Northern Lights Lakeside Tavern

The year is 1972. Somewhere in north central America on some quiet two-lane highway sits a little country tavern - overlooking a small, frozen lake with several fish houses. The drive is full of snowmobiles, along with the owner’s dark-green 1967 Shelby Mustang, and an old Dodge power wagon with plow. The white 1965 Polaris Snow Traveler was my first snowmobile (Top speed, 28 miles per hour).  

Just inside over the door there’s a small brass bell that rings when you enter. The warmth from a fireplace pulls you inside from the cold. The long wooden bar is historic, complete with cigarette burns and carved names from the 50’s. Mounted fish and neon beer signs decorate the walls. The warm glow of 60-watt bulbs illuminates the glossy yellowish/brown tables that were milled from the tall pines surrounding the lake. Two stately-looking pool tables stand like ancient monuments, making it seem as if the tavern was built around them. An old Wurlitzer vinyl 45 jukebox is playing the latest top 40 tunes.  

I can smell those onion burgers frying in the kitchen... And I can still hear the owner, shouting out the orders to the cook in the back. It just doesn’t get any better than that...