Getting outside is good for you, full stop. And thankfully for us in the Inland Northwest, the great outdoors is pretty great here. No matter your pace, vibe or skill, there are plenty of ways to get some fresh air and fresh perspective this summer. Whether you're looking for a challenge, a chance to make new friends or a moment of quiet for yourself, here are some ways to take full advantage of the coming months of sunshine. Your body, mind and soul will thank you all year round.
SET A NEW GOAL
Running is for crazy people, you say? Just wait. You might be surprised at the crazy person lurking inside you, waiting to be discovered. Why not set a new goal for yourself this summer and see what happens?
Try out a mile or your first 5k in Spokane's Manito Park at Dad's Day Dash (June 14), which benefits Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners. Or head to Moses Lake that same day to help support local police K9 units at Columbia Basin K9 Run for the Paws. If you want a little more time to train, aim for the U-District Summer Fun Run (July 15) for a super low-stress Tuesday evening race. Run for the Berries in Priest River (July 26) supports the local high school volleyball team.
Spokane's chapter of Clubhouse International, which supports adults with mental illness, is putting on its Evergreen Club 5k Fun Run for the third time (Aug. 23). That afternoon, North Idaho College hosts its NIC Color Fun Run, and that evening, Run the Night Glow 5k fills the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds with athletes, light shows and plenty of foam. Tunnel to Towers (Sept. 13) in Coeur d'Alene honors Stephen Siller and other 9/11 heroes. Walk, Run, Read North Idaho (Sept. 20) encourages runners to dress like their favorite comic book heroes to support adult literacy programs, and the ValleyFest River Run is that Saturday, too.
If you're feeling good after a 5k race or two, try stretching yourself to 4 miles at Spokane's Boulevard Race (Sept. 21). Celebrate the end of summer by fighting cancer with every step.
Or, if you're trying to get a bit more distance in these next few months, check out The Kan (June 14) for 10k, 25k or 50k options on Mount Spokane. The Mountain Magic Trail Run (June 29) offers 5k, 10k and 25k distances on the mountain, as does the Mt. Spokane Trail Run (Sept. 7).
Spokane's only 7k, SpoKenya, raises money for clean water in Kenya (July 19). But if you want to get in the water, try a triathlon — like Medical Lake Founder's Day Trailblazer Triathlon (June 21), the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon (Aug. 9) or the Diamond Tri Your Best (Sept. 6). Each offers various distances and some include options to split up the events between partners. And the Coeur d'Alene IronMan 70.3 is always fun to watch (June 22).
FAN ZONE
Are you more of a cheerleader than a play maker? Fan-tastic. Your local sports teams love you! Snag a ticket and bust out your clear bag for an evening where you can down beers while yelling at elite athletes to do better.
Even though the Spokane Zephyr, the city's women's soccer club and only top-tier professional team, just concluded their inaugural season, you can still check out men's pro soccer at one of Spokane Velocity's home games at ONE Stadium. Check schedules and ticket prices at uslspokane.com.
For peak summer vibes, good hot dogs, and the best mascots, head to a Spokane Indians game. Minor leagues mean major fun and lots of chances for fireworks. See what other fin-tastic promotions are happening all summer at milb.com/spokane.
Or, if you'd rather cheer on your friends, make sure they're balling out for Hoopfest (June 28-29). From the championship court to the bottom of the loser bracket, everyone needs some sideline support. You can also sign up to volunteer or referee at spokanehoopfest.net.
GONE FISHIN'
Wanna get away from the world? Get out on the water? Chillax to the max or compete for glory? Go fishing this summer, and see what rewards you can catch. You can always just stick a pole in the nearest lake (if you have your license, of course). But if you want expert advice, consider a guided fly fishing tour. Learn from master anglers from Fly Fish Spokane or Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane, ROW Adventure Center in Spokane or Coeur d'Alene, or Orvis Northwest Outfitters, Fins and Feathers, or Coeur d'Alene Adventures in North Idaho.
If you want to test your own expertise, take part in the Department of Fish and Wildlife's Trout Derby, which started on April 26 and runs through Oct. 31. Anyone with a valid fishing license can try to hook tagged trout in any of the 100+ participating lakes. No entry fee required. Check out wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/contests/trout-derby for more information.
LIVE LOVE BIRD
There are very few addictions that I would wholeheartedly recommend. But birding is one of them (maybe the only one). Technically, all you need are your eyes, your ears and some kind of reference material (might I suggest the Merlin app). But to really get hooked, join one of the many birding tours from the Spokane Audubon Society this summer. Check out audubonspokane.org to see when you can visit wetlands, forests, mountain or riparian habitats with an expert guide.
The Doris Morrison Learning Center also offers a bird walk through the Saltese Flats on the first Wednesday of every month. Visit the center's page on spokanecounty.gov for more information. No matter what, birding with a group will quickly establish your enthusiasm, hone your skills, and firmly set you on a lifelong path of avian adoration.
KNOW YOUR PLACE
Maybe you just moved to the Inland Northwest. Maybe you've been here your whole life. Regardless, how well do you actually know your home? Join the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge this summer, and make it your quest to visit as much public land as you can before Sept. 30. Play, explore, take photos and win free prizes — it's really as simple as that, as long as you sign up at sccu.net/parks-challenge. It's a great way to motivate yourself to get out of the house when your kids (or you) are complaining that you don't know what else to do.
If you're not in Spokane, set yourself your own parks challenge. You won't be eligible for prizes from Spokane City Credit Union, but no one's stopping you from buying yourself an ice cream cone or just giving yourself a nice pat on the back.
JOIN THE CLUB
Are you active and social? Maybe hoping to learn a new sport or find the next competitor to beat? Join a club! Social media, parks departments and neighborhoods across the Inland Northwest have almost as many niche clubs as there are niche sports. (I see you, Spokane Lawn Bowling Club. I may or may not have bookmarked spokanelawnbowlingclub.weebly.com.)
Search Facebook groups like Spokane/North Idaho Hikers or Hikerbabes Community to link up with new trail buddies. Read previous Inlander coverage to learn more about Spokane Women on the Fly, a female fly fishing group, or Amtgard-Duchy of Stormhaven, a live-action role playing (LARP) club that meets up in Manito Park.
Check out the Lilac City Kendo Club or free Tai Chi and Qi Dong lessons at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library (every week on Tuesday).
For a little more competition, head to HUB Sports Center for open-play pickleball on Mondays and Thursdays. Then, if you're really feeling good, take your racket and your A-game to the second annual Panhandle Pickleball Tournament in Coeur d'Alene (June 27-29). Obviously, pickleballisgreat.com has all the info you'll need.
