Spokane, WA, Desert Storms, Fairchild AFB, and A Riverfront Park

August 15th, we left Hood Park.  Scary scenery as we drove towards Spokane, WA, through wide open desert, plains, and crop fields as far as the eye could see with huge black storm clouds rolling in. No cover on that highway! But it did make for some interesting pictures as the clouds seem to touch the ground.  We had been over this route many years ago.  Believe me, there is NOTHING out there except you and the interstate. 

  

As we got closer to Spokane, we gained higher elevation and saw more greenery and trees.  From Spokane, looking East in the distance, you can see the shadows of part of the Bitterroot Mountain Range.   We are spending a few days at Fairchild Air Force Base.   The campground is small and doesn’t take reservations.  We arrived early enough to get one of the last 3 open sites.  The other 2 sites were taken just a short time later and a few late arrivals had to boondock.  The sites are very close together and not to our liking but solved our need for a spot to spend the weekend.   At least we have had nice weather so far. 

Spokane is the second largest city in Washington.  David Thompson explored the Spokane area and began European settlement with the westward expansion and establishment of the North West Company’s Spokane House in 1810. This trading post was the first long-term European settlement in Washington and the center of the fur trade between the Rockies and Cascades for 16 years. In the late 19th century, gold and silver were discovered in the Inland Northwest. The Spokane area is considered to be one of the most productive mining districts in North America.  The city of Spokane was settled in 1871 and officially incorporated as a city in 1881. The city's name is drawn from the Native American tribe known as the Spokane, which means "Children of the Sun" in Salishan.  Completion of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1881 brought major settlement to the Spokane area.

We discovered the fact that there were some waterfalls in downtown Spokane.  So we did our Wal-Mart thing, walked at the local 2 story mall.  I even got a Hobby Lobby fix!  I am still scrapbooking our travels but using some of the manual methods and part Photoshop Elements 12.  I still need practice so I still get to shop the craft stores!  We spent the rest of the day at Riverfront Park.   What a nice surprise and pleasant afternoon.   Riverfront Park is a public park.  The 100 acre park is located along the Spokane River containing the upper Spokane Falls and just upstream from the lower falls. It was created for Expo ‘74,  World’s Fair.  The defining feature of the park is the Pavilion, which is marked by a 145-foot-tall metal frame and wire shell that formed the US Pavilion tent during the expo.   The park is well known for the Riverfront Carousel, as well as an IMAX theatre, clock tower, sky ride over the falls, and a small amusement park and pinball games for young children.  There is a train that circles the park, lots of paved trails, and several bridges and walkways that offer nice views of the waterfalls and the dam. 

The park is very popular on weekends.  It is just a nice place to just hang out for a day and enjoy the paths, flowers, green grass, and the lake with wildlife.  We even had some Huckleberry ice cream by the carousel!  Sure tasted good on a warm afternoon!  Gosh, it is almost time to start heading south and I will be sad with no more fresh Northwest cherries and Huckleberry ice Cream!