“SHOVEL–READY” IS MY favorite new catch phrase. The term is meant to denote a project that is ready to put bodies to work the instant funds are released, no further planning necessary. Smart municipalities are constantly updating and cataloguing their transportation projects to meet the shovel-ready criteria and that’s why any economic stimulus package that […]
Editorial: “Shovel-Ready” Trail Stimulus Read More »
AT LAST THE TIME HAS COME for winter recreation; and in Spokane, there are plenty of venues to choose from. But before dusting off your Alpine skis or sleds, why not try Nordic skiing (Cross County) at Mt. Spokane? Located 25 miles northeast of Spokane, the park maintains 13,919 acres within the Selkirk Mountains. A
Make Tracks: Nordic Skiing On Mt. Spokane Read More »
Just got this press release from the Quiet Communities Coalition. This seems like great news if you support non-motorized trails in Ferry County. We’ve been covering this issue for a couple years now, but I’m sure this isn’t the end. Ferry County Permanently Prohibited from Implementing Off Highway Vehicle Ordinance On November 20, 2008 Superior
Judge Blocks Ferry County OHV Ordinance Read More »
If you’ve visited Sandpoint only during the summer, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. There’s a reason this town of nearly 7,000 souls on Lake Pend Oreille has received a swarm of national notice. Sunset magazine labeled it the number eight “dream town” in the west, calling it “a four season outdoorsy resort that’s
Sandpoint Sans Summer Read More »
On Monday, October 20, there will be a big lunchtime rally at the STA Plaza to launch Spokane’s SmartRoutes 2010 campaign. In case you haven’t heard this is part of a big campaign to expand the pilot city project where the federal government would give certain cities $50 million dollars to induce a mode shift
SmartRoutes 2010: Spokane vs. Other Cities Read More »
Fallen Giants: The History Of Himalayan Mountaineering From The Age Of Empire To The Age Of Extremes Maurice Issleman and Stewart Weaver, Yale University Press, 2008, 592 pages Issleman and Weaver’s massive tome summarizes Himalayan mountaineering in general the same way Michael Ward described Mt. Everest in his 2003 book Everest: A Thousand Years of
I recently got a new road bike that can take pretty fat tires. After writing about the joys of “underbiking” a couple months ago, my buddies have enjoyed busting my chops about my new fat-tired road bike, which is more of an “overbike.” My favorite rides always have some dirt element: a county road, a
Everyday Cyclist: Off-Road Trail Paradise Read More »
Brett Jessen at Mirabeau. // Photo Jon Jonckers. OTM reader Tawnya Swanson sent this awesome email with the history Mirabeau Park climbing routes featured in this month’s cover story. You can read the original Mirabeau Rock City article online here. On to Tawnya’s email: I can give you some light on the who, when and
Mirabeau Mystery Solved Read More »
Everyone can have a “lake place” if you consider all the public campgrounds and backcountry alpine lakes that are available for little to no cost. Only a two-hour drive from Spokane, Priest Lake is one of mine. It provides an easy, low-cost retreat even for minimalist outdoor recreationists—you don’t need a boat to have fun.
Boatless At Priest Lake: Everyone Can Hike, Bike And Camp At The Big Lake Read More »
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS about cycling in Spokane is how close we are to real rural riding. The city of Spokane is surrounded by relatively quiet rural area in every direction. If you’ve not explored some of the outer edges of the county by bike, you’re really missing out on some great riding. In
Everyday Cyclist: 5 Great Country Road Rides Read More »
