Lunch Peak Lookout
After plans for a formal event fell through, my main squeeze, Wade, and I were, quite literally, all dressed up with no where to go. Naturally, we decided we'd go adventuring in our best formal dress. Driving on the backroads of Sandpoint, we were looking for the best viewing point of Lake Pend Oreille in the North Idaho panhandle.
Lake Pend Oreille is a 148 square mile lake, known to be the largest lake in the state of Idaho and 38th largest in the United States. The majority of the shoreline remains forested and is home to many species of animals including white-tailed deer, elk, moose, black and grizzly bears, coyotes, bob cats and eagles. During the summer, it is a destination for boating, water-skiing, swimming, and camping. During the winter, Sandpoint is a perfect place to participate in winter sports as it is home to Schweitzer ski resort.
Everyone that knows me well, knows that I'm unstoppable in the search for the perfect photograph. And, when the perfect photograph has been secured, its the constant curiosity of what's around the next bend that keeps me moving with a purpose. What is the next beautiful photograph going to be of?
We found ourselves bouncing along on a rocky road up in the mountains following signs for Lunch Peak Lookout, mostly because we like lunch and hoped some would be provided at whatever place these signs led us to.
After a wildly jolting and slow drive up into the mountains (from 2,000 ft in Sandpoint to 6,414 feet at the lookout), we were rewarded for our efforts.
The Lunch Peak Lookout reportedly, has no running water, no heat, and no cooking facilities. This picture was as close as we could come to setting foot in the Lookout as it was being rented that night. This Lookout can be reserved as you would any hotel room or AirBnB during the summer months up until mid- October.
The Lunch Peak Lookout had no lunch, but we were okay with that because these gorgeous views fed our souls in a different kind of way. I call it Nature Therapy.
Earlier that morning, I could not have expected that this was the way I'd be spending this day. It's a gentle reminder to temporarily let go of the structure of plans and schedules and let the universe be your compass. Sometimes, those kinds of days are the best days.