A weekly community sail that welcomes all for a good time Growing up in eastern Washington, Bryan Heer didn’t have much exposure to the world of sailing. “My dad sailed a little bit, but I was really young,” he says, “And my uncle had sailed before, so it was something that was interesting, but I […]
The Western WA “Duck Dodge” Read More »
Locating a submarine base on a lake, hundreds of miles from the ocean would be a huge, strategic error. If military action called for a submarine, the time needed getting to the ocean, if it could, would cause navy commanders to stomp and yell in frustration. Military leaders recognized this and established bases on our
Lake Pend Oreille’s Not So Secret Submarine Base Read More »
How the Inland Northwest’s lakes are unique worldwide The deep, clear lakes scattered around the Spokane region provide fascinating evidence of the unique geologic history of the Inland Northwest. The stories they carry are rich enough for myth or legend: massive ice sheets, lost glaciers, churning floods, and fresh flows of groundwater from underground rivers
Don’t go to Soap Lake, Wash., looking for a 60-foot lava lamp. What would be, according to the Smithsonian Magazine, a 60-foot-tall behemoth of foot-thick glass holding 100,000 gallons of “lava,” which was envisioned as a tourist draw, remains an aspiration, says Nell Kovach of Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee. Instead, visit Soap Lake
The Healing Waters of Central Washington’s Soap Lake Read More »
Long before Spokane received any permanent settlers, Etienne Eduard Laliberte (later Steve Liberty) homesteaded the west side of Liberty Lake in 1871. The area surrounding the marsh was developed into a cattle ranch. The rancher diverted Liberty Creek (originally named Kalez) into a hand-dug channel along the eastern edge of the marsh. Later the creek
Saving Liberty Lake Read More »
I nearly always backpack solo. The adventure and admiration of nature largely replaces any need for social interaction. But I often find myself wishing for someone to banter with after setting up camp in the evening. Pegging a reason for this is difficult. But usually by the time darkness falls and I crawl into my
Backpacking Alone: The Highs and Lows Hiking 5 Days Solo in the Cascade Wilds Read More »
When I think of race directing, I imagine someone hanging onto a cliff by their fingertips. If all goes well, they scramble up, carry on, and no one notices. But one rock tumbles, a handhold slips, and they plummet to jeers of disgruntled participants who believe idiots seal their own fate. Eighteen years ago, I
Meeting the Spirit of a Race Director Read More »
Waaaaay back in 2018, I got it in my head that I should start bikepacking. Never mind that I had no gear for it and no idea what I was doing. Two bikes, lots of mud, and countless bike bags later, I’m finally dialing in a packing system I’m happy with. I thought that my
Roswheel Offroad Seat Pack Read More »
This high-volume, round cooler is not only bombproof, it holds up to 27 cans of beer with the high-tech insulation to keep them really, really cold for a long time. It also has some smart and convenient features, including a solid handle that doesn’t slop around while you’re lugging your load, a one-hand latch that
Kula 5 Gallon Bucket Cooler Read More »
