Brad Lewis Photography by Jim Ehrhardt

The Brick Wall by Jim Ehrhardt

The Brick Wall Photographic Gallery is the only Spokane gallery dedicated entirely to photography. It is located at the north end Main Street skywalk downtown.It is a little hard to find tucked away in the corner of the second floor but it is well worth visiting.

The Brick Wall displays the works of local fine art, nature, and landscape photographers as well as some works by photography students and educators .

Joe Nuess owns the gallery and this is also the location of his photography studio. 

The gallery is in the three story Bennet Building which dates back to 1890. Part of the third floor is closed off and not generally accessible. But, like the many old attics this dusty old room has a photographic charm.

The Brick Wall Gallery is open to the public. It is always open on Spokane’s First Fridays which are dedicated to the visual arts each month. At other times you might call ahead to make sure the gallery is open when you plan to visit the Brick Wall.

Farmers Market by Jim Ehrhardt

The Saturday Farmers Market at Liberty Lake is in its eleventh year. This market hosts over two dozen farm produce, prepared food, and craft vendors. It has something for everyone.

For the chef of the family here you will find the freshest produce right from the farm.

Or for those planting those own summer garden you will find organic tomato and herb seedlings ready to plant.

Musical entertainment is provided every week.

Other vendors offer their jewelry, scented candles, soaps, and lotions.

The food is great here, so bring an appetite.

On a nice Saturday like this one the Farmers Market is a great place to catch up with friends.

My Small Town by Jim Ehrhardt

Wandering On The Palouse by Jim Ehrhardt

Nothing much was happening at my house Sunday afternoon. The weather was nice, and on the spur of the moment I decided to drive south and wander around the Palouse. I hoped I would be lucky and find some interesting places to photograph.

I drove from Liberty Lake to Pines Road, and then headed south on highway 27.  About 15 miles south of Spokane I stopped at the old Freeman Store for a chocolate bar. That turned out to be my dinner. 

Outside the store I met John who had biked down from Spokane and was about to head back against the wind. We chatted for a bit and I learned he works in Liberty Lake for an engineering company located right across the street from my old company. We talked briefly about cameras and I found that we share an interest in medium format film cameras. He uses a Mamiya RZ67 and I use a Mamiya 6. 

As I drove south again on highway 27 the Palouse started to open up showing its rolling hills, early season mixed green and brown furrowed fields, and glimpses of old farms. My not-very-well thought out plan was simply to drive around in the huge area between highways 27 and 195. Without a map or GPS I was soon lost. 

I drove more or less aimlessly on the gravel and dirt country roads – roads with names that had stories to tell --  Valley Chapel Road, Rattlesnake Run – and I even passed by a Muskrat Lake. I was lost for a good two hours, but it was an easy time and I wasn’t worried about my location. I always knew that I was somewhere between two big highways only 20 miles apart and I’d find my way out sooner or later. 

 The little “E” on my dashboard (which stands for East) eventually led me out of the Palouse’s back road maze. I headed north on 27 again and drove toward the small town of Rockford. That’s where my navigational luck changed.

Instead of continuing north on 27 back toward Spokane, I took off on the side roads again.

After wandering a bit I found myself on Chatcolet Road. I was more interested in looking at all the beautiful valleys and rolling hills to notice that my dashboard continued to show “E”. That evening I ended up in Worley Idaho. 

A Warm Sunny Day by Jim Ehrhardt

This was the warmest day of the year so far, and a beautiful day for a quick trip to Coeur d’Alene. I just missed the float plane which had taken off with its passengers on a chartered tour.

Sherman Avenue is the main street downtown by the lake and it was busy. But, sightseers and traffic just add to the interest of walking around and people watching.

Along the way I met a nice couple who were also out enjoying the day. Kay and Rob recently moved to the area from a much warmer climate. Rob remarked that they had really been waiting for winter to be over and for this nice weather.  

With our long northwest winter it is easy to forget just how great Coeur dAlene can be when the sun and the people finally come out.

Maidens of Mayhem by Jim Ehrhardt

It’s Roller Derby Saturday night and the championship bout is between Spokane’s Maidens of Mayhem  and the Rolling Hills team from Pullman Washington. 

Are we ready yet?

Rolling Hills makes their first score. 

It helps to understand the rules of roller derby otherwise the game indeed looks like mayhem.

Oops, one too many minor penalties and off to the penalty box for a short time. 

Halftime. Just watching the match builds up an appetite.

Jammers take off again when the whistle blows twice.

This is s between you and me now!

Nearing the end of the bout the scores are high – and the Maidens of Mayhem trounce Rolling Hills by 178 to 60!