Living in the Inland Northwest

This is my third time living in the Spokane area. The first time was back in the early 90's while stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. Of course I moved here during one of many snow flurries we were to have that year. Although I had lived most of my life in the Pacific Northwest, Spokane was truely the first place in the Northwest that I was able to experience 4 true seasons.

During the winter it was very cold and blistery, but we were able to get out and enjoy the snow filled mountains by skiing, snowboarding, and spending time in the lodge. Montana was not a far drive so I was able to visit the hot springs as well as Glacier National Park.

In the spring time the weather was cool and brisk but warmed up as well. Of course, for some, this meant the St. Patricks Day Parade, training for Bloomsday , watching the lilac's blossom, and watching the snow melt away which in some cases was the big highlight for me.

In the summer, we found lots of things to do such as the largest three-on-three basketball tournament - Hoop Fest, watching the city get ready for the lilac parade, Spike and Dig, Neighbor days for the 4th of July and of course my favorite, Pig-out-in-the-Park. After all that I am forgetting driving to Coeur d'Alene lake for the day. What an amazing summer that was.

And of course we cannot forget fall. After all the summertime experiences, you start to think that there will be nothing to do and you find you are completly wrong... At least I did. I found myself wrapped up in football. Even though I did not go to school in the Spokane area, I found myself hearing about all the great high school and college football in the area, as well as driving out to the St. Joe River and taking in the scenes of the turning of nature to its autumn colors.

And then winter hits again. And just when I thought that I would be stuck inside trying to stay warm, I find the Spokane Chief's hockey team at the Arena, Ice Skating at River Front Park, and all the Community Holiday programs such as the lighting of the tree in Coeur d'Alene, as well as the First Night Spokane programs for New Years eve.

My point to all this is that Spokane is a great place to live. There is so many things to experience, whether you are an avid golf player, sports fanatic, outdoorsman, or if you enjoy hunting and fishing. I am glad that I made the decision to move back to Spokane and raise my children here. We are a great community with lots to offer new members.

The last thought that I will leave you with is this. Everyone I have spoken to about coming back to Spokane has this one thing to say,"There is nothing like coming down the I-90 east hill just before coming into Spokane city limits. Everytime I see the view of the city from the hill, I always get the feeling that I am truely home".