During World War II, nearly 300,000 American sailors converged on the Farragut Naval Training Station, on the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille. Today, 4,000-acre Farragut State Park is the naval station's direct legacy.
One of the Northwest's largest and deepest freshwater lakes, Lake Pend Oreille has 110 miles of shoreline. Much of it is undeveloped. But on the northwestern end, Sandpoint has grown into a thriving resort community, filled with shops and art galleries that would have surprised the '40s GIs.
LODGING. Best Western Edgewater Resort: in Sandpoint alongside Lake Pend Oreille; from $129; (208) 263-3194 or (800) 635-2534. Red Fir Resort: near the town of Hope; 12 lakeside cabins from $85; (208) 264-5287 or www.redfirresort.com.
CAMPING. Farragut State Park has RV and tent sites; from $12; (208) 683-2425.
CONTACT. Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce: (208) 263-2161, (800) 800-2610, or www.sandpointchamber.com. - J.H.
When legendary Jesuit Father Peter Jean DeSmet discovered this lake in the 1840s, he named it and the twin-horned peak that towers nearby after a former teacher, Father J.P. Roothaan. The mountain still retains the Jesuit mentor's name, but the lake's moniker has simplified to "Priest." And anyone who has spent a quiet evening along Priest Lake's shores knows how this 19-mile-long thumb of water ministers to the soul.
LODGING. Elkins Resort on Priest Lake: from $765 per week; (208) 443-2432 or www.elkinsresort.com. Hill's Resort: from $985 per week; (208) 443-2551 or www.hillsresort.com.
CAMPING. U.S.D.A. Forest Service campgrounds: from $8; (208) 443-2512. Indian Creek and Lionhead campgrounds: from $9; (208) 443-2200.
CONTACT. Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce: (888) 774-3785 or www.priestlake.org. - J.H.
