For one reason or another, and it's usually wine-related, I always seem to end up visiting Spokane at least once or twice a year. I realize that the time and distance from Bellingham to Spokane might deter some of you locals, but really now, a six-hour drive across the state is virtually nothing. Take off from Bellingham at, say, 8 a.m. and you can arrive in Spokane by 2 p.m. and have a good two to four hours still available to visit tasting rooms on your first day.