In the northeast corner of Washington State, bordered British Columbia, Canada to the north, and to the east by the Idaho Panhandle, Pend Oreille County(pronounced pond-array) is a place of unspoiled natural splendor. Inspired by Native American Indians who lived in the river valley, French Canadian trappers

named the region and her people after the pendants (Fr. pend) worn on the ears (Fr. oreille) of the indigenous population.

The Pend Oreille river is the second largest navigable river in Washington State, providing one third of the water that forms the Columbia River. Flowing

north into Canada, the Pend Oreille River returns to Washington State spilling into Lake Roosevelt, and eventually becoming the Columbia River.  

The Pend Oreille River mirrors the abundant beauty here. Her stillness is 'lake-like' thanks to dams at Albeni Falls near Priest River Idaho, at Box Canyon, and at the US/Canada border at Boundary Dam. Due to a flow that is negligible, excellent canoeing and wildlife viewing opportunities abound, and an overwhelming sense of serenity is apparent. 

Here we steward 80 acres of river frontage, more than a mile and a quarter of pristine habitat for migrating waterfowl, native eagles, hawks, osprey, heron, and  cormorant. Beaver and muskrat lay claim to the banks of the Pend Oreille, chiseling den-building material from trees at the water's edge. 

The 636 acre To Honor Land Trust is four acres shy of a square mile, and provides sanctuary for whitetail deer, elk, the shy black bear, at least one moose (sighted 6/11/06), cougar, coyote, lynx and several varieties of game bird. Although we've not had the pleasure, we're told in recent years a Grizzly Bear has also meandered through.

Anticipating a drier climate, visitors often share surprise in finding Douglas Fir, Tamarack, Birch, Aspen, and even Western Red Cedar in abundance. The climate of Pend Oreille County is far less arid than the Okanogan region, providing a lower risk of wildfire. Furthermore, the Pend Oreille River valley is free from poisonous snakes.

It is here that the nonprofit To Honor Respite Retreat will be built. Construction planning is underway, and construction will be ongoing from 2008 through 2012.