To help you make the most of your outdoor time and keep things fresh during the pandemic, the faculty of Eastern Washington University’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program in partnership with Out There Venture has created the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series.

Episode 8 – River Surf Spokane

Telling someone you are a river surfer is not an easy thing to do. Most people stare at you in disbelief or act like they heard you wrong. Inevitably I sometimes wish I just told them I like to hike a lot for my recreation.  

So, if you’re one of those people reading this, I say to you now, “Yes, stand up paddle riversurfing is a thing. And yes, you can do it on the Spokane River.”   

I say you can do it because you can.  It takes some time, equipment, and instruction, but it is attainable. First comes the equipment, what I call the stand up paddle river surfer’s Big Five: an appropriate board for your skill level, paddle, pfd, helmet, and a reachable and releasable leash. 

Once you get to the river there are 3 important things to know about stand-up paddle riversurfing:

1. Nobody else on the river cares that you surf.
2. Be respectful of the river and other paddlers.
3. Be safe and have fun.  

You have to remember you’re the oddity on the river.  It’s important to recognize that not everyone will be thrilled to see you at the wave and learn to understand their perspective. And it’s also why it’s key to wear the proper safety gear. Then with some river knowledge, time, and instruction, you’ll be surfing.

I have to say there really is something special about surfing a clear, glassy, river wave. And the best part is when your day is done, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Isn’t Spokane awesome? 

River Surfer Safety Video

Resources:

• Badfish Stand Up Paddle
• Spokane River Water Trail – Spokane River Forum
• Local SUP gear rentals: Fun Unlimited, FLOW Adventures, EPIC Adventures (EWU), REI – Spokane, Kayak Coeur d’Alene.

The post SPOvid-19 Adventure Series: River Surf Spokane appeared first on Out There Venture.

Episode 7 – Paddling Little Spokane

By Chris Hoppe, Director EWU EPIC Adventures 

Summer time for many Spokanites means sunny days on the river. This week’s Spovid-19 adventure explores the Little Spokane River, from St. George’s School to the “9 mile” takeout. This relaxing paddle will bring you back to nature, as there are regular sightings of deer, moose, muskrat, and a wide variety of birds. 

Be thoughtful with setting up a shuttle. It is recommended to travel in vehicles only with people in your household, or within your small circle of trusted friends. Don’t forget to display your Discover Pass, as the parking lots are maintained by Washington State Parks. (See map of the Little Spokane River Natural Area, from Spokane County Parks and Recreation.)

Mid-day traffic during the weekend can get pretty busy on the river. Try a weekday paddle, or be an early riser on the weekend to have the river to yourself. Most trips down the Little Spokane River can range from 2-3 hours, so you will want to pack some water and a snack (please pack out all your garbage).

River levels can change from season to season, so check the conditions before you put on. We hope this adventure motivates you to explore more areas found in Spokane’s “Back Yard.”

Resources:

• Riverside State Park – boating: Because the Little Spokane River Natural Area is a protected area only non-motorized, paddling watercraft are permitted (e.g. kayaks, canoes, rafts). Inner tubes, swimming, and pets are not allowed. 
• Paddling gear rentals: In Spokane, rental gear is available from FLOW Adventures and REI.

SAFETY: Please wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while operating any watercraft on moving water (river), as required for all ages according to Spokane County law (boating ordinance code 06.03.020).

Editor’s Note: During past summers, Spokane Parks & Recreation have offered a weekend shuttle service for paddlers on the Little Spokane River. Due to the current pandemic and staffing impacts of COVID-19, the service was cancelled for 2020.

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Paddling the Little Spokane River appeared first on Out There Venture.

Episode 6 – Centennial Trail Pilgrimage

By Chris Cindric

Back in 2018, I was seeking a pilgrimage of sorts. A walk with intent, reflection, companionship, and most importantly, beer.  So, after a campfire with some good friends and good, local beer, the El Camino de Spokane a Coeur d’ Alene (The Way of Spokane to Coeur d’ Alene) was born.  

We decided we would walk the entire Centennial Trail from the 9 Mile trailhead outside of Spokane to Higgins Point in Coeur d’ Alene.  The Centennial Trail runs roughly 39 miles in Washington and 24 miles in Idaho, so the entire hike would be around 63 miles (although in total we truly logged somewhere around 70). 

We broke the trail into 3 sections, hiking from 9 Mile to downtown Spokane the first day (16 miles); downtown Spokane to Post Falls the second day (29 miles); and Post Falls to Higgins Point the final day (18 miles). We carried what we needed on our backs, ate and drank at local breweries and restaurants along the way, and stayed at the nicest hotels we could find to lay our heads down. I would encourage you to give it a go.  It was definitely an adventure to remember. 

Check out these local resources:

• Friends of the Centennial Trail
• North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation

Chris Cindric is a Senior Lecturer of Recreation and Leisure Services at Eastern Washington University where he teaches and advises a minor in experiential education and manages the EWU Challenge Course Program. He lives in Cheney with his wife, four children, and dog. 

To see previous episodes in the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series, click here.

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Centennial Trail Pilgrimage appeared first on Out There Venture.

Episode 5 – Paddling Bonnie Lake

By Chris Hoppe, Director of EWU EPIC Adventures

If you are looking for a new adventure that is suitable for the whole family, consider heading to Bonnie Lake, located about 30 minutes south of Cheney, Washington. Though this trip is relatively undiscovered by the masses, parking may still be limited.

To access the lake, choose your favorite paddle craft, PFD, and snacks for the 1-mile journey along rock creek. During your paddle to the lake, enjoy views of tall basalt cliffs, rock arches, and diverse wildlife that really make this area one of Eastern Washington’s hidden gems. After about 45 minutes of leisure paddling, you will arrive at beautiful Bonnie Lake. If you are up for another 20-30 minutes of paddling, head over to the island in the middle of the lake, where you can stretch and eat a snack before your trip back. This hidden oasis is the perfect place to relax, explore, and enjoy unplugged time with family and friends. 

Your return trip will likely be a bit faster as you’ll have the assist of the a downstream current. This trip is recommended for mid to late spring, and can be the perfect happy hour adventure after a long work day. 

More information and location:  https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/bonnie-lake-washington/ 

Paddleboard information:  https://badfishsup.com/.

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Paddling Bonnie Lake appeared first on Out There Venture.

To help you make the most of your outdoor time and keep things fresh during the pandemic, the faculty of Eastern Washington University’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program in partnership with Out There Venture has created the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series.

Episode 4 – Biking & Urban Hammocking

This week’s adventure takes you on a bike ride to enjoy relaxing in a hammock at a city park. So, pack your snacks, grab your ENO hammocks and straps, and get ready to hit the trails.

This adventure features an approximately 16-mile bike ride, beginning on the Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail, going through Riverside State Park, and ending at Audubon Park in Spokane, which is an ideal place for setting-up hammocks or slacklines. The website for Friends of the Centennial Trail is a good resource with detailed information for trailheads, ADA-accessible parking information, and a trail map.

Begin your ride at the Military Cemetery trailhead, located on North Wright Road. Follow the Centennial Trail north towards the Bowl and Pitcher area of Riverside State Park. The trail will end around Seven Mile Road, where you can take the bridge across the Spokane River and then travel the scenic Aubrey White Parkway on the east side of the river. Once you’ve taken in the beautiful views of the Spokane River, bike to Audubon Park to set-up your hammocks and take a few minutes to relax. The park is filled with beautiful pine trees providing shade and ample opportunities for hammocking.  

The Centennial Trail is one the great recreation resources in Spokane — extending 39 miles from the Nine Mile Recreation Area of Riverside State Park all the way to the Idaho state border. The trail then continues 24 miles as the North Idaho Centennial Trail, extending through the city of Coeur d’Alene. Altogether, this two-state, National Recreation Trail is 63 miles long. With numerous access sites, choose among many different scenic trail segments for walking, biking, or running. If you bring your dog, keep it leashed and pick-up any waste.

One of the best parts of any outdoor adventure is the reward of relaxing at the end. Even better to chill in a hammock and enjoy gazing at the trees above. Please follow Leave No Trace ethics for hanging your hammock.

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Biking & Urban Hammocking appeared first on Out There Venture.

To help you make the most of your outdoor time and keep things fresh during the pandemic, the faculty of Eastern Washington University’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program in partnership with Out There Venture has created the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series.

Episode 3 – Yeti Ultra 24-Hour Challenge

One sunny morning on what was supposed to be a lazy, meditative Saturday, my wife informed me she was going to run the Yeti Ultra 24-hour Challenge and that I should do it with her. 

If you are not familiar, the Yeti Challenge is a 24-hour, 30-mile, ultra-marathon that you complete from your own home. The Yeti Trail Runners developed this do-it-yourself event to provide a challenge to runners and walkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. To complete the Yeti Challenge, you need to run or walk 5 miles, every 4 hours, for 24 hours for a total of 30 miles. Each 5-mile run should be done all at once, not spread out over the 4 hours. 

My wife and I decided to run (well, I walked) six different 5-mile loops to keep things fresh. The first two loops were on local trails and the final 4 loops were from our front door. We started at noon and then ran loops at 4 p.m., 8 p.m., midnight, 4 a.m., and 8 a.m. We changed out of sweaty clothes after each 5-mile loop and did a number of things in-between loops, including gardening, stretching, fixing things, and eating (pizza and beer after the 4 p.m. loop). We maybe got 3-4 hours total of sleep after the midnight and 4 a.m. loops. We decided to make our final loop end at a local bakery to get a coffee and muffin to celebrate.  That was a good decision. 

As for the overall personal reward for completing the Yeti Challenge, you’ll have to do it yourself to decide.

Chris Cindric is a Senior Lecturer of Recreation and Leisure Services at Eastern Washington University where he teaches and advises a minor in experiential education and manages the EWU Challenge Course Program. He lives in Cheney with his wife, four children, and dog. 

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Yeti Ultra 24-Hour Challenge appeared first on Out There Venture.

To help you make the most of your outdoor time and keep things fresh during the pandemic, the faculty of Eastern Washington University’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program in partnership with Out There Venture has created the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series.

Episode 2 – Hiking the Stubblefield Trail at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Our second adventure is a family-friendly visit to the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWF), located 6 miles south of Cheney, Washington, to hike through the Channeled Scablands on the Stubblefield Trail. Currently, the entrance gate is closed as well as all facilities; however, the trails of Turnbull are open for your enjoyment, and no entrance fee required.

When you arrive at Turnbull, park in the area ahead of the gate. The gate restricts access for cars, but bike and foot traffic are allowed to enter the property. Just past the gate you will find a wide, gravel road, perfect for activity while practicing social distancing. If you are looking for an adventure, follow the road approximately 2 miles to the Stubblefield Trail—about a six-mile loop through a mix of landscapes, including basalt outcrops, wetlands, and ponderosa pine forest. Bird life is abundant. At the halfway point you’ll find Stubblefield Lake. Be sure to stay on the trail and keep dogs leashed and pick up after them. 

The Stubblefield Trail is definitely a worthy adventure. For more information: Turnbull NWR homepage.

Chris Cindric is a Senior Lecturer of Recreation and Leisure Services at Eastern Washington University where he teaches and advises a minor in experiential education and manages the EWU Challenge Course Program. He lives in Cheney with his wife, four children, and dog. 

Bonus video: Running the Turnbull Auto Loop in winter

SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Episode 1 – Run Bloomsday

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure: Hiking Stubblefield Trail appeared first on Out There Venture.

Now that most Washington State parks and public lands open again, this is truly welcome news. The ability to get outside has been the saving grace for many of us during this time of quarantine and social distancing. To help you make the most of your outdoor time and keep things fresh, the faculty of Eastern Washington University’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program has created the SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series.

Over the next 19 weeks, we’re bringing you 19 local Spokane adventures, presented in videos, to inspire you and keep your body, spirit, and mind hooked-on and uplifted by participating in outdoor recreation. That’s enough local adventures to keep you active through Labor Day! 

A new local adventure will be highlighted each week on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cpcindric.

Episode 1 – “Run Bloomsday”

Future adventures will include:

• Hiking Turnbull Wildlife Refuge
• Whitewater Stand Up Paddling
• Adventure Hammocking
• Thru-hiking the Centennial Trail

Get out there and get after it Spokane.  The local adventures abound!

Chris Cindric is a Senior Lecturer of Recreation and Leisure Services at Eastern Washington University where he teaches and advises a minor in experiential education and manages the EWU Challenge Course Program. Chris and his son, Charlie, are also team riders for Badfish SUP, and enjoy paddling and surfing rivers and river waves as often as possible. He lives in Cheney with his wife, four children, and dog. 

The post SPOvid-19 Local Adventure Series appeared first on Out There Venture.