Hello Spokaloo!

Where did the last month go?! Fires, a new job, a minor bike wreck, but I made it to the next major hub of this adventure: Spokane, Washington!

Seven of my Nifty Fifty are here, special waypoints spread across most of the years of my life. 

1. Riverfront Park: My first date with Michael landed us on the suspension bridge overlooking the Spokane Falls. Unfortunately, we could not get to the suspension bridge on our walk because they are remodeling a section of it. Tons of other connections to the park including the carousel, the ice skating rink, and Whitworth graduation was held in the Performing Arts Center in the park. Rumor has it that Aunt Patty lost a flip flop from the gondola during the World's Fair!! 

2. The Flour Mill: Clinkerdagger restaurant is a favorite spot; great food, beautiful old building and stunning views of the falls. There is also a fabulous kitchen store here, The Kitchen Engine. Right across the street is the Arena, where I enjoyed watching semi-pro hockey when I was a student at WSU.

3. Whitworth University: My alma mater, class of 1994. My mom and dad met here and several other family members attended.

I spent a lot of time in the Johnson Science Building as a biology major.

My dad was a staff member at Seattle Pacific University, which was a 'sister school' and provided me the opportunity to receive a 90% tuition waiver. What a blessing!  I worked in the Registrar's Office as a student to help offset other expenses.

Thank you Mom, Dad and Jeanne, Unca John and Cindy, Hugh and Daisy, Michael and so many others for helping me to persevere and finish my degree. Miss you tons, Unca!

Miles completed: 90.5

Miles to go: 369.5

Fire Season

 Fire season is a thing and it's here about a month early.  The Chuweah Fire started during an isolated thunder and lightening storm near our small town of Nespelem.  Fire fighting efforts are amazing and most were spared the loss of property. Three occupied homes lost the first night, no human losses, numerous animals succumbed to the blaze or had to be put down due to injury.  

We are lucky in that the fire is a bit away (7 -8 miles as the crow flies) and the winds have been keeping the smoke out of our little valley for the most part. A vivid reminder, however, of our very close call six years ago.  So, for the next month or two we will keep our eyes on the sky and be attentive to the sound of helicopters and spotter planes. We keep a bag packed with basic necessities and important documents, at the ready.

I had to skip a few days of walking due to the smoke and heat but have been able to get back at it.  This past week and a half I enjoyed a couple short bike rides and a swim - first one in a year!

I walked a nice six miler at home yesterday. At mile five I looked up (always a good idea) and spotted a very handsome black bear coming towards me.  He was walking right up the middle of the road, about 100 yards ahead, minding his own business until someone very rudely shrieked....oh wait, that was me. 

I surprised him as much he surprised me, judging by his abrupt about face and dust-throwing sprint back up the road. I added a few of my best very-large-meanest-dog-ever-barks to make sure he continued north and I did my best about face and headed home.

Total miles: 54.5 (a couple of miles north of Rosalia, WA on my map)

Miles remaining: 405.5