Spokane, WA

After we left Jump of Joe Lake and our picnic we headed home and our daughter had a surprise treat for us. She wanted us to stop at Cascade Glacier ice Cream parlor. So we did and it was fun. As you drive along Highway 395 to some of the area lakes take a bit of time to stop in at the Cascade Glacier Ice Cream Parlor. It is not far from Deer Lake Exit and is a off the road place to stop and have a fun treat with the entire family.

The Pow Wow had people from the Kalisbell, Couer d’ Alene, Spokane, Yakima, Colville and Nez Pierce Tribes. There were dances for golden age women in which only two ladies participated and then golden age men. Judges watched the performance of each dance and chose the best dancers to compete again later in the day from each tribe.

I wanted to go dancing so did an Internet search and found several of the Senior Citizen centers in Spokane, Post Falls and Couer d’ Alene have a dance sometime during the week. One dance was on my birthday Monday night August 11th at the Corbin Senior Center located in Northwest Spokane at 827 W. Cleveland Ave.

This was the perfect weekend, August 23rd and 24th, to attend the 12th Annual Buggy Barn Quilt Show and Folk Art Sale. The weather was warm, but not too hot and there was a nice breeze on the farm. There were quilts everywhere. Now, this is not your typical quilt show. All the quilts are hanging outside along fences, tacked onto barns and on clotheslines. Walking into the rows of quilts I was amazed at the talent of everyone. The time and effort put into these quilts is amazing.

Sunday August 10th, our family attended the Fairchild Air show at Fairchild Air Force Base in Airway Heights. We went to watch the various planes perform wonderful feats and observe the power of the big jets. It was the day before my birthday and our youngest son thought it would be a great family outing. The day started out a bit cloudy and threatening rain and we did get a few sprinkles but nothing serious.

We got up early to go pick peaches so we could beat the heat and headed to Walter’s Fruit Ranch. Walter’s has so much to do that it is a perfect place to take a 2 year old. While we waited for the Fruit Loop Express to take us to the peach trees, my son was able to feed the chickens, look at a rabbit and visit the goats. They also have a new play structure so he was able to burn up so me energy on the slide.

The Peach Festival at Greenbluff continues through next weekend. For more information please visit the website: http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com/.

A few weeks ago, Riverfront Park celebrated their 30th anniversary by offering 1978 pricing on many of their attractions. I always enjoy going to Riverfront Park, so when I found out that I had family coming into town that weekend, we jumped on the opportunity to have some fun while paying less.

On July 19th we loaded up two vehicles and headed to Jump Off Joe Lake. It is above Loon Lake and about 37 miles North of Spokane along highway 395. We should have taken the boat but my son in law wanted to check it out before hauling the boat along.

This year was their 30th year holding the concert and festival. The concert is put on by the Allegro Baroque and Beyond a non-profit arts organization and free to the public. It is always held the last Sunday of July annually. The main events are held in the Lilac Bowl Meadow across from the Spokane Opera House.

Pine River Park has a lot of green grassy areas and the Little Spokane River a small gentle stream meanders through the park. There is a playground area for the little ones and ample picnic tables, a covered picnic area for large crowds, some grilling stations and picnic tables. There are restrooms to use where one can change into bathing suits and other necessary needs.