Roll Through Summer In Spokane
When it comes to finding entertaining things to do this summer, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The good news is they already invented that, either in 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia or by the 4th century B.C. in Greece, depending on whether you include pottery wheels in that definition. We’re feeling generous, so we’ll award it to the Mesopotamians. Celebrate wheels this summer — from the ones on the bus that go ’round and round, to the one in the sky that keeps on turning — by taking part in all sorts of wheeled activities, from bikes to cars to electric scooters.
Downtown Spokane's Spinner Wheel is Back in Action
The downtown spinner wheel was a bit depressing during COVID, what with so many proposed activities shut down. But such COVID lockdowns seem far in our past — at least at the time of publication. Solve your indecision by grabbing hold of the spinner on the wall at Wall Street near Riverfront Park and giving it a whirl. Maybe you’ll land on “Ride the Skyride in Riverfront Park” or “Feed the Garbage Goat at Riverfront Park” or “Explore Mobius Discovery Center.” Fortunately, no matter how lucky you get spinning this wheel, there’s no “bankrupt” wedge. Nobody wants a repeat of the 2008 Wall Street debacle.
Scooter Through Spokane
Two years later, our community is still filled with the detritus of the early days of COVID, when the virus was still a scary mystery. So you’ll still see signs warning that riders of Lime scooters should stay 6 feet apart, “wipe shared surfaces,” “use a mask and gloves,” “wash hands before and after riding,” and “use only for essential travel.” Now, of course, we know that COVID doesn’t spread on surfaces and that riding a scooter or bike outdoors in the open air is one of the safest ways to get anywhere (when it comes to COVID, at least). But if you want the rebellious anti-government thrill of being a COVID-science denier, without actually denying any of the (current) COVID science, this is your best opportunity to do so.
You probably should still wash your hands after using the bathroom, but we’re not going to be a narc or anything. We can keep your dirty little secret.
Take The Kids To a Petting Zoo on Wheels
Everybody loves roller skates. Everybody loves cute animals. On Sunday, July 24, from 1-5 pm, Spokane Valley’s Roller Valley roller rink — owned by Ukrainian refugee Zhanna Oberemok — is combining both phenomena, holding a petting zoo at the roller rink to help local animal nonprofits. Tickets are $8 — bring donations like dog food, cat food, bird cages and reptile beddings and you’ll get a free cup of petting zoo food. Here we’re imagining a llama wearing roller skates, which, if that isn’t already in the plan, they should definitely make happen.
Join Spokane's 'E-Skate' Group
So you have an electric unicycle, but nowhere to ride it? Meet up with the “E-Skate Group,” a roguish gang of eclectic longboarders, one-wheelers and electric scooter riders who go out for a group ride from the Riverfront Park fountain on Fridays at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 12:30 pm.
“Our rides are usually less than 15 mph, and we do frequent stops to collect stragglers. We usually ride about 7-8 miles, then go out for something to eat, and a charge up. We frequently meet at Gerardo’s Authentic Mexican or David’s Pizza,” group member Christopher McNeal says. “Helmets are encouraged!”
Like I said: rogues.
