Tag: spokane

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]

Spokane, A July Adventure: A Few More Cars

Sorry, but I just came upon another batch.  Most of these were from the end of the day when lots of entries and their owners and their spectators were gone or leaving.   (A note on the 959 model: Hardly more than 300 were ever built, starting back in about 1986.  Considered to be the most techno-advanced car in the world at the time.  Bill Gates famously ordered one early on, only to have it stuck in customs for over a dozen years!)

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

Spokane, A July Adventure: More Hotel and Riverfront

Truth is, I was somewhat taken by the charms of Spokane (although I am told that neighboring Idaho “sister city”, Coeur D’Alene, is equally appealing and has a better economy).  So here is a bit more of the riverfront and our hotel.

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

Spokane, A July Adventure: Porsche Dogs

Turns out that a good number of Porsche people were permitted by their dogs to accompany them and attend the event.  With one exception, I was able to extract the names of the animals and their owners shown below, but was unable to locate my notes upon my return.  Sad, as I recall that the two “fuzzy” dogs towing their owner had been assigned particularly hilarious names — which I cannot remember.  I noticed that the dogs generally had the good sense to seek shade, often not the case for the humans involved.  (Must consult with other photographers to see how they manage the task of acquiring names and email addresses, in the heat of the photographic battle, if they are operating without assistants.  Corbin?)

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

Spokane, A July Adventure: More Monday Car Show

Some more doc.  Snooze time for normal people, probably.

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

Spokane, A July Adventure: Viewing the Cars, Officially

Monday was the big day for us, although the entire Porsche Parade shindig was to last through the rest of the week. (If you are curious, get the PCA rundown here.)

I seem to have over 800 photographs from that day. I will probably get around to posting many of those on my Porsche blog, but for this family audience, I will just limit us to a few selections.  A couple of panoramic views of the venue for Monday’s concours and the Porsche historic display follow, showing about 50 or so of the perhaps 200 cars on display in total.

Panorama #1: This one shows one end of the concours area, with the river between the cars and the buildings in the background. (Original combined photo size to produce the panorama was 56″ x 14″.)

Panorama #2: And this one shows a view on another hillside in Riverfront Park where some of cars can be seen, along with the “Porsche tent”, (Original combined photo size to produce the panorama was about 100″ x 18″.)

A glance at license plates showed that many U.S. states and Canada were represented. Until I had to back off due to the threat of heatstroke (I was shooting under my least favorite photo conditions of midday blazing sun — unless I am deliberately going for deep, blatant shadows and contrast), I tried to capture a few evidences of this widespread distribution. Almost every owner I spoke with proudly asserted that they drove from their homes, mostly without issues. A few racing models and extremely old rarities were trailered. Here is a sampling:

 

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Eight]

Spokane, A July Adventure: Dinner at Luigi’s

Sunday, July 9

We were hungry, it had been mentioned by Texas Dr. Gary, and it was close at hand (we were still afoot), so we headed for Italian dining at Luigi’s, a block from the riverfront.  As soon as we entered, I knew we had made the right choice as a large poster greeted us of the Ruth Orkin image of “An American Girl in Italy”, a legendary photograph made in 1951 and discussed back in 2011 on my HHR photoblog.    Luigi staff were conversant about the image and eager to discuss the backstory, too.

Our waiter, Kristoffer, provided useful intelligence on Washington wines (and led Herman to procure and pack a couple of bottles for his flight home).  A good time was had by all, but we had to tote uneaten excess back to our room.

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Seven]

Spokane, A July Adventure: Getting There & Looking Around

Sunday, July 9

Never had been in Spokane before.  Grabbed a few views while driving around seeking the hotel and getting a bit of the lay of the land.  Stretched our legs walking around a few blocks as evening approached, with Herman striking up conversations at almost every step.  Two Spokane residents impart some tips and intelligence on the local scene.

When we went to the hotel for check-in, I was sidetracked — still belted in and doing “windshield photography” —  by, of all things, birds flying about around the hotel entrance.

Of course, there were the cars.  Rather disconcerting to see such an unusual proportion of cars representing the Porsche marque, seemingly everywhere.  We spotted a small group on a side street, polishing and fussing with their cars, so we stopped to talk.  Turned out to be a five-Porsche family from Texas, a surgeon named Gary with his 2014 Cayman, his orthopedic surgeon daughter with a mid-80s 911 SC Targa, and the others just driving off — they had convoyed all their cars from San Antonio and Austin.  Then we encountered a gentleman from Orange County who was hosing off his travel dust from his late model Cabriolet, very similar except in color to the one Herman left behind in Kansas City.  And on and on.

Now, having been in town less than a couple of hours, it is time for Sunday dinner.

[rDay Eight-Hundred-Thirty-Seven]