It’s May!
As the weather is warmer, college kids are home, children (and their teachers) excitedly counting down the days to the end school year, and the grass needs mowed. Without a doubt Memorial Day Weekend is the first big weekend of summer!
For some, summer means camping! And there’s likely no place on earth that is a more beautiful campsite the St. Joe Valley!
Heyburn State Park boasts some beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities to for the entire family. It’s also close enough to stores and restaurants, that if you forget something, it can be found with a quick trip to town. Most of the sites are easily accessed from State 5. For more information you can visit their website.
http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/heyburn.aspx
If you’re more interested more remote or rustic campsites, check out the campgrounds up the St. Joe River. Nearly all of the sites are open for the big weekend.
However there is a huge pile of snow is the blocking the entrance Spruce Tree Campground. It will be melting pretty fast – unfortunately not in time for campers this weekend.
And the St. Joe Campground, Just 10 miles form St. Maries will stay closed this weekend. The melting snow, flowing into an already swollen St. Joe River, may cause some high water in campsites. For safety reasons, they’re keeping it closed.
But other than those two campgrounds the mountains are reading for visitors.
You can access Forest Service maps and information at http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/ipnf/recreation.
Grab your running shoes and your cape for the inaugural running of the SuperKid River Run June 9!
The SuperKid River Run is for kids up to 12 years old. The 1.2 mile run is along the beautiful St. Joe River.
This event will take place the day before the St. Joe River Marathon. Each finisher will receive a race T-shirt and a root beer float provided by Harvest Foods after the race. Parents and other runners are encouraged to run with their children. Registration will be available until 9:30am on the day of the race or preregister on-line at http://www.stjoerivermarathon.com/registration.html
We hope this event will help children get excited about being outdoors and staying in shape, and we can’t wait to see all the little runners!
This weekend, May 19 and May 20, is stacking up to be a big weekend in St. Maries!
Benewah Community Hospital’s health fair begins early Saturday morning in the recently completed hospital tower.
From 7 to 10 a.m. the hospital is offering discounted lab tests and various free services. Yes, I said FREE services.
It’s a great opportunity to take care of yourself at a price that is easy on the pocket. The hospital has organized similar health fairs annually for more than seven years, and will offer it again in October. Registration will take place at the Blue Spruce Café on the first floor.
In addition to a slate-full of activities, baseball games, bike rides and all late-spring days entail, Heyburn PTO is throwing a party! The PTO’s Bounce Into Summer Carnival is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the playground. The activities include bouncy houses, a basketball shootout and carnival games. You can win a live goldfish, stuffed animals and other prizes.
Sounds like a really great time!
Whether you’re a spectator or a participant the Muddy Butt Tag Team Motocross dirt bike races at Xmas Hills is guaranteed to be thrilling. Mud and dirt, loud noises and fast toys, that’s what the races are all about. The local Kiwanis Club plans to have its grill cooking up lunch for spectators and racers alike. So bring your lawn chairs and a bottle of sunscreen.
The weatherman is calling for a cooler but sunny weather this weekend and it’ll be a great weekend to spend it in St. Maries!
The beautiful St. Joe Valley.
If it’s true a picture is worth a 1,000 words, nothing more needs said.
Springtime is a great time to visit St. Maries!
Wow! Spring is finally here. Not just the weather, or the trees and their sprouting leaves, or the blooming shrubs and flowers, and longer days, but several events in and around St. Maries are sure signs that spring has arrived.
One event is the opening of the Hughes House next week.
Near downtown St. Maries, the Hughes House is a historic log home at 528 Main Avenue. It serves as a museum loaded with local history. Their open house is from 2 to 5PM next Friday, May 18. “Doilies and old Melodies” will be on display and refreshments served.
The annual open house coincides with the beginning of its summer hours. Volunteers will man the Hughes House from noon to 4PM every Thursday through Sunday. Stop by and see their displays about the rich history of logging in the area and the people of the St. Joe Valley.
Also next Friday, local vendors will celebrate the first week of the St. Maries Farmer Market. In a typical week you’ll find locally harvested honey, fresh produce, crafts, tomato plants, hand-spun wool, flower starts, greens to eat, baked goods. The market is located in the lot next to the Hughes house and is open from 3 to 6PM Fridays through September.
Next weekend is the first of three dirt bike races sponsored by the St. Joe Cycle Club at Xmas Hills, just three miles from St. Maries.
The Muddy Butt Tag Team race is Sunday, May 20. Classes in the non-team divisions include Auto, 65s, mini 4-stroke, 85 Beginner, 85 Expert, Open Pro Quad, Ironman, and Ironman Pro. (Women’s and Jack and Jill Team optional). Visit their website for details.
Also, keep in mind the St. Maries Golf Course is open; play a round of 18 holes, or 9 holes. Any day on the course is a day spent near heaven.
Oh glorious spring!
