Spokane, WA - 7580 Miles

Friday we crossed most of Washington and reached Spokane in the afternoon. It surprised us how quickly the landscape changed from the mountains, fir trees, and rain forests of the Puget Sound area to the Arizona-like desert heading toward Spokane - not to mention temperatures going from the 60's and 70's to the upper 90's. We may as well be in Texas (almost).















We arrived early enough to stroll through downtown Friday afternoon and evening. Spokane has a vibrant downtown area. Unfortunately the total downtown is about three times the size of the vibrant part. This resulted in the active area being ringed by entire blocks of empty storefronts and buildings for lease except for the occasional tattoo parlor.

Today we returned downtown to visit a large park straddling the Spokane River. Like most northern cities, it is impossible to spend any time and not come across one or more festivals, concerts, or gathering of some sort. Among our encounters were more Thunderbirds and belly dancers than I've seen in one place at one time.















Also scattered across the park were an antique car club, a celebration of the park's 100 year-old carousel, and a kilted group of men with drums and bagpipes.

In a flour mill converted to shops and restaurants we saw aerial photos of the city in 1934, 1974, and 1984. In 1934 the park area was covered by industrial buildings and downtown rail lines. In 1974 these had been cleared to create space for some sort of expo held that year. It showed an array of exposition buildings, flags, and rides much like any fair. In 1984 most of those buildings had been cleared leaving the park pretty much as it is today. I don't think they have a newer picture because I couldn't see any significant difference between that photo and downtown as it exists today.

These are pictures of the Spokane River and a fountain in the park.