Huckleberries: Humid But Heaven

Ben Stein, the former Nixon speechwriter famous for his role as the economics instructor in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” feels our pain as he suffers from heat at his Sandpoint getaway. Before praising Pat Buchanan’s new book about Richard Nixon, Stein writes in the American Spectator: “The real problem is the humidity though. We left D.C. to escape the humidity. It was unbearable, like being in a steam room with your suit and tie on. We do not have much humidity in L.A., but we sure have plenty of it here in North Idaho this summer.” Conversely, Stein said he enjoys “the incredibly tasty kettle corn” and posing for photos with the friendly people at Sandpoint City Beach. Then, there’s “Lake Pend Oreille, limitless cool blue expanse of water, blue sky, clouds, and mountain forests.” In a parting salute to the region, Stein tells of his “brilliant, world-traveling sister” who had just concluded a trip to Tanzania. She told him that Tanzania is beautiful but no more beautiful than North Idaho – to which Stein adds: “No place is”/ DFO , Sunday Huckleberries. More here .

Other SR weekend columns:

• Slice: Mom Ears rarely need fine tuning /Paul Turner
• Food: Leonard takes helm at Ambrosia /Adriana Janovich
• Maybe cities can take lead on gun violence /Shawn Vestal
• Smart Bombs: Repealniks face boomerang /Gary Crooks
• On Tap: Book sings praises of Gem State beers /Rick Bonino
• In the Garden: Fundraiser benefits Mirror Pond /Susan Mulvihill
• Spin Control: Pot reporting isn’t as sexy as it sounds /Jim Camden
• Eye on Boise: Liam, Sophia most popular Idaho names /Betsy Russell
• Outdoors: New Roskelley guide book reveals Columbia charms /Rich Landers

Question: What is the most humid place that you’ve been?