Christmas in downtown Spokane

Spokane has always been really good at decking herself out for the holidays. I went walkin through town yesterday to once again enjoy the window displays that have come out of storage, the lights, the people. Happy holidays to all!

Lake Coeur d'alene Coeur d'alene Parkway December

The excitement along the Coeur d'alene Parkway Trail at the east end of the lake is palpable! The eagles are in and feasting on the trout as they spawn. I had never walked this end of the lake and the trail system is wonderful! A lot of parking, paved trails and beach access for walking right along the water. There were so many people, many with their 4 footed kids, walking, running, standing with their long zoom lenses to get a shot of the feathered celebrities. When we were there there were a few here and there but not the large numbers I had heard spoken about.  There were fish heads everywhere, fish floating and on the beach from the buffet that the eagles had been enjoying.

Swans, swans and more swans!

From Cheney Wetlands, to Turnbull to the Slavin Conservation area all of our open water places have been overrun by swans. There were around 40 in the pond behind the Cheney Wetlands, 20 in the pond at Slavin and then 20-30 spread out in the waters in the Turnbull area. 

Dishman Conservation Area, Stevens Creek trail head

What a glorious day for a walk! The sun was shining and  the temperature mild. Lots of folks out and about enjoying it. Saw a good number of people with their 4 footed children. Malcolm & Shasta stopped and visited for a minute. The view  off this trail is really mind boggling, although it was a little smoggy.

Turnbull Columbia Plateau Trail Cheney Plaza trail head in fall

This is always such a pretty walk! The trail here runs between 2 large ponds and then runs along going between high rock formations, pine groves, aspen groves and more ponds. You can count on seeing alot of water fowl. The Canadian geese were out in droves. Its been a really good year for mushrooms of all kind all over the area.