Thursday, March 23, 2017

Spring in Spokane

Spokane Falls
Spring has arrived in Spokane!
Foot bridge to Canada Island closed due to high water
After a seemingly long, snow-packed winter, temperatures increased last week and the last of the snow has melted away.  With the rapid increase in temperatures, the regional waterways are engorged with water.  The Spokane River bifurcating Spokane is no exception.  With the downtown and Riverfront Park situated astride the river and surrounding the falls, to observe the power of Mother Nature pushing its way over the falls is an awesome sight.


With the river at flood stage, high volumes of water present a spectacle at the falls.  This fleeting spectacle will not last long.  Taking the opportunity to catch the high water in action, Nancy and I walked around Riverfront Park to see the natural commotion for ourselves.  We were not disappointed.
Springtime also coincided with the first outdoor cycling of the year.  While it was along my typical post-work cycling route of about 24 miles, it felt very pleasant to have the sun on my face despite the 45 F air temperature.  I am happy to report that body and bike fared well on this first outdoor cycling outing of the year.  I could discuss the uncountable number of pothole features left in the roadways after the winter glaciers retreated but that is best left unsaid.
The Route
The Stats
With partial sun this morning and temperatures expected to hit the mid 40s F, perhaps I can make it outdoors on the bike this afternoon?  Still a bit cold for my tastes but with sun, tolerable.
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12 comments:

  1. Michal DwarfCryptMarch 23, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    What a great looking travel Jonathan!

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  2. DartfrogMarch 23, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    We've been underwater four times so far, so I am ready for the spectacle to recede into memory. Palouse Falls is reportedly very exciting right now as well. Congrats on getting out on the bike. You are braver than I, or at least more willing to replace blown tubes. I am not willing to risk my tires for a few more weeks...

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 23, 2017 at 1:29 PM

      I thought about linking back to your post on flooding but did not think you wanted ANOTHER reminder. I bet Palouse Falls is spectacular. May have to make a trip out there before the waters subside.

      As for outdoor cycling, I may not be more brave but certainly more tired of stationary cycling.

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  3. GonsalvoMarch 23, 2017 at 7:25 PM

    Love the raging rapids, Jon!

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  4. Ed MMarch 23, 2017 at 7:51 PM

    Very impressive--I can only imagine what the accompanying sound of the rushing water was like.

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  5. Mark StrachanMarch 24, 2017 at 2:24 AM

    Impressive images Jonathan. Makes me glad that no major watercourses run through Auckland - although a recent autumnal cloudburst here that dropped 260mm in 24 hours of rain on parts of the city did cause us a few issues.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 24, 2017 at 4:49 AM

      Receiving that much rain in 24 hours would cause issues in most places!

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  6. MSFoyMarch 24, 2017 at 9:29 AM

    Super pics - enjoyed them very much! Poholes - we have a strange system here - the local authority get the holes repaired as cheaply as possible each Spring, and of course the first frost blows out the patch in the road, so the contractor has to come back to do it again next year. Council claim they are saving money by getting job done cheaply, but the result is it has to be redone each year. Something wrong here...? A triumph for a one-year budget cycle?

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 24, 2017 at 10:21 AM

      Tony! Thanks for taking the time for a comment!
      Glad you enjoyed the spring thaw photos of the river passing through my fair city.

      As for potholes, you would not believe the poor condition of many of the roads in Spokane in early spring. Shameful state. We joke that someone in city government must have a friend in asphalt and street repair. Lifetime employment, no doubt!

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