The main reasons we decided to stay through the weekend in Coeur d’Alene is that John was determined to see the Antique Wood Boat Show at the marina this morning. But first I insisted that we go to the Farmer’s Market in Hayden. Oh my, it was beautiful. Such wonderful fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, crafts, jewelry, soaps, cookies, bread and pies! It didn’t take me long to fill by market bag!
Jeff and Tina met us at the market then followed us downtown to the marina. Just outside the marina were seven old cars with wood doors and body panels. They were beautifully restored. My favorite was the 1941 Packard but I also liked the 1946 Chrysler convertible and the Ford truck.
We then viewed all the wood boats that lined the board walk out on the lake. John enjoyed looking at the ones like his dad had back when he was a kid. There was a ‘pirate ship’, and a couple of sailboats and one pontoon boat with a conversation to wood sides but the rest were all wood boats. They ran in age from the 1930’ to today. All had been beautifully tended, were shining and clean, with rich wood tones and leather.
As we were walking past the CDA Resort’s wood boat, the captain was sitting there waiting for some people. So, using all my womanly charms, I teasingly asked if we could get a ride in his pretty boat. And to our surprise he said “Yes.” He said he had a group he was taking across the lake to the Resort’s golf course, the one with the floating green, and he had room if we wanted to ride out there and back. We jumped at the opportunity! It was a lovely boat with a round seating area for four people in the bow, then a round seating area with a glass cupola over it mid-ship, then the captain, then seating for 8 in the stern. Even though it was very windy and the water choppy, we enjoyed the ride and at least we got to see the floating green. Every once in a while it pays to be ‘girly’!
The famous floating green.
We had a pleasant visit with the captain as we waited for the return ride. Forty five years ago this gentleman bought a small resort with a small passenger steamship. Since the lake was used during WW2 as a naval training facility it is regulated by the US Coast Guard so he had to get his Coast Guard Captain license to transport passengers. After selling his business he started working for the resort in the summers. He holds the oldest continually used Coast Guard certification on the lake.
Following lunch we said goodbye to Jeff and Tina knowing we will see them again this winter in Quartzite or in Mexico. Safe travels friends!
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