This is always a beautiful and challenging trail. There is a lot of up and down. It is made even more challenging when there is snow, ice and/or mud. Today I found the trail very muddy and it had snow in places. This trail is an about 3 1/2 miles loop. The trailhead is accessed off of Trent on Campbell road that turns into Washington Road.
This little jaunt runs you along the river from Mission Park over the Hamilton pedestrian bridge and n to the Gonzaga Campus. The Gonzaga University Campus is always a treat. From the architecture to the landscaping, sports to a statue of alum Bing Crosby a walking tour never fails to delight the senses. When its open I always tour the Jundt art center at the western edge of the campus. From Dale Chihuly glass to antique prints i is a must see. A walk around the pond and then back onto the Centennial Trail. Take a minute to go onto the Don Kardong bridge and get a view of the campus over the river. Back east on the Centennial Trail, back over Hamilton you go. Take a minute to go left at the iron bridge pedestrian bridge that goes over the river just a little past the Hamilton bridge to see the progress they're making on the bridge over Trent that they are completely rebuilding. Back too the Centennial Trail and back to the park.
Oh, the sights and sounds of a parade! I love the sound of pipes and drums, stirs my partially Irish soul! So much fun today combining a walk through the park and then following along on the parade route. This was pure family entertainment at its best. So many small businesses and clubs participated. The highlight was definitely the Spokane County Firefighters Drums and pipes Corp. nothing says Irish like the bagpipe. So many people, kids and animals lined the route as well as marching in the parade. A good time was had by all!
Went walking on the Columbia Plateau Trail out of the Fish Lake trailhead today. I had thought the trail might be flooded in places, as it gets sometimes this time of year, but no. The side creeks were flowing hard, the waterfall at where the stream goes down away from the trail was crashing and bubbling. A welcome speck of yellow caught my eye on the south facing rock hill. Could it be? Yes! The harbinger of spring, the first buttercups of the year spotted! The pussywillow trees are starting to bud. There was a couple fishing from the dock on a still frozen Fish Lake and another lover of the weather bicycling the trail.
We took a trip to visit the Thorp Fruit Stand and Antique Mall last week. What a fun trip it always is! A great selection of Washington apples, other fruit, locally made trail mixes and candy. The Antique Mall is on the upper 2 floors and always have interesting things to see. We also too the time to walk west on the Palouse to Cascades Trail that runs right behind the Fruit stand. I have been on the trail as it runs behind Rosalia to the east and south but never had a chance to get on the western side of it. The trail runs through farm land here and you can see all the windmills in the distance. We got lucky and saw a wonderful rainbow as it went from behind some trees across the sky and down the other side to behind the hills. Worth a day trip to explore for sure.
What a glorious space this Manito Park is! Every season is gorgeous and completely different and to be experienced! I went walking in Manit...
