Slight Detour: Fun and Yum at the White Horse Saloon

It had been 48 years since Bill and I last stepped inside the White Horse Saloon and Restaurant in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

https://www.thewhitehorsesaloon.com/

On our first and last visit in August, 1973, he was working a two-week gig at the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Farragut while I was writing feature stories for the Sandpoint News Bulletin about the Jamboree.

Well, after yesterday's unplanned visit to what's touted as Idaho's oldest operating saloon/restaurant and newly renovated upstairs accommodations, I could write a story or two about our experience.

We felt as if we'd been swept up and carried into a dream, a great one at that.

We had driven to Spirit Lake with plans to have a beer and brat at a restaurant inside the e-bike place.

Closed Sundays.

That's what the sign on the door said.

So, Bill and I started walking down the sidewalk on Maine Street (yes, Maine. The charming little town's streets are named after states).

We hadn't gone a block when a pickup parked, and a tall blond man got out and immediately asked us what we were up to.

After our response, he asked if we wanted to know that best place in Spirit Lake to eat.

I immediately guessed the White Horse Saloon, which was just across the street from the e-bike restaurant.

This engaging man, also a former Boy Scout, happened to be the owner.

"Come on; follow me," he said. "First drink's on me."

Gobsmacked in a pleasant way, Bill and I simply followed, talking all the way.

Before even walking inside, we had met his wife Calie and his charming pup/almost human Lulu. We learned that he attended the NCAA Final Four, wearing both ZAGS and a Baylor t-shirts.

After all, when you're a former Texas basketball player and your kids coaching program included the Baylor player with the mullet (sixth man named Meyer), among numerous other connections, you've got some loyalties.

We had also told our new friend named Bill our story about the last time we ate at the Saloon.

I asked him if the pot belly stove with a dog lounging nearby was still there. I think pool tables have replaced that vivid scene from the '70s.

Bill introduced us to the patrons as we walked through the saloon into the rustic restaurant where walls are adorned with historical photos.

Lots happened over the next hour or so as we met Ted, the chef, who spent some time in his career cooking on Amtrak AND in "Luzianna."

Of course, when Bill heard that catfish and fries were on the menu, he didn't think twice about what he was gonna order.

Ted talked me in to trying the Mother Load basket, which includes smoked brisket, pulled pork with house barbecue sauce and bacon with hot (temp) tots on the side.

Bill, from Texas, ordered the mushroom burger.

The place was buzzing with staff members coming and going and others there to talk business.

When our food came, Lulu joined our lively get-acquainted conversation convincing Bill, her master, that she needed about half his lunch.

Our host is a fascinating, engaging, down-to-earth, successful businessman and former college and NBA athlete who gives back to the young people of his hometown of Austin, Tex., through youth coaching programs.

Bill and I felt blessed with this totally unexpected interlude in our Sunday afternoon adventure. In addition to Bill and Calie and Ted, we met a mini-mother-lode of fun people working at or enjoying the historic saloon and restaurant.

As we drove off, back down Maine Street in Spirit Lake, we both felt a bit overwhelmed at how we stumbled on to such a memorable afternoon in a place where we had enjoyed one of our first dates so many years ago.

Thank you, Bill, Calie, Ted and the gang at the White Horse for your friendship and generous hospitality.

As for Lulu, I think you had a good time too.

Happy Monday.