I don't get up north as often as I would like to go walking. The Waikiki Natural area near Fairwood is always a treat when I make it there. It was snowing hard and the springs were flowing, perfect! It just felt like a black and white day so that's how I shot most of my pics. If you get a chance to get out there make sure that you wear some good tread shoes as it can get slippery, especially on the road down into the area off the trailhead.
I always love walking this beautiful conservation area. There are really nice trails that surround the lake. The one thing I will say is that you really can't get around the north side of the lake to make a loop around the lake as you run into a cattail and wet patch. When its dry and the water is low you can make it around but prepare to get your feet wet if the water is up. The trail does loop at the north end but up into the forest and back around. The last few times I had gone all the waterbirds were gone as it has been to wet and dry. This time when I went they were back in force. A large flock of Canadian Geese went over honking wildly and landed at the end. 6-8 swans were preening and enjoying the fresh water from the recent rain. Hoards of smaller ducks and other waterbirds were enjoying the fresh water. #wetland #swans #waterbirds #jamestslavinconservationare #conservationarea #spokane
Wanted to get out on the Columbia Plateau trail before the snow flew so went yesterday. The area between the Cheney-Spangle trailhead and Fish Lake is such a beautiful stretch, with the stream running beside and the trees framing it. The seasonal waterfalls are all dried up for the moment but will start back up when it is wetter. The water station is about .25 miles from the trailhead, it is about 3.75 from the trailhead to Fish Lake. The water doesn't work in the fountain so is just for decoration.
What a treasure this area is. To the farmer who gave this to us all to enjoy and make a remembrance to his late mother thank you! There are 2 distinctly different hikes available within feet in this area. You can either choose to hike the hilly up and down of the uplands or the marshy waterbird full ponds of the wetlands. The uplands give views of The Barker Road area of the Spokane Valley to the west and Liberty Lake to the east. The wetlands is flat and full of water areas in what is a reclaimed hayfield. Really a must get to if you've not been.
Peace and tranquility are the feeling that flood you as you head deep into the forest on this trail. The ever present Liberty creek gurgles and the spicy sweetness of the forest and damp ground make it an all sense experience. One of my all time favorite trails in the area.
I found myself in Priest River, Idaho today and decided to do a little walking at the long bridge over the river and see how the colors were coming along. The yellows are out but the oranges and reds have a ways to go. What a wonderful area we live in that we are surrounded by such beauty and all a short drive a way in every direction!
I went walking in the Silver Lake and then Granite Lake areas today. I wanted to document the devastation so to keep it in the public eye. The people effected by this fire have a super long road ahead of them, both with rebuilding home and with dealing with the emotional trauma of the event. In both the Medical Lake fire area and along the west shore of Silver Lake I heard the same thing from those that's houses were spared, survivor guilt. The feeling of how unfair that their neighbors houses were leveled and theirs is still standing. PTSD is real and so many will be dealing with the aftermath of this disaster for a very long time. #grayfire #medicallake #medicallakefire #medicallakestrong #spokane #spokanewashington #wildfire
What a glorious space this Manito Park is! Every season is gorgeous and completely different and to be experienced! I went walking in Manit...
