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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The proud and the few test the lake at Bayview

Herb Huseland

New Year’s Day marked the first polar plunge here in Bayview. Not to be out gunned by Sanders Beach in Coeur d’Alene, a few hardy souls put the word out that there would be a mid-winter swim at the Lake Pend Oreille public boat launch at 2 p.m. Sensing that there wouldn’t be a conflict with boats launching at the same time, they went ahead with plans to take to the water.

More than 30 hardy souls showed up all prepared to bare their skins. Actually for the most part, skins were not overly bare with one exception. There is always one. A fat male showed up in a scanty thing approaching a thong. Once dressed down, he pranced about thrusting his pelvis forward in a sexual manner. I guess we could have survived that, if it weren’t for the dozen or so kids ranging from 3 years old to maybe 7, watching with some real odd expressions.

Unfortunately, nobody stood up and suggested he was on the border of indecent exposure. At the very least, he was obnoxious. Needless to say, his picture will not appear here. While only 30 or so swimmers made the plunge, there were at least twice that many spectators.

It became obvious that the shore side of the Floating Patio restaurant and bar was grounded, when, after the place was already packed, more folks fresh from the chilly 37-degree water crowded into the overloaded building. I’m here to report that the flotation under the Patio is doing just fine, as the building listed toward the lake but didn’t sink. The overload wasn’t deliberate, but caused by a large number of shivering victims, ’er, participants, heading for the nearest warm spot.

In other news, the Captain’s Wheel Restaurant rocked all weekend, as the business is closing for the winter, and perhaps indefinitely. Starting with New Year’s Eve, with the band, The Keep played to a packed house, as customers from all over came back to this well-known watering hole for what may be the last hurrah.

As the weekend progressed it became a wake for the soon to be departed business. Saturday night came along and rivaled New Year’s Eve for both numbers and enthusiasm. Two bands that have played the Wheel many times, Muddy Frog Waters and Wyzer, showed up to give the place a proper sendoff. Alternating between bands it was a memorable moment.

Sunday arrived. The last day, scheduled to close at 4 p.m., was still going full blast with clearance prices on expendables and a no-quit attitude. Monday, gray rainy day, showed a shuttered building standing forlorn and dripping. It was an appropriate mood.

Contact correspondent Herb Huseland at bayviewherb@adelphia.net. Read his blog at bayviews.blogspot.com/.