Author: H.

Spokane, A July Adventure: Wrapping Up Day Two

Stopping for gas in the late afternoon, we encounter The Guy From Seattle (sorry, I forgot his name) who was driving a 997 Porsche cabriolet much like Herman’s own (except for color). So, of course, we spent some time discussing matters of mutual interest, learning about the best sports car roads in the Seattle area, and discovering that his friend is an NPR executive whose 944 (my model!) won his class in the concours earlier that day.

Buzzing around the streets, we kept seeing — big surprise here — Porsches aplently and other sights from the shotgun position.

We had been advised by a couple of people that one of Spokane’s best was — unlikely as it might seem in this inland locale — a seafood restaurant overlooking the Spokane River. So we beat a track there, found it at the end of a dead-end street on a cliff overhanging the river. As we dismounted, we discovered that the parking lot was itself something of a mini-Porsche-car-show.

Anthony’s Seafood (where I had the specialty of the house: the Idaho River Trout) saddled the Spokane River, overlooking the falls and the power house. Main restaurant seating was behind tall windows that provided the view, but we chose to occupy the last remaining table on the open-air deck, inches from a straight downward plummet into the river.

Our waiter, Ted, turned out to be a sommelier-in-training who not only expanded our previous night’s wine education, but told us that the best Washington wines were probably those from Walla Walla.

As the evening wore on, we became aware of a festive table beside us, which turned out to be occupied by four ladies from New Mexico, old classmates, one of whose number was celebrating a birthday and had transplanted to Spokane to accept employment in the telecomm industry.

Eventually, we returned to our hotel, debated whether to depart the next day or stay on, and generally wound down by reading email and relaxing.

Spokane, A July Adventure: Manito Park

After the day’s Porsche festivities wound down, Herman and I went out on the economy so he could procure a couple of bottles of Washington cabernet sauvignon suggested by Kristoffer at Luigi’s and fuel up in anticipation of a return trip the next day.  While driving about, Herman remembered reading about a park in the tourism information at the hotel, so we went on a search.  By the time we found the place it was nearly ready to close, but we quickly visited the conservatory area and a couple of the park’s special gardens.

We learned that Manito Park covers 90 acres, so we barely scratched the surface.  Yet it was in a way one of the finest highlights of the trip.   The place was quiet, serene and cast a mood with the setting sun.  Reminds me of some parts of New York City’s Central Park.  Although I am greatly disappointed with most of the photographs taken there (but will still share them so you can perhaps get a sense of this wonderful place),   I have vowed to return at another time with better lighting, preparation, etc.

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

rDay Eight-Hundred-Sixty-Four, Midday

Here is today’s portrait of Mt. Emily as seen from 103, Janet’s viewpoint.  The entire 360 degree sky view is the same, the smoky haze fading the horizon just beyond the distance to the hospital.

For views of Mt. Emily under more normal conditions, just enter “emily” in the search box in the panel to the left, then click on the retrieved titles for each such post.

rDay Eight-Hundred-Sixty-Four

I think it would be right to assume that I did exactly the wrong thing:  not knowing how to judge quality or value, I bought stuff at Farmers Market this morning based on the friendliness of the sellers (not pictured).

And then walked around downtown a bit.