Harrison Tot Lot, Pullman WA

Harrison Tot Lot is a small park on Harrison street just off of State street. It's perfect for little kids but no so much for older ones. I know a few play groups meet at the park so it's a great place to meet other parents with small children. It does have picnic and BBQ facilities so it's great for family outings.
Sometimes it's just nice to have a safe place for the little ones to play. A nice feature is that the park has easy to determine boundaries and is designed to give parents a good view of the playarea.

McConnell Mansion Ice Cream Social - Moscow ID

I want to apologize for being behind this week. I had forgotten my pictures so I had to wait until I could get them on the computer. This past Sunday was the McConnell Mansion Ice Cream Social. This is a yearly event and is free to the community. For those not able to attend the social, the McConnell Mansion is still open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 1-5 (check the website for any changes in the hours).
The Ice Cream Social is a huge event with multiple groups coming together to offer a glimpse into the lives of those who lived at the time the mansion was built (it's not really a mansion but a historical house museum). This year there was a group with a hunting/trapping display.



My son had a great time identifying the furs.
There was also dress up for the inspired.


After dressing up the clothes need to be washed.

We stopped in for a tour of the mansion which included a really great radio display and lace making demonstration.





And, of course, there was ice cream.

We finished the day with a short hay ride around the block.


I highly recommend taking a trip to see the museum. It's a fun peek into another world. We had a blast looking at the closet space and talking about how on earth would we fit our clothes in them. On the main floor towards the back of the house is a gift shop with some fun nostalgic items, including wooden toys.

Brused Books

Brused Books is one of those stores that has been around that it not only has a dear place in my heart now but walking the crowded aisles reminds me of my teen years. It's quickly become my son's favorite place as well.

I believe everyone needs a good used book store. There are things you can find there that you can't find anywhere else. I have to say that most of the time when I go there looking for something specific, I find it. Usually for a fair price.

We often bring in books to exchange for store credit (or the ocassional dollar). It's fun seeing our old books on the shelves and finding new ones to take home. Last night my son brought in a bag of books with the idea he was going to get cash but before we left he had found several books he wanted to buy. He's going to think it over since his books will be priced this morning. He's a big cartoon fan (Gary Larsen, Calvin and Hobbes) but also a huge Beatles fan and at the counter was a beautiful copy of Beatles Diary.
I think he'll be filling his newly emptied shelf on the bookcase.

The other thing about Brused Books that's fun is the Fair Trade or Just Trade area. These shelves are filled with chocolates and crafts from around the world. They are so fun and the chocolate is the best you will ever eat (I'll say that about other chocolates and it will always be true).


Brused Books is on Main Street between Grand and Kamiaken. They have a small parking lot of Paradise with a back entrance. They are open Monday through Friday 11-6, Saturdays 10-6 and Sundays 12-5.

Belltower - Pullman WA

The Belltower is a church that has been converted to a event center and offers space for shops.
The downstairs houses the Red Cross office for Whitman County and a variety of other businesses (I will share more later because I want to focus on them individually).
It's worth the time to check those out. However, the Belltower is working on a reputation for being a great place to enjoy music. They have concerts on a nearly weekly basis. They average $13 if you buy at the door and $10 if you buy ahead of time (I did notice that one concert coming up was less than this). You can get tickets at Atom Heart.
Check out their information at their website or find them on facebook.
The Belltower has a full bar for the concerts but they are open for any ages. I stopped in for their free outdoor concert during the Artwalk and was just impressed.

Parks on Spring Street - Pullman WA

The northern section (north of main street) of Spring Street becomes Riverside Street as it curves around Spring St. Park and the City Playfields. Along this stretch are the two parks I mentioned and an RV Park. As parks go this area is often overlooked by those who don't have kids who are sports oriented. I, honestly, forget these parks are here. Revisiting them, I remember my teen years and how much I loved the area.
Spring St Skate Park is a newer park (sort of). The grass area has been a public space for as long as I can remember but in the last fifteen(ish) years a skate park has crept up. I can't tell you what year the skate park was built but it has given the youth of Pullman a safe place to skateboard and bicycle. It's not overly fancy but it's a nice facility surrounded by green spaces.


The river/creek flows through the area and under the Main St Bridge and then connects to the City Playfields.

The playfields have three (count them - 3) softball fields. The fields are surrounded by a walking/jogging track with exercise stations. The park site lists the following additional amenities - volleyball standards, batting cages, picnic tables, drinking fountains and restrooms. I keep thinking that this should be our new walking area so we can get to know the park better.


The last park on this stretch is the RV Park.


You may think that because you don't have an RV that this park isn't something you'd be interested in. It's overlooked most weekends (except football and graduation weekends). Not only can you park your RV here, you can pitch a tent. For $10 you have a perfect place to stay the night in Pullman. It's rather quiet and a nice little place. When we lived in the country, we camped here for the Lentil Festival. It's not a far walk from downtown here (only 2 blocks from Reaney Park and about 6 from the corner of Main and Grand). Despite being so close to downtown, it offered a quiet sleep that night. It has potties, running water and fire pits.
For special weekends, you do need to make reservations and the park is close from December through February (which makes sense cause no one wants to camp when it's that cold). For more information about the RV Park, check out their site.

SYG Nursery - Pullman WA

One of the things I love to do is wander through nurseries. They are like little parks and perfect yards. I no longer have a yard but I can't help but drool over the various plants and cute lawn ornaments. SYG has been one of those places I have planned on checking out for the past 3 years but never made it. It is out of the way but so worth the little trip.
There's not much to say about what they have to offer since the pictures really do tell the tale.




SYG Nursery is at 3253 Brayton Rd (take Park from State and follow it until you find SYG - at some point Park becomes Brayton). They are open Monday through Saturday 8-5:30 with some summer Sunday hours.

Artwalk - Pullman WA

Starting today, Pullman is hosting an artwalk. What this means is that local businesses are featuring local artists in their shops. This is a great opportunity to view some amazing art work, get to know local shops and find some deals. Many of the businesses are also participating in Crazy Days this week which is lots of sales and grab bags.
Grab bags are my favorite because it's like getting a present and they are often really inexpensive. One year we got Harry Potter gift bags that had Harry Potter lego pens and other toys.
During this, Lily Bees is hosting a silent auction for Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (or ATVP).

Come Friday, the artists will be around for the reception. You'll get free snacks and a chance to meet local artists.
Pullman is a full art community. I am always amazed at the number of artists, writers, etc in the area. There's something about the Palouse that just calls to the creative to come and stay. I'm certain there will be art available for sale and a chance to really have some fun.
There are maps at the chamber office or at participating stores. I know that Chipman and Taylor will have sculptures and downtown businesses will have artwork. Daily News had a special insert you can view here.
I'm excited. Tonight we'll be scoping out the concerts in the park at Reaney and Friday we'll be snapping pictures of the Artwalk. Hope to see you there.