This story is the first in an occasional series we're calling "Meet The Neighbors" – your chance to catch up with folks you might know, or might want to know. After all, community is what we do best here in McCall, so the more friends the better.

This episode features a conversation with Chris Smith, Brundage Mountain Patrol and world traveler.

Here's a quick preview...

"Word came to me a day later. Apparently, one of my daughters made out with a random guy in Foresters and my good friend, Chris Smith, stood by and watched the whole thing develop.

When I caught up with him, I said, "Dude! What gives? You see my daughter making out with somebody in the bar and you don't stop it? I thought you had my back."

His eye's twinkled and he said, "Hey man, who am I to stand in the way of true love?"

I stifled a laugh, trying to act tough. I failed. It was such a quintessential Smith comment I couldn't stay mad – or even faux mad.

So I didn't.

I first met Smith at Brundage. For the last few years, we've been on patrol together, me a lowly volunteer, him a manager. Like most of our locals, Smith wandered the planet a bit before deciding to call McCall home.

A product of Texas - and the reason I keep promising to develop a line of stickers saying, "Let's Mess With Texas!" - Smith grew up hunting, fishing, playing football, diving and, of all things, skiing. No word on if he skied in jeans - but I'm guessing yes."

For the rest of the story, listen to the conversation. Enjoy!

Outdoor adventure cult brand, Arc'teryx, opens its Tokyo Creation Center

Astra Tucker and Austin Urlacher hope to cast a spell with their enchanting short-term rental

By Kialan Manandic

The sights and sounds of the forest are straight out of a storybook. The birds, the bees, the mountains, the trees, and all the rivers and lakes come together in a childhood dream.

Many people call this place home. Others only stay for a short visit, but their time here is unforgettable, like all the fairytales they grew up with.

“When we came here for the first time, we fell in love with the town—all the parks, the downtown, the water, and everything, it’s beautiful,” says Astra Tucker. “It sounds kind of corny to say, but [the town] did feel like a fairytale to us. When you look outside, you see families of deer and all kinds of birds, and the locals are so friendly here. I haven't been to a place that's quite like McCall.”