Eating sushi or sipping craft cocktails at a city café isn’t the typical start to a wildlife watching hike, but downtown Spokane is unique in that regard. Both the Spokane River and Latah Creek serve as wildlife corridors for a surprising list of species. Miles of lightly developed, forested park and residential land extend the […]
Critters in the City: Downtown Spokane’s Urban Wildlife Hikes Read More »
In June 2015, I wrote an article for Out There Monthly called “Why I Run” about training for my first 50k trail run. The run never happened. I was supposed to be shaking my legs out in nervous excitement alongside a couple hundred other runners at the starting line of the Rattlesnake Ridge Run. Instead,
5 ways to plan, coordinate, and implement a family camping trip that’s doable and fun and will have kids asking for more.
Create The Ultimate Family Camping Experience Read More »
1) Hike or Bike in Palisades Park: This 700-acre nature park west of Spokane has awesome views of the city and several trails for hiking or biking. Kids will especially enjoy Indian Canyon’s Mystic Falls. A park map is available at Palisadesnw.com. 2) Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Explore a trail and create your
11 Ideas for Family Fun in the Great Outdoors Read More »
The sea of wind turbines seemed to push us along as we motored south on our way to Bend for a long weekend. As our “This American Life” podcast episode came to an end, we exited the highway and tuned into some Talking Heads to awaken our stoke for pedaling. Mountain bikes in tow, we
Halfway to Bend: Wine Country Single-track in Echo, Oregon Read More »
Most years there are plenty of places to find snow-free singletrack in the Spokane area come March, and sometimes even all winter long, but this year you may need to travel a bit to find ridable early-season dirt. Or maybe you’re bored with your go-to late-winter riding routes and want to get out of town
Escape Winter on the Odessa-Lake Creek Trail 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 »
The Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas have some pretty sweet outdoor patios and trailside establishments where you can grab a post-outdoor adventure beverage and bite to eat, but there are a few things to look for that make some of the places highlighted in this guide a little sweeter. First, after a sweaty ride, run,
Where to Eat, Drink and Be Sweaty After Your Next Inland NW Adventure Read More »
With 13 weeks from June through August, it’s time to create your summer bucket list. These one-day adventures will help you explore our region’s recreational bounty. They don’t require extensive gear or technical skills and will provide great story-telling memories. 1. Hike, Mountain Bike, and Pick Huckleberries at Mt. Spokane State Park: Encompassing nearly 14,000
Easy One-Day Summer Adventures Read More »
Susan Hales describes the details of some of her more memorable swims vividly. She has been attacked by a merganser. She has been inspected by river otters. She has pulled herself out of the water on the brink of storms. A typical day in the water for Hales is adventurous by most others’ standards. Take,
Life in Water: What Drives this Local Swimmer to Hit the Lake Whenever She Can Read More »
