A Hike Along The Shores Of Lake Pend Oreille

Each week a couple of friends and I meet up for a hike and go out to lunch. I gotta say, it's not the worst thing in the world at all, I mean there's splendid conversation, majestic scenery, and smashing comestibles. Hike Day contains all of the most wonderful of life's existential elements.

Last week I discovered that my pals had never been to the lake side of Farragut State Park. It was a spectacular discovery, especially since one of my friends is far more outdoorsy than I in the she has camped and hiked everywhere round these parts way.

Farragut is about 15 miles from my house, and I have hiked and rode horses all over the former Unites States Military Installation turned Idaho State Park natural wonderland. I really like tromping through Farragut because it feels like being an extra in a mildly dystopian setting, for there are remnants of its military base roots amongst the beautiful natural setting.

That said, it was decided that since I was the only one in our group who had experienced the place, then I was to lead the hike. Gross, I hate leading things, it's much more exciting to not be in charge and meander both thoughtfully and intentionally while someone else shoulders the responsibility of direction and plot.

However, as I am always one up for an adventure, I delved right into my role as Captain Kat, and directed my friend to park her bright orange Subaru at the Beaver Bay Parking Lot. Beaver Bay is a lovely swimming hole on Lake Pend Oreille's Idlewilde Bay. It's one of my favorite places to do character studies, for in the summer that swimming hole is teeming with local and visiting wildlife and all their accoutrements. Some of the swimwear modeled is spectacular! And when rural people interact with city folk in a natural setting, dramatic magic is made.

Along the side of Idlewild Bay's shore is a pleasant little trail that traverses the rock be-speckled shoreline up towards the public boat launch and the part of the park that overlooks the town of Bayview. It's a pretty and not very taxing couple mile hike.

We chose to go during the week, as it is summer, and we didn't want to fight the tourists. Not that I despise tourists, it's just that Idaho is a little freer state than most, so A LOT of people have flocked here in the last year or so. It's nice to enjoy one's home in its previously uncrowded state, hence the during the week visit.

After reaching the boat launch I led my friends up the hill and showed them the picnic area, pavilion, and playground. Farragut really does have a ton of space, and one thing that made me so happy about this particular hike is all the flowers that where in bloom.

Scattered throughout our stroll were massive hundred year old rose bushes which were in blooming mode. There are some days I wish photos had smell.

Along the shoreline were clumps of yellow irises. I kept getting distracted like a Tik Tok addicted adolescent every time we came across a clump. My friends just laughed at me, apparently I am endearing or something.

On the way back we came across a couple of buzzards. I think I interrupted their snacking, so they glided up to the top of a thirty foot snag and stared down upon me in what could be described as a disturbing manner, as they are death eaters.

I begged their pardon and strolled a bit faster under their unnerving scrutiny. I guess in that moment I was reminded that we are all a heartbeat away from being something else's afternoon snack. Good times.

The nice thing about the shoreside hike is that it is a loop. On the way back I bounded up a hillside trail and took my friends back to the car on the wide, graveled path that leads back to Beaver Bay. That is one of the best parts about Farragut, there are trails everywhere, and after you get good and oriented, you can just wander where you wish and end up where you desire....most of the time.

After much chirping, both by the birds and us, we ended up back at the car and headed towards lunch. That magnificent meal deserves its own post, as it was in a newly opened southern food tapas style restaurant in my town. Don't worry, I won't leave you in suspense about that event for long!

And if you happen to visit or live in Idaho, do yourself a favor and experience Farragut State Park , it's a glorious chunk of the planet.😊

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And as most of the time, all of the images in this post were taken on the author's buzzard dinner proof iPhone.