22 July - Downtown Spokane, the Falls and Wine Tasting

22 July
This morning we headed downtown Spokane to see the Falls. Spokane Falls is a waterfall and dam on the Spokane River which runs through downtown Spokane.  It so happens the city of Spokane was also initially named "Spokane Falls".  There are two waterfalls called the Upper Falls and a Lower Falls which are used to power hydroelectric turbines. The drought conditions here have slowed the water flow to a trickle compared to what it is normally.  We had some advanced warning of this because the white water rafting adventure we wanted to do has been temporarily shut down - not enough water flow!  Also, the gondola ride which crosses the river over the falls is shut down.

We parked on the north side of the river and walked across Centennial Trail, a pedestrian bridge towards the downtown area.  Part way across there is Inspiration Point, a lookout over the Upper Falls area.  We can only imagine how spectacular it would be when the water levels are high.  From there we photographed the area below Upper Falls.  

Inspiration Point

Barely any flow of water can be seen from Inspiration Point

Panoramic from Inspiration Point

We finished our walk across the pedestrian bridge and then wrapped around through downtown and headed back over the Monroe Street Bridge to view the Lower Falls. This is also where the gondola can be seen.

The Upper Falls Power Plant

A look from the Monroe Street bridge back towards the power plant.  The inoperative gondola can be seen here in the center.

The Lower Falls dam.  Not much water flow.

What water flow there is creates beautiful scenes.

A pool formed below the dam.  There are a bunch og basketballs and other types of balls circling around in there.

Selfie time!

A side view of the dam at Lower Falls

After we finished downtown, we headed east towards Spokane Valley to visit the Latah Creek Wine Cellars for some tasting.  

They offer a wide variety of wines, but Doreen had read about their Latah Creek Sangria which is a Merlot-based wine with huckleberries.  It was their 35th anniversary and so there were several specials and at each tasting station they offered various hors d'oeuvres which that specific wine complemented.  

One of the tasting stations and our hostess.

Two other tasting stations in this room and one more in the far room.

We were introduced to the Sangria as soon as we entered and then tasted eight others.  There were several we liked, so we bought a case and got a nice discount, plus a couple of their 35th anniversary wine glasses as a gift!  

We headed back to the RV and spent the rest of the day here.  The Cubs were hosting the Cardinals at Wrigley Field on TV.  There were quite a few people in the shelter areas across from the RV section.  The sign indicated it was the USAF Survival School from Fairchild Air Force Base apparently having a unit party.  

 Tomorrow we will visit the commissary again in preparation for our guest tomorrow night.  CMSgt (retired) Tim Tyvan had a similar position as mine in Washington State.  We served on a national-level committee together as well and became good friends.  We have stayed in touch and are looking forwarded to getting together while we are here.  He is coming out to the RV to barbecue.