to watch and become aware that none of the other boats seemed to be catch- ing anything. I asked Jesse why and he explained that many fishermen weren’t using the advanced tech- niques he had taught me. I was learning bass fishing 201 while a lot of those fishing for bass were using 101 techniques. Also, a lot of experience and studying of bathym- etry maps had resulted in Jesse hav- ing an acute knowledge of where the fish would be along the lake bottom. I was beginning to feel more and more like a legitimate bass fisherman. Around mid-morning I took a break to change into my shorts and have a snack with Lindsey. We sat back and took in the surroundings, snapped some photos and watched as Jesse picked up a pole. I will be turning 46 in a few months, 50 is just a few years away, so close I can see it just on the horizon. Aside from a five-year span when I worked in the environmental consulting
world doing water quality and fish - eries work, I’ve been a carpenter my entire life. I was taught how to be a carpenter by a generation of old school carpenters who had an im- mense measure of pride and integrity in their work. That’s something that has bled over into my life and a thing that I greatly respect. As I watched Jesse cast his line, his passion for fishing was evident. He knew exactly where to cast, where the fish would be, and when the bass would come after his lure. I was wit- nessing a fish whisperer. I watched a few Bald Eagles fly overhead and considered how lucky I was to be in this moment. With the morning winding down, I continued to fish with the jerk-bait. I felt like I was starting to get the feel for their necessary movement to draw a bass onto the lure, though I was still pretty horrible at accurately casting. On the side-scanning sonar, we could see a vague return of my lure in the water column and a blip on the screen rising to it. I felt the bass take the lure and set the hook, bringing in one fi - nal fish for the morning. We caught somewhere between 10 and 15 fish.
With the sun fully overhead and the morning complete, Jesse and I posed for photos with the four largest bass we had caught. We released them back in the same location where we had caught them and stowed our gear for the return trip across the lake. As we began to motor back to the boat launch, other boats began slink- ing over towards our spot, in recog- nition of our evident success. Jesse laughed as he brought the boat up onto plane and told us that while we fished the north end of the lake there was a bass fishing tournament hap - pening out of Harrison. Jesse guessed that had we had been part of it, we would have likely brought home some winning money with our morning’s catch. It was a fun and memorable fish - ing adventure. And while I may nev- er consider myself a true fisherman, I did recently purchase a fly-fishing rod … just in case. N
Scan code to read this article online and see more pictures of Jason’s bass fishing adventure.
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OAD ADERIE By CHRIS CELENTANO Photography By CHRIS CELENTANO
Burnt Knob Lookout and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
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Bryan Myers’ dog, Holly, anxiously awaits his return while the guys were stopped and clearing a tree from the roadway.
S ome of my earliest memories outdoors with my family were created deep in the mountains in one of the Toyota Land Cruisers that my dad had built for rock crawl- ing. Those motorized adventures in- troduced me to what is known today as overlanding and fueled my love of camping and off-roading. As I grew older, my passions ex- panded, and I took up more hu- man-powered pastimes to get into nature; things like kayaking, climb- ing and mountain biking. However, I have never lost my appetite for the powersports world and still regular- ly use those modes of transportation to access some of the most remote areas of the Inland Northwest. In fact, I purpose-built my truck to
be a good balance between off-road capability and comfort while also being a daily driver and grocery-get- ter. My love of off-roading and my passion for the outdoors has cul- minated in a yearly late spring-in- to-summertime tradition with a few of my friends. We try to give back to the local offroad community by attempting to open up and clear various sections of the Idaho Back- country Discovery Route (BDR); we bust through lingering snow drifts, and most importantly, clear the trees that have fallen down over the course of the winter. We love the challenge of it, and there is, of course, a little bit of healthy com- petition trying to be the first people through a section for the year. The Idaho BDR is a 1,250-mile
mostly off-road adventure, running through the most rugged, remote, and scenic parts of the state. Offi - cially, the route starts in the south at Jarbidge, Nevada and runs north all the way to the Canadian border above Bonners Ferry. Many peo- ple ride north to south as well, de- pending on where they live or if they plan on connecting to another BDR in another state. Many others, like me and my friends, pick and choose sections in an effort to navigate our
life-play-work balance. >> Setting the course
This trip was several months in the making last year. There would be four trucks and six friends driv- ing three sections of the BDR over three days; quite a bit longer than
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the next couple of hours. Driving along the inviting emerald green waters, it was impossible not to share fly fishing stories. We made it to the top of our final major pass of the day between the St. Joe and North Fork Clearwa- ter drainages and stopped for lunch overlooking a stunning alpine lake. After a quick lunch, we made our way down into the Black Canyon of the North Fork Clearwater. It is a spectacular canyon lined with mas- sive granite spires and old growth cedars. It was difficult to resist the cool water of the river during the oppressive heat of the day. Alas, we knew that we couldn’t stop; we still had many miles to go before making it to our first camp on the famous Lolo Motorway. But first, we need - ed to get to Pierce for fuel. The Idaho BDR is not just chal- lenging due to the ruggedness of the roads that it travels over, but also the distances between fuel stops. Several of the sections are around 200 miles with nothing but remote wilderness between the start and stop points. Finally, we arrived in the little town of Pierce around 6 p.m. that first evening and took turns fuel - ing up at the small gas station and market. The BDR is extremely ben- eficial to many of the tiny mountain communities that the sections con- nect. With mining and logging hav- ing slowed over the last few decades, it is a welcome economic boost to the small businesses that still exist in these towns. Pierce is no different. There are excellent rustic lodging options as well as a couple of fantas- tic eateries to visit when in town. Once we were fueled up, we head- ed back out of town 30 miles to our first camp, and about 20 miles into the Lolo Motorway. We set up camp
As soon as we left interstate 90, a few miles over the state line into Montana, we were on dirt. We pulled over into the Hiawatha Trail- head parking lot and began the 10- to 15-minute process of airing our tires down to increase traction, im- prove ride quality and decrease wear and tear on the trucks. While the continuous hiss- ing sound of air escaping the tires drowned out the sound of the birds and bugs humming and chirping in the surrounding forest, we chatted about the game plan for the day. We had multiple mountain passes to cover (all in all we ascended and descended over 75,000 vertical feet that day) and several long sections of road that none of us were familiar with outside of scouting using satel- lite imagery. Despite having radio communi- cation, we all agreed the lead truck would stop and wait at any inter- section to ensure no one made a wrong turn trying to follow in what would be epic proportions of moon dust. Getting lost in these moun- tains would be less than ideal. Ra- dio communication with low-power two-way radios is only good for may- be a couple of miles in the deep can- yons and steep passes we would be driving. >> Hitting the road Part of the first leg of the trip had us traversing the very northern end of the Bitterroot Mountains down to the North Fork of the Clearwater and out to the town of Pierce, Ida- ho. Along the way, we drove along a narrow ridgeline and by at least six alpine lakes nestled between mag- nificent, craggy peaks. We traversed our way south and eventually made our way down to the Shadowy St. Joe River. We then continued up- stream towards its headwaters for
our usual spontaneous day trips to cut trees out of the roadway. Ulti- mately, it would end up being more than 800 miles round trip with more than 600 of those miles driv- en off road. Jeff Durocher, Steve Duranceau and I would ride in my Tundra. Bryan Myers would drive his Gladiator. Ken Ebner would take his Tundra and Greg Barker would drive his Sequoia. We met up at 5 a.m. on a Friday morning. The sun was just begin- ning rise as we organized gear into the trucks and got situated for a long first day. We had to complete 197 miles of remote dirt roads the first day, beginning along the I-90 corridor near Taft on a variation of the BDR we designed ourselves.
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Bryan Myers’ Gladiator with rooftop tent set up in a gorgeous Montana meadow at the beginning of the Magruder Corridor.
just as darkness descended on us. Jeff made steak fajitas and we ate like kings on the edge of an old burn with unbroken views of the skyline over an unimaginably large wilder- ness ahead of us. We went to bed not long after dinner, knowing that Sat- urday would be another huge mile- age day on much rougher roads, and with the worry that long sections of the road would have downed trees that needed to be cut out. >> Navigating the unexpected We woke early with the sunrise; Jeff and I in hammocks, Ken and Greg in tents, and Bryan in his roof- top tent. We noticed some new haze along the horizon and down in the Lochsa River Drainage below. Greg is a career wildland firefighter, and we quickly figured out there were a couple of fresh forest fires we would be skirting around toward the end
of our day. With how dry and hot it was, we made sure to keep a close eye on them as we made our way closer to ever-expanding plumes of smoke only a few miles from us. The Lolo Motorway is a histor- ic passageway that early settlers in the region used to traverse between the Missoula-area and North Cen- tral Idaho. It is a much rougher and less-improved road than what we had driven the day before — while we welcomed this, it slowed the pace. We had over 200 miles to drive and needed to arrive at camp at the beginning of the Magruder Corridor by that evening. We hadn’t traveled far that morn- ing before we came to a long section of downed trees in the road. Grant- ed, they had been cut to open the road, but with little clearance for a truck to drive through, leaving
most of the trees still in the road. This represents risk for traffic. My buddy Jeff Durocher single-hand- edly spent three days last summer with his chainsaw cutting open the entire Lolo Motorway and remov- ing hundreds of trees. Most of the area that this road travels through burned a few years back. For that reason, dead trees are constantly falling across the road, representing a nearly never-ending project. We spent a couple hours remov- ing more than 200 trees between the six of us using four chainsaws and a ton of teamwork. We did all of this in only a couple miles of road with at least 60-70 more miles of the Lolo Motorway ahead of us. We fi - nally decided we needed to aban- don our cause and only remove hazard trees going forward; ones that posed a severe risk to trav- elers, particularly BDR riders on
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Moondust would end up being one of the primary themes of this summer trip. The dust lingered in the vehicles and on the gear for months afterward.
>> The home stretch The following morning was filled with a sort of tense excitement. It was our final day; and while we were on the home stretch, it would still be a huge day in terms of mile- age. Not only did we have over 160 miles of rough wilderness roads to contend with, but also the hours of highway driving to get back home once we reached “civilization.” The BDR was certainly not one to disappoint and our final section, the historical and famous Magruder Corridor, was as stunning and im- pressive as we had hoped. I heard an interesting take about that section of road recently from an old-timer who said something to
the effect of “Those fires that rav - aged that Corridor were the best thing to happen to the scenery along that road.” As we drove along, in utter amazement at the expansive views, I couldn’t help but listen to that tiny voice of agreement. Without the fires, there would have been far fewer views. While that is certain- ly a controversial take depending on how a person views the natural world, there can be no question that the adventure, the drive, the views and the camaraderie were nothing short of inspirational. N
adventure motorcycles. Several hours later, around 4:30 in the afternoon, we emerged from the woods, sweaty and dusty, but with another 80 miles to go for the day. We grabbed a late lunch at the famous Lochsa Lodge, and then headed toward our camp for the night outside of Darby, Mont. Just as darkness fell, well after 9 p.m., we rolled into a gorgeous meadowy camp with sporadically spaced giant ponderosa pines, a sta- ple of the Bitterroot Mountains. In the distance we could hear the riv- er rushing through the darkness, soon accompanied by the crackling of the fire and the chirping of crick - ets. Sleep came easily that night.
Scan code for the complete selection of images and addi- tional adventures by Chris.
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