Both of my brothers-in-law have pretty horrific commutes to work. One suffers the gridlock and pandemonium in full D.C splendor while the other gets the daily Seattle guessing game of “where’s-the-back-up-today?” It’s hard for me not to gloat about my own commute. Sure, people in Sandpoint may not envy me the 7 switchbacks or the amount of gas I use on a weekly basis, but when I compare this drive to what millions of other people face in other places and cities in the US, I so win.

Turn one is usually pretty straight forward as long as I’m not holding onto my coffee as I take that interesting upslope to the right. At turn two, I’m trying to figure out just what that octagon house thing really is while I’m simultaneously thinking how cool it would be to live there. Between turns two and three, rather than having to change lanes to dodge slow moving trucks or public transportation on a four lane highway, I’m dodging turkeys and deer. Turn three is where it starts to get interesting as we climb up into prime huckleberry picking spots. Never know just how many cars you might see parked on the side, drivers scampering through the early morning sun looking for those little gems. Turn four is a favorite spot to pull over and let colleagues who shan’t be named pass me as they head up the hill. (It’s also a great spot for downhill mountain bikers to access some sweet sections of the basin trails…just sayin’.) Turn 5 is just brutal. And I know this because I once upon a time thought that riding my bike to work was a good idea. Turn 5 just keeps going and going and going and then right when you are wondering when on earth will this end, you reach a blinding blip and VOILA. You’ve made it to turn 6. Turn 6 is a great spot to stop that bike, cry a little bit and then keep going. If I’m in my car, it’s another perfect spot to let those Mario cart wanna-bes take the lead.

And then, you reach turn 7. Turn 7. I feel like there are two spots in Sandpoint that will affect you forever -the first time you drive over the Long Bridge and the first time you arrive at Turn 7. That extraordinary view over our incredible lake makes this long and winding journey to work a delight every single day. Those days that the lake is cloaked in winter greys is just as amazing as the mornings it reflects all the beautiful light of the summer sun.

And then, before you know it, you pass through towering trees and emerge at the round-about  and there, behind the sign, there’s our mountain. Tell me, what better way is there to reach your place of work than a mountain calling you home and a lake serenading you on your way? Yes, I so win. 

Originally published in "Neighbors," a suppliment to The Bonner County Daily Bee