Most campsites do not offer pillow menus. Pillow menus make me feel like a queen. And no matter how many Clorox wipes I employ, I can never really get those crusty picnic tables clean. For these and many other reasons, I haven’t camped much. But as my new husband Mark and I planned our honeymoon […]
Those midsummer blood-red sunsets in Spokane carry bittersweet beauty — they’re usually a sign of high levels of fine smoke or dust particles. During those times, and throughout the summer, experts recommend checking the air quality when planning an outdoor workout. Skipping workouts during the hot summer months isn’t the answer. Poor air quality can
Getting Cardio When the Air Quality is Bad Read More »
Finding and picking fruit is instinctively rewarding, even intoxicating. Like foraging for mushrooms or hunting for Easter eggs, collecting berries triggers our ancient endorphin dropper, which keeps dripping as you pluck the never-enough morsels from the plant. About 20 wild, edible berries are found in the Inland Northwest. Some are delicious such as thimbleberries. Many
In my last column, I wrote about my anxiety as I trained though injuries for my first 100-mile race at Bryce Canyon, Utah. Despite my injuries, I vowed to show up to the start line and do my best. I wish I could say that I finished the race, but unfortunately I dropped out at
Race Day Expectations Read More »
When people think of vacationing in North Idaho, they often think of the big lakes. But stretching from Mica Peak to the north are the Selkirk Mountains, a range that provides many opportunities for vacation adventures. The American Selkirks are bordered on the west by Priest Lake, and the east by the Purcell Trench near
Exploring the American Selkirks Read More »
On two different mountain bike trips to Bend, Oregon, in recent years, our lost-out-in-the-woods camp vibe was disrupted by a dead car battery thanks to our bad habit of playing car stereo tunes and charging phones from cigarette lighter chargers for way too long. Nothing delays a morning bike ride like having to hike down
A kid-friendly way to experience wilderness is by visiting a national park. Harley and Abby McAllister of Spokane Valley travel extensively to national parks with their four sons, ages four through 15. Last year, they compiled their research and experiences to publish two guidebooks, “Yellowstone National Park with Kids” and the other about Utah’s five
Trip-Planning Strategies for the National Parks Read More »
The main access to Mount Spokane State Park is undergoing major reconstruction this summer and will be closed to public motor vehicle access through October 7. While inconvenient, park advocates note that the closure is both necessary and timely, as it needs to happen before weather prohibits road work when the winter season hits. “We
Mt. Spokane Road Under Construction Read More »
This Booty has been found. Congratulations to the winner! Play the OTM Backcountry Booty treasure hunt contest and you get to explore different trails around the region and possibly win gift certificates for cool outdoor gear and other prizes. Here’s how it works along with a few rules you need to follow to play: We
Backcountry Booty: Avista Stand Up Paddleboard Package (Hidden 8.17.16; Found 8.27.16) Read More »
New and significant resource damage to the Enchantment Lakes basin recently spurred the creation of a new group, Friends of Enchantments, to help protect the fragile, iconic landscape in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascades. The Friends of Enchantments formed after several long-time backpackers in the area were stunned in the fall of 2015
New Group Forms in Response to Alpine Lakes Wilderness Resource Damage Read More »
