Roaming Priest lake

The marina at Hill's Resort

Granite Falls

Just a weekend update on our visit to Donna's cousin. After three days of full-on, tour guide duty, we thought we'd give 'em a break and go out on our own Thursday.  The hike from Elkin's Resort to Hill's resort went well until what we thought was a three mile hike turned into a seven mile hike.  Realizing we weren't going to make a planned lunch with Thom at Hill's, I turned on the GPS function of my smart phone to only have it show us in

Upper Priest Lake

the middle of Priest Lake at Luby Bay.  That didn't jive with the terra firma under our feet, so we called in help from Thom.  GPSs are remarkable.  They never list the road the way locals would.  So our smartphone's second attack was to list the name of the 4-wheeler road we were on vice the trail number that the locals would recognize.  Anyway, Thom found us and we had a great lunch.  We drove to Hill's for lunch today!

Hanna Flat

I have to give the smartphone credit.  At least it didn't give us the time, date, and weather for Santa Fe, NM! 

Let there be no doubt - we have seen a lot in the five days we've been here.  We've enjoyed a ride up the Thorofare between Upper & Lower Priest Lake complete with picnic lunch.  We've visited the upper and lower falls of Granite Falls.  Thom and

Thorofare between Upper & Lower Priest Lake

Mary have driven us up on Watson Mountain so we can get an overlook view of both upper and lower Priest Lake.  We've visited one of the oldest stores on the lake - the Leonard Paul's store here in Coolin.  Enjoyed a great walk through the virgin forest of Hanna Flat where Hemlocks still exist.



Finally, we've gotten information overload at a beautiful forest rangers' cabin (below) now used for a museum and visitors center.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  There's more on facebook. David

Priest Lake Museum and Visitors Center