This week's hike had me treading on ground most unfamiliar, a park in the middle of a city, Spokane, Washington to be exact. I mean, I visit cities, but honestly wouldn't make a trip to one just for a park visit. Today, I changed up that paradigm a bit.
My two friends and I hike and dine every Friday. It has been a lovely almost weekly tradition for the last year or so, and has introduced me to so many awesome discoveries around the magnificent Inland Northwest Region that we all call home. This week we had an interesting addition to our hike itinerary, my friend's son needed to be dropped off at the airport so he could go visit a friend in Boise for Halloween, so we decided to do something uncharacteristic and hike in Spokane.
I'm glad we did!
My friend M grew up on the north side of Spokane, so she had been to Manito Park before and suggested it as a suitable choice for this week's promenade. I thought a cultivated park hike made for an interesting diversion from the wild and rocky hike we did last week (we were all a bit worn out from that one!), and readily agreed as did our friend J.
And after setting the teen free at the airport, we parked on the edge of Manito Park and headed in.
Well, not before I oohed and awed over the houses on the edge of the park's grounds. I love cozy little bungalows from the olden times.
Now, Manito Park is a 90 acre plant and tree paradise on Spokane's South Hill. I know this now because I visited its gloriousness this morning. M ran cross country meets through the park as a kid, and I have to admit, that even though I am not a runner, jogging through the park wouldn't be too shabby of a task.
Our first view upon entering was The Duck Pond. There were ducks. I squeed a bit. Okay, not really, I have ducks, but it was really pretty.
And talk about a tree fest! We picked a wonderful time for a stroll. I absolutely adore hiking in the fall. Okay, I like hiking all the time, but the trees were beyond splendid.
One super cool thing about Manito Park is the gardens within the park. We meandered through Rose Hill, The Lilac Garden, The Duncan Garden, and my favorite, The Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden.
Every part of the park was well-loved and tended too, complete with little wild alcoves of unmanicured nature to enjoy, like this big rock:
I skipped around like an over-elated spaniel (we saw one of those today, walking its owner) and snapped autumn foliage pictures like an influencer on a post bender. It was fun.
The park is also on my places to return list for this coming spring/summer because I really, really, really, really want to see the rose garden in full bloom, the statuesque and slightly Edwardian Duncan Garden in its resplendent annual beds filled glory, and I most definitely want to stop and smell the lilacs.
And you better believe I am going to spend some more time in the glorious Japanese Garden. Cause koi. And waterfalls, and reasons....
After a couple mile stroll, we hopped in the car and rolled back to our Idahome, stopping at one of my favorite local restaurants in Coeur d'Alene: Tomato Street. I mean, how many places let you color on their tables and serve you homemade tomato basil soup and smoked chicken manicotti. I love that place!
And if you are every wandering around Spokane, a stroll through Manito Park is highly recommended!
End Note Addendum Of Future Post Intentions: The Japanese Garden is getting its own post, so please stay tuned for more garden footage!
And as most of the time, all of the images in this post were taken on the author's now in leaf mold and damp grass scent iPhone.