Spokane

Back to "big-city" life, we headed to Spokane. It's Washington's 2nd largest (and overlooked) city, and proved to be quite entertaining... at least for us tourists who only spend 2 days there.

First, we had to say goodbye to tax-free Montana, and drive through the "panhandle" of Idaho. Some more beautiful scenes were to be had:

First stop in Spokane: Hotel Lusso. One of 3 boutique hotels, and sweet. It's attached to a happening ale house, which proved to be quite loud during Monday Night Football.

Dinner at a local favourite:

Next day, decided to hang out another day here and lucked out with an upgraded huge room for the same price. Breakfast at Hotel Davenport across the street.

Check out the lobby:

As part of our road trip is to explore some of the many wineries along the way, we started off with Arbor Crest Winery:

On top of a mountain on a sunny day... it doesn't get more scenic than this!

We got a personal tour from the marketing guy, and found out much about the property. Large checkers games, ice rink, pool... all built in the early 1900's.

We of course tried out all of the wines, and took a Pinot Gris with us for the road. (No, we did not drink it while on the road!)

We continued out stressful day in town, trying out more local wines from restaurants and tasting rooms in Spokane.

Wine tasting at Sante...

...and eats!

Ok, not a wine tasting place. But this pic is here for my in-laws.

Back to tasting...

...at Niko's Greek Restaurant & Wine Bar

Things got extra interesting at Niko's, where we met a Spokane newspaperman and his 2 consultants from Ontario. 

After hitting it off with Shaun, John, and Linda, we all headed to the Peacock lounge and enjoyed some more wine, and spoke of politics and boats made of cork. Can't say too much more of this top secret project, which we were promised we'd get to risk our lives for it, sometime in the (possibly distant) future.

Back to our tiny room for the night!