“I was - enchanted—overwhelmed—with the beauty and grandeur of everything I saw. It lay just as nature had made it, with nothing to mar its virgin glory.” James Glover 1873 upon first seeing the Spokane River. Things are a bit different now with seven dams and countless signs of industry along the 111-mile Spokane River, but the beauty and grandeur still remain.

Here’s the chance to see for yourself with one of our favorite events coming up. The Spokane River Forum's Meet Me At The River begins kayak trips July 17th with a paddle from Harvard Road to Plante's Ferry. (Two rafting trips actually got things started for the program in May.) According to Toni Lee Hanson, program coordinator for Meet Me at the River, "We've got great Eco-Tours lined up and people are signing up quickly. People like 'stamping' their on-line passport as they learn about different stretches of the river."

To learn more and sign up for a trip, go HERE.

The River Forum started this program in 2008 and over 300 people have floated or paddled one or more legs of the river. Trips for beginners and eco-tours to learn about the river has proven to be a successful combination as it helps promote a regional dialogue for sustaining a healthy river system.

Also, two new river access points are expected to open this summer. The Forum is working with the City of Spokane Water Department to open an access point just below Upriver Dam and as part of completing the new Barker Road Bridge, the City of Spokane Valley is restoring the previous access point this summer. The width of the bridge allows for parking and a pedestrian walkway. Over 30 individuals, non-profit groups, businesses and agencies are working with the Forum on efforts to get these access points finished. To become involved, please contact the Forum at info@spokaneriver.net..

After the jump is the list of courses. Sign up today and stay tuned for a very special DTE trip. (Hint: It involves Shennanigan’s and, yes, that is the correct spelling in this instance.)

July 2010

Kayak: Harvard Road to Plante’s Ferry July 17

Kayak: Plante’s Ferry to Boulder Beach July 18

Kayak Moonlight Paddle: Upriver Dam to CI Shennanigan July 22

Kayak: Plante’s Ferry to Upriver Dam July 24

Kayak Lower Spokane River: Hangman Creek to TJ Meenach July 25

Kayak: Wyncoops to Blue Creek & Overnight Camping July 31

August 2010

Kayak: Blue Creek to Fort Spokane August 1

Kayak: Upriver Dam to CI Shennanigan’s August 5

Kayak: North Idaho College to Q’emlin Park, ID August 13

Kayak: Lake Spokane to Tum Tum August 14

Kayak: Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam August 15

Kayak Moonlight Paddle: Plese Flats to Nine Mile August 20

Kayak: Tum Tum to DNR Campground August 28

September 2010

Kayak: Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam September 3

Kayak Moonlight Paddle: Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam September 18

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