Why Colville?

We have been asked numerous times since we bought a house  in Colville, why Colville... by locals no less,? Not sure there would be one definitive answer to the question but people here are among the nicest we have encountered while traveling the western states. Does Colville have an abundance of wealthy people or million dollar houses? Not at all.

I read that one in four people are on food stamps in our county, which to me sounds like a lot. One example is Rosalyn here with her two pets, Abigail and Buttercup in front of Safeway. I only saw the ducks at first and a lady standing over them...seems she volunteered to watch Abigail and Buttercup while Rosalyn was in the store buying corn for her babies. 

When Rosalyn came out she was questioned by the sitter about her status. Rosalyn stated she was homeless because of an abusive relationship and left with her two babies whom she has raised from eggs. Rosalyn never asked or bummed anything and so she ended up being one of my charitable favorites of the season. I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone who cares for our feathered or four legged friends.

Hey...we are meat eaters, but meat eaters with a heart. I have nothing against hunting (just don't call it a sport, a sport indicates both parties know the rules) for food...no trophy hunting people please, but people can and should be humane in their thinking, respect and actions to Gods other creatures.

Our son Jason came up for the holiday weekend (Thanksgiving) so I had to take him up behind the house on a dirt road near the summit of Monumental Mountain for a view of our "fabulous town of Colville" in the background!

We had both our boys, their spouses and grand kids up for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. 

Denny, Ashley and Laura had a great time until Ashley came down with a bug and had to go home to Spokane Valley. So sorry she missed the sledding the following day.

Jason, Lisa and Riley ended up spending a weekend of food and playing in the snow. 

Our grandson Riley loves Granny's and Opa's Colville house!

Our house was built on a hill so Riley had so much fun on his sled with dad at the bottom to stop him from going into a tree and thus avoiding some serious medical bills.:-)

Opa, not worried about medical bills since he has medicare, took a shot at the hill. One and done he said, sledding at 65 years old is dancing with the devil...and Opa doesn't dance all that well!

Back to small towns and "why Colville'? We loved that the downtown district as it seemed vibrant with owner/operator businesses. Sure, there is a Safeway, Save 1 and even a Wal-mart but those aren't the ones keeping this town open...it's the people. Here we are welcoming Santa and lighting of the official Colville Christmas Tree. 

Santa and Riley...Santa was all original, no paste on beard or belly here! :-)

The general opinion of the family (Riley) is that our tree out front was much better looking than the "official" town tree...but that makes no difference. The town tree celebration attracted hundreds of people, while mine only 5...and that is why I like this town...people get involved, people help one another...hell, people stop for you when crossing Main St. (yes, the main street is called Main Street, go figure) 

How many candy stores actually look like candy stores of old and not just a "mini mart/gas station"? Here in Colville there is an actual candy counter to buy one or more pieces of what thrills a five year old.

Jason left Sunday morning, the night before we got our most snow yet...3 inches.

After the last family member left I got to work clearing the driveway...have I mentioned that I love our house? I probably have at one time or another..but is it a perfect house? Hell no, there are issues that a normal person would shy away from...not us. With all its idiosyncrasies I am still in love with the house, area and town.

Some may see a cold dreary photo, I see a season we were meant to experience. 

With the cold, snow and the deer just out of camera range begging for an apple or two, this is not for everyone which is what makes this such a wonderful place for us.

Donna and I are on our first trip to a town bar for a beer and snack. The Acorn Saloon in the middle of town, on Main St., was a history lesson in the making with it's rich wood, naked paintings and pool tables. Can't complain about good beer and bar food, we will be back.