Exploring Spokane, Washington

The mountains beyond the golfcourse that we overlook
were  enshrouded in clouds and the rain was falling steadily.  Our tablets indicated sunny and a high of 15 back home…nobody likes to hear that their vacation spot is less ideal than what they left behind!  Ughh, good thing we threw an umbrella in the car, just in case!

After a leisurely breakfast and a search of the weather forecast in Spokane, Washington, we decided to make a day of it in Spokane….we had tickets to a live play in Spokane Valley in the evening anyway so we decided that even in pouring rain we could likely find things to do in the city.  Besides, Jim already had a list of record stores he wanted to visit so we might as well get that done or he would have trouble focusing on anything else…haha!

By the time we had completed the 50 minute drive, the rain had ceased.  Sure enough, Jim hit a goldmine at the first record store we found so we could cross that activity off our list.  Now off to see the sights.

The Spokane County Courthouse, built in the French Renaissance style in 1895 towered majestically among the buildings not far from downtown.  We were in awe as we strolled around the grounds and tried to capture some of the intricate architectural details on film.

Like most cities, growth happened on the waterfront.   Evidence of meeting the needs of an ever increasing population was most apparent when we ventured into Riverside Park.  There, in the middle of downtown Spokane was the original Monroe Street Dam and Powerhouse built by the Washington Water Power Company back in 1890.  It took advantage of Spokane Falls by creating the dam that would supply a new form of power…electricity…thereby contributing to a boom in all things electrical, something we would take for granted a century later.

Wandering along the river, we encountered signs of spring… green grass, budding trees, children in playgrounds and lineups for rides on the carousels and gondolas.  Ducks and Canada Geese were enjoying the
calmness of the river and couples strolled hand in hand along the pathways. Just across the street was the busy Riverside Mall.  We avoided the hustle and bustle of that and enjoyed our leisurely stroll.

As evening approached we sought out a pub for dinner and then headed to the Ignite Community Theatre, http://www.igniteonbroadway.org/ , where we were entertained by  six amazing actors in the production of “How the Other Half Loves”.  It was so hilarious that we laughed till we cried!

It has been a great day.  Cheers!