Barb and Harlan Opdahl
Opdahls are 1860 Days Grand Marshals
The Pierce 1860 Days Committee is pleased to introduce you to the 2009 1860 Days Grand Marshals, Harlan and Barb Opdahl. This year 1860 Days are July 31-Aug. 2.
Harlan and Barb have been residents of Pierce since 1966. They have held many “hats” throughout these years, and continue to be actively involved on various boards and committees.
When Harlan and Barb came out from Minnesota, he worked for Jaype, and Barb worked at the elementary school as an aide and secretary. In 1970, Harlan started logging, working for Carl Nelson Logging and Ken Miller. Barb went to work for the Postal Service in 1972 until 1989.
They purchased an outfitting business in 1979, and named it Triple O Outfitters. They ran that business in the summer and Harlan logged during the winter. In 1986 Harlan devoted his full attention to their business, and Barb joined him full-time in 1989.
In 1984, Triple O Outfitters offered educational interpretive horseback trips over the Lolo portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail. In 1986, with the help of the Small Business Development Center at Lewis-Clark State College, they became part of the Smithsonian Institute’s Domestic Study Program, taking participants across the trail.
These trips culminated in Pierce and the participants enjoyed visiting our area. Over the years, Triple O Outfitters, with Harlan and Barb at the helm, has hosted many enthusiasts of Lewis and Clark, including Stephen Ambrose, Ken Burns, Herman Viola, Gary Moulton, and many members of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Foundation.
In 1997, Harlan and Barb were invited to the White House with Ken Burns to a screening of his documentary, “Lewis and Clark.”
Triple O Outfitters’ trip over the Lolo has been featured on and in CBS, PBS, National Geographic, TV Guide, USA Today, Western Horseman, and many newspapers in the U.S. and Europe.
The Opdahls sold Triple O Outfitters this year. They now devote their time to their many other interests. The list is impressive and spans the years:
Barb is now serving on the library Board in Pierce during the remodeling of the current building. She serves on the Government Affairs Committee of the Outfitters and Guides Association, of which they both are members.
She has also served on the Idaho Travel Council for six years representing Region II. Barb was on Potlatch’s Citizen Advisory Group until 2009. She is a member of Senator Crapo’s Clearwater Collaborative Group. She sits on the Small Business Development Advisory Board at Lewis-Clark State College.
Harlan served on the planning and zoning committee of Pierce and was a member of the Pierce Volunteer Fire Department. At this time, Harlan is a member of the Resource Advisory Committee of the Clearwater and Nez Perce Forests, and the Clearwater County Search and Rescue. He is an Endowment member of the National Rifle Association.
Harlan and Barb are active members of Faith Lutheran Church in Pierce. They raised four children, Gwen, Jim, Diane (who was 1860 Days Queen in 1982), and Sharon. They enjoy 13 grandchildren.
“We both love to hunt, camp, and enjoy the beautiful country we live in with our wonderful family and many friends God has blessed us with.”
After the parade the Alpha Omicron Sorority BBQ will treat the Opdahls to lunch at the Courtyard Park. Please come by and say hi to this couple who have given so much of their time and commitment to the Pierce community.