Girl Camping in Kendrick, Idaho

Sometimes you really don't know what you've got right in your own backyard.

Girl Camping Girl, her hubby Mr. Ed, and adventure partner Miss Shelley just spent a glorious camping weekend at a small-town RV park (7 spaces) only 15 miles from home. We visit Kendrick, Idaho, several times a year to shop at the local antique stores and get out of the snow zone, but never even knew the little RV park was there until Miss Shelley read an item about it in the newspaper.

Loved it, and we'll be back!

The trailer parking spaces are right alongside a 5.3-mile bike path that's been established on the old railroad bed. It follows the Potlatch River through an area that was once the winter home of native Americans, thanks to its mild winter climate. The whole trail is lined with benches that overlook the river, and has been planted with flowering trees and shrubs that were in full bloom the end of April.

Lilacs love the Kendrick climate zone. Some of the old ones along Main Street had to be 30 or 40 feet tall. When the sun came out, it definitely smelled like a blooming spring.

Since we were only a block off Main Street, we were in easy walking distance of Kendrick's stores and cafe. Kendrick is a well-kept little town with a quaint Main Street made largely of brick buildings. The hardware store sells beautiful garden starts and hanging planters.

One of the old Main Street buildings has been renovated into a bed & breakfast by a couple we met while camped in town. Girl Camping Girl was invited in for a tour of what is quite a fabulous place. (Note to self: Must host a party there in future.)

We discovered a quilts & more store we hadn't known was there on previous visits to Kendrick. It was a gold mine for Miss Shelley, who added to her cherry-themed trailer decor.

This fantastic cabinet with drop-down side leaves is painted with cherries and fits perfectly outside Cherry Lane, a 1953 Aljoa.

And how about this stunning lap quilt with appliqued cherries? Joanie, the proprietor, have Shelley two cherry-theme camping mugs to go with the ensemble. Bonus!

Meanwhile, Girl Camping Girl scored this funky fold-up table. It's going to make a great bar, and a laptop station, too.

G'petto, GCG's favorite furkid, enjoyed his campout time.

We each had our own trailer to retreat to, and GCG's electric fireplace did a fine job, as usual, of keeping hers toasty.

We walked the bike trail far enough out of town to catch a great view of the Potlatch River pouring down toward the Clearwater.

Had to stop and record a 'we were here' photo at the Welcome to Kendrick sign.

Campfire grub--yum!

All in all, a remarkable weekend getaway. Cheers for sweet small towns!