Autumn opens its doors to you
If you need a break from all the stress and anxiety that's seemed to swallow the civilized world, welcome to the club.
For a couple days, anyway, you can put all the worry over politics and finances and long-term futures on a shelf. One of the reasons you decided to live in North Idaho is because this is a special place, and we submit that autumn is a special season.
Here are three categorized stress-busters we recommend to suit virtually any age group or taste. Let's agree that our biggest worry this weekend will be how many apple pies we should bake and whether the pumpkin we select will make a truly triumphant jack-o-lantern.
n On north Atlas Road just south of Prairie Avenue, Prairie Home Farm welcomes lovers of autumn each Saturday and Wednesday in October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is just $1, with pumpkins, squash and assorted treats for sale and a delightful assembly of farm animals to enjoy. Info: 762-3289
n We hate sending locals away, but one fall weekend tradition that's worth the travel time and expense is a visit to Green Bluff Growers north of Spokane. Most of the farms up on the bluff are in the midst of their apple festival, with live music, booths featuring crafts and great food, and two of our favorite things: the pumpkin doughnuts at Harvest House and the pumpkin-firing air cannon at Knapp's. Info: greenbluffgrowers.com
n Scarywood, known most of the time as Silverwood Theme Park, is without question the queen mother of North Idaho terror. It's so scary, young children are told to stay away. For everybody else, a multi-million dollar investment has created a world of nightmares for the intrepid. Info: scarywoodhaunt.com
n Post Falls Haunted House is a North Idaho Halloween tradition - and a great way to get your screams and benefit a good cause at the same time. Now in its 35th year, the Lions Club haunted house at Fourth and Post in Post Falls is open tonight and tomorrow from 7 to midnight; $7 per person.
n A Rathdrum couple has created its own hell on Earth with the Tunnel of Terror, 450 feet of frights at 7980 W. Diagonal Road off Highway 41. Open tonight and tomorrow from 7 to 10 p.m.; $3 for kids 6 to 11, and $5 for 12 and over.
JUST RIGHT
Even though there's a chance of showers this weekend, don't let that stop you. The arboreal metamorphosis of October is under way, as leaves burst into full color before starting their earthbound dance. Cool, clean, quiet country air and boundless beauty; that's North Idaho's autumn gift to you.