Priest Lake Blog - MUSINGS OF AN ALMOST OLD-TIMER

MUSINGS OF AN ALMOST OLD-TIMER
Doug Kuelpman

I was 6 when my Dad brought me to Priest Lake for the first time. His close friend, Al Vinther, introduced him to the beauty of our area we all know well. The year was 1951. A lot has happened in that time.

Growing up I skied the thoroughfare and Upper Priest (when it was legal) and had picnics at the open landfills late in the afternoon to watch the bears feed. I camped out for years on eight mile island with my friend Steve Beck– relative of the Vinther-Nelson clan.

When I was 16, I helped fight a horrific cabin fire in our bay. Although the cabin was flattened, the forest withstood the temptation to go up in flames. I also watched the Sundance mountain fire seemingly dance across the mountain tops night after night for most of one summer.

I remember helping Dad bring the dock he bought from the Diamond Match Company in Cavanaugh Bay decades ago to our cabin. It supported the cafeteria and is still going strong (with a little help from Mike Wagnor and friends).

As a kid, Outlet Resort was our favorite lunch place because of their milkshakes. And we could walk there. I have taken my own children there for those great milkshakes. It’s gone now.

Coolin was a destination when it was a thriving place of activity. The upgraded Leonard Paul store is the only good thing going for it now unless you consider our favorite Postmaster at the USPS. Yes, Leslie would tell you that is the right title. I can still the taste the breakfast on Sunday morning on the restaurant deck. My Dad kept his boat at Bishop’s Marina and what great boats they had there! We always marveled at the activity buzz on the weekends. No more. Kinda like New York with it slumlords.

The serenity of the lake is now sometimes replaced with the noise of go fast boats that think I actually want to hear their exhausts completely unmuffled as they see who can go from one end to the other the fastest.

I have flown in to both airstrips and only had a heart attack on one.

People much wiser than I had a vision in mind with the Priest Lake Golf Course. Great course changes and especially the new back nine. Who would have thought the over-sized mansions dotting the course would sell?

I remember Cavanaugh Bay in its heyday. Al Vinther and Dad launched their 30 ft. long open structure boat there. A 90 horse inboard engine with no transmission. Landing was an adventure. I also remember Cavanaugh when it was run down and up for sale. It’s nice to see it back to life. Sunday breakfast buffet is the best deal on the lake. It is not fancy, but the food is always high quality and doesn’t disappoint.

The Hill family continues in the fine tradition that George and Lois started years ago making improvements while maintaining the ambience that Hills is known for. One of my kids is an executive chef and he has taught us plenty about the finer side of eating. Scott Hill has raised his own bar in the last few years and never disappoints as Executive Chef.

New docks, finally, at Elkins allows the boat going public to have a fine meal in their restaurant and not get their feet wet upon returning home. Thanks from all of us! Maybe next year we can get some of the potholes in the road filled?

Grandview. We go there for the view and ask for the fried trout. It’s not on the menu but they still have it. (Never figured that one out)

Millie’s is still kicking and better than ever. But I hated to see the $1 dollar taco night go by the wayside.

We have had the good fortune that allows us to be home at Priest Lake from May till October. And our children have all come to love the lake as well. We relish the fact that some change is always necessary, and Priest Lake is no exception.

Growth on the northeast side, a new marina / restaurant in Cavanaugh Bay at Blue Diamond, Chimney Rock café which surprises all with their good food, expansion of the hardware store that all of us rely on, a revitalized Korners, and the beat goes on.

And there are changes that some of us old-timers would like to see. A Marina at Coolin that would go from eye-sore to one that is a sight for sore eyes. (Perhaps a glimmer of hope in the making as new docks are currently going in.)

It would be nice to see a County that would care more about the roads they are responsible for. Take a ride down the West Lakeshore road from Hills towards the Outlet. You might want to borrow a truck or 4-wheel drive.

I am a nighttime boater, and as a licensed Captain, appreciate the safety and confidence afforded by the few navigational lights we have on the lake. Now if they all just worked…

Less milfoil and more lake trout!

Fifty six years. That’s how many years I have had the pleasure of experiencing what Priest Lake has to offer. I have seen long time lake friends come and go. They know that there are two heavens. My personal thanks to those who have helped create the lasting memories.

Doug Kuelpman