Beyond
for a family Thanksgiving celebration. Four
generations of my family enjoyed the splen-
did surroundings as we toasted the special
occasion. The following months brought addi-
tional adventures as we rode snowmobiles to
the top of the surrounding mountains to see
breathtaking vistas from McCall to Oregon to
Boise, screamed with delight bouncing on in-
ner tubes down the Snow Tube Hill, and then
drove ATVs over the backcountry trails. I’m
happy that this place will be a major memory-
maker for my children and grandchildren. And,
it’s only 45 minutes from my home in Eagle.
Conservation is Key
Southfork Landing is designed to protect
the area’s land and river and to preserve its na-
tive habitat. With almost four miles of protect-
ed river frontage, the development is working
with Trout Unlimited’s Ted TrueBlood Chapter
and the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Land
to restore certain areas to original trout habi-
tat and to create clean ponds and streams
flowing through the community. The mas-
ter plan includes two miles of private trout
streams, 40 acres of stocked lakes and ponds,
and over two acres available for organic gar-
dening. Cabins are constructed with a priority
to protect the environment through superior
energy efficiency, and I’m proud that my new
place has been awarded a Star
Energy Certificate.
Southfork Landing is developing a modern
domestic water and sewage system designed
to meet the needs of the community and to
comply with the emerging national criteria
45 Minutes to Paradise
for sustainable lifestyles. When completed, the
development will have dedicated over 60 per-
Southfork Landing offers outdoor enthusiasts a dream cent of the entire project to open space, con-
home away from home
servation and wildlife easements.
storyelaine ambrose
photographymatthew mckain
Learn, Launch and Laugh at the
Whitewater Park
The Payette River Whitewater Park, the
D
ecisions, decisions! Should I enjoy morning coffee on the cabin’s front patio to view the world’s first residential whitewater amenity, is
splendor of Charters Mountain as eagles soar overhead in a cloudless sky, or should I relax about to start construction at Southfork Land-
on the back deck to watch a regal herd of elk sip from the river and graze on the plentiful grasses ing. With a dedication to conservation, the
that dance in the soft mountain breeze? What about my daily activities? Should I go white water park will provide a premiere whitewater expe-
rafting, fly fishing, or mountain biking? Perhaps I should ride the ATV to a pristine alpine mead- rience for all ages and abilities complete with
ow, or feast with friends at the Yurt before attending an outdoor music festival. Ah, such is life at kayaks, boogie boards, and inner tubes. The
Southfork Landing in Garden Valley. park will feature a pond-to-pond water flow
The first time I viewed the new 868-acre project along four miles of the South Fork of the with three drops to create exciting whitewater
Payette River was in the summer of 2007. I hopped into a helicopter with Lloyd Mahaffey, one of features without the dangers associated with
the principal developers, as he flew prospective buyers over the property to show them various rapids on the open river.
available sites and spectacular vistas. From the helicopter, I chose my lot and began designing
Cascade Raft Company will manage a full-
the cabin until Mahaffey announced that the pilot was landing the helicopter because I was us-
service retail shop at the site. After learning
ing up all the fuel. That experi
the basics at the park, intrepid thrill-seekers
My custom cabin, the first to be finished, was completed in November of 2008 just in time can participate in the company’s half-day trips
32 l
www.eaglemagazine.com
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