Connell Oil

Uncle's Games, Puzzles, Etc. is one of those classic little shops that will remind you of how something simple and uncomplicated can be so much fun. In an age where everyone seems to be playing high-tech computer games and videos, Uncle's will transport you back to an era of simple yet fun amusements and games that challenged you to use your imagination. Card decks, classic games, puzzles, and various amusements are everywhere in this comfortable, unassuming shop that you'll want to return to again and again.

The Spokane River offers plenty of water sports and recreation activities, but one favorite is river rafting. The water's intensity varies with the time of year, as during the cooler months the conditions are more amenable for whitewater rafting and in the summer, when the river's volume is low, you can choose to float which is less intense but still quite enjoyable.

When you venture out to the Dishman Hills Natural Area, not only are you destined to see one of Spokane's most beautiful natural scenes, you will be visiting one of its most historic. Named after A.T. Dishman who extracted tons of granite from the site to help rebuild Spokane after the Great Fire of 1889, the area offers several desirable activities for nature lovers. There is a two and a half-mile hike that traverses Eastwood Pond which is available seasonally from March to November. In addition, there are several excellent spots for picnics, family fun and running around. Or, if you prefer, you can just sit and take in the amazing outdoor beauty.

Wine making is something that the Pacific Northwest is known for, and you can get a dramatically detailed view of the what it takes to create a great bottle of wine by visiting the Latah Creek Winery & Gift Shop. This winery is one of the leading Merlot producers in the region, and many visitors enjoy visiting this first-class attraction which is located east of downtown Spokane just off Interstate 90. Not only is the Merlot something special, but the entire facility retains an air of classic beauty as it was built to resemble a Spanish mission. Once you visit and see it all, you'll understand why the Latah Creek Wine Cellar is the most popular winery in the Spokane Valley.