The theme for this week’s Sunday Stills challenge is “In Your Town.” The last time I used this theme was December 2018—time to revisit, don’t you think?

What is special about your hometown or the town in which you currently reside? Do you have a favorite town?

“Something about the month of December invokes images of quaint towns decorated for the holidays, like you might see in Norman Rockwell paintings.” ~Terri Webster Schrandt, 2018

My sister-in-law loves to decorate. At the end of November, she already had her Christmas town up.

Bedford Falls Christmas Town
Bedford Falls Christmas Town (It’s A Wonderful Life)

When I posted this theme in 2018, little did I know then I would move to Northeastern Washington State. Most of you know I live happily in Nine Mile Falls, a small, rural town north of Spokane in Stevens County. We’re about a 2-hour drive from the Canadian border, and one hour drive to Idaho.

“This country is made up of small towns and big dreams.”- Brian Mulroney

Nine Mile Falls Local Attractions

About 20 miles north of Spokane, WA, Nine Mile Falls greets you as you enter the town of “9 Mile” as we call it.

Nine Mile Falls in Jade

Well enough known, in fact, when we drive 30 minutes to North Spokane from home to visit retail shops, I ask the clerk if I can “use the restroom–I live in 9 Mile.” They nod knowingly and point the way!

As we began our move here in late 2020 from Northern California, I spent a lot of time online looking at the local attractions. Once we moved into our home in March 2021, we couldn’t wait to visit! Nearby Riverside State Park boasts the 40-mile Centennial Trail that begins in 9 Mile, and local attractions can be found along this extensive multi-use trail.

Centennial Trail Nine Mile Falls WA
Sunlit Centennial Trail
View of Lake Spokane
Mid October? Where are you Autumn?
Autumn Colors on Spokane's Centennial Trail
Faux Fall Colors

When friends and family visit us for the first time, we take them to the nearby Bowl and Pitcher on the Spokane River, from where the 9 Mile falls are dammed, creating Lake Spokane.

At Bowl and Pitcher
Us with the dogs
Bowl and Pitcher Rocks
Bowl and Pitcher
Bowl and Pitcher Suspension bridge
Marsha walking the bridge
Suspension Bridge at Bowl and Pitcher
Suspension Bridge at Bowl and Pitcher

When picking up folks from the airport, a favorite stop for a meal close to home is the 291 Brewhouse. Their street tacos are amazing. We stopped here two days before Thanksgiving for a meal with my stepdaughter and her husband and watched the snowfall.

291 Brewhouse
A favorite restaurant (view from inside)

A Town For all Seasons

“Living in a rural setting exposes you to so many marvelous things – the natural world and the particular texture of small-town life, and the exhilarating experience of open space.” – Susan Orlean

There is much to do and see in my small town of about 4500 people any time of year. Some of my favorite seasonal activities:

sunflowers invade the forest
Spring’s wild sunflowers
Rural road walk
A summer’s morning walk
Floating on the Lake
Afloat on Lake Spokane
August Kayaking with Friends
Kayaking with Friends on the Little Spokane River
Golden larch rural street
Autumn Splendor
Neighborhood Pumpkin Patch
Neighborhood Farm Fall Festival
Autumn trees
More Autumn!
walking in snowshoes
She’s up!
Snowblower at Work
In my Town, hubby moves snow around

Venturing Out

In August, I became a part-time reporter for the local monthly newspaper, and enjoy interviewing new local business owners and writing timely feature articles. My first assignment out the gate, two days after being hired, was to interview Sandpoint, Idaho artist Shaun Deller who volunteered to repaint the faded and historically inaccurate murals on the Spokane House Interpretive Center. The Friends of Spokane House and Riverside State Park organizations helped fund the paint and other materials.

Spokane House located in 9 Mile Falls
Spokane House located in 9 Mile Falls
Spokane House Mural Artist Shaun Deller
Spokane House Mural Artist Shaun Deller

“I did stories about unexpected encounters, back roads, small towns and ordinary folk, sometimes doing something a little extraordinary.” – Charles Kuralt

Speaking of Idaho, the border city of Coeur D’Alene is an hour’s drive from our home. Not only can we see eagles in 9 Mile, but Lake Coeur D’Alene is home to the winter fishing grounds for American Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagle circle Lake Couer D'Alene
Eagle soaring above my house!
Bald Eagle
Fishing Lake Coeur D’Alene

Beyond the Idaho border, another hour’s drive is the quaint, historic town of Wallace.

Historical town of Wallace, Idaho
Historic town of Wallace, Idaho
Wallace Corner Hotel under construction
Friends of my BIL bought the Corner Hotel and are fixing it up–we will be back!

A Quaint Small Town Vibe

If you are reading this on December 4th, it’s my birthday! My sis-in-law decorated her dinner table last week with plates from the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” and insisted I sit at this place setting:

On the 4th Day of Christmas plate

Thank you, Denyse Whelan, for being the first on Facebook to wish me a happy birthday!

This evening is the 9 Mile Christmas tree lighting event. So very “Hallmark movie channel”–I love it! New pics coming.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2021
Christmas Tree Lighting 2021
Tree lighting selfie
Christmas Tree Lighting 2021

And one more fun photo for Bushboy’s Last on the Card challenge…12 inches of snow!

pinkish snow glow
November Last on the card, view from my front door

Inspiring Photo Challenges

Each week I am inspired by my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I find it fun to incorporate these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.

How To Participate in the Sunday Stills Photo Challenge

Sunday Stills weekly photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.

  • Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
  • Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
  • Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
  • Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
  • Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
  • I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.

This Week’s Featured Bloggers

Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared photos of their favorite towns. I add these all week as new links are posted.

Last week, many bloggers including me, joined Lens-Artists’ challenge “Home Sweet Home” hosted by Tina. This week you can tell us more about your favorite town!

teal and dark blue home
Home Sweet Home in My Little Town

Please join me next Sunday for the last monthly color challenge of 2022 — COBALT (blue).

Bitmoji snow signature

© 2022-2031 Copyright — secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved

Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Now retired, I am former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

96 thoughts on “Sunday Stills: In My Little #Town”

  1. Pingback: Hawi | Graham's Island

  4. OY for 12″ of snow Terri – I was with you all the way on the joys of your new area until I hit that one LOL. Loved many of this week’s offerings but your image from inside the restaurant of the truck is my favorite of the sent. Happy Holidays to you!!

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    1. Thank you, Tina! Snow is not for everyone, but it sure is pretty. Yesterday with the sun out the snow sparkled like diamonds! Glad you liked that restaurant photo–I was at the perfect angle and the snow was just beginning.

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  6. Terri, your post this week so reminded me of our two trips through the northwest in 2020 and 2021. We were on the road in September, so my images only have one season portrayed.
    I like your Bedford Falls village. Yesterday my grandson and I put together our version of Bedford Falls from the series called Carole Towne purchased at Lowe’s Home Improvement over several years.

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  8. Happy Birthday!!!!! (My dad’s birthday is today too). It’s a great day to celebrate. I so enjoyed all of your photos. My boss and his family lived in Boise/Nampa for a few years. They loved visiting many of the sites that you shared. I don’t envy the 12 inches of snow you got around my birthday, but the beauty of the mountains/lakes is something I’d love to see in person. You’re lucky to enjoy it all. Enjoy the rest of December and time with family and friends. I look forward to what you come up with for prompts in the new year. Thanks for hosting the challenges in 2022!! 🤗🎂

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    1. Thank you, Shelley and happy birthday to your dad–I can’t tell you how many people I know that have the same birthday! We are a day’s drive from Boise–it is really a nice place–we have family there too. I’m glad you hopped back into Sunday Still and that we got reacquainted through blogging. I’ve enjoyed your posts and hope you have one more in your for next weekend. If not you can share your 2022 year in review on Jan 1st!

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      1. Thank you, Terri. December 4th is a popular date to be born. I’d love to visit that area some day, for now, though, I enjoy your photos and my boss’s families tales of their adventures there.
        I’m glad I hopped back into Sunday Stills. Sundays are the best day for me to blog that I’ve discovered in 2022.
        Thanks for the invite. Oh, yes, I’ll be back next week with something blue 😉 I should start my 2022 year in review now, I’ve never done one of those, sounds interesting.

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  9. Happy birthday, bestie! How old are you now, about 35? That’s about how old you look in those snowshoes! Vince smiled and shook his head at the picture of Hans moving snow around. I think I prefer the weather when I was there more than ALL that snow! Hope you are having a great birthday. I’ll call you this afternoon because you’re probably in church. 🙂 Lots of love and birthday hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Marsha! 35 as if! But thank you again! MY BIL dubbed me “sassy at 63,” LOLL! Hans LOVES messing with the snow blower. Our street was scraped so I can actually walk on it without killing myself. It’s sunny out now, and we’re going to a tree lighting tonight. I’m home and hope to take Brodie for a walk soon in the 19 degree cold!

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  10. Pingback: WQW #46: Are Abandoned Buildings Compelling Art? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    1. Thank you, Anne! I stopped by your blog to read and wanted to say how much I enjoyed your pictures. There was no place to leave a comment, though. It must be nice to have a group to walk with and learn more about the historical places. I love all that architecture in Bristol!

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    1. Thank you, Janis! I lived in a small town in Oregon when I was a kid with horses and everything. My mom hated it because it got dark so early. I can handle the snow especially when the sun is out, like today. Funny how you get used to the cold (better than heat IMO)!

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  13. I grew up on a farm near a small town of 250 people. Now get ny mail in a town of 600. So 4500 is not a small town in my neck of the woods but it is all relative.
    Happy birthday. Hope you have a great day celebrating. Bernie

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  14. Pingback: Sunday Stills: My Town, Langebaan – nowathome

  18. Oh my goodness Terri, what an action packed post. Almost out of breath keeping up.
    Happy Birthday for yesterday although it is still your birthday there 😂 🎂
    That sure is a lot of snow and I bet Vince is happy about that lol
    Thanks for joining in 🙂 🙂

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      1. Oh dear what a faux pas, sorry to Hans 🤪 It is too early that’s my excuse. Been up since 5am as I am dog sitting, fun but exhausting. Three little dogs want attention all the time 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Happy Birthday, Terri! I hope you’re having a wonderful day. 9 Mile looks like a great small town with lots to do, including outside fun (my favorite). I like small towns and have always lived in them. Great pictures!

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  24. That’s so wonderful you are being a reporter that way. I think that would be so interesting. And you do live in such a beautiful area,
    Happy birthday,
    XOOX
    Jodie

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    1. It’s quite fun, Jodie! At the last minute, my publisher called and asked if I could write something up about the tree-lighting event because she needed something for the front page for the December edition going to print. Whew! Thanks, Jodie!

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  30. I loved this view of your home town, Terri. You are a very convincing advocate! It looks like you adjusted very quickly to rural life. I admire that. You DID include a lot of diagonals. Great!!

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  31. Pingback: Sunday-Stills22-1204-My-Town – WoollyMuses

  32. Happy Birthday Terri, you and I are almost birthday buddies :). I love seeing photos of your town and where you live, it’s spectacular and you sound so happy living there. Your post reminded me of the post I wrote back in December 2018 for this same theme so I’ve tweaked the original a bit and here it is, better late then never!

    A Tour of Tumbarumba for #SundayStills

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  39. What a great tour around your town, Terri. I like how we got to see it through the year, too. It looks beautiful, with so much space and crisp, clean air, although I know that wildfires can often make the air dirty during summer.

    It sounds like you have settled in so well and are enjoying every moment of discovering the surrounding area. And it looks like you have so much to discover. I love the snowfall pictures and am so jealous of all the snow you get, especially pre-Christmas snow.

    Although I live in the city of Swansea, I’m showing a photo of the little seaside town of Mumbles which is only a 30-minute walk from our house.

    We prefer shopping, eating and drinking out in Mumbles to Swansea. The views are much better, although it does get busy during school holidays, especially during the summer.

    Enjoy the rest of the week.

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    1. Thank you, Hugh! We feel so blessed to have discovered 9 Mile, purely by luck, and it’s turned out to be the perfect area for us. Our neighbors are lovely too.

      Thanks for sharing your picture of Mumbles–what a pretty view–no wonder it gets crowded in the summer! And only a 30-minute walk. Looks idyllic!

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  40. Pingback: WQW 47: Water Turned into a Winter Wonderland – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  41. Terri,
    My favorite aspect of RV travel is visiting small towns because they are always filled with charm and happy people. Great post. You share your birth date with my DIL and granddaughter, so I’ll never forget it. I’m posting a picture of our snow village as my contribution. We aren’t finished with it and have a few more homes to add, but I wanted to use it for your Sunday Stills.

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    1. I agree with you about small town America, Joe. There are definitely happy people here! Dec 4th is such a popular date foe some reason. Your snow village is cute– does it have a theme? I’ve looked online maybe to start a collection when the after Christmas sales start 🌲🎄

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  42. Well, happy belated birthday Terri … I’m always a few days late to the Reader (and now birthday) party. You certainly had a lot of happenings in your little town(s). Though I am not a fan of snow, as i scrolled down to where I last left off, I saw your snowshoe pics. That’s a lot of snow to navigate. The snowshoeing looks like fun. My boss goes to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where they have a lot of snow and he visits friends who have a place up there that is embedded in the middle of the Hiawatha National Forest. He has e-mailed me pics of him navigating through the forest on snowshoes and it always looks fun. I can’t share anything from my little town as there is nothing much to see. During the course of the Winter, I get a lot of snowy snoot pics of the squirrels when I feed them and that is about it. I now have “My Little Town” in my head, which is okay as I love S&G.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! Sorry for the earworm 🤣 we have excellent conditions for snowshoeing. I just wrote an article for our paper on cold weather hiking that includes where to snowshoe and where you can take lessons and rent or buy equipment. Snowshoeing is inexpensive and easier on the knees. Thanks for stopping by ❄️

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  47. First of all, happy belated birthday Terri – I hope you had a lovely day? And secondly, how much I enjoyed seeing your home area in all these different seasons! You certainly have plenty of beautiful places to visit in the vicinity 🙂

    I’m coming to this theme very late as I’ve been tied up with Nepal blogs and Christmas shopping. I was going to skip it but then I decided I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce you to my home town, very different from yours: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/ealing-the-queen-of-the-suburbs/

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  48. Pingback: WQW 48: Delicious Holiday Delights – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

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