A visit to Green Bluff — Stuck in North Idaho

Green Bluff Growers is Spokane, WA via Stuck in North Idaho

pumpkin doughnuts at greenbluff WA - stuckinnorthidaho.com

Hadley the St. Bernard at High Country Orchards, Green Bluff Growers is Spokane, WA via Stuck in North Idaho

Carved Pumpkins from Green Bluff via Stuck in North Idaho

This morning as I sipped my coffee, I watched out the window as the fog and clouds dissipated from the city streets and the morning sun lit the gold leaves still clinging to the trees outside.

Fall is here. Earlier this month the days became noticeably shorter and the nights cooler; but the days stayed warm and sunny. Not our typical October. This week though, there’s been a shift and now there’s a bite in the air and early morning clouds and fog, bringing fall into full swing.

To help us get in the spirit, Kyle and I took our annual trip over to Green Bluff for a day of apple picking, pumpkin hunting and of course – pumpkin donut eating.This year we went with our friends Lisa and Tom. When we arrived at their house, we discussed which farms and attractions we wanted to see. It was then that we realized they had NEVER been to Harvest House and therefore, had NEVER experienced the amazingness that is pumpkin donuts. Don’t worry, we remedied that.

As we wound our way through the hills, I couldn’t help but notice the lingering effects of our unusually hot and dry summer. The trees were brown and crispy, the orchards and fields already almost empty, a few of the farms were already closed for the year.Needless to say, the pumpkin donuts were a resounding success – each of us got a dozen to take home and we’ve been eating them all week long. Which reminds me, I should probably go for a run tonight ;)

On our way out, we stopped by High Country Orchard to check out their pumpkin selection and peek around the store. Lying in the middle of the floor was a beautiful St. Bernard named Hadley. At just 2 years old, she already weighs over 160 pounds. That’s two of Juneau for anyone doing the math. She was so sweet and friendly, I ended up spending most of our time there with her. Her family owns the farm and store. Her dad, Don, was there, holding a little dog while we talked. I asked him about Hadley and her sister, the orchard and about the dog he was holding.

“Oh this isn’t a real dog,” he joked. “This is Poopsie. The worst dog we’ve ever had.”

As it turns out, Don and his family lived abroad for a while and when they wanted to return back to the states, they had to leave his son’s small dog behind. Poopsie (I can’t stop laughing at that name) is the “replacement” he promised to his son.Poopsie seemed nice enough, and sure had a sweet face. But being a lover of the large breeds, Hadley definitely had more of my attention.

Green Bluff is my favorite annual tradition, every year I get to learn more about the area, its history and about the wonderful people that work so hard so that we experience the magic that is fall in the Inland Northwest.

Happy Fall!