Spokane, WA

We had hoped for better weather this weekend as last weekend was gorgeous, but in true Pacific Northwest fashion Memorial Day Weekend is rainy. We spent Friday night at Riverfront Park admiring the Spokane River and taking in an IMAX movie. This led us to wonder what the Bowl & Pitcher and Riverside State Park looked like. So, we dug out the backpack and headed out Saturday afternoon.

The Bowl & Pitcher at Riverside State Park is located at 4427 N. Aubrey L White Parkway. There are numerous ways to get there so check mapquest for the directions closest to you. The Bowl & Pitcher was bustling with hikers and campers The parking lot was nearly full. However, the park is so spread out we only saw maybe a dozen other hikers.

The Bowl & Pitcher received its name from rock formations in the river. The pitcher is obvious, however the bowl, like the website states “help us find the bowl.” Connecting the two sides of Riverside State Park is a swing bridge. The swing bridge has some historical significance as it was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was completely rebuilt in 1998.

As we walked from the parking lot to the trail you could hear the Spokane River roaring. The swing bridge was doing just that and slowly swinging side to side as people made their way across it and stopped to take pictures. Once we rounded the curve we could see the Spokane River with all its beauty roaring through the Bowl & Pitcher. As we walked across the bridge the water rushed beneath us. It was going so fast it almost felt like you were standing over a freeway listening to cars at rush hour.

After we stopped and took our pictures, we continued across the bridge and down the trails. On this side of the river there is a nice picnic shelter where you can stop and have lunch or dinner. We wandered down the trail for awhile until it started to slope up steep rocks. Had it not been for having the baby with us, I would have loved to have climbed to the top and taken in the view.

As we walked back down towards the bridge I noticed a patch of buttercups. I grew up with my grandma telling me that when you saw a buttercup you knew spring was here. I now know spring is here! There were hundreds of other wildflowers too on both sides of the river.

We only spent about a half an hour at the Bowl & Pitcher, but it was worth it was the river is absolutely gorgeous right now.

The Bowl & Pitcher at Riverside State Park provides day use and overnight use facilities. Day use is free and the park is open 6 a.m. to dusk. There are numerous picnic tables, bbq’s and restrooms for your use. For more information visit their website: http://www.riversidestatepark.org/bowl_and_pitcher.htm