Well, there is a small town, full of quirky attributes and placed gently into the mountainside, that was named just over 20 years ago as the "Center of the Universe."

As you drive into Wallace, Idaho, you are met with homes nestled into steep hillsides, buildings that had their heyday in the 1960s, and mountains thick with conifer trees and rugged beauty. It is the kind of place that feels like it holds something just beyond what you can see, where the landscape itself invites you to step into it more fully. As naturalist John Muir once wrote, "Between every two pines is a doorway into a new world."

In 2004, the town made its identity official. The mayor at the time declared:

"I, Ron Garitone, Mayor of Wallace, Idaho, and all of its subjects, and being of sound body and mind, do hereby solemnly declare and proclaim Wallace to be the Center of the Universe."

And somehow, when you are there, it does not feel entirely like a joke.

Wallace is home to an abundance of hiking and biking trails, unique restaurants, and exceptional taprooms. Its history runs deeper than its charm might suggest. The Great Fire of 1910 tore through parts of Montana, Idaho, and Washington, devastating Wallace in the process. The town was forced to rebuild, something it did with quiet resilience.

What may appear unsuspecting on a map reveals itself slowly as a gem tucked into the mountains.

Every year, Wallace hosts the Huckleberry Festival and 5K Fun Run, beginning in the downtown area beside vendors selling all things huckleberry. Native to the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains, huckleberries resemble blueberries but are smaller, more tart, and carry a deep purple hue. A race centered around them feels fitting, rooted in place, a little wild, and entirely communal.

This 5K is not your typical race. It is lighthearted. Unstructured. Almost defiant in its refusal to take itself too seriously.

As you move through downtown, each building, home, and storefront carries its own sense of character. The pace invites you to slow down, to notice, to take in what it feels like to run through a town that does not ask you to be anything other than yourself.

Not every race needs to be a test of endurance. Some can simply be an invitation to show up, to laugh, and to belong.

Here, you will find children laughing, families cheering, runners in costume, and even the occasional dog joining in. When you cross the finish line, the experience does not end. The Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast at the local Elks Lodge welcomes you into the next part of the day, where conversations stretch longer and the sense of community lingers.

It is refreshing to see something like this continue to thrive year after year, drawing people from all walks of life. Whether you are a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or simply walking alongside others, there is space for you here.

If you find yourself in Wallace, take a moment to locate the manhole cover marking the "Center of the Universe." Stand there for a second longer than you think you need to.

And remember that you can become something entirely new, even if you are still in the process of rebuilding.

If Wallace can burn down, rise again, and declare itself the Center of the Universe, what might be waiting for you?

Maybe something just beyond the doorway you have not stepped through yet.

Sources

John Muir, John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir

City of Wallace. Center of the Universe Declaration https://www.wallaceid.fun/places/united-states/idaho/wallace/attractions-museums-destinations/center-of-the-universe-wallace-idaho/