“On any given day in Spokane, Washington, there are more adult men per capita riding children's BMX bikes than in any other city in the world.”
- Jess Walter, Author
You know you're from Spokane when:
Somebody is open carrying a gun in practically any store... and nobody minds:
Anyone from Spokane has likely seen a gun on somebody at a store, Spokanite's just see this as a normal part of life. We are from the East side and we're proud of it. "Don't tread on me"
You know to avoid Sprague Avenue at night like the plague:
Sprague gets a terrible rep, let's be real. In its defense, it didn't choose to be hooker central! Or have a high crime rate, and it does have some cool places along it. Poor Sprague Avenue, so misunderstood. Still, everyone has grown up knowing to avoid Sprague and the immediate areas around it... especially at night.
You can pronounce it correctly and know where it is:
Anyone not from around here likely misplaces exactly where Spokane is located. "Oh, Is that near the Tri-Cities?"... well, kinda sorta but not really. And Eastern Washington isn't close either, we have quite the expanse of land here! Generally I settle for "the other side of the state". Also, it is pronounced Spoe-Can.
You use Spokane to illustrate a massive geological region:
Technically Spokane is a city, it's in a county named after it but there's a lot of land we call "Spokane" around it that really isn't. If you're from the area, you will generally use Spokane to describe about a third of the state of Washington. You also know that it's a thriving city and metropolitian area, not just a wasteland as somebody from the Puget Sound area might beleive. Oh well! As a professor used to say, "good enough for government work!"
You think of your half of the state as another land:
It's always been us and them regarding Eastern and Western Washington. From the dawn of the state actually, the difference is immense. Start with political affiliations for example.... those darn Cascade mountains have forever divided us. You never got away living in Spokane without hearing somebody want to become their own state.
Country music is common in your life and you're used to seeing farm land:
Anyone from Spokane knows, country music is likely to be heard everywhere. If you're from here. you probably listen to it at times too. Yes, we're diverse but Spokane has always had a small town country feel to it. And being around farm animals and farms occasionally isn't anything new.
Snow doesn't stop you:
If you spent a winter or more here, you've become accustomed to driving in snow, ice and generally poor conditions. In case you're wondering, that is Mt. Spokane State Park in the photo. There are almost no snow days for anyone, single digits or negatives isn't shocking, and you'll usually go about your business as usual. Albeit, with a little caution. Winter wonderland applies here! Silly Seattle *cough pansies cough*
You run once a year and it's in the Lilac Bloomsday Run:
Lilac City anyone? Yes, that's a street in downtown Spokane on Bloomsday. This is a major event synonymous with Spokane, and it happens to be the only day most of us run at all. Okay, so maybe we walk it but still! Usually a beautiful spring day, a
Hoopfest is either life or you hide at home hoping you don't die:
Hoopfest is the largest event of its kind in the world and Spokane is darn proud of it, an annual 3 on 3 tournament, it's a spectacle to behold. It's also typically blazing hot, has far too many people, and many dread the mess it makes. You either love it, and look forward to attending every year or you hide away as far from downtown as possible. Woe to the unsuspecting person who finds themself downtown during this event.
Manito Park hold's a special place in your heart:
At 90 acres, Manito Park and Botanical Gardens is a sight to behold. Few who have lived here have yet to venture to this turn of the century (20th) beauty. Originally housing a zoo until the great depression, many fond memories have been made here and being free it is the perfect place for anybody to spend some times. If you visit Spokane, it is a must see!
You're also very familiar with Riverfront Park:
Venturing downtown is not without the inevitable encounter of Riverfront Park. Also a famous stopping point for many, this 100-acre park is more recent, having been built for Expo '74. This was the world's first environmentally themed world fair and the remnant has been excellently preserved. The clock tower is iconic, the river is timeless, and the Looff Carousel is a quaint piece of history.
You remember when Gonzaga wasn't on the national radar for Basketball:
Like many, growing up Gonzaga was just another college. Yes, it has always been a good one but mention Gonzaga outside a certain area and few people knew about it. In recent years, their basketball team has put them on the map. Go anywhere in the US and somebody is bound to know the school.
There's countless things synomynous with Spokane, the beautiful Bowl and Pitcher, the infamous make out point, Cliff Park, overlooking the city... the list goes one. Regardless, these are but a few of my favorite things of Spokane that makes my hometown my favorite city. I may not want to live there, but I'll always enjoy going for a visit. A true Spokanite will always call Spokane home.
