Paddling the Spokanes'

I had a some fun this past weekend paddling with a couple of friends (Michelle and Sparky). We started out with a plan to paddle Bonnie Lake but changed our minds because of the drive and the heat. Instead we went to the Spokane River and paddled above Upriver Dam. There is a post of this little trip from last July as well. We paddled up to the islands and swam around then paddled back to the put-in area. Then we went to said friend's house, had some lunch, and were shuttled to the Little Spokane River put-in by St. George's by SOMEONE NAMED CAROL WHO IS REALLY WONDERFUL!!!!

The Little Spokane River is one of only a few rivers in the country that are not completely open to navigation. The river was ruled as non-navigable many years back and the land owners on the river actually own the river (as if you could really own a river). Of course, since people are able to paddle the river in both the upper and lower areas, it is navigable. Luckily some smart folks started buying up "the river" in the lower reaches and turned it into a natural area. Unfortunately, the upper river...some 50 or more miles...is privately owned and the land owners are pretty fussy. In many areas they have put wires across the river and boat puncturing obstacles under the water. It is really too bad because the river is just too cool. The natural area section that is open to paddling is about the last seven miles before it empties into the Spokane River above Long Lake. There is a trail that goes along the river and one that heads up into the hills above it for a sort of loop hike (though the river portion of the trail is not open to dogs...sorry Walter!). There are also some cool pictographs at the aptly named Painted Rocks area. Here is a link to the official website: http://www.riversidestatepark.org/little_spokane.htm

The thing I like best about the Little Spokane is that even though there are lots of people on it at any given time, there are many moments of solitude. The river meanders quite a bit and give the impression of solitude. When we got there a big group of loud folks were getting on the river so we pulled over and waited for them to go past. One chick was doing that really loud girl scream and it was driving us nuts. We ran into another group of folks having a picnic on the river and then a pack of drunk old men who were searching desperately trying to revive their oats. They wanted my friend Michelle to roll her boat and then paddle back to them. Why do they think that we think they are sexy with their beer bellies and bald spots and lack of social skills????? Anyway, we had a good laugh at them at least. We did take the opportunity (or at least Sparky and I did) of getting in the water. It was nice and cold. I introduced Sparky to the three times rule (you have to get into the water three times total) and told her about the time I had to break up the ice along the Kettle River so I could get in (she now knows that I am nuts).

It was a great day and a fun time hanging out with Michelle, Sparky, and Carol (THE REALLY WONDERFUL PERSON WHO SHUTTLED US AROUND AND MADE US YUMMY SANDWICHES). I am ready to go again whenever you guys are!!!!

PS The picture was "borrowed" from someone else because I forgot to take my camera with me. The entire river pretty much looks just like this with varying degrees of current.