7 things to do now that basketball season is over
Baseball. The Mariners have started their season. So have the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Eastern Washington Eagles and Whitworth Pirates – not to mention local prep teams. (And the Spokane Indians’ season is right around the corner.) It’s time to head to the field, even if you don’t personally play the game. Sit in the sun. Have a hot dog, maybe a couple of beers, sing loud during the seventh-inning stretch and “root root for the home team.” Even if they don’t win, they’ll sure look good in their uniforms.
Take a hike. Or, at least, go on a walk. From the Centennial Trail to Riverside State Park and Tubbs Hill, there are plenty of spots to trek around Spokane and Coeur d’Alene without having to travel very far – or even leave town. Enjoy the lake and river and mountain views and celebrate the majestic scenery in the Pacific Northwest paradise we call home.
Get your grill on. Why wait until summer to dust off and fire up the grill again? It’s time to throw on a few burger patties and sausages, invite over a few friends and get a head start on outdoor entertaining.
Happy hour on the patio. Some restaurants and lounges around these parts wait until mid-May or Memorial Day weekend to officially open their patio seating. Others – like Perry Street Brewing and Nectar Wine and Beer – let customers suit themselves and sit outside as soon as the sun’s out. Bring a light jacket and soak up as much vitamin D as you can – along with a mojito or pale ale and something to nosh on.
Sign up for Bloomsday, if you haven’t already. You can register online at www.bloomsdayrun.org or via mail (entries must be postmarked by midnight April 18) to Lilac Bloomsday Run, 1414 N. Belt St., Spokane, WA 99201. Late registration will be available during Bloomsday Check-In May 5, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and May 6, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Bloomsday takes place May 7.
Learn a new skill. REI (1125 N. Monroe St.) offers classes related to just about every outdoor skill you can imagine, including paddling in the Inland Northwest (Wednesday), map and compass navigation (April 18), camp cooking (April 23), hiking with dogs (May 3), trail running (May 4) and backpacking (May 6). Most classes are free, though some cost for both REI members and non-members. For more information and to register for classes, visit https://www.rei.com/stores/spokane.html.
Prepare for Hoopfest. If you just can’t get enough basketball, it’s not too early to start practicing for Hoopfest. Grab a few friends, channel your inner Przemek Karnowski and hit the court. Once you’ve determined who will help you reach 3-on-3 greatness and picked out a clever team name, register your team at spokanehoopfest.net. Hoopfest will be held June 24-25.