Thank you, Bayview

Bayview, Idaho. Photo from http://www.bayview-idaho.com/index.php

I figured I'd add this photo to today's collection. It appears on Bayview, Idaho's website, and it's a heckuva lot better than some I've posted below.

Last night I spoke at the Bayview Community Center during a meeting of the town council. I snapped photos of everyone in attendance----and snapped TOO fast in some cases. In fact, one was so blurry I did not post it.

Blurry photos aside, I had a wonderful time meeting some of the folks who work as stewards of the magnificent little community at the south end of Lake Pend Oreille next to Farragut State Park.

I'm hoping nobody complains about my borrowing this photo to show readers why it's NOT a difficult task to have to go to Bayview. As Bob from the town council told me last night, it's God's country. I've always thought that, even though I believe that North Idaho in general has received a special touch from God. He added frosting to the cake with Bayview---that's for sure.

Dr. Zak, the town council president, invited me to come and speak to the group last fall. I've known her for a few years and have spoken to her maybe three or four times. She's a retired university professor who specialized in education. She was working with student teachers through the University of Idaho when we became acquainted.

From the moment I met her, I felt like I KNEW Zak, as she is known by just about everyone. In fact, I was going to pose a question to the town council last night: what is Zak's real name? I have a feeling that not everyone would have been able to answer that, but that's not a problem.

I observed last night, both at Terry's Restaurant and at the meeting, that everyone in Bayview seems to love Zak. She's a magnet who draws people immediately and through no more effort than simply being herself.

Last night I talked about the experience of pre-editing former Gov. Don Samuelson's memoirs, in which he tells the story of bagging his first-ever deer near Bayview. Don came to Idaho from Iowa and served as the firearms instructor at Farragut Naval Training Station during WWII.

I also mentioned the controversial Universal Life Picnic at Farragut in 1971, which some have called "Idaho's Woodstock."

My talk also included a few anecdotes about twice weekly trips around Lake Pend Oreille starting from Bunco Road. My partner Chris Moon Hengstler and I spent time in Bayview during those days but more time in Lakeview, directly across the lake visiting with John and Carol Bertoni. And, of course, I told the story of how I met Bill when he was working at the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1973. And, of course, there was the greatly satisfying experience of writing a Sandpoint Magazine piece about the WWII naval recruits.

For me, it was a fun evening, heap full of nostalgia and pure pleasure at having the opportunity to meet the friendly folks who help keep Bayview a place to behold.

Thanks, Zak, and all those who extended such gracious hospitality last night. Plus, Bayview Herb, it was nice to meet you in person! He's a fellow blogger, by the way!