Up

The state of Washington is located in the northwest corner of the ‘lower 48’ states.  So, driving north(east) for nearly six hours should give you an idea of how far “up” we are.

Bonners Ferry is a small town near the tip of the Idaho Panhandle.  We are north of town.  And Canada is just a few minutes further north.  In fact, we made the quick trip to see the border (closed to all but essential traffic due to Covid).  

The road is broad, but traffic is light as we approach the border crossing.  It is a remote area covered in dense forest.  You cannot help but think this border is difficult to patrol.  Running mostly along the 49th parallel, it covered almost 9,000 miles. But a close look on Google earth doesn’t reveal hidden roads or trails.  And a road sign said the entire border was surveilled and has iron posts delineating the survey.  Wow.

The area “boomed” when gold was discovered during the peak of the civil war, and the town was named for Edwin Bonner, who operated a ferry which took passengers back and forth to British Columbia.

Today it is a quaint farming and lumber town with a small court house, a scattering of restaurants, three grocery stores, and a struggling downtown. 

There is also a small casino, due to the 10.5 acre Kootenai Indian reservation.  Interesting story there - in 1974 the tribe declared war on the Unites States (one of the few who had never signed a treaty forbidding such an act) and posted soldiers on each end of town - forcing travelers to pay a toll to cross historical territorial ground.