Locals call it Spo-can. Everyone else calls it Spo-kane. Why not drop the E at the end if it’s intended to be Can instead of Kane? Well, I’m pleased to tell you that, with that question, you’ve entered into a nation-wide debate about English pronunciations to which there is no satisfying answer. However you pronounce it, the destination is still a charming Wild West town that has no skyscrapers to boast of, but has worn advertisements painted on brick buildings, reminiscent of the horse-riding, chap-wearing days of old. I didn’t see any cowboys riding around on their horses, but I saw plenty of pickup trucks and motorcyclists.
According to locals, there isn’t much to do in Spokane if you’re not inclined to spending time outdoors. Lucky for me, I prefer being outside to being inside, so we explored the parks and paid special attention to Lake Couer d’Alene. Close to Spokane is a beautiful state park, called Bowl and Pitcher Park–named such because the rocks resembled a bowl and pitcher to whoever name it.
Great section of river for kayaking and tubing. Don’t recommend trying to do it farther up around the Devil’s Toenail–pretty rocky rapids there.
All around the park there are great hiking and mountain biking trails. The cars are limited to the roads and the views are quite scenic. You can climb on top of the rocks you see on the right side of the picture below and get a beautiful view.
I can’t be sure, but I think that separated rock in the middle of the picture is the “pitcher” referred to in Bowl & Pitcher Park.
The water was clear and cold and the shaded paths provided a cooler walk and the bugs were practically nonexistent. Highly recommend visiting it and enjoying the camp site nearby.
What’s your favorite thing in or near Spokane?
