Movies at the CUB, Pullman Washington

One thing I have always loved about living in Pullman is the movies at the CUB. There have been times the movies have been free to everyone and at one time they showed movies for the community through the summer. I remember watching Dances With Wolves in the middle of a summer storm and the power went out. Another time they showed The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and my cousin, brothers and I had known every line much to the dismay to the person in front of us. Ach - it was free and we were bored (and loved that movie).
The movies still go on. They are free to students with a Cougar Card but only $2 for everyone else, so much cheaper than any other. The movies run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are pre-DVD release movies so it's a great opportunity to catch them in the theatre.
For current information go to the SEB film website.

WSU School of Music Concerts and Recitals

On a weekly basis, you can find a free concert or recital from the WSU School of Music. In the past, I have overlooked these activites but last night we saw Chris Dickey perform on the euphonium and tuba. That seems like a strange introduction to the performances from the School of Music but my grandfather played the euphonium so it felt like a chance to get to know this man who died before I was born.
It was an interesting recital. The songs were entertaining and the event was short (only an hour with an intermission). We were captivated.
Most events with the School of Music are free, with a few that sell tickets. The calendar can be found here. They are at odd times from morning to afternoon to evening.
For those not real keen on sitting through classical music, try picturing the smurfs while listening. That image entertained my 14 year old son through the entire thing. However, smurfs led to visions of dancing hippos and alligators (ala fantasia). I thought the Pink Panther cartoons fit better in places but it was all good giggly fun and I want to apologize to the group sitting behind us. We didn't mean to have so much fun.

Neill's Flowers and Gifts

The third business that shares space with Daily Grind and Lick's is Neill's Flower and Gifts. Neill's has been a landmark in Pullman for generations. They are the place to go for flowers and cutesy little things for home or gift. I love just wandering the store after getting a cup of something hot from Daily Grind.
The inventory rotates on a regular basis so you never know what you are going to find.
Neills is open M-F 9-5:30 and Saturday from 9-5. Check out their website for more information.

Pah-Loots-Pu Pow Wow

Tonight we're heading to Pa-Loots-Pu, the annual WSU/Pullman Pow Wow. This year the festivities are at SEL's event center instead of the Coliseum. I look forward to the change and really participating this year. At the coliseum, the dances were on the floor and a long walk down (and then up for the return) from the rest of the activity. We've always enjoyed watching but I've never been able to convince my family to actually participate.
This year, we are participating. I look forward to seeing all the vendors and hope that more of the native crafts have returned (last year it was more home-based sale businesses like Tupperware than native crafts). Stop in for an Indian taco or just some amazing fry bread.
The event is free. Activities are tonight and all day tomorrow.

Lawson Gardens, Pullman WA

I know I have mentioned Lawson Gardens before but I thought it deserved revisiting so that my readers can have a chance to see the gardens before they close for the season. The Pullman Parks Website says the park is open year round but I know they close off the road/parking lot when the weather turns icy and cold.
Lawson Gardens have become my favorite place to walk with my husband. It's the best of nature that the Palouse has to offer. Until recently, I hadn't taken the time to really explore the gardens because I love the gazebo and it's always been my destination to enjoy the park.
My husband and I have decided that we are going to walk on Wednesdays when our son is at scouts. Lawson Gardens was our first destination and quickly became our favorite. I can't say we get a lot of exercise since the paths are not all that long but they weave around beautiful vegetation and lovely views of newer houses in Pullman.
Getting there is not hard and it's never crowded. The park is located at 705 Derby Street across from Kruegal Park and next to the Scout House (just down the block from the Charlie Brown Water Tower on Spring Street).

Laird Park, Idaho

Laird Park is one of my family's favorite destinations. The federal part of the park is open year round while the small campground is open during the summer months (there is year round camping on the federal land). The park starts just after the entrance to the Boy Scout's Camp Grizzly. The land twists around a mountain offering a variety of fun activites. We go up to hunt for berries and mushrooms while others go up for hunting and riding ATV's. You get up high enough and the view is spectacular. The area is all lush native vegetation and home to several species of animals (and some cows). It's really worth checking out.
To get to Laird from Pullman, go to Moscow and head north to Potlatch. Follow the road east through several small towns and look for the signs on the right. Laird Park does connect with Emerald Creek (home of summer garnet digging).
For more information on the campground go here.

Latah County Fair, Moscow ID

This is a short post today because it's been a long time since I've been to the fair in Moscow so I can't really tell you what it's like.
The Latah County Fairgrounds are located north of the Eastside Mall with the Quilts and needlecrafts at the mall next to Dollar Tree.
The hours are 10-10 Friday and Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. There is no admission fee and I saw a fry bread truck so you know where I'll be.
Aside from all the exhibits, the fair promises to have interesting live events and lots of rides.
For more information go to the fair website.

Daily Grind, Pullman WA

I posted about Lick's on Monday so it seemed only right to talk about the Daily Grind.

The Daily Grind has been a fixture in Pullman for some years. It started as a kiosk (on Davis Way if I remember that correctly). There are still kiosks in Pullman (and one in Colfax) but when people talk about the coffeeshop - more often they are talking about the Coffeehouse on Main St.
Housed in an older building that has preserved much of it's history, the Daily Grind is a great place to relax, study or meet up with friends. In the warm months, you can sit out on the enclosed patio. In the cold months, curl up in front of the fireplace.


Occasionally, you'll find music performances but you will always find good coffee. Got a sweet tooth that doesn't mind the cold - try a Peanut Butter Frost which tastes just like frozen peanut butter frosting (very sweet). Me, I prefer their mochas and hot chocolate but especially their teas - chocolate mint tea is awesome. Their prices are decent and the service is always friendly. They also have sandwiches and some foods that rotate on the menu. Check them out on facebook for more information. Daily Grind is open daily from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.

Licks, Pullman WA

The weather is still insanely hot here. It's not all bad, we had great weather for the Palouse Empire Fair last week and good weather in the forecast for the Latah County Fair this year (sorry no Palouse Empire Fair post due to computer malfunction).
The great thing about the hot weather is ice cream. Can't always make it to Ferdinand's on the WSU campus but that's okay because Licks on Main Street carrying Ferdinand's ice cream.

Connected to the Daily Grind Coffeehouse, Licks is an old-fashioned sort of ice cream shop. They serve only the best ice cream and chocolates in a variety of ways. Get your ice cream on a cone, dish or sundae. Worried about it melting - get it in a cup as a smootie or milkshake.

Licks is located at 230 E Main st, downtown Pullman. They are open seven days a week from 11:30 to 10 pm (if no one is in the shop, walk over to Daily Grind for service).
Follow them on facebook to be kept up to date on specials.

Labor Day Weekend

It's coming up to Labor Day Weekend and we're heading west. We'll be spending the weekend with my brother and family in Auburn so I should have good things to share next week. The drive from here to there is such a beautiful drive that we should have great pictures.
This weekend also marks the first football game for WSU. While we're heading west, many people will be heading to Pullman to watch the game. This evening there's a celebration on Olsen St (in front of Neill Public Library). It will have food to purchase and free bouncy castles for the kids. The athletic teams will be around for autographs and pictures. It should be fun.

Bear Center, Pullman WA

One of our favorite places to visit (and it's free) is the Bear Center or for us - The Bears. WSU houses a research facility that studies Grizzly Bears. The bears live in a large enclosed space that is easily viewed by the public. There is a parking lot and it's open to the public much of the time (just don't leave your car unattended just in case parking services comes).
The bears are located on the corner of Grimes Way and Pullman Airport Rd. It's easier to access them from the airport road than from the campus road.
If you love the visit - leave some change in the parking meter. The department also sells t-shirts.
Go here for directions and here for everything else.

Cafe Moro, Pullman Washington

It comes to no surprise that Pullman is the home of many coffee shops. Seems to me that coffee is synonimous with Washington. We take our coffee drinks very seriously. We have those who prefer it just black and others who want it with milk, flavor, and so much other stuff that the coffee is barely detected. You, almost, can't spit without hitting a coffee shop. The shops are always in use and some days so full that you have no choice but to take your coffee to go.
I'll share more coffee shops with you over the next month but Cafe Moro holds a special place in my heart. It's a small independently owned cafe that has the most friendly staff (to be honest I don't think I've found a place with unfriendly staff but that's not the point).
What attracted me to Cafe Moro is the creativity in which they have created their signature drinks. The flavor combinations are fantastic. Our summer favorite has been the limeade with matcha (green tea). It's a funky smoothie type drink but it's got amazing flavor.
I will admit that Cafe Moro is a little pricey but not overly so. I usually spend $4 when I get a drink there (probably less than Starbucks now that I think about it.)
What I love best is it's artsy feel and cozy spaces. I hear they have concerts so I guess I may share this place once more when I finally attend one.
Check out their website.

Lily Bees

Lily Bees is one of those places that can entertain anyone. We like walking Main street on a Saturday and stopping in here to see what's new. It is a consignment shop but specializes more in antiques and collectibles. There's a great clothing section in the back. I can go in here with my husband and son. More often than not, I'm ready to go before they are which amazes me because it's often the other way around. It's just a fun place to go.
Find them on facebook.

Hero's and Sports, Pullman Washington

Over the next month, it is my plan to share some of the best places for students to visit. So many places get overlooked because they are not as flashy or as accessible. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make the effort, in most cases you will be well rewarded.
Hero's and Sports is a little (and I mean little) sandwich shop on Kamiaken. It sits at the end of the Pufferbelly Depot (not really a part of the depot) next to the river.

It's more of a carry-out sort of place with limited seating at the restaurant. During warm days, you can sit outside but those days will soon be limited.

It may seem strange to get excited about a sandwich shop but Hero's and Sports does the best sandwiches around. You can get them hot or cold, with soup or salad. They also serve wraps and paninis (which are just other types of sandwiches). They do deliver for a small fee. I can't tell you why you need to try them but once you do you'll understand. They are open 11-8pm Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 11 to 5pm. They have their take away menus outside when they are closed so you can grab one for future reference.

The Students are back

August 22 marks the start of the fall semester here at WSU. It also marks the changing from Summer activities to Fall activities. There are many places that cut back during the summer because the students make up a bulk of Pullman and Moscow's populations. This means that businesses have longer hours, some are now open but for those looking for things to do it means an increase of free and inexpensive events in the community. I'll be posting events as I find them. There are a number of cultural events that are certainly worth the expense as well as a plethora of free activities.
Unfortunately, parking is always a problem on campus but after 5 many of the parking lots open up to the public for free and many of the parking structures offer reduced rates. If you can, take the bus and save the parking for others.

Lentil Festival, Pullman Wa Part Two

If you're in the area, come to Pullman tonight and get your free lentil chili. Tomorrow promises to be an even better day (but no chili). We're planning to attend the Lentil Pancake Breakfast in the Cougar Plaza starting at 8 am. The cost is $7 for those over 12 and $5 for those under (with those real young ones getting in free but I can't remember the age cut off). This is the first year we've gone to the breakfast so I can't tell you how it's going to be. Sounds like they have a great menu.
After breakfast, the parade on main street starts at 11 am. This is really some of the real fun of the festival. The entries are silly and amazing.





The parade is long and there is some waiting for slow participants but there's plenty to keep you entertained.
Follow the parade to Reaney park for the rest of the days festivities.
There's booths set up to sell you lentil inspired wares (not all booths have lentils but a number of them will). Set the kids free at the kids activities and sit back and watch the entertainment from the stage. If you're looking for more activity try the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, the skate competition or the softball tournament at the playfields. At 2 there's the lentil cook-off tasting. Get a free sample of the top entries and help choose this year's winner. There's a microbrew tent for those who want to cool off with a beer. Lots of things for everyone to do.





Check out their website for more information.

I want to close with my favorite picture from last year's fun. This little girl had just finished the parade and walked with the Health Department and their Healthy Veggies.

Lentil Festival - Pullman Washington

The Palouse region is one of the few areas in the US that grows dry peas and lentils. We are also the home of the US Dry Pea and Lentil Council. Every year people gather in Pullman to celebrate this little legume with a fun weekend festival.
Today I will share friday activities and on Friday, I'll share Saturday's fun with you. There's a golf tournament on Sunday but since I don't play golf I don't have any fun pictures.
Most of the activities are free to the public so come and enjoy.
Friday - come downtown for the world's largest bowl of lentil chili. The chili is free (except you could be in line for a little bit) but many groups sell cornbread along the street. There are tons of activities as various organizations share their information. There will be additional food for sale. There have been bouncy castles and the like and some years they have been free. I can't say they'll be free this year and the lentil festival site is not sharing that information.

The Mayor helps serve the chili. Here, he's taken a moment to talk with the media about the event. If you haven't meet Glenn Johnson - he's a really nice guy and does a lot of great service to the community.

Bouncy Castle

View from the Red Cross booth - check them out. I'll be there at 8:30 Friday to share information.

Wawawai park

Just south of Pullman is Wawawai County Park. This is a wonderful little park that has so much to offer.
There is some camping at the park but we haven't taken advantage of it. We go down to forage for blackberries and attempt to catch some fish in the little inlet from the Snake River.
The fishings not great in the park but it's pretty and it's fun. There's better fishing on the river and great swimming.
The park has a few amenities - picnic areas, bathrooms, and running water.
Getting there is easy, Go south on Wawawai rd (turn right when the road ends) and it goes right to the park and the river.
There's plenty of free parking and free camping along the river.
For more information, check out their website.

Hamilton Lowe Aquatic Center - Moscow, ID

Every August we make a trip over the border to spend a day that the "Waterpark". It confuses most people because they can't think of where there's a waterpark in the area but if I said we were going to the Aquatic Center, my family thinks of the one up on Military Hill. It's a never ending cycle.
Needless to say, this is a big deal in our family. I don't know why we only do it once a year because the price is really reasonable ($4-5 a person). We started going once a year because we lived so far away but now that we live in Pullman, it's a really short trip.
I can't tell you enough good things about this place except that I forgot my camera and it made me start my day out frustrated. So I'm going to borrow some pics from their site to share.
This is really a place for everyone. It does get crowded but not that bad (we went to Silverwood the next day and I tell you crowded has a whole new meaning).
So what make's Hamilton Lowe so perfect - They have two slides (one that takes innertubes) for the bigger kids, a lazy river and a play structure for the smaller kids. The lap pool offers diving, basketball and the occasional blow-up obstacle course. There are shaded areas for sitting, a picnic area and even a BBQ grill. For the price, you can't do better. For more info, visit their site.

Cowgirl Chocolates - Moscow, ID

Around here local chocolate has a different sort of kick. Cowgirl Chocolates are amazingly smooth candies with a hint or a punch of spice. What makes them different is that Cowgirl Chocolates have pepper in them. You can get them in mild or hot (we're weeny and always get mild) but they are absolutely fun.
You can buy Cowgirl Chocolates at some of the local stores but you need to stop in to the actual shop on third to get the full effect. They offer free samples and fun little cards that explain the flavors. I had never expected chocolate to have so many flavors. The spice adds to the fun.
If chocolate is not your thing or you want to try something more- try the caramels. They don't come in mild - just Habanaro or Chipotle. They have caramel sauces and so much more than they have listed on their website. It's really an adventure. Buy some daisies for your candy dish and sit back and watch hilarity ensue.

Atom Heart - Pullman WA

A music store might not be everyone's idea of a great place to visit but I guarantee there will be something for everyone at Atom Heart. My son begs to go to Atom Heart - the place where all his music dreams are fueled.

Not only do they have the basic - instruments and sheet music, Atom Heart offers consignments and some fairly strange instruments - the walls are lined in guitars but if you look closely you'll find Ukeleles, accordians, and other fun stuff.
They do offer music lessons for a reasonable price and the guy who teaches some of the classes is so amazingly bubbly and talented that it makes me want to take classes.

Take your time in the store and look over the amazing artwork. It's really worth the time.
Atom Heart is on the corner of Olsen St and Kamiaken St in downtown Pullman. Currently there's some road construction there but don't let that stop, park at the library and make your way across the street. Visit their website for more information or to contact them.

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.