The heart of Spokane
While Idaho officials are busy chasing Washingtonians away from the Gem State’s parks, lakes, disc golf courses and anywhere else they might want to go in this great state, my wife and I decided to drive 30 miles, venture across the border and visit Riverfront Park in Spokane.
I don’t think anyone reported us to the authorities and no one told us to go back to Idaho. No one even gave us a stink eye — maybe because they figured we were one of them.
Instead, with dog Reggie joining us, we enjoyed a nice, peaceful and quiet walk around this beautiful 100-acre park on a beautiful sunset evening. It was surprisingly vacant. Just a few people, wandering, sitting, chatting and taking pictures.
I have long found this park to be one of Spokane’s crown jewels. Perhaps because it’s where we always met after Bloomsday every year. Perhaps because Hoopfest spills onto its grounds.
There is much to see in a short walk.
The pedestrian bridge we crossed for a better view of the falls brought up close and personal with a duck that seemed to take pride in its post on a rock wall.
The Centennial Trail comes and goes here, too, and you can follow it along the Spokane River a few miles and come to the Gonzaga University campus. The Spokane Falls, when it’s running high and hard, is powerful.
The Great Northern Clocktower is a landmark, as is the Looff Carrousel.
The Pavilion, while stark today, is a wonder.
But really, the highlight is the runner statues. There’s nothing like them. Created by artist David Govedare in honor of Bloomsday, it is call “The Joy of Running Together.” Many of them these days are sporting facemasks, which made me chuckle.
The 7.46-mile Bloomsday, by the way, a race I have long loved, would have been next weekend, but has since been pushed back to September.
I suppose some could say its hypocritical for Idahoans to visit a Washington park in these times. I hope not. As they say, we’re in this together.
Riverfront Park is a fine place to spend a few hours.
This park is the heart of this city.
