Centennial Trail Maringo trailhead to milepost 12

It was a little overcast yesterday and unusually muggy, but nice to be on the trail. This stretch is great for wildlife, people using the beaches when the water isn't so high and really great river views. Speaking of the water, the mighty Spokane was raging yesterday. It was really high but it looks like we might escape the flooding of the trail that happened last year.

Falls Park, Post Falls, Spokane River Corbin's Ditch path

If you've never gone out of Falls Park and ventured out on a hike along the Spokane River, along Corbins Ditch you're in for a challenging treat. Corbins Ditch is that funny concrete viaduct you've always wondered about if you happened to glance to the south of the freeway going east just before you get to the Spokane Street exit in Post Falls .  A enterprising man at the turn of the 20th century decided to build this viaduct to bring water from the Spokane River to the west, as far away as the Spokane Valley. It is such an interesting and mostly unknown part of the area's history. The dam looked to be full open and was letting a torrent of water down the river. The Canadian Geese babies and wonderful wild flowers made me feel like spring was really here, finally!

Columbia Plateau Trail Fish Lake

What a glorious day for a walk on Monday. Ran into a bunch of people fishing in Fish Lake. They were having a good day. The chipmunk was enjoying the sunshine. The streams on either side of the trail were running high but not over their banks as will often happen with spring run-off.

Centennial Trail Post Falls, Idaho and Spokane River

Walked from the Avista Island Trailer Park trail head on Lundy Blvd along the river, the path doesn't go very far along the river but it was pretty. Avista Island is across the river from this trail. The concrete bunker was along the path by the river, it looked like there might have been a house down along here at one time, but I don't know what the purpose of the bunker was.
 I then went up to the Centennial Trail at S Elm Road and went back toward Post Falls. Interesting sign posts and history lessons on this leg. I didn't know about Corbin's Ditch, but that finally explains the concrete viaduct I have always wondered about. In 1899, according to the sign a gentleman named DC Corbin formed the "Spokane Valley Irrigation Company and built this concrete "ditch" to bring water to the farms as far away as the Spokane Valley from Post Falls. Neat History!

A trip to the Olympia, Washington State Capital

Spring has sprung in Olympia. The cherry trees are in full bloom, daffodils and tulip tree as well. Hopefully we'll see some spring in the Spokane area soon. The metal sheaves of wheat is the WWII memorial. Each sheaf of wheat signifies a Washington soldier lost in the war.

CRICKET ANYONE? Underhill park, Ben Burr trail

Went walkin the Ben Burr Trail today. It runs along the edge of the South Hill from Underhill Park to Liberty Park. As I came back into Underhill Park I noticed a group of guys playing a game we don't often see in these parts, Cricket. They were nice enough to let me take pictures and explain a little of the rules of the game. A wonderful way to spend a sunny March afternoon.

Sharing the joy of the actual sounds of the Liberty Lake Loop trail

utube sounds of a mountain stream. Wanted you all to enjoy how wonderful and peaceful the beauty of the trail actually was. Enjoy and let it transport you.