7-3-2026

7-3-2026 Priest Lake

Lorena scored a 4th of July reservation at Beaver Creek.  We have the grandkids with us as well.  The drive over seems to be longer every year.  Put the kids in charge of setting up the tent and cots and getting the fire going while we got the camper setup.  This is mom’s trick she used to keep us busy and out of her way. I even had marinated meat for the kids to cook over the fire with hotdog skewers.  Wandered down to the lake later.  Sure is nice here.

7-4-2026

Spent a good part of the day at the lake with my feet in the water.  If your eyes are good you can see the fire lookout to the north.  It was easier to pick out with the binoculars.  There is a lot of standing dead trees on the surrounding mountains.  I think a lot of that is from the fire a few years ago.  I’m sure some of that is the Pine Borer Beetle as well.  There is a good wind blowing up the lake and a bit of a chop.  Lots of boats out and a couple of wind surfers.  We were hoping to exhaust the grandkids.  I think we were more tired than them.  

There is a total ban on fireworks in the panhandle.  Not even pop-its, not even on private property. I’ll let you guess how well the folks around here adhere to that.  Way up here on the north end it wasn’t too crazy.  Not like back home.  You could hear the big fireworks displays from Elkins, and probably Hills.  Deep booms echoing up the lake.  

7-5-2026

Spent more time on the lake with the grandkids.  The boys took off on the trail to Plowboy and Upper Priest.  They said they went 3 miles in and turned around, which means they were writhing half a mile.  The reported huckleberries ripe on the bush about a mile in.  Latter in the day I walk in and picked enough for pancakes in the morning.  Quite the walk actually.  

7-6-2026

Up somewhat early and on the road by 9am.  A hot drive back.  I sure don’t miss non-functional AC in the old truck.