What becomes of an ice ribbon when spring hits? Find out downtown Spokane, where Riverfront Park’s Ice Ribbon has transitioned to its spring and summer mode: Skate Ribbon, open for daily wheel use during all open park hours (5 a.m. to midnight). The best part? If you bring your own wheels, it’s free. Pack along those personal roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, and non-motorized scooters. Balance bikes are welcome for the toddler/preschooler set, but bikes with pedals are not allowed. All wheels in use at the ribbon must be clean and in good repair, with proper safety brakes, and helmets are required for all participants. For those who’d like to rent skate gear, rentals are $6.50 an hour for skate rentals, and $8.50 an hour for scooter rentals. Helmets and safety gear can be borrowed free of charge. Rental hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don’t know how to skate? Free skate lessons are available for all ages (only caveat: kids must be able to walk), taught by Lilac City Roller Derby. Check out the city’s website for details and times.

Workout Classes

The park is also offering series of free workout classes; jazzercise was offered through April and May, giving those for whom roller skating brought back memories of school skate nights a chance to further channel the ‘80s (or experience them for the first time). In June, tote along your yoga mat and come for “River Flow Yoga”; these classes, sponsored by Athleta, meet Saturday mornings from 9-10 a.m. on the new Howard Street South Channel Bridge, right next to the newly-renovated carrousel.

New and Improved Sky Ride

Another fun new Riverfront Park offering for spring and summer? Taking the sky ride—which already offers stellar views of downtown and the Spokane River—to a new level. “This year we’re kicking off Friday Night Flights, packaging local beer and wine flights with the sky ride,” says Amy Lindsey, Riverfront Park programming manager. For the most impressive river views, make plans to check out the sky ride sooner than later; spring melt means more epic waterfall action. These evenings will be accompanied by live entertainment, “which adds an element of fun for moms and dads and park tourists,” says Lindsey. Upcoming Friday Night Flight dates are June 1 and 15 from 5-8 p.m. 

Food Trucks and Music

Also kicking off in Riverfront Park this summer is “Riverfront Eats,” a weekly food truck and music series, which Lindsey says is intended to draw downtown employees, residents, and visitors outside to enjoy a local lunch outdoors. “A portion of the proceeds will benefit free and low-cost community programming,” she adds. Upcoming dates are set for Tuesdays, June 5, 12, and 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Magic, Crafts, & Games

And for more family-friendly fun, check out “Magical Mondays with Cecil the Magician,” scheduled for June 4 and June 25 at 4 p.m. (bonus: hot dogs are just $1 at the Sky Ribbon Café on Mondays) and “Sunday Fundays” at the Ribbon, with crafts, inflatables, and sidewalk games happening regularly on Sunday afternoons from 1-3 p.m.

Lindsey hints that there are more surprise activities yet to be announced for the summer. For the latest on dates, times, and new happenings, go to my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontpark or follow “Spokane Riverfront Park” on Facebook. //

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two daughters and is currently training for a summer half marathon or two. She wrote about the best Inland Northwest bike trails in the May issue. 

[Feature photo: “Photo courtesy of Downtown Spokane Partnership from the 2017 Numerica Summer Workout Series”]

The post Explore What’s New at Spokane’s Riverfront Park This Summer appeared first on Out There Venture.

1.Experience thrilling downhill mountain bike riding at Silver Mountain Bike Park, with its network of named trails, categorized by difficulty level, from easy to expert.

2.Climb, swing, and zip for self-guided, high adventure at the new Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Athol, Idaho. This family-friendly aerial experience includes progressively challenging courses featuring ladders, balance beams, tight ropes, and bridges; includes two courses specifically for ages 6-9. Reservations required at treetotreeidaho.com.

3.Whitewater raft through the Class I-III rapids of lower Spokane River Gorge with ROW Adventures. Trips typically run daily from June 2-July 1. ROW also provides guided whitewater trips down the Clark Fork, Lochsa, St. Joe, Moyie, Clearwater, and Selway rivers.

4.For a serene float without big rapids, opt for ROW Adventure’s half-day float trip down the lower Spokane River (ages 5+). Season begins June 18.

5.Ride railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River, thanks to the local Lions Club and its four-seated, pedal-powered RailRiders. Travel a 12-mile round-trip route, departing from Ione, Wash. Available only on select dates; online reservations required at lionsrailriders.com

6.Take a cruise aboard the Lady of the Lake to upper Lake Chelan to begin a backcountry adventure in North Cascades National Park.

7.Demo bikes and water sports gear at the 4^th annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival on Saturday, July 7 at Camp Sekani Park (free general admission). Or register for an outdoor adventure clinic to try a new sport, such as rock climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, tandem kayaking, SUP yoga, inflatable whitewater kayaking, and more ($10-20/person). Festival also includes free kids activities, live music, adult beverage garden, and hourly gear giveaways.

8.National Get Outdoors Day is Saturday, June 9. Visit and explore a state park, conservation area, or wildlife refuge.

9.Go “herp hunting” (searching for amphibians and reptiles) in Idaho, exploring along riverbanks and lake shorelines to find western toads, spotted frogs, and Western terrestrial garter snakes. Use a field guide (there’s one online at idfg.idaho.gov). Follow Leave No Trace principles by not disturbing wildlife or their habitat.

10.Get your adrenaline pumping with Mica Moon Zipline Tour in Liberty Lake, Wash. or Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

11.Hike to the Rocks of Sharon and Big Rock to enjoy stunning views and rock climbing. Located in Dishman Hills Conservancy in south Spokane County. Dishmanhills.org.

12.Forage for morels in the Kootenai National Forest (permit required), and visit the small Montana towns of Troy and Libby.

13.Be awed by Kootenai Falls—Idaho’s largest free-falling, undammed falls. A short trail leads to a 100-foot high swinging bridge that crosses the Kootenai River gorge, featuring a gradual loss of 300 feet of elevation. Part of the 1994 adventure crime-thriller movie “The River Wild,” starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon, was filmed here.

14.Soak in Stanley Hot Springs, near Lowell, Montana, which requires a challenging 6-mile, one-way hike from Wilderness Gateway Campground. Plan to backpack camp so you can enjoy the 103-degree hot springs water in the cool evening or morning. Learn more at idahohotsprings.com or use the Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest guidebook by Evie Litton and Sally Jackson.

15.Take your paddling gear or motor boat to visit Crow Butte Park, a watersports park located on a 1,500-acre island in the Columbia River. Only accessible by boat, the park has a day use swimming area, playground, and 50 full-service campsites.

16.Explore Hanford Reach National Monument, north of Richland, Wash.—the first national monument created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This rustic area also includes Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.

17.Backpack into northeast Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Swim in an alpine lake, hike to the summit of Eagle Cap, and enjoy epic star-gazing.

18.Venture to British Columbia, Canada. Nelson, a small Victorian town on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake offers hiking trails, Ainsworth Hot Springs resort, and all imaginable lake sports. Visit nelsonkootenaylake.com. Or check out Rossland for epic fun while mountain biking, hiking, or golfing at tourismrossland.com.

19.Explore the Wenatchee River Valley. Tube the Wenatchee River starting from Waterfront Park, near downtown Leavenworth. Camp and hike the trails in North Cascades’ Icicle Creek area, or camp at Lake Wenatchee State Park.

20.Enjoy a family hike at the Dishman Hills Camp Caro trailhead area in Spokane Valley, which has a children’s playground and trail map kiosk.

21.Go fishing during National Fishing and Boating Week, when state Fish and Wildlife agencies offer no-license Free Fishing Days. Dates this year are June 9 for Idaho, June 9-10 for Washington, and June 16-17 for Montana.

22.Visit Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and camp at Wanapum Recreation Area along the west side of the Columbia River Gorge, near Vantage, Wash.

23.Boat or paddle to one of three islands in Priest Lake—Kalispell, Bartoo, or Fourmile islands. Stay and play for the day or camp overnight.

24.Learn about the Channeled Scablands by visiting Washington state parks created to showcase the geological evidence left behind from Ice Age mega-floods: Palouse Falls, Steamboat Rock, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, Potholes, and Sacajawea.

25.Explore the remote, rugged wilderness of North Central Idaho, east of Lewiston, which includes the humongous Lolo, Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Bitterroot national forests. Plan an adventure that includes Red River or Lolo Hot Springs, the 56-mile Selway River Trail, Selway Falls in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, or Elk Creek Falls Recreation Area.

26.Stand-up paddleboard on the Spokane River. Rent equipment from Fun Unlimited at either their Post Falls or downtown Spokane location under the Division Street bridge. Cdasports.com

27.Road trip to Bend, Ore., which includes more recreation options than you probably have time for. Visit Mt. Bachelor for a scenic chairlift ride from its West Village base (6,300 feet) and hike to a snowfield. Mountain bike amazing trails from the Phil’s Trail trailhead near town. Backpack along the Pacific Crest Trail.

28.June is Great Outdoors Month, and June 2 is designated National Trails Day. Do good while hiking and bring garbage bags to collect litter and pack it out. For kids, make it a scavenger hunt competition and see who can find the most granola bar wrappers and beer cans or bottles.

29.Explore the trails and alpine lakes accessible near Superior, Montana. Visit Lincoln’s World Famous 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar (exit 16, Haugan), and its self-described “Montana’s largest gift shop” with quirky trinkets and souvenirs.

30.Combine local recreation in Idaho’s Silver Valley with one of Wallace’s outdoor festivals, such as the Gyro Days Carnival (June 14-16), Idaho’s Statehood Day (July 3, parade begins at 5:30 p.m.), Wallace Blues Festival (July 13-15), or Huckleberry Days (August 17-18).

31.Tube the Spokane River with FLOW Adventures—daily equipment rentals and shuttle service begin in July.

32.Take your dog hiking in the wilderness. Search for destination ideas using Craig Romano’s guidebook Best Hikes with Dogs in Eastern Washington.

33.Ride the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha Trail. A 20^th Anniversary Commemoration for “America’s Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails” is June 22-23 in downtown Wallace.

34.Participate in Spokane Summer Parkways, a fun summer solstice event in the Comstock-Manito park neighborhoods, using only pedal or foot transport on Thursday, June 21 from 6-9 p.m.

35.Paddle the 2.5-mile Thorofare to Upper Priest Lake.

36.Celebrate Great American Campout Day on June 23. Make campsite reservations, pack your gear, and go! Or tent camp in your backyard.

37.Backpack to an alpine lake—lots of possible destinations throughout the Inland Northwest. Find recommendations at outthereoutdoors.com.

38.Whitewater raft and camp along the Salmon River in the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness. Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures, based out of Missoula, Montana, offers 6-day guided trips. Or choose their guided 3-day, 75-mile mountain bike camping trip along the Lolo Trail, starting from Lewis & Clark’s 13-Mile Camp (6,000 feet) near Lochsa Lodge.

39.Head to Rolling Huts or Methow Tents in Winthrop, Washington, if glamping is your style.

40.Do volunteer trail work. Washington Trails Association hosts day-long trail parties and week-long volunteer vacations throughout the state. Experienced backpackers can join a Backcountry Response Team.

41.Visit a National Park. Of the more than 400 national parks, recreation areas, and historic sites across America, there are five major parks 5-8 hours from the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene metro area: Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier in Washington; Glacier in northwest Montana; and Yellowstone in southern Idaho and Montana.

42.Go boating, fishing, paddling, waterskiing, and camping at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Relax on one of its sandy primitive beaches.

43.Visit Harrison, Idaho, located on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s west side. Get there by boat, bike (via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes), or car. Don’t miss the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory Ice Cream Parlor.

44.Scout for wildlife along local waterways, such as Latah Creek or the Spokane River. Hike the trails at People’s Park or Riverside State Park. Be alert for river otter, beaver, porcupine, coyote, marmot, osprey, and other critters.

45.Forage for huckleberries. Find the best stashes of this succulent wild berry of the Inland Northwest around Priest Lake and Mount Spokane. Wear your bear bells.

46.Kayak on Lake Coeur d’Alene with a 4-hour trip guided by ROW Adventures, or choose the 2-hour sunset kayak paddle on Fernan Lake.

47.Road trip to a regional outdoor festival, to celebrate nearly anything—from music and beer to lentils and sweet onions. Stay overnight to take advantage of nearby recreation opportunities wherever you go.

48.Drink regional beers along the Inland Northwest Ale Trail—hiking boots not required. Find the map at Inlandnwaletrail.com. Or travel to Sunnyside Summer Ale Fest in the heart of hop country on June 23 in Sunnyside, Washington

49.Canoe or kayak the Little Spokane River. Make it easier with Spokane Parks & Recreation’s weekend shuttle service. Pre-register at Spokaneparks.org.

50.Ride the Great Escape Quad high-speed chairlift to Schweitzer Mountain’s summit. Rides begin June 22.

51.Play disc golf at Farragut State Park near Athol, Idaho.

52.Rent a houseboat in Bayview, Idaho, for a vacation afloat Lake Pend Oreille.

53.Join a road running relay race, such as the Spokane to Sandpoint Relay or Centennial Beer Chase.

54.Go fly fishing on the Clark Fork River near Butte, Montana.

55.Venture to Fishtrap Recreation Area, with 8,000 acres of BLM land in Lincoln County, west of Spokane, for mountain biking, hiking, or fishing.

56.Explore unique destinations. Search for unusual place-names on a regional map, like Idaho’s Gospel Hump Wilderness, Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, or Seven Devils Mountains near Hells Canyon, and then go check it out.

57.Getaway to River Dance Lodge, an adventure resort near Syringa, Idaho. Stay overnight in a custom log cabin or luxury tent. Or stay in your tent or RV in the campground area. Explore the nearby Lewis and Clark Trail and Lolo Motorway, book a horseback ride, or hike or mountain bike one of the many trails along the Lochsa River. Consider the Wild West Getaway package, which includes rafting the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River.

58.Cycle the Centennial Trail, with lots of trailhead options and miles to explore. Complete the section between Liberty Lake, Wash., and Post Falls, Idaho, and your kids can boast that they literally biked all the way to another state.

59.When traveling out of town, plan to visit the local farmer’s markets, and blend in with the locals.

60.Walk or bike among Manito Park’s flower gardens, located on Spokane’s South Hill. Bring along a book and blanket for a rest at Duncan or Rose gardens, and lounge around like poet Walt Whitman or a character from a Jane Austen novel.

61.Hike or mountain bike the High Drive Bluff trails, followed by a stop at The Rocket Market for a refreshing drink, such as on-tap kombucha or beer.

62.Bike or walk along the Riverfront Park-Gonzaga 2.2-mile loop trail and tour Gonzaga University’s campus. Stop by Arthur Lake, check out the outdoor art sculptures, pat the head of the enormous brass Bulldog standing guard outside McCarthy Athletic Center, visit the Mother Mary grotto, enjoy the flowerbed landscaping, and play Frisbee on a lawn. To beat the heat, visit the Jundt Art Museum, Bing Crosby Museum, or Hemmingson Center.

63.Bike tour among neighborhood Little Free Libraries. Use the online map at Littlefreelibrary.org to plan a route—there are over 100 locations throughout Spokane and Spokane Valley.

64.Bike or walk Fish Lake Trail, coming in at 14.8 miles for a complete out-and-back round-trip.

65.Swim, fish, or paddle at Spokane County’s Fish Lake Regional Park, located off Cheney-Spokane Road.

66.Access the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park near Fish Lake. Bike the trail through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

67.Pedal around the Palouse cities of Pullman, Wash., and Moscow, Idaho.

68.Go boating in Hells Canyon and hike the Snake River National Recreation Trail. Located near Grangeville, Idaho, you can also visit the Hammer Creek Recreation Area and stay at nearby campgrounds.

69.Mountain bike the trails at Camp Sekani or Beacon Hill. Visit evergreeneast.org for trail maps.

70.Hike to the 3,612-foot summit of Steptoe Butte at its namesake State Park Heritage Site. Cool fun fact: the butte “marks the border of the original North American Continent” according to Washington State Parks website.

71.Attend a mountain-top festival at Schweitzer or Silver Mountain, combined with hiking or mountain biking.

72.Day-trip to Reardan, Wash., to tour the Inland NW Rail Museum, open Friday-Sunday. Visit inlandnwrailmuseum.com. Admission includes one narrow gauge train ride, and children under 5 are free. Visit the nearby Fort Spokane museum and visitor center at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Have a picnic and go swimming.

73.Visit Crawford State Park Heritage Site, near Metaline Falls, Wash., and take a guided tour of Gardner Cave—the state’s third longest limestone cavern. Hike the trail to the U.S.-Canadian border.

74.Go fishing at Round Lake near Sagle, Idaho, or at Williams Lake near Cheney, Wash., which is annually stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout.

75.Explore the Yaak wildlands in remote northwest Montana.

76.Join the fun at Paddle, Splash and Play, an annual free children’s event on Aug. 11, organized by the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club at Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane.

77.Hike, explore, and look for wildlife at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

78.Paddle Lake Chatcolet and observe wildlife. Launch your canoe, SUP, or kayak from Hawley’s Landing campground at Heyburn State Park near Plummer, Idaho.

79.Go bike riding on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Start at the Plummer trailhead for a long haul, or start in Harrison, which is the closest access point to cycle along the Coeur d’Alene River and through the Chain Lakes area. Look for moose.

80.Paddle and explore the scenic Coeur d’Alene River and Chain Lakes area—a series of small, shallow lakes accessible via narrow tributaries. Launch your watercraft in Harrison, where the river intersects with Lake Coeur d’Alene. Or begin paddling from the no-fee Rainy Hill Boat Launch, 23 miles east of Coeur d’Alene, which also provides access to Medicine and Cave Lakes.

81.Tour the Grand Coulee Dam and enjoy a free, 30-minute nighttime Laser Light Show at the dam. Shows run nightly throughout the summer, with different start times each month. Grandcouleedam.com.

82.Visit Lochsa Lodge, off Highway 12 near Lolo Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. Stay overnight in a lodge or cabin. Explorers Lewis & Clark once camped nearby, and part of the historic Lewis & Clark Trail passes through the lodge area and travels 8-miles along the Lochsa River. Lochsalodge.com

83.Hike or bike the trails of Spokane County Conservation Areas, which are undeveloped, protected public lands. Find maps at spokanecounty.org.

84.Mountain bike or hike in Mount Spokane State Park. Picnic at Vista House and forage for huckleberries. Hike to the summit of Mount Kit Carson.

85.Stay overnight at Mount Spokane State Park’s Bald Knob Campground or Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout—the lookout is available by reservation only from June 15-Sept. 30.

86.Road trip to Missoula, Mont.—only a 4-hour drive east of Spokane. There is lots to do and see in this Big Sky city.

87.Play at Sandpoint’s City Beach. Swim in Lake Pend Oreille and walk or bike across Long Bridge.

88.Visit Glacier National Park and cross the Continental Divide with a journey along the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road. Stop at Logan Pass—at 6,646 feet— and hike to Hidden Lakes overlook.

89.Within Glacier NP, hike to Triple Divide Pass. Trailhead is at the primitive Cut Bank Campground on the park’s east side. Marvel at Triple Divide Peak at 8,020 feet, where the two Continental Divides intersect, and water can flow in three directions, with final output in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Artic oceans. The Cut Bank area also provides access to trailheads for Medicine Grizzly and Morning Start Lakes.

90.Swim and play at Liberty Lake with a camping trip or day visit to Liberty Lake Regional Park. Popular trails include Liberty Lake Loop trail and Split Creek Trail. $2/person entry fee during summer.

91.Bike, hike, or horse-back ride a section of Washington’s John Wayne Pioneer Trail near Tekoa or Rosalia, Wash.

92.Hike trails within an old-growth forest, such as the Hobo Cedar Grove Trail of old-growth cedars in the St. Joe National Forest; DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove of old-growth western red cedars in the Clearwater National Forest, at Lolo Pass, Idaho; or Hoodoo Canyon (Trail #17) in the Kettle Range of the Colville National Forest near Kettle Falls, Wash.

93.Head to Okanogan County’s Methow Valley, in Washington’s Central Cascade Mountains, and visit Twisp and Winthrop. Recreation destinations and fun excursions include Pearrygin Lake State Park, Winthrop National Fish Hatchery, the western-themed Shafer Museum, Falls Creek Waterfall, and North Cascades Smokejumper Base (free tours daily during summer).

94.Visit Hells Canyon National Recreation Area—the deepest river gorge in North America. Paddle the Snake River, camp, hike, fish, or mountain bike.

95.Backpack a section of the Continental Divide Trail, a 3,000 mile long trail that passes through Idaho and Montana. Continentaldividetrail.org.

96.Hang out at the newly-renovated Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. Roller skate, in-line skate, scooter, or skateboard on the Skate Ribbon (free admission; helmets required). Enjoy a 15-minute SkyRide gondola tour over Spokane Falls. On Wednesday evenings, stay late to watch a movie on a giant screen in the park’s Lilac Bowl, the location for the BECU Outdoor Movie series, from June 13-Aug. 1.

97.Camp at Ross Lake National Recreation Area in north-central Wash. Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake reservoirs provide gateways to remote wilderness.

98.Mountain bike the Empire Trails in Spirit Lake, Idaho, and then rent a kayak at the public access near town and go paddling.

99.Kayak or canoe the St. Joe River, the highest elevation navigable river in the world. Depending on how far and long you want to paddle, there are a number of boat launches in Benewah County. For the quickest access to more quiet section, start from a boat launch near St. Maries.

100.Bike or drive along the scenic International Selkirk Loop that connects Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. Selkirkloop.org //

Be Social: Share your summer adventure photos on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #GetOutThereOutdoors, or post directly to facebook.com/OutThereVenture. If you go adventuring with children, include the additional hashtag #OutThereKids.

[Feature photo “Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Chatcolet Bridge” by Amy McCaffree.]

The post 100 Things to Do Outside This Summer appeared first on Out There Venture.

• The Spokane River (2018) edited by Paul Lindholdt: A newly-published collection of essays and poems on the environment—with reflections from 28 contributors—including Jess Walter, Tod Marshall, Sherman Alexie, Jerry White (Spokane Riverkeeper), Beatrice Lackaff (OTO writer), and many others.
• Dog Songs (2013) by Mary Oliver: A book of poems (and one essay) by a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet will make you cry, in a good way.
• I Promise Not To Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail (2013) by Gail D. Storey: A funny memoir by a non-hiker who backpacked the PCT at age 56 with her husband, using their homemade ultralight gear.
• Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (1974) and Teaching a Stone to Talk (1983): Expeditions and Encounters by Annie Dillard: The Pulitzer-prize winning Pilgrim is a narrative expose while the other is comprised of narrative essays. Dillard, who lived in western Washington for a few years during the 1970s, is renowned for her reflections on her explorations of the natural world.
• We Live in Water (2013) by Jess Walter: This book of short fiction stories from Spokane’s NYT-best-selling author has been described as “darkly funny” and “sneakily sad”—which makes great escapist trailside reading.
• The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac (2015) by Sharma Shields: Set in the Inland Northwest, this “dark, fantastical” novel from Shields, another great Spokane writer, includes place names like Palouse, Rathdrum, and Lilac City, the pseudonym for Spokane. Chapters advance the plot through time and the multi-generational family characters, which makes it easy to bookmark and continue reading from place to place. //

[Feature photo by Amy McCaffree.]

The post Explore Nature with These Outdoor Themed Book Recommendations appeared first on Out There Venture.

It was visually kid-friendly, for sure, and provided structure and routine. I wanted this calendar to make me feel prepared and accomplished. It committed us to a bucket list of fun. With a school schedule no longer organizing our lives, I thought this calendar was a great idea.

Back in the 80s, I was a latch-key kid with older siblings who had fast-food jobs, which meant I spent too many summer days watching TV and only occasionally biking with friends to 7-11 when I had enough money for a Slurpee. There weren’t day camps or outdoor public pools, and we lived on acreage with only a few nearby kids my age. Mostly, I was bored, and I wanted to make my children’s summers better than my childhood memories.

Yet all my planned “epic” fun created overwhelming expectations for my family, with little kids who still needed help with sandals. I was trying to make our days feel pre-emptively exciting.

Though, in reality, I was already feeling busy enough while juggling motherhood and work-from-home responsibilities. By mid-July, I was deflated. Too many unrealistic plans.

From then on, I vowed to not create an obnoxiously full summer “to-do” calendar. Instead, I made spontaneous morning-of plans according to our energy levels, moods, and the weather forecast; sometimes I tentatively scheduled the night before. And I kept it simple: splash pads, playgrounds, picnics, pools. Plus, some family vacations and camping weekends.

Now that my kids are older, planning more detailed summer adventures is easier. We meet friends at a beach, plan a short morning hike or bike ride before it gets too hot, and if I want to make banana pancakes for breakfast, we relax and enjoy.

This summer, with free admission to City of Spokane aquatic centers, we’ll definitely be swimming more often. And some days, like past years, we may just put our small inflatable pool under our backyard slide, attach the water hose, and call it a water park. No packing swim bags, snacks, and lunches; instead, quick bathroom access and air-conditioned breaks inside.

I don’t have to be my kids’ awesome day camp director. Together, we now choose a mix of favorite and new activities to structure our summer days. Some will be better than others. Not every day has to be “amazing.”

Our Summer Adventure Guide is meant inspire you, not overwhelm you. Pick and choose a feasible few outings from the over 100 summer adventure ideas. Maybe try a couple of new ones. My kids want to try stand-up paddleboarding and ziplining this summer. We’ll see.

There are 10 weeks before school starts again. There’s no time to do it all, but enough to make it a memorable summer with plenty of time spent outside.

Find stories about kid-friendly activities, travel destinations, and recreation ideas in the Out There Kids archives, as well as Summer Adventure Guide articles.

The post Planning Summertime Family Adventures appeared first on Out There Venture.

This June, the Silver Valley’s where it’s at. With an extreme dirt bike endurance race on the beautiful Silver Mountain, an epic downhill mountain bike race at the Silver Mountain Bike Park, and a great many outdoor adventure opportunities in between, it’s a fantastic family vacation destination.

Float or fish on the Coeur d’Alene river, ride the stunning Hiawatha, hit up the local farmer’s market, learn to pan for gold, and much more! Read on for a summary of the next few weeks’ events.

Stix & Stones’ Silver Mountain Xtreme Challenge Dirt Bike Race, June 16-17

This extreme dirt biking race will test even the most experienced bikers with its technical trail and steep verticals. Sanctioned by the AMA, this enduro dirt bike race will include terrain that’s steep, treed, and rocky, with elevations of over 6,100 feet.

Stix & Stones Off Road founder Greg Ragsdale has enjoyed the challenge of taking an “insurmountable” dream—that of hosting a race on Silver Mountain, known for its winter sports—and making it a reality for hundreds of people to get excited about and enjoy.

“This is a truly unique event,” says Greg. “Unlike many other hard enduro events, this largely single-track course is comprised of a multitude of different obstacles and terrain variation with many elevation changes. Competitors need to possess skill as well as a level of endurance to complete the event.”

From the elevation on Silver Mountain (Kellogg, Idaho), racers are rewarded with stunning mountain views along the course. There are approximately 20 miles of trail that make up the Xtreme Challenge. Each of these trails have been developed by hand with Pulaski pickaxes, chainsaws, shovels and a lot of time and imagination from the Stix & Stones team. Their goal is to continually add obstacles to keep the event fresh.

“We are so thankful for the opportunity to bring this event to life,” says Greg. “We have been blessed by a very small, core group of friends that pour their free time and energy into helping us to make this a dream a reality.”

This year, Radio Brewing Company will have a beer garden at the bottom of chairs 1 and 2. Stix & Stones have also added a loop that includes obstacles around the base of the chairlifts, to keep the action close to the spectators. One such obstacle this year has been dubbed “The Teeter Terror.”

The event will be a great one for spectators to enjoy, as the gondola ride to the top of mountain is an experience in itself. You can catch multiple chair lifts to access different vantage points along the course to watch the race.

Along with an extreme and memorable ride, each participant will receive a registration packet with perks such as a free Kate’s Real Food bar. They’ll also be a part of growing northwest event—with the new AMA sanctioning this year, there will be national attentional surrounding the event. There’s talk about adding Silver Mountain XC to the 2019 event as a part of the AMA Hard Enduro Series, which would make northern Idaho the only stop for this series in the Pacific Northwest.

Visit the race’s website to register if you’re up for the challenge. There are group discount rates available through Silver Mountain’s Morningstar Lodge if you’re looking for a place to stay. “Like” the Silver Mountain Xtreme Challenge Facebook page for the latest updates. Here’s a bit more from race creator and coordinator, Greg:

Catch a snippet of last year’s extreme challenge!

Stick around for the following weekend’s Northwest Cup Mountain Bike Race, June 22-24

This downhill race series will also come to Kellogg, Idaho, to run on Silver Mountain’s bike park. It’s round #4 in the race series, but you can register for a single series in the line up. If you’re battered and bruised from riding the Silver Mountain Xtreme Challenge, completing this race will feel extra sweet. This fast and furious downhill will be fun to ride or watch. Keep in touch with event updates by liking the Northwest Cup Facebook page. Visit the NW Cup website to register!

5 Things to Do in the Silver Valley

If you’re riding or watching both the Silver Mountain Xtreme Challenge and Northwest Cup downhill race, here’s a list of things to do during your stay in the Silver Valley. There are many family-friendly activities, so bring the whole crew and prepare for a week of outdoor adventure! It’s a great location to plan a visit any time of year.

1)  Catch the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. Participate in panel discussions, historical presentations, a parade, socials, or museum tours, and save some time to ride the 15-mile rail trail. Here’s a full list of special events going on to celebrate this iconic trail. (June 23)

2)   Visit the Kellogg Farmer’s Market on Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. Join in on one of the free group rides starting at 6 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce building to take a spin on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. (June 21)3)   If you’re still not tired, Ride the Wall! Registration for this 13-mile bike course includes a t-shirt and light meal including The Snake Pit’s house-smoked pulled pork. The course follows the historic CCC-Wall Ridge route and get stellar views of the Coeur d’Alene River and Silver Valley. (June 21)

4)   Learn to Pan for Gold with local artist and gold panner Royce Tucker. You’ll pan your own gold while learning the lingo, how to handle the pan, what to look for, where to locate it, and how to find it on your own. Class fee includes one hour of instructed panning time and a panning kit including a gold pan, snuffer bottle, “gold paydirt,” and glass vial for future gold. (June 18 & 20, multiple time slots)

5)  Schedule your own adventure to include some of Silver Valley’s amazing outdoor activities, including: hiking the Bitterroot Mountains, fishing the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, going on a historic mining tour, hopping local breweries, or hitting a round of golf at the beautiful Galena Ridge. There are also opportunities to paddle board and float on alpine lakes, go geo cashing, or hunt for treasure with Jordan’s Gems. If you stay at Silver Mountain Resort, it will be easy to catch a day at the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark, great for kids.

Check out the local adventure options in this video, and book your trip!

[Feature image by Ryan Zimmer]

(Sponsored Content)

Lisa Laughlin is a contributor and digital editor for Out There Venture. 

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SUMMER 2018: SILVER VALLEY EVENTS OFFER PLENTY OF FUN FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Every Thursday Evening: Kellogg, Idaho, Farmers’ Market

Bring the family out to the Silver Valley for a Thursday afternoon or evening ride on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and stick around for the farmers’ market and enjoy great food, crafts, and live music!

June 16-17: Stix & Stones Offroad Extreme Challenge

A challenging dirt bike enduro race on beautiful Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho. With gondola and chairlift access, this is a great spectator event.

June 22-24: Northwest Cup Downhill MTB Race at Silver Mountain

The region’s biggest race series brings in a strong beginner contingent in addition to the pros.

June 22-23: Route of the Hiawatha 20^th Anniversary Celebration

Head to Wallace, Idaho, for a community celebration of the “Crown Jewel” of rail trails! Choose from panel discussions, historical presentations, a parade, socials, museum tours, and don’t forget your bike to ride and enjoy the 15-mile, all-downhill gravel Route of the Hiawatha trail!

June 23: Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS

Join this one-day ride from the Snake Pit in Enaville, Idaho, on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and help fight Lou Gehrig’s disease.

July 28-29: 25^th Annual SilverHoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Play or watch a few games in Kellogg then take a ride on North America’s longest gondola and hit the mountain biking or hiking trails at Silver Mountain Resort.

June 29-July 1: North American Enduro Cup MTB Race at Silver Mountain

The Enduro Cup race is a collaboration between the Northwest’s three premiere enduro mountain bike race series: the Cascadia Dirt Cup, Idaho Enduro Series, and Montana Enduro Series. Don’t miss it!

June 30: Kegs & Kick Stands Bike Ride, Brews, & Culinary Delights

Tour Kellogg, Idaho, on a bicycle sampling the scenery, community, and culinary delights along the way.

July 14: Sturdy Dirty Women’s Enduro MTB Race

The first women-specific enduro mountain bike race in the country that has evolved into a 3-race series, the only one of its kind in the world. //

SPONSORED CONTENT

The post Go Play Outside: Summertime Events in Idaho’s Silver Valley appeared first on Out There Venture.

#1 Experience a River of No Return Jet Boat Tour

Experience Idaho’s famed Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the wild Salmon River on a 1-3 day jet boat tour out of Riggins, Idaho this spring or summer. The tours are a safe and fun way for families to visit the river canyons and remote wilderness beaches to hike, fish, swim, sightsee, view wildlife and relax. Overnight tours include all-inclusive accommodations at either China Bar Lodge or Mackay Bar Lodge. Half-day tours are also available. More info: 1-888-892-2820 or at Salmonrivertour.com and Mackaybarlodge.com.

#2 One-Stop Family Fun in Fernie, B.C.

A little over four hours north of Spokane, Fernie, British Columbia, may be the ultimate summertime destination for outdoors-loving families. The exceptionally scenic mountain town situated in the dramatic Canadian Rockies has developed a well-earned reputation as mountain biking meca (so bring the bikes), but the town and surrounding mountains also offer a wide range of inexpensive and often free family-orientated recreation opportunities and outdoor activities.

Being an old mining town, Fernie has a lot of engaging history. The Fernie Museum is a great place to start exploring the town’s past. James White Park sits right on the picturesque Elk River and is home to the Fernie Frisbee Golf course, which is free. Easy, signed family nature and hiking trails are located in the nearby Mount Fernie Provincial Park, and Fernie Alpine Resort has chairlift rides and hiking and biking trails. Kids fishing adventures, river floats, Arts Station tours, dirt jump and skate park trips, the Fernie Waterpark and Aquatic Centre, or family biking along the dyke in James White Park are just some of the fun family times to be had in Fernie. Everything is in close proximity to town, allowing for low-stress mini-adventures from your hotel or campground between naps and mealtimes. Tourismfernie.com.

 #3 Go Hiking and Bird Watching in Leavenworth

The central Cascade mountain town of Leavenworth is a hiking family’s dream. Explore the trails in the Icicle Creek Canyon area (including some challenging options), the Icicle River Nature Trail near the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery or the forested riverbank trails of Enchantment Park and Waterfront Park’s Blackbird Island close to downtown. The Sleeping Lady Resort also hosts free Saturday morning bird walks with Heather Murphy, a local wildlife biologist, nature journalist and artist. Over the past 25 years she has recorded 109 species of birds in the Sleeping Lady area, which is documented in the Citizen Science eBird program at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The tours run May 7 and 21 as well as the first and third Saturdays in June and September. Don’t forget binoculars!  Sleepinglady.com.

#4 Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 9 2016)

Introduce your kids to outdoor recreation activities like stand up paddleboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, geo-caching, slacklining, canoeing or disc golf at the Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park along the Spokane River. There will also be over 40 outdoor-lifestyle oriented exhibitors to visit, with many of them offering demos, samples and other activities. Kids will also enjoy watching mountain bikers fly through the air at the Spokatopia Jump Jam and listening to live music all day long. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and general admission is $5 per person (5 and under are free). Some clinics and activities cost extra and require advance registration (most sold out last year). Camp Sekani is located between downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley on Upriver Drive. Info and outdoor activity registration at Spokatopia.com.

#5 Fly Through the Trees with Mica Moon Zip Tours 

Last summer Mica Moon started offering zipline and canopy tours in the mountains above Liberty Lake between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The 2.5 hour tours include eight ziplines, seven tree-top platforms, two short hikes and a UTV 4×4 ride up the mountain to start off the tour. The course threads through scenic forest, over a mountain stream and near historic moonshine camps. The season kicks off in April and runs all summer long. Micamoon.com. 

#6 Take a National Park Family Vacation

2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and what better way to celebrate and take advantage of many special anniversary events and activities than to plan a national park vacation this summer. Several of the nation’s most popular parks, including Glacier, North Cascades and Yellowstone, are an easy day’s drive from Spokane and can make a memorable family trip, especially with the right planning and information.

Spokane couple Harley and Abby McAllister are a self-described adventurous husband and wife duo who drag their four kids outside as often as they can. After visiting Yellowstone National Park several times and having struggled to find quality information geared towards visiting national parks with kids, they decided to write a guidebook to help other families plan a Yellowstone trip.  Their book, “Yellowstone National Park with Kids” (available from Amazon.com) includes travel tips, top sights, fun adventures, a section on backpacking with kids, a guide to the geysers and sample trip itineraries. The information in the book is divided by regions of the park so that all of a day’s planned activities can be organized by location, enabling you to make the most of your time in the park. The McAllisters have a second book, “Utah’s Big 5 National Parks with Kids,” which covers Arches, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Learn more about the books and the McAllister’s family adventures at Our4outdoors.com and about national parks at Nps.gov.

#7 Spend the Day at Silverwood Theme Park

Silverwood is the Northwest’s largest theme park, located in a fairly rural area in North Idaho. The park features over 200 acres of fun and over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions. You can experience world-class coasters, hair-raising attractions, kiddie adventures, a 1915 steam engine train, live award-winning entertainment, restaurants and more. Visitors can also cool off at Boulder Beach Water Park with two massive wave pools, thrilling water slides, children’s water features and an endless lazy river. New to Boulder Beach for 2016 is a 400 foot-long slide standing nearly 60 feet tall. The new mat racing water slide will feature 6 side-by-side racing lanes for kids to compete against one another. Admission covers both Silverwood and the Boulder Beach Water Park. Silverwood operates seasonally from May through October just minutes north of Coeur d’Alene. For more information and the best price on tickets, visit Silverwoodthemepark.com or call 208-683-3400.// (Wil Wheaton)

Spokane Parks and Recreation—Outdoor Programs for All Ages

Spokane Parks and Recreation has offered outdoor recreation activities and programs since 1989, and many of them are perfect for kids and families. Explore Spokane’s plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities with a guided group of like-minded parents. Spokane Parks and Recreation offers affordable hiking, biking, paddling, rafting, climbing and other adventures, and for many of them equipment, instruction and guidance is included in the trip. Here is a sampling of some of the adventures and camps being offered this year. Details and the full list of spring and summer activities at Spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor.

• Paddleboarding at Fish Lake (ages 8+): Learn the basics of stand up paddleboarding on the peaceful, smooth waters of Fish Lake near Cheney. All equipment and group instruction provided. June 29 and July 26 (6-8 p.m.). $19 per person.
• Introduction to Rock Climbing (ages 8+): Instructors teach basic climbing techniques at Minnehaha Climbing Area. Rappel, climb, belay and practice climbing skills during this 5-hour course. July 23 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). $42 per person.
• Spokane River Rafting & BBQ (ages 5+): Wiley E Waters river guides will take you down the Lower Spokane River through fun class II and III rapids. Enjoy wildlife sightings, beautiful scenery and a post-trip BBQ. All equipment included. July 3 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). $55 per person.
• Family Kayaking on the Little Spokane River (ages 8+): Paddle tandem sit-on-top kayaks on the meandering, mellow waters of the crystal-clear Little Spokane River as it flows through a pine-studded natural area teeming with wildlife. Equipment provided. Multiple summer trip dates. $29 per person.
• Prehistoric Camp (ages 6-11): Kids will learn about paleontology and animals that inhabited the planet millions of years ago – including dinosaurs, fish, amphibians and birds – at the Corbin Arts Center. August 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $124 per child.
• Archery Introduction (ages 5+): Learn the basics of archery in a beautiful, safe setting with the skilled professionals from Evergreen Archery Club (near Palisades Park in Spokane). June 4 and August 6 (9 a.m. to noon). $29 per person.
• Teen & Youth Outdoor Adventure Camps (ages vary): Kids learn team building, self-confidence and outdoor skills all while exploring different outdoor sports and activities. (Multiple dates and pricing options available.)

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