Sallie Craner has been living fulltime in her 28-foot Traveleze travel trailer since March 2010.

That’s when the former-St. Maries, Idaho, resident moved to Riggins, Idaho.

“In St. Maries, where I lived for 17 years, all my girlfriends were married or in a relationship and they are settled. That’s fine, but it’s not for me. I’m more of an adventurer,” she says.

“This past February I made a road trip down here and I was wearing flip-flops. St. Maries has hard winters, so I went back and told my friends I was moving.” One friend said, “You don’t know anybody, what are you going to do?”

“I said: Number one, I’m going to get a job; and two, I will meet people in a short period of time.” And that’s exactly what she did. Within a few weeks she was working as bartender for the Seven Devils Saloon and Rodeo Club in Riggins.

“The people here are very unique, welcoming and easy to get to know. I’ve had a wonderful experience since I’m been here,” she says. “My bosses, Mike and Melissa Blimka, are great.”

Craner feels at home in the Salmon River Canyon area where she spends time on the river and 4-wheeling.

“I love the look of it,” she says. “When I first drove over the White Bird summit, it reminded me of Montana with its big mountains. Then there are places in the mountains near Riggins that remind me a lot of the area around St. Maries. So, I’m really in my element here.”

Photo: Sallie Craner, bartender at Seven Devils Tavern, Riggins, ID. Photo: Julianne Crane.