Living in Orofino is a Dream

Sometimes we make a plan, and sometimes the plan makes you. In this case there was a short list of criteria that took an idea and sent it to the next level of consciousness.

Simple: Look for a place that has a great water source and can offer the luxury of a view to look out to a river, lake, stream, or creek . Find a place that has like minded people that care more about their family and friends than they care about the things they have.

Finaly, this place has to be semi-remote. Close enough to a fire station and hospital so that any emergency can be taken care of relatively quickly. One last caveat; Far enough away that your neighbors can barely be seen.

I eliminated Oregon and Washington because of expense and politics. I gravitated towards Idaho because of the affordability, the wonderful people, and the political climate which is more aligned with my own beliefs.

Idaho is what Marin County California  (where I grew up) used to be. Nobody cared what you had, only who you were (your word was your contract), and how hard you worked. So, having never been to Idaho before I researched the best path to lead to a successful viewing of the state I targeted to be part of my retirement haven.

First there was the flight, “Where do I fly to?” I’d never been to Spokane Washington before but I realized this would be the most affordable flight. I’d have to rent a truck (needed four wheel drive just in case) and then plot a path to a centralized location in the panhandle. I picked the panhandle because I wasn’t interested in the over-run Boise area and other areas were simply either too cold or too expensive.

I picked a B&B (The Laird House) in a small town just north of Moscow Idaho and south of Coeur d’Alene. This seemed a centralized place that could act as my base for exploration. Loved this little B&B.

Prior to coming to the B&B I set up appointments with three realtors that covered three different parts of the panhandle. There was the Sandpoint/Coeur’d Alene area, the Potlatch area, and finally the Lewiston area. Of course none of these places I’d been to and never (in my wildest dreams) did I expect to view the beauty I eventualy encountered on my sojurn into the unknown.

Potlatch is a very small town on the edge of the Palouse region of Idaho, originally built to house the employees of the worlds largest white pine sawmill. In its almost eighty-year lifespan the mill produced millions of board feet of lumber. Not knowing any of that I left the guidance to a local realtor as we explored such small towns as Princeton, Cora, Hampton, and Chambers.

I remember vividly the pouring rain as we traveled to properties for sale that fell well short of my expectations. We went to places that were difficult to find and even more difficult to get out of. We almost became stuck in the mud on several occassions but soldiered on through the monsoon like conditions. It became clear that this part of Idaho was a little to rustic in its constitution and too far from medical, fire, and commercial conveniences.

This led me to the next part of the journey, Sandpoint Idaho. Once again I knew virtually nothing about Sandpoint Idaho except that I had read that it had been  voted “the most beautiful town in America” in 2012 by USA Today. 52 miles north of Coeur d’Alene  I was amazed at the entry point to Sandpoint (a 2 mile bridge over the largest lake in Idaho, Lake Pend Oreille). The beauty was captivating and led to a well planed community that blended hand-crafted artistic license with old fashion family owned retail businesses. The pubs, and the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market which is a collection of boutique shops a restaurant and a wonderful view of the Sandpoint Harbor added to the town’s flavor and composition.

I was really looking foward to seeing the area. We visited land for sale in Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest River which eventually made one thing perfectly clear. It wasn’t going to be easy to find land that looked out to a water feature. The closest I came (with several visits to the area) spanning the course of 4-6 months was in Priest River. First I found the most spectacular property (9 acres) that had panoramic views up and down of the Priest River. I loved it until I noticed a cellphone tower on the property that could potentially lead to health issues.

Another property in the same area was not quite so spectacular (5 acres) but had a mini version of the view we had just witnessed. I made an offer on that property (in a gated community) but was perplexed to hear the agent hadn’t informed me that the property was already in escrow. I realized after taking a jaunt around Sagle (the last town I would visit in this area) that this area was not going to afford me the type of experience I was looking for (within my budget).

I felt that somewhere in this state there was a place for Nancy and I that would provide us with the criteria I set forth on this mission. Finally, my last expedition would lead me to the place we now call home.

After returning to Potlatch to rest I ventured out the next day to meet the last realtor on the list, Russ Martin. Russ is a character exactly like you’d expect as a guide to both entertain and inform you about the history of the area. Russ grew up in the area of Lewiston/Orofino and provided some very colorful accounts of the locals, the hunting and fishing, and the wonderful history that is indigenous to this part of Idaho.

We traveled to places for sale that were weird, beautiful but remote, and then came upon what would become our property in Orofino. There were many trips to this area and many unusual experiences with sellers but the property we would eventually settle upon checked all the boxes: Fire station – 5 miles away, Hospital – 8 miles away, and the town of Orofino offered the conveniences we were looking for with Lewiston (and many more conveniences) only 45 minutes from Orofino with a population of 31,000.

The process to acquire the property at Tie Creek was relatively painless. However, it took three different mortgage brokers, a pandemic, supply chain issues, and a heart attack before our dream home would be a reality. Now we have a beautiful home in an area that’s like a park (bald eagles, elk, bear, deer, wild turkey’s, and even a cougar).

Whoever said the journey is the reward is an idiot… the reward is the reward.

This blog is sponsored by PAZAZ (Kitchen tools for the discerning chef). Please go to www.pazazshop.com to purchase these AMAZING kitchen tools.

Products

Heavy Duty Aluminum Baking Pan, Steel Mesh Cooling Rack, and Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat
Regular price $36.99

Heavy Duty Aluminum Baking Sheet Pan
(18″ x 13″ x 1″)

The Pazaz TM Heavy Duty Aluminum Baking Sheet Pan is like no other. The High Gauge Aluminum offers the strength to endure temperatures up to 600 degrees and the size to fit perfectly into your oven. Pazaz TM is a baking sheet pan for the discerning chef.

Reinforced “High Grade” Aluminum
Rated up to 600 Degrees
Fits Perfectly into Standard Oven
Ideal for Culinary Baking from Sweet to Savory
Easy Clean, Dishwasher Safe but Hand Washing is Recommended
Custom Made for the Discerning Chef
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Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat
(15.75″ x 11.75″)

Chef Quality Custom Made Silicone Baking Mat (Red), Non-Stick FDA Approved Silicone.  The Pazaz TM Professional Grade Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat (Thick, Medium Size) can be used for Liners for Cookie or Baking Sheet Pans, Bread Making, Cookies, Pastry, Savory Dishes, Appetizers, and much more.  Fits perfect in our custom made Heavy Duty Aluminum Baking Sheet Pan.

Wipes Clean, Dishwasher Safe
Reusable
Tested by Chefs to Temperatures of Minus 45 Degrees below Zero
Tested by Chefs to Temperatures of 500 Degrees
Consistent Heat Distribution
No oils, sprays, or butter required to Prevent Sticking
Sweet or Savory this Product is Amazing!
Fits Perfectly inside our Custom Made Cookie Sheet
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Steel Mesh Cooling Rack
(16.5″ x 11.5″)

This Custom Made Pazaz TM Steel Mesh Cooling Rack lives beyond expectations as it integrates circulation technology with the latest in Oven tested dynamics.

Custom Made Steel Mesh Cooling Rack for Savory or Sweet Kitchen Creations
Integrates Circulation Technology with the Latest in Oven Tested Dynamics
All Broiler or Oven Prepared Food can be placed on this Safe Surface
Strong Chrome Mesh Will Not bend, sag, or warp
Broiler or Oven, this Rack can be used for the Perfect Symmetrical Stand
Oven Safe to 725 Degrees
Dishwasher Safe
Customer Reviews
Based on 5 reviews Write a review
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Excellent Kitchen Products

Bill Hall on Nov 27, 2018

I must say, when I received the baking items from Pazaz, I was initially very impressed by the packaging, the personalization, the recipe book but….most impressive was the quality of the products …..Outstanding . If you want the good stuff… Pazaz has it
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Great Kitchen Products

Mike Cleland on Nov 27, 2018

From the initial unboxing, this was a delight. Heavy gauge pan that is exactly the right size. Well made, high quality materials. The silicone mat seems to cook better than my old one. It will definitely last longer. Happy with the purchase, but even happier with the results in the kitchen.

Included cook book has good suggested recipes.

Can easily recommend Pazaz products.
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We Love PAZAZ!!!

John Greene on Nov 27, 2018

Product arrived sooner than expected. Packaging was impeccable. Each item was individually wrapped and included information cards which describes how to use each product. The logo “Pazaz” is engraved on each piece which is a great addition to high quality cookware. The recipe book is a nice touch that compliments the whole package. I look forward to additional quality products from Pazaz!
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More than what I expected

Kristal Snowmen on Nov 27, 2018

I love this bundle! I was very impressed when I opened the box, everything was individually wrapped and secured with a bow. It arrived packaged in such a way that it could easily be sent as a gift. It is as advertised, the baking pan, cooling rack and baking mat are all heavy duty, top quality and will last for years. I love the sellers attention to detail by adding a cookbook…. nice touch! I will be ordering more of these!
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Amazing Products!!!

Jay Cuccia on Nov 27, 2018

First off, the packaging, printed inserts and special cookbook were top notch and high quality, and delivery was prompt.
I actually have a professional background in baking. In my high school days I worked part time making donuts and as a college student I was actually in the bakers union working part-time. First off, the aluminum pan is thick, heavy gauge aluminum just like the pros use, except it’s sized to use at home. Therefore, heat distribution is very even. If you’ve ever made cookies where the ones in the back are over-browned (or burnt) and the ones in the front are not cooked enough, then you’ll be pleased to know that does not happen with this gauge of pan. In addition, the silicone mat was quite impressive in performance.

 

Jack’s Story

pazaz bakeware
Pazaz Premium Bakeware

How PAZAZ Came To Be

I’ve been in the restaurant business most of my life. I started working at a French restaurant in Tiburon California (The Caprice) when I was very young. Years later, after college, I became a partner in a restaurant (Epanoui), also in Tiburon. While I was there, Epanoui was voted as one of the top ten restaurants in the entire country by Time-Life Books. Following that unique experience, I left California on a new culinary journey.

After working as a manager/maitre’d in south Florida (The Plum Room) I went to upstate New York and worked at L’uberge Du Cygne in Manlius New York. I heard of a chef in upstate New York with a famous reputation and that is when I went on a quest to work with one of the greatest chefs in the world. This is when I met and worked with chef Joel Chenet who had been the Chef at the French Consulate in Paris France and prepared food for the President of France.

Missing California and my family I traveled back home and got a job working as the lead captain at Amelio’s under executive chef Jackie Robert in San Francisco (check out New York Times article in 1987, “ FOOD; KNOWING NO BOUNDARY”).

I had the pleasure of working with chef Jackie Robert whom prepared one of the inaugural dinner’s for President Ronald Reagan. With that experience I then eventually became the General Manager at Masons in the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. After that I was in charge of all the restaurants at the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill, including room service and the Top of the Mark.

Now I work for Chef Jean George Vongerichten in Las Vegas, and have decided to take my culinary expertise into the very products that help produce “World Class Cuisine”.

The Heavy Duty Aluminum Baking Sheet Pan, Non-Stick Baking Mat, and the Steel Mesh Cooling Rack are examples of my exhaustive search for quality merchandise. I had these products custom made to my specifications, with the knowledge I have attained over the years through my apprenticeship with world-class chefs and the focus associated with every aspect of the creation of a dish.

In the world of the culinary arts the tools that you use help produce the “Magic” associated with dishes that captivate the mind, stimulate the palate, and test the very boundaries of the “dining experience”. It is with this attention to detail and commitment to excellence that I bring you my brand, “PAZAZ”.

About

PAZAZ TM is more than a brand… it’s a lifestyle.

The “Magic of Cooking” implies the creation of something special in the kitchen, a transcendent experience by which all other experiences are judged. 
Music and Cooking are very similar. Both require passion, attention to detail, and a love that transcends the musical score or the recipe.  As you are the conductor of your life, we take very seriously our responsibility to give you the greatest kitchen equipment to help create your culinary experience.