Where were you on May 18, 1980? Longtime residents of the Inland Northwest remember that day that Mount St. Helens erupted, blowing 520 million tons of ash into the atmosphere and bringing darkness to the region in the middle of the day. Thirty-five years after the big explosion, I visited the famous summit with some […]
How Not to Climb a Mountain Read More »
For three months of the year, the lakes of North Idaho are teeming with swimmers, paddleboards, and a wide range of motorized and nonmotorized boats. Once considered a pastime for the wealthy, boating is now more accessible than ever to all water recreation enthusiasts. However, purchasing and owning a boat is still a hefty investment,
No Boat? No Problem—Enjoy the Boating Life Without the Cost Read More »
Newbie female triathletes are in good hands at an event organized by Emde Sports. Every summer, Co-founder Marla Emde directs two women-only sprint-distance triathlons: Valley Girl Triathlon at Liberty Lake in July, and WunderWoman Triathlon at Medical Lake in August. “The Valley Girl was the first women’s triathlon in our area, and it holds a
Valley Girl Triathlon: July 10 Read More »
Liza Mattana and her family brought home an impressive haul of morels in early May. “We went up into the Colville National Forest and they were just everywhere,” she says. It’s a bumper year for morels, the silver lining to last summer’s devastating forest fires. The mushrooms thrive on ground disturbances like logging and big
Foragers and Foodies Find Upside of Last Summer’s Wildfires Read More »
It’s a temperate Saturday on Memorial Day weekend when we push the raft into the Spokane River at the put-in on Water Street in Peaceful Valley. My friends and I purchased a float with the Spokane Riverkeeper at a nonprofit auction over a year ago and are taking advantage of a long weekend, a beautiful
View from the Stern: Exploring the Spokane River as the Riverkeeper’s Guest Read More »
A runner’s first-time experiencing the Bare Buns Fun Run, an annual tradition at Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park near Deer Park, Wash.
My First Bare Buns Run Read More »
Escape the hustle and spend time at an alpine lake, deep in the wilderness, where moonrise, sunset and sunrise reveal new depths of beauty. With grit and legwork, many backcountry lakes can be reached in 2-5 hours as a day hike or overnight backpacking trip. Here are some ideas to get you started. Heart Lake:
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WASHINGTON Horseshoe Lake: Members of the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club consider this small lake (128 acres) one of the best for paddling. It’s a designated no-wake lake with a 5 mph speed limit located in Pend Oreille County 4 miles north of the Spokane County line to the west of Highway 2. Horseshoe Lake
7 Great Paddling Lakes Read More »
Upon arrival, you first inhale deeply, as your eyes absorb the panoramic view – blue water reflecting sun rays, green trees, brown and gray rocks under your feet, or maybe sand, and perhaps distant mountain peaks. You exhale and then you feel it: burdens lifting, stress dissipating. And whatever encumbering metaphorical baggage you had been
Inland Northwest Lake Guide Read More »
