SPOKANE

After a long day of driving across Washington, I arrived at the home of my good friends Sherrie and Tom.

Way back when, Sherrie was underwriting manager at a general agency I worked at, and Tom was an auditor who was always in and out of the office.

They live in a suburb of Spokane, WA – a wonderful neighborhood – acreage instead of lots.

Sherrie is a walker – each morning, she and “Bear” (Baron Bruno Bon Noir) a black standard poodle takes a trail somewhere in Riverside Park. Or, they choose to walk along the bridal paths that separate all the lots.





Bear is wonderful – so regal and elegant. His walk is so fluid. His vet is amazed at his muscle mass – all because they walk each and every morning.

Riverside Park is massive – miles and miles of parks and trails and campgrounds and picnic areas along the Spokane River. Too many trails to count. One was the Centennial Trail – nearly 40 miles from Spokane to the Idaho border. Paved – no motor vehicles!


Riverside Park


The Pitcher of Pitcher and Bowl (Handle on the left, spout on the right)


The Bowl of Pitcher and Bowl


No longer swinging bridge




The river from the bridge

Another trail we took was the Bowl and Pitcher area – where I plan to camp for a night or two a couple weeks from now when I make another sweep through Washington. There used to be a swinging bridge there, built by the CCC during the Great Depression - but it has been replaced in recent years by a much more stable bridge.

One morning while walking along the river, we saw an Osprey attack a Blue Heron – really went after him, from high in the sky, clear down to the water. Don’t know what the Heron said, but he really pissed off that Osprey.

Sherrie told me that sometimes Canadian Geese “sublet” Osprey nests. They lay their eggs in Osprey nests, then seem to know when the Landlord will return, and push their young out of the nest – Yep – Just push them out. The babies flop to the ground, then Mom flies down and marches the kids to the nearest water to teach them how to fly.


Basalt Rock


Dry Bed of Deep Creek




Upper Trail Area


Cave


Spokane River

On one of the trails, we cut off along Deep Creek – a dry creek bed at the time we were there – leading in, through, under and over huge basalt rocks left from prehistoric volcanoes and floods.


This is called the “Main Wall’ You may be able to see all the climbing “Gizmos” left by previous climbers. A young couple approached the wall from the other direction – planning a day of climbing. We would have stayed to walk, but they were waiting for a friend who had not even left home yet.

The first of July, Washington enacted a new tax – on bottled water, gum and candy – but wait…. There’s more. For example, a Kit-Kat is not taxable because it is more cookie than candy – can you imagine the nightmare that is for the retailer?

For the quilters out there: Debbie Mumm’s studio is in Spokane – but I haven’t been able to find out if it is open to the public yet.

Sherrie and Tom do not have wireless – so I resorted to spending hours and hours at the local Starbucks. It takes anywhere from 2-12 minutes to upload 5 photos. Now that I am putting in more photos, it seems to take forever!

Returning from a trip to Wal-Mart – out of the corner of my eye I caught the word “Quilt”! Screech!!!! What a nice shop. I spent about an hour there!

I went shopping around and found some really neat stuff - for instance – a French language course at Costco – I think that will be great to listen to on the long-long drive from Great Falls to Wausau. I found Dr. Scholls shoes with rocker soles at Wal-mart for $30; I found a battery operated cell phone charger – really cool – I was shopping for one for the cigarette lighter, but this would be better. Then I found a splitter for the cig. Lighter – so now, I can plug in my GPS and my CD playerat the same time .

The only thing I bought was the splitter – cause there is no sales tax in Montana – I’ll wait to get other stuff there. (course when I got to Montana – I couldn’t find the shoes or the cell phone charger)

I never did find Spokandy - Jack decided I didn't need to go to a candy store, so he just kept telling me he didn't recognize the address!!!

Before I left Spokane, Tom thoroughly checked out Madame. All the fluids, air filters, spark plugs – I think he was amazed that Madame is in such great shape. I also washed her, and Tom started to wax her – but I knew I wouldn’t get that chore finished – then I remembered that I have a buffer in storage in Virginia. So, she’ll have to wait til then to get beautiful.

Until next time
Bear Hugs

Boots

CROSSING WASHINGTON STATE

The ferry bumped into the dock at Mukilteo, and I headed south – and of course, once again, I drove through Seattle and Tacoma rush hour traffic!!! I have a special knack for that.

Mt. Rainier dominates the horizon from Seattle – south!



I was headed for the little town of Roy, WA to visit a childhood friend – Judy – Judy of the red hair and freckles!!!! We were best friends for years – a trio, actually – Judy, Margie & Me!

Upon arrival, I met her husband, Larry. Judy and Larry used to raise and show Brittany Spaniels. In fact, they will be in Great Falls the same time I will – to attend field trials.

Now, Judy rescues abandoned and abused cats. I’m not sure how many she had at the time I visited, but with an empty kennel – she has plenty of room for them.

We spent hours looking at photos and catching up on the last few (4-5) decades. Remembering things from our childhood! She showed me a small ceramic gold and white cup and saucer, and a mug with an elf face that my mother made for her so very long ago!

Sunday morning, Larry suggested a visit to Boeing Field Flight Museum. It was fascinating, folks!


Looking for a Corvette?







One of the first things I saw – from the parking lot – was a sign: “Giving Bi-Plane Rides Today.” I want to tell you - I seriously considered it! I thought what an adventure it would be!!! I got a brochure about the flights, and my hopes were dashed! $135.00 for a 15 minute ride. Sorry, it would have been much too much for my budget! But, I’ve added Bi-Plane flight to my bucket list!

The main part of the museum held bunches of airplanes – on the floor, hanging from the ceiling, and even fastened to the walls. A Blackbird (Stealth), fighters, piper cubs, pontoon planes, early planes, new planes – Every kind you could think of!














V-1 Buzz Bomb – WWII



Looks like a bumble bee!


Boeing’s Stealth (the Blackbird)


Anyone interested in bicycling?

I was fascinated by the number of early female pilots! They jumped in the game early on!






We walked through the Space Mission exhibit. I was intrigued by the tires on this Lunar Rover. They were made from steel mesh



We then took the walking bridge across the highway to see the big planes. One of Larry’s friends worked for the company that built the bridge. It was fabricated off site in two pieces, then the company had to work on it only in the middle of the night and on weekends, because this is such a busy street.

We were able to tour the Concorde and Air Force One for Presidents Eisenhauer through President Johnson. I expected the Concorde to be very luxurious – but it was simply a very long, narrow plane with two rows of two seats on each side. I guess it’s claim to fame was truly it’s speed.

Air Force One had a doggy door to one of the conference rooms for presidential pups, and one of President Johnson’s famous Stetson’s hanging on a peg. It had a “State of the Art” communications room (totally antiquated now) – even, gasp, how modern….. An IBM word proccessor.



Back across the bridge to the main museum - The red barn like building was the very first Boeing plant.



We went through the halls of courage – representing WWI & WWII. I found this the most fascinating part of the museum. Like – upon the start of our entry into WWII, the U.S. had 7 aircraft carriers – within a year or so, we had over 150. Thanks to Rosie the Riveter and the plants operating 24 hours a day. (I was too young to remember the war, but my Mother told me that my brothers carried their gas masks with them everywhere when we lived in Seattle)



Many women pilots were involved in the war effort – from ferrying planes to England, to actual combat flights. A docent – dressed in grey coveralls, carrying a black lunch box, and wearing a dark fedora told me about the Russian pilots who flew at night harassing the Axis planes. They were called the Night Witches. He recommended a book of the same name.

Upstairs in the WWI gallery – I looked for Snoopy and the Red Baron – sure enough – their planes were there!!! A Sopwith Pup, and a Messerschmidt. It’s hard to believe how functional these early planes were – they could land and take off from anywhere.



Tri- Plane

Red Baron’s Messerschmidt


Snoopy’s Sopwith Pup

They had built a French Farmhouse in the gallery where you could watch movies of the war. They also had a replica of a trench – that was interesting.



Replica of French farmhouse with Judy and Larry



Either this is a Sopwith Camel, or just a plane that caught my attention

I had an absolutely fabulous time there! I really got carried away with the photos. Couldn’t help it.

Time to say So Long for now to Larry and Judy!


Judy and Larry’s home


Judy and Katz


Judy, Larry and Wee Beastie


An old car in Judy and Larry’s yard – Is this what you were talking about, Ken? It’s probably for sale if you want it!

I continued my journey – headed for the Spokane area
via Mt. Rainier Park, which is about 35 miles from Judy’s
As I drove East, the forest became a mix of deciduous and evergreens.

I stopped to gas up at the “Last chance for Gas” - was I happy I did – I would have been stranded for sure.

Along the road, a doe jumped up on the opposite side of the road. I watched in the rear-view mirror, and watched as she crossed the road, then signals to her twins to follow. The second twin stopped in the middle of the road. I hope she made it across safely.



I stopped to take this photo of the Alder Dam. It creates a 20+ mile long lake, fed by 7 of Mt. Rainier glaciers. The ice melt has caused the unique color to the water. It’s beautiful. They have many parks and campgrounds, and a beautiful drive along the lake. I came around a curve, and there was Mt. Rainier in all it’s majesty.





Passing through Elbe, WA – I saw a sign for the Hobo Inn. All the rooms are made up of old railway cars and cabooses – the restaurant is an old dining car.

I passed through Alpine, WA – population 2.

I stopped at the park entrance and looked at the “fee” sign. $15.00 entrance. Oh, it’s so good to have a Senior Pass – free entry! (Note to all, as soon as you turn 65 – get a Senior Pass for National Parks – covers National Monuments, and historical sites as well as National Forests – you and 3 others with you get in free. And, if you are crazy like me, you can camp for ½ price.



This is an original gas station, built in the part in the early part of the 20th century. Not in use any longer, but preserved for history

Once again, I’ve been on the road for 3 ½ hours – and haven’t covered 50 miles yet.

The drive through the park was wonderful – thick forests, tumbling waterfalls, gurgling creeks. Lots of pull-offs, and view points.









Yep, that’s the road I drove up way down there!





Scenic Viewpoint


Near the top of a waterfall – but, much to long a trail to do it now, if I want to make Spokane this evening.








Mt. Rainier trail head




Slopes of Mt. Rainier


Starting hiking at a very early age

Snow bank on the 25th of July, 2010 – in Mt. Rainier park

The decent from Paradise, WA – at the foot of Mt. Rainier, was a mighty long, steep descent

Out of the park, and headed east, the geography changed from forested mountains to dried grass foot hills, to prairie, to desert, and finally back to the mountains again! Big Climbs, long, big descents.


Ice Melt lake



Basalt Pillars



High Prairie foot hills

I stopped at the top of a hill coming out of the Yakima Valley (home of apples, peaches, pears,
Hops for beer, cherries, and much, much more) I decided to grab a snack while waiting for Madame to cool down – a cheese stick. Good Lord, it was pepperjack cheese – Now, I’m thirsty!


Yakima Valley


Wind Farm


I then found myself driving through wheat fiels and sagebrush. I went through Moses Lake – about 120 miles to Spokane!!!

The wheat has already been harvested, and then I moved into cattle country – wide open prairie. No towns, nothing but blue skies & puffy clouds and prairie as far as you can see!

Open rangeland – Watch for livestock on the highway – they’re a lot bigger than a deer, and can do considerably more damage. This is the West and that’s the way it is.

Approaching Spokane – we’re back in the pine forest again. Fairly level ground – not the huge rolling hills from earlier. Still a beautiful blue sky.

Then it was back into the mountains to get to Sherrie and Tom’s.

Until next time,
Bear Hugs,
Boots