‘It Doesn’T Really Matter Which Lake Is Being Referred To’

Sun., June 13, 1999

Nina Culver Correspondent

At some time or another this summer, people living in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area will announce that they are going to “the lake” for the weekend. Other long-time residents will nod sagely in acknowledgment. Ah, yes, the lake.

Newcomers to our outdoor paradise, however, will likely look at all the blue spots on the map and ask, “Which lake?”

The answer to the age-old question is: It depends. It’s all a matter of where you live and where the nearest large lake is. It’s safe to assume that for people living in Coeur d’Alene, it means Lake Coeur d’Alene. People living a bit farther north, say, near Sandpoint, are probably referring to Lake Pend Oreille. Go even farther north and it’s Priest Lake.

For Spokane residents, who think nothing of driving an hour or two to hit their favorite swimming hole, “the lake” may mean any of the three. Except, of course, for Spokane Valley residents, who may mean Liberty Lake or Newman Lake. Then there’s Deer Lake, Loon Lake, Spirit Lake, Eloika Lake, Diamond Lake… . You get the idea.

In addition, there are people who grew up near one lake and now live close to another, so when they say “the lake” they may really be referring to their “home” lake. It can get as confusing as one of those Star Trek episodes that deal with time travel or alternate universes.

But here’s the thing: It doesn’t really matter which lake is being referred to. It’s the whole experience we’re talking about here — lounging on sandy beaches, zipping across the water in a boat, practicing our water skiing tricks, or helping the kids build a sand castle. It’s the calm, unhurried days and the leisurely evenings (as long as you bring insect repellant). It’s about putting away our suits and dresses for a couple days in exchange for tank tops and swimsuits.

As for me, I’ve already made my plans for a vacation at the lake this summer. You know the one.

Life on the lake ‘I’d rather be at the lake any season but summer’ ‘Simultaneously the cheapest and best kind of lake place’ Infatuation with vacationing at the lake began with the wealthy early in the century Lake-lovers take water safety seriously Floating restaurants a big splash Some can’t wait to catch the waves ‘Before summer, it’s peaceful. Everything kind of just flows’

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