"Spokane, Heart of the Inland Northwest. " a Spokane Travel Page by dabidc

The City of Spokane is on the Spokane river, in Eastern Washington State, where the river flows over a series of rapids and waterfalls, forming a canyon on the west side of the City.

The 1974 World's Fair was a successful exposition for the City and enabled improvements to be made to the riverside and the parts of downtown close to the river.

In particular the 3 or 4 main rail lines running through the area by the river were re routed or closed and the Expo held on the islands in the river. Several of the buildings were left to enhance the area.

Now the area is given over to Riverfront Park where the calm waters of the river, close to downtown contrast vividly with the river on the north of the Islands as it continues to dash headlong through the rapids and down the waterfall.

The calmer waters of the park are part of a dam that feeds a Hydro Electric Generating plant

On the west side of Spokane, tucked by the I-90 highway on the south and an access road on the north side is the John A. Finch Arboretum.

It is a fascinating place to vivit for a 2 to 3 hour self guiding walk through the many varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers.

It is popular with the schools for there were many students there also.