Private Idaho

Listen while you read:  You better beware.

You're living in your own private Idaho
You're living in your own private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato
Don't go on the patio
Beware of the pool
Blue, bottomless pool
It leads you straight, right through the gate
That opens on the pool

You're living in your own private Idaho
You're living in your own private Idaho

Keep off the path, beware of the gate
Watch out for the signs that say "hidden driveways"
Don't let the chlorine in your eyes
Blind you to the awful surprise
That's been waiting for you at
The bottom of the bottomless, blue, blue pool

You're living in your own private Idaho
You're out of control, the rivers that roll
You fell into the water and down to Idaho
Get out of that state
Get out of the state you're in
You better beware
. . . 

~ Fred Schneider and The B-52s

Well, guess where we are? Yesterday, we headed west through Montana and entered the panhandle of Idaho. It's a brief visit in this beautiful state, just part of the route that takes us from here to there. At least it's not the "state" about which The B-52s sing! Fred Schneider chose Idaho as metaphor for a state of paranoia. Many years ago, he apologetically offered this: "Idaho is pretty mysterious to all of us. I know it's a beautiful state, but I know there's also a lot of crazy right-wingers and all that stuff." Well, Fred, there are a lot of crazy right-wingers in every state now. And likely, an increase in paranoia, too. "Private Idaho" dates back to 1980's Wild Planet. And the planet's gotten a bit wilder since then, hasn't it?

When planning this trip, I needed a stop between Yellowstone and Grand Coulee Dam. We would be crossing the panhandle of Idaho, so I looked for towns along that stretch of I-90. That's how I found the Stardust Motel in Wallace, Idaho. And what a find! As soon as we rolled into town, we were on a trolley taking us up to the Sierra Silver Mine for a charming little tour conducted by "Wonderful Wally." After that, we checked into the Stardust and then strolled downtown to look for some dinner. Too many good choices in this little town of 781 people! City Limits, the bar/restaurant for North Idaho Mountain Brewing, was perfect. Continuing our stroll, we came upon some great outdoor music at a local wine bar.

So if living in your own private Idaho means spending a warm summer evening listening to music while strolling along the streets of town, well, I could move to Idaho.

But I won't.