Do you know a good place to go for a walk around here?
I sure do.
When you’re looking for a park, a trail or an epic viewpoint, you should be able to get good answers from a photographer. We don’t just see places; we feel them, breathe them and understand how they’ll make a memory.
Bella and I spend countless hours wandering the trails, hitting the patio and uncovering cool views here in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and beyond. Recently, we wrapped up a walk at Mirabeau Point Park — Bella sniffing every blade of grass like it was the first she’d ever met — when I heard someone call her name.
I turned to see a friend from a women’s business networking group waving. She’s a mental health counselor, and her secret sauce is taking clients outside, into nature, to heal. We stood there chatting, and I couldn’t help myself—I started rattling off all my favorite spots in Mirabeau and then threw in a couple of other nearby trails.
Sharing cool places is kind of my thing.
I also keep a few places secret and I am sure as hell not telling anyone where this is:
The insider’s scoop
I love exploring our region and finding locations, both in town and out in the wild.
So when publications come calling for help, I am at the ready.
This past summer, Bella and I contributed an article to The Spokesman-Review on the top 10 dog-friendly patios in Spokane Valley and Coeur d’Alene. It ran as a companion piece to Rachel Baker’s top 10 spots in Spokane proper.
Oddly, both Rachel’s and my story are heavy on the beer. Surprise, surprise.
My favorite spots on both lists are Uprise Brewing, Trailbreaker Cider and Vantage. Uprise has great beer and a cool atmosphere, albeit a much smaller patio than the latter two. Both Trailbreaker and Vantage have much larger spaces to chill out, have a sandwich and quench your thirst.
But I can’t leave out Snow Eater, which has a chewterie board on the menu.
More recently, I was called upon to recommend my five favorite places for a blog post on ApartmentGuide.com, an online portal for tenants, landlords and rental property owners. The piece, titled 5 Steps for Enjoying One Day in Spokane, WA: Experts Help With the Ideal Itinerary called upon me and other local experts to design the perfect day in Spokane.
Of course, my recommendations included some hiking. How could they not?
Quartz Lookout at Mount Spokane State Park is one of my favorite places to hike with Bella (more on that next week) and I got to do a dress session there this summer!
Dog days and happy hours
Exploring isn’t just something I do for fun; it’s the backbone of my work as a photographer.
When I scout trails for your dog’s adventure session, I’m thinking about more than location — I’m thinking about you.
About how the light will shine on you and your dog.
How it fits with our vision for your session.
And how this place will tell your love story.
When I pick the perfect patio to meet and share your gallery, I’m curating a space that feels warm, relaxed and inviting.
These places matter because they’re where life happens. They’re where your dog sprints ahead, where you find your breath again, where laughter spills into the air over a round of beers.
So if you’re ever wondering where to walk next, where to sip next or where to watch the sunset next, hit me up. Bella and I have miles of memories to share.
And trust me — we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Hit me up or even download my guide to 5 great hikes that transport you out of the city but aren’t too far from said city.
Find your next adventure
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