Family bike ride celebrates wildlife refuge anniversary

WILDLIFE WATCHING —The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge has been marking its 75th anniversary with public events this summer. Next on the schedule:

• July 26: Blue Goose Family Fun Bike Ride , a family-friendly 10.5-mile ride on packed, graded dirt roads. Start anytime after 8:30 a.m. to finish by noon, when prize drawings will start at headquarters. Anniversary cake and bluegrass music. Free.

Info: (509) 684-8384, fws.gov/littlependoreille

Directions from Spokane: Drive U.S. 395 north to Arden (about 6 miles south of Colville). Turn right on Hall Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Old Arden Hwy. Take the third right run onto Artman-Gibson Road. Go about 4 miles. At four-way intersection, turn right onto Kitt-Narcisse Road and follow it for 2.2 miles. Where road forks, bear right onto Bear Creek Road. Follow this dirt road 3.3 miles to refuge headquarters.