Flathead Lake Lodge

July 11, 1986

Flathead Lake Lodge and the Averill family was accorded the unique privilege of entertaining George H. Bush, Vice President of the United States and his wife Barbara for a few days of relaxing in Montana and fishing. George went on to become the 41st president.

After all the preparation and anticipation of their visit, the time arrived for the Bush’s to stay in Les and Ginny Averill’s private home on the lake located on the north lawns of the Ranch.
It all started when Maureen Averill answered the office phone and the Vice Presidents staff asked to reserve a cabin at the Ranch, just 5 days before their arrival. Being mid-summer there were no vacancies, thus Maureen said we were very sorry but couldn’t accommodate them. The phone rang back shortly and the lady asked Maureen if she understood George was the Vice President of the United States. Maureen chuckled and assured her, “yes she was aware, but still had no vacancies”. A short while later the phone rang a third time, the caller from the White House relayed that the Bushes really wanted to experience the Ranch and after talking to George, he asked if no cabins were available, could the Ranch set up a comfortable tent camp in a pasture, as the Bushes enjoyed camping. Maureen laughed and said,” I think we can come up with something”. That’s when Les and Ginny Averill agreed to accommodate them if their personal home. Within hours the Secret Service, who was in the area, arrived to look over the situation and decided the Ranch and house were ideal. The location provided seclusion with room for helicopters in the backyard, on a dead-end road private road and lake in the front yard. It was learned later that a very high level of security was in place because of recent world developments.

Rich, the head of the extensive and professional Secret Service team was matched up with Averill’s youngest son Brad to provide local knowledge. Brad was requested to assist the Secret Service with local arrangements and background on any unusual characters that lived in the surrounding neighborhoods. Brad was excited and enjoyed working with the Service. They were impressed with Brad as was Barbara. Brad went on join Barbara’s advance team to set up similar trips around the world for two years.
Ginny of course had to see the house was cleaned and decorated and a plan quickly escalated with neighbor lady friends arriving to help. In short order the house was ready with flowers added everywhere.

There was great anticipation as rushed preparations took place. The Ranch had previously gone through a similar exercise preparing for President Ronald Reagan to visit when the Ranch was hosting the Western States Governor’s Conference. Ronald Reagan was on his way, and abruptly cancelled within hours of arrival due to unknown threats. The locals speculation for cancelling the trip was that hunting season just opened in Montana and most every pickup truck was driving around with rifles in a back window rack, a common thing when big game season opened. Despite the President Reagans absence, a big party ensured with 600 people, 16 governors and the national press. A terrible rain storm blew in during the party. The observation deck overlooking the roping arena is referred to as the Reagan deck, built for the President to watch the roping. Jelly beans where consumed for a long time following at the Ranch, as the Presidents favorite treat had been placed everywhere around the Lodge.

The excitement was building among the Ranch guest and staff for the Bush’s arrival and finally word passed that Air Force I had landed in Kalispell. Shortly, medical and armed helicopters landed in the field and surrounding hill tops. At 8:30 pm the motorcade of a dozen black vehicles and police entered the ranch and went straight to Averill’s home. Les and Ginny met the Bushes on their front porch. The purpose of the visit was to relax and enjoy fishing, not for politics or favors, only down time. The Averill’s were not noted donors to the Bush’s, which was nice as the Ranch was selected for just a great place to visit and relax.

George quickly took an interest in Les’s photos and early years starting the Ranch as a hunting fishing lodge following WWII. Ginny being a florist had lots to talk about with Barbara’s love of flowers.

The Bushes had not eaten dinner, so George elected to sneak into the Bay Club in Bigfork with one secret service man for a burger rather than disrupt the Lodge’s guest evening. Barbara chooses to stay by the fireplace and visit with Ginny. During dinner at the Bay Club where nobody noticed the two men off at the corner table. The Vice President later walked over to an elderly couple celebrating their 50th anniversary with their large family. George graciously congratulated the couple with a handshake and disappeared out the back door. The family didn’t realize it was the Vice President until the waiter mentioned it after their departure. It appeared George gained delight from such impromptu encounters.

At 7:30 am the Bushes were up and ready to go fishing. They walked to the Lodge and wandered the Lobby to say good morning to all the anxious ranch guest. Averill’s fiend Frank was called in with his fishing boat, as he was known for one of the best lake fishermen. Seven Secret Service men climbed in the boat. Barbara responding in fine style said, “get the hell out of boat, George is going fishing.” They quickly all jumped out except one who remained. The Lodge cruiser then was brought out by Doug to load the ejected Secret Service, who shadowed the fishing boat. Barbara elected to stay back at the house with Ginny. There was a short delay as navy divers had already cleared the bottom of the fishing boat and docks for explosives, but last minute needed to check under the Lodge boat. All’s well and off they go in rain and rough waters. While fishing, George was particularly interested in Les’s many grizzly bear encounters and sharing their flying days during WWII. Les flying the B17 bomber, George flying the Corsair fighter. Success finally came after two hours of fishing, with George landing two nice lake trout, 7 and 9 lbs.

All the Lodge guest and staff were gathered at the dock as they came off the lake and pictures took place. There was a little bait and switch for security purposes, as everyone gathers at one dock and the boat diverted to another.

George wanted to mount the two fish, which were put in the freezer to wait for taxidermy. Ooops, the ranch kitchen staff mixed up the fish and served them for the weekly fish fry. Not to worry. The Lodge organized a fishing boat to quickly go out and catch another 7 and 9 lb. lake trout. Problem solved.

Upon returning from fishing, it took George about 10 minutes to appear in a suit, ready for a national press conference sitting in a lawn chair in Averill’s front yard. Ginny and Barbara took the opportunity to sit in the house and visit about grandchildren. Must have been a spicy conversation considering all the boys they were talking about!

On the agenda was relaxation, two fishing trips and leisure around the Ranch. The Bushes left everyone with a special impression of their genuine kindness and ability to engage with everyone, especially teenagers and young children. As the black limousine prepared to depart the Ranch, the Bushes invited Ginny and Les to accompany them to the airport and board Airforce I for a tour. As they all gathered by the house, Maureen Averill began labor pains with second son Laine. Barbara asked the Secret Service to assist and offered for Doug and Maureen to ride in the motorcade which could be diverted for a quick stop at the hospital. Maureen indicated there was no time to wait to get to the hospital and the urgency interrupted the group photo session at the house. Doug rushed Maureen to the hospital as Barbara asked the Secret Service to grease the route as police were already lined up towards Kalispell at bridges and intersections. This made for a fast trip as traffic was held back allowing them to speed straight to the hospital. Everyone speculated their new son may be named George.

As a side note to the visit, the Lodge had been hindered by only having one phone line available from Bigfork and the potential to expand the phone system was very limited. Woopie, the secret service quickly installed a 100 pair phone line from Kalispell to Bigfork in two days. So many white utility trucks working had never been seen before. The Lodge, now having full phone service was able to expand marketing of national conventions and offered what was considered at the time advance capability for emerging computer use. The 120 guest no longer had to share one pay phone.

The Averill’s and everyone at the Ranch very much enjoyed the Bushes’ visit. It was very well orchestrated as to not interfere with the vacationing families.

Oh, the good old days at the Ranch, with one phone line, no social media and a very gracious politician.