Spokane, WA

Spring is almost here. The sun is shining, the snow is melting and my crocuses are popping out of the ground but it was time to get some fresh air today. A walk through the Garland Shopping District was just what the doctor ordered. The Garland District begins at about 500 West Garland and ends at Monroe (900 W. Garland). The beginning of the Garland District starts with Sew Ez Too, a quilt and yarn shop. Sew Ez Too has bolts of fabric overflowing into the isles. I have spent many hours perusing through the shelves. They also have a wonderful array of yarn to suit all of your knitting and crocheting needs.

I am not sure if it was the toddler who really needed a nap or the sun shining for the first time in days that motivated to a drive and bring along the Spokane City Drive Guide. The City Drive is officially 32 miles and has 26 points of interest. I decided to just do a portion of the drive and hit 13 of the sites. Our first stop was Gonzaga University. Gonzaga is nestled in the middle of Spokane, 502 E. Boone Ave. Gonzaga University is a catholic university beginning in 1877. My favorite building on campus is St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Another spot on the City Drive list is Bing Crosby’s childhood home which now is called the Crosby Alumni House located at 508 E. Sharpe. If you want to view the country’s largest public collection of Bing Crosby memorabilia, stop by the Crosby Student Center in the middle of campus.

Looking for something to do with your family, a great adventure for a date or something to do with your friends, Spokane Chiefs Hockey at the Spokane Arena is the game for you. We have been to quite a few games this year, as a family, on a date and as a guys/gals night out.

Café Delicio is the perfect place to meet friends or business associates for coffee. They have a large menu that includes the typical lattes, mochas, Italian sodas and such. However, they have a wide array of tea drinks too. I decided to try the spice chi tea, which makes me nervous because I am always leery to try new drinks, because what if I don’t like it! However, the spiced chi tea was a perfect balance of spice, milk and deliciousness.

One of the things families can do is to go sledding and build snowmen in the winter time. And one place to do it is up on Mt. Spokane. Follow highway 2 until you come to Yokes and turn on to highway 206 Mt Spokane Park Drive and drive about 14 miles up to the mountain for some winter time fun in the snow. This past winter was certainly snowy enough to get in a lot of winter sledding, skiing, snow man building and more.

Jump N’ Party is the perfect place to let your kids burn off some energy or to have a Birthday party. Jump N’ Party is located at 1605 E. Lyons Avenue in Spokane. Jump N’ Party is an inflatable bounce toy paradise. They have 5 huge inflatable toys including an 18 foot slide and specific toddler areas.

Daydreaming about getting out on the water this summer? For ten days (February 1-10, 2008) you can explore your dreams by visiting the Spokane Boa Show at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. With over fifty vendors selling everything from fishing boats, ski boats, sailboats, jet skis, docks, and accessories you can get your planning done for summer.