Just The Basic Good Time At This B&B;

Sun., July 16, 1995

Anne Windishar Staff writer

There are no gimmicks at River Birch Farm Bed and Breakfast. What you see is what you get.

What you see is a spectacular view of the Pend Oreille River. What you get is a relaxing night at a turn-of-the-century home with no pretense, no fuss.

River Birch sits on the bank of the Pend Oreille in Laclede, Idaho, about 10 miles southwest of Sandpoint on U.S. Highway 2. The house was built in 1903 by the owners of the Laclede lumber mill. They used to hold dances on the second floor.

Now there are six rooms - five up, one down - named after local wildlife. All are $75 a night, except for the main floor room, which has a private bath, for $95.

The house has been updated with an “at the farm with Aunt Martha” feel, says Charlie Johnson, caretaker of the bed and breakfast with his wife, Barbro.

“We try to make it like a trip to the country,” Johnson said. “We just turn the place over to our guests.”

That means a quiet stay with plenty of recreation. River Birch provides access to boat-launching facilities, the dock and canoes. There is also a hot tub in a separate building that’s open all hours. Guests can swim, fish or borrow the inn’s mountain bikes.

Or they could cozy up to the fireplace, watch a few videos on the VCR or bring along some steaks to cook up on the barbecue on the house deck.

Barbro cooks up a hearty farm breakfast in the morning, but you won’t see much of the couple. They give guests their privacy and pop in only for the meal.

The only drawback is that River Birch sits just off U.S. Highway 2, where a road-widening project has limited access and increased noise. Johnson says the road is opening soon to two lanes again, so the frequent delay for escorts will be eliminated.

Thankfully, crews aren’t dynamiting as much either.

“It’s a pain, that’s for sure,” said Johnson, adding that it hasn’t hurt business yet. “People come here for quiet time - a chance to get away and be alone. They can still do that.”

River Birch is open seven nights a week, year round. For reservations, call (208) 263-3705.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Do you have a favorite hideaway around the Inland Northwest, a secluded retreat that you would recommend to others? We’d like to hear about it. Write to: Travel Editor, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or fax (509) 459-5098.

Do you have a favorite hideaway around the Inland Northwest, a secluded retreat that you would recommend to others? We’d like to hear about it. Write to: Travel Editor, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or fax (509) 459-5098.