Columbia Plateau Cheney Spangle trailhead

 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.

Saltese Flats wetlands

 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. 

The magic of the Liberty Lake Loop trail

 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. 

Priest River walk about

 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!

The Gray Fire, Silver Lake & Granite Lake

 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

 

Riverfront Park sunset and the Tacos Tequila Spokane Festival

 We decided to go walking in the coolness of the evening yesterday. We had also heard there was a festival downtown celebrating Hispanic culture and wanted to check that out as well. We were rewarded by getting to see the beautiful colors of the sunset behind some of the park icons and enjoy the happy, jumping festival as well. #spokane #spokanewashington #visitspokane #riverfrontpark