Spokane ValleyFest | Don't Blink

Late September days in the Inland Northwest can be so beautiful. After a cool day on Sunday, we have enjoyed temperatures in the upper 70s/low 80s throughout the week. Let’s keep the good vibes going with the latest Thursday Rundown…

Candy Hot Dog – I am almost embarrassed to share this because it does reflect on me as a parent but let’s celebrate transparency! On Friday night, I took the kids to a pep rally-type event at Gonzaga Prep. At the function they served free hot dogs and also passed out free candy. Those two items were supposed to be mutually exclusive. However, Beau used the candy as a condiment 🤦🏻‍♂️. I told him his hot dog/candy combo would be a one-time thing.

Beau’s candy hot dog. He would later sprinkle Nerds on it too.

Classes at EWU Begin – Eastern Washington University is on the quarter system so classes always start a month later than institutions on a semester system. Thus, the academic year kicked off this past Wednesday. I had the pleasure of serving as a “wayfinder.” I was stationed at a spot on campus and directed students to the buildings their classes were in. The day prior, we welcomed all new students with our “Pass Through the Pillars” tradition. EWU faculty/staff, returning students, and community members form a pathway for new Eags to walk down after entering campus through the historic pillars. When these students graduate, they will ceremoniously walk through the pillars once again, this time exiting campus by going through the opposite way.

EWU cheerleaders walk by during Tuesday’s Pass Through The Pillars tradition. Classes are now in session at Eastern Washington University.

Double Decker Buses Are Here – Back in April, I wrote about double decker buses joining the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) fleet. These machines…I mean vehicles…started hauling passengers this week. These buses are impressive and the view from the top deck is much higher and more scenic than one might expect. As someone who rides the bus to work and considers my free pass one of the greatest perks I have received at a college, I have already logged quite a few miles on the double deckers over the past several days.

A photo I took from my seat on one of the STA double decker buses.

ValleyFest – Each September, an event called ValleyFest is held in (you guessed it!) Spokane Valley. The annual gathering is so packed with vendors, entertainment, activities, and food that we never have enough time to do it all. Just a couple highlights from this year’s event: Beau held a ferret and he also tried aerial straps for the first time. With the latter, he liked it so much that after his time was up he ran right back to the end of the line to wait for another turn.

Beau with a ferret and using aerial straps at ValleyFest.

Donna Lenseigne – I mentioned earlier that we attended a pep rally at Gonzaga Prep and then followed it up by watching the football game. While taking a break from the bleachers, my son started playing on a rock. When I went over to take a closer look, I realized the rock was inscribed with a tribute to Donna Lenseigne, a longtime tennis coach and staff member at Gonzaga Prep. What made this discovery so special was that Donna and her family lived across the street from us growing up. In fact, Donna and her husband, Dale, were my parents’ best friends. Sadly, after Donna’s sudden and much-too-soon death in 2010, Dale would pass away in 2019.