Searching for Beefcake in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

I've only been to Idaho once, crossing the northern panhandle  on Interstate 90, not stopping for anything.  I was terrified.

1. The penalty for same-sex relations in Idaho was life in prison, the same as for murder.

2. It was the home of Posse Comitatus and other far-right gun-toting homophobic anti-Semitic anti-government groups.

3. It was the home of Reverend Schwob, the crazy cadaverous Nazarene preacher of my childhood.

We drove right through the heart of Coeur d'Alene (pronounced KOR-dalayne).  It means "heart of an awl."  I don't know what an awl is, but I'm pretty sure they don't have hearts.

Coeur d'Alene was actually quite pretty, with the lakes and the mountains.  That doesn't mean I felt like stopping.  I still don't.

Population 44,000, 93% white, mostly anti-gay Christian denominations, mostly Republican.

A lot of outdoor activities, but not many museums or art galleries.

Restaurants called Drummin BBQ and Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese.

One gay bar.

But is there any beefcake?


No colleges.  Three high schools.  At Coeur d'Alene High,  the team is incongruously called the Vikings.  Unfortunately, basketball seems to be king.















I couldn't find any group swim team photos.  Here some members of the Lake City High School swim team perform an anti-bullying song.

Photo by Jerome A. Pollos

There's wrestling, but again, I couldn't find a group photo.  This guy won the Tri-State Wrestling Tournament.





I found this photo on a Google Image search for "Coeur d'Alene" wrestling, but Landstown is in Virginia.


















More after the break

Photo by Kathy Plonka

Opportunities to see post-teenage beefcake are limited.  Here the polar bears jump in the lake in freezing temperatures.



















And there are a few shirtless dating profile pics.






Even a few gay guys.














But overall I suggest you keep driving.  It's only 30 miles to Spokane, Washington, where the Hot Cup of Joe coffee houses features shirtless baristas.