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by Chip Roe (Proud Parent ‘2014)

Hello again, well it’s February in the Inland NW and February is a time of year where the weather is still wintery but spring is on the way. For me February sometimes feels like the 1st day that your cold is better. Your still not feeling great but just getting better get’s you in a good mood. I feel good about February knowing some migrating birds are already on the way here, and beneath the ground things are starting to grow and will soon be popping up.  February has a couple of interesting days for sure, one being Groundhogs day. What the??? Who empowered a rodent with such responsibility and who decided on a groundhog in the first place? I think most people aren’t even sure what a groundhog is. Here in Spokane we have a similar creature known as the marmot. Although meteorological prognostication isn’t required of them. In fact we really have no expectations at all other than seeing them scramble among the rocky outcrops located throughout Spokane. They are clumsy comical looking animals, usually poking just their heads up and whistling at passers by. They are popular among locals so much so that considerable amount of mural space has been dedicated to them. The other big February day of course is Valentine’s day. Rodents definitely should not be involved in this one however as a male of the human species the ritual can at times seem just as mysterious. For me though it’s another reason to visit some of my favorite Spokane establishments and get credit for being a good guy at the same time. Spokane has many interesting places to take someone to dinner. Some of my favorites have significant history that you get to see and feel as part of the experience. Clinkerdaggers restaurant was originally a large Flower mill located right on the Spokane River. The food, atmosphere and views are terrific. A lot of the original equipment is on display and the place has an old pub type of feel to it. Another of my favorites is the Steam plant grill. This building with huge twin smokestacks that were built to resemble the stacks on a paddle wheeler provided steam to heat Spokane area homes for 70 years until it closed in 1986. It was renovated into a spectacular restaurant where you can be seated in a variety of settings, some right inside the old boilers. and others with 80 foot ceilings, you can even go right into the old stacks and look up 225 feet to the top. Along with dinner for a Valentine’s evening special treat is a stay at the Davenport hotel. This turn of the century luxury hotel has been beautifully restored and is well worth a visit just to walk into the lobby and look around. There’s no way to justly describe the history and spectacular setting in the space I have here but you can read much more about this and the restaurants on the internet. The history is worth reading even if you do not get the chance to see them in person. Have a great February and see you soon with a rodent free March edition.

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