To honor Memorial Day weekend, which “officially” welcomes summer into the Northern Hemisphere, Sunday Stills focuses on waterscapes and all things water this week.
Spring in Eastern Washington’s Inland Northwest brings a LOT of water from the mountains into the rivers and lakes. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to live minutes from a river that flows through pine forests and mountains. This is my peaceful place.
“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.” – John O’Donohue
The Path of a River
The Spokane River flows westward from Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene, passing through Idaho’s and Eastern Washington’s Rathdrum Prairie through a series of dams, along the I-90 freeway. When it flows through Spokane’s downtown area, it’s a sight to see!
Downtown Spokane boasts the largest urban waterfall in the US. Spokane Falls is easily visible from Riverfront Park and Maple Street Bridge.
It thunders through Spokane’s downtown in a series of waterfalls before it begins its northward turn through Nine Mile Falls where it makes a sharp oxbow.
Leaving downtown Spokane, the river begins its northward turn and creates miles of scenic views passing by Spokane Falls Community College…
…through Riverside Park’s Bowl and Pitcher area…
…views from the Centennial Trail (which follows the river 40 miles back to Couer d’Alene, Idaho)…
The snow run-off in May makes for impressive views of the falls here in my town of Nine Mile Falls (hence the name).
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci
More views from the Centennial Trail…sorry had to share this one again!
After the dam, the river becomes Lake Spokane/Long Lake. The views driving along Hwy 291 are breathtaking any time of year.
Continuing its journey at the oxbow turn at Tumtum, there are several spots in which to park and enjoy water activities, along with two campgrounds. One is 8 minutes from my house!
During the river’s southward flow, the next viewpoint is the Long Lake Dam and overlook. Built in 1915, it was the tallest dam in the US at that time.
Visitors can continue driving along Hwy 231 to the Long Lake Dam picnic area. Beautiful views here!
After Long Lake Dam, the Spokane River meanders west into central Washington to feed into the Columbia River near the Grand Coulee Dam.
As beautiful as this incredible river and lake area is, people can drown here.
My Annual Plea for Water Safety Awareness and Action
Memorial Day also ushers in water sports and activities. The air may feel warm in the sunshine in many places, but beware of the cold and turbulent water as it rises and carries debris like telephone poles and entire trees downstream to unsuspecting visitors, boaters, and swimmers.
“The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with it.” – Michael Phelps
There are plenty of danger signs at the foot of these dams.
Just yesterday I saw several RVs and autos carrying kayaks and boats. Our weather temps here in Eastern Washington hover around 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit, while water temperatures are in the low 40s.
Plunging into ice-cold water from snowpack will take your breath away before you know it, or the hidden debris may sweep you away without warning. This scenario plays out at any waterfront location this time of year.
Please be smart and safe and at least wear a life vest, even if you believe you are a strong swimmer. The cold water and debris don’t care.
As we honor the power of water…
Let’s Show Our Gratitude to Those Who Served
Let’s take a moment to honor the reason for Memorial Day. To some, it means a three-day weekend holiday from work or school. To others, it means this is the time to honor the brave men and women who have fought and died for their country and the freedoms it represents.
“Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.” —Daniel Webster
Many have fought and won, but some returned home with untold physical, mental, and emotional trauma.
As a public swimming pool operator, I had the honor of hosting a Wounded Warriors event in the spring of 2012. Many volunteers gathered at our handicapped-accessible pool to teach water safety, scuba, and watercraft skills to our wounded warriors. Of course, we supplied the lifeguards and other infrastructure free of charge in order to not only honor those who served but to help build community and water safety awareness.
I caught this moment as several honorees stopped to shake hands with our lifeguards. The one shaking hands is my daughter (who just got married) the other is a woman whose husband has served in the Air Force for over 10 years. The mutual respect here is thrilling to see.
“Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well.” —Jennifer M. Granholm
Inspiring Photo Challenges This Week
Each week I find inspiration from my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
- Dawn’s Spring Festival
- Denzil’s Nature Photo Challenge: Haven of Peace
- Jez’ Water Water Everywhere
- Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
- Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Honor
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed 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 their photos of all things water. I add these all week as new links are posted.
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME GOES HERE!
- Always Write
- Bend Branches River Surfing!!
- Between the Lines
- Blog of Hammad Rais
- Cath’s Camera
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- Cee’s Photo Challenges
- The Day After
- Deb’s World
- Equipoise Life
- Geriatrix Fotogallery
- Gfpacificbee’s Insights & Photography
- Graham’s Island
- Hugh’s Views and News Image shared in comments
- LadyLeeManila
- Loving Life
- Philosophy Through Photography
- Photos by Jez
- Roberta Writes
- This is Another Story
- Travels and Trifles
- WillowDot
- Working on Exploring
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This week, for Sunday Stills, tell us and show us your images of water–of any kind. I also enjoy seeing your creativity in poems and stories! I’ll be back next Sunday for the theme: the Great Outdoors! June’s themes are available here!
Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day Holiday and see you next week. Be safe!
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
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