To the Upper St. Joe River
at the
Linda and I have been associated with Avery and the St. Joe Valley since 1975 when the town bustled with activity. The trains of the Milwaukee Road rumbled in and out of town as they switched for destined points beyond. Logging was also a staple of the community that provided much of the economy in Avery and the St. Joe valley. The blend of forest service, logging, and railroad employees, along with their families, created a colorful and active community.
We were married ten miles north of Avery in a meadow on Loop Creek in an outdoor ceremony in 1978. Our reception was held at the Avery community center which was known as "The Beanery" in prior years. It had just years earlier served as the food service, depot, and baggage room for the Milwaukee Railroad.
We purchased our home in Avery in 1979 and lived in Avery for about ten years overall. Employment conditions and other factors prompted us to relocate to the Coeur d'Alene area in 1985 where Linda pursued her career as a speech language pathologist and I continued my work in the timber industry. We made the decision to keep our place in Avery in the hope that one day we could return and again enjoy all that the beautiful St. Joe has to offer.
Thirty years later that time finally arrived. After years of renting annually we restored and remodeled the home in 2008. We are proud to have reclaimed our first home as a welcome “retreat” for us as well as others who appreciate the outdoor activities, the scenery, and the rest and relaxation that the St. Joe River valley provides.
