Travels to Fort Spokane

Welcome to Fort Spokane! We traveled to Fort Spokane early this month.
This trek provided us with a glimpse into a past that is rich with history of frontier life.

We took the path around this building and discovered it is the old guardhouse of the fort.
The building, now a museum gives insight to life of the soldiers who served with uniforms they wore,
the weapons they used and a glimpse of the hard life these soldiers lived. 

I can imagine the view of the parade grounds that formed in front of this building while on the inside
there are two very small cells. The cots are still there as are the locks on the doors.
There is a small envelope sized door at the bottom of each door, just the right size to shove in the daily grub. 

 In later years this fort served as a boarding house for Native American children. There is a wealth of information on the history of the Agency Indian Schools and the daily life of the children who were so far from their homes. 

Remains of Bachelor Officer Quarters 

A closer look shows the remainder of the fireplace within the structure.

This structure appears to be a duplex as there are two separate quarters under one roof. Judging from the size of the other structures though it would surprise me if this building housed only two officers.


This self guided tour is worth the time it takes to explore and enjoy the natural area it surrounds.
We were joined on our walk by a deer walking parallel to us about 500 yards away.
She was as interested in us as we were in her. Her peaceful presence just added to our walk back in time.

Pages from my Scrapbook:Trains of Yesterday

Last week I spotted an announcement that Union Pacific was making a stop in our city on their 150th anniversary tour.  This was one opportunity I was not going to miss. 
As it happened, I went alone on a very hot day. It was worth it.

There was a time when I frequently saw
 engines like this one going down the tracks

I like this nostalgic setting at the station.
The lamps and benches paint
 a picture of men
 reading newspapers 
and mothers tending their tots
while waiting for their train to arrive.

Step up to the caboose but watch your step!
The polished railings were so bright
 I bet they were hot to the touch!

Imagine standing on the platform and waving goodbye. In this election year it reminds me of the old "Whistle Stop" campaigns
 of a bygone era.

A the Vista Dome or Observation Car.
 We used to love to go up top
 where one could get a better look on the ride
 through the mountains, seeing rivers and animals along the way.
The passenger line we traveled on was the Great Northern, now just a memory
of one of the many railroad lines that have been absorbed over the years;
 planes began to promise quicker travel. Sometimes in our days of technology though it
seems like a great escape to hop aboard a train and take a look at our country's back yard.  

Finally! I bought THE cookbook

I finally bought The Pioneer Woman Cooks today. I do not know why I waited so long. After all she has another cookbook and two other books out now! I have a lot of cookbooks hanging around the house. Some in the cupboard, some in boxes in the basement. Still, after following Ree Drummond's blog for about four years, I just had a hankering for this book. Amidst the fabulous pictures of the recipes we get a glimpse of her life on the ranch with her growing family and of course, Charlie, the family dog who is so involved in their lives. It is a glimpse into Americana, a life of hard work, love and the spirit that be lost in a world of technology.

The first recipe I plan to make will be for the 4th of July! Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler with Blueberries to honor our Day of Independence July 4, 1776.