The Selkirk Loop

I am embarrassed to say that I didn’t know about this drive, and I live in the area of it. Once I heard about it from the Spokane paper, I researched it. We went on the short version this time, from Colville to Metaline, into Canada and across on Highway 3 to Creston, then south to Bonners Ferry on to Newport and finally the Flowery Trail. It is said that the route is popular with cyclists. We saw some on the road, but not a lot. Possibly due to the heat wave we were in.

We spent the night in Bonners Ferry and did the route in 2 days. We were traveling with our kids this time. Unfortunately, these proved to be the hottest days of the year. That curtailed activities, especially for me.

The highway through Metaline Falls was lovely. We stopped at Sweet Water Creek for a waterfall and short walk. The path was asphalt and easy for me with a walker, except for the heat of the day. We also went to Boundary Dam and had a short tour. The dam is spectacular; jammed in a narrow canyon. There was part of the tour down a flight of stairs that my family had to help me with. Near the dam, there is a really nice cave tour, Gardner Cave. We didn’t do it this time because we had been there before. Metaline has a local tourist train if you are fortunate to be there when it runs. It also has a nice little shopping district. Kevin Costner made part of a movie there, the Postman. Even the dam made an appearance in the movie, with Tom Petty in the scene.

The drive over the pass in Canada on 3 was beautiful. I regret not getting enough pix.

Creston was kind of spread out and you don’t drive through the town. All of a sudden, the town was gone. We backtracked because we needed lunch. We had to stop a native, who told us about “A Break in Time”. It was just the kind of food we like. Choices for the kids, a bit bohemian, home made tasting food. If you go there, Google it first.

Back to the USA. Bonners Ferry proved to be the perfect place to stop. Not too long a drive. We stayed on the waterfront at the Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa. It had a casino, so we lost a bit of cash there. An inside pool. They had a spa also. Nice place. Bonners Ferry also had a national wildlife refuge. We drove by, but it was too hot to wander that day.

The second day’s drive was less exciting for us. We had been to Sandpoint before. If you want to shop, that may be the best place. Coldwater Creek is headquartered there. Lots of walking and biking opportunities. Be sure to check out the bridge with shops inside. Newport was also a repeat. There was an old fashioned soda fountain in Newport that my mom told us about. It was right on the highway in the ‘down town’. Unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday.

The final drive through Flowery Trail was a nice diversion. Some great views.

We are planning this route again for the future. Next time, we will go kid-free, head north from Metaline and do the top part of the loop. Maybe go back down as far as Bonners Ferry for the night and pre-book massages or similar treats (we couldn’t get anything this time because we hadn’t pre-booked), then go back to and over Canada 3 and back through Metaline to Colville (Tiger Highway isn’t on the map here, but goes directly to Colville).