Seriously, has there ever been a better time to be a little girl? That thought races through my mind as I watch an endless line of young fireballs cleaning out the smaller sizes of bright green “#TEAMKristin” T-shirts.
I’m reminded of my own daughters at that impressionable age, when they learned to dream of becoming mechanical engineers or doctors or whatever their hearts desire.
I think about the inspirational surfer Bethany Hamilton, who said “Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.”
I had the pleasure of watching thousands of proud folks in the city of Boise, Idaho pack Municipal Park to honor one of the city’s favorite daughters, Kristen Armstrong a few years ago.
This capital city in Idaho’s Treasure Valley sits nestled along foothills that rise to the northeastern horizon with a broad river flowing through its heart, embracing an independent Western spirit that appreciates the fruits of combining no-nonsense character with a strong work ethic.
Armstrong represents having accomplished the nearly unthinkable: Winning the gold medal in three consecutive Olympiads in the women’s individual time trial.
The celebration for Armstrong got delayed by a downtown traffic jam, allowing the throng who arrived by bicycle to get first dibs on the T-shirts.
Eventually Armstrong fought back tears when officials unveiled a sign, renaming the gem of the Boise park system Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park.
It’s one of the 10 parks that make up the Ribbon of Jewels along Boise’s river trail. Each park named to honor local women who have made great contributions over the years.
Your bicycle offers the best way to explore and capture the essence of any Northwestern city or town, and most have poured millions in public funds into these wonderful gateways.
I’ve shared some of Oregon’s great river trails. Here are three more in the Northwest worth a cruise:
Boise, Idaho: Greenbelt Riverfront Trail
Although it’s difficult for younger generations to remember, back in the ‘60s and ‘70s when Baby Boomers were just coming of age, most of America’s rivers and shorelines were abused as dump sites, and the Boise River was no exception.
In the mid-1960s an environmental friendly philosophy forged a new vision for Boise’s riverfront and the city began acquiring land for its Greenbelt project.
Today 25 miles of bike and pedestrian paths line the river with seemingly endless parks, bridges, scenic views and now art and dining districts.
In addition to the wildlife, where else can you take a break to watch a river surfer?
Boise rates as one of the best cycling cities anywhere and probably my favorite aside from Eugene.
Wenatchee, Washington: Apple Capital Loop
With the mighty Columbia River flowing between the 5-mile sections of the Apple Loop on either side, a ride on this trail reconnects with Wenatchee’s history and its lifeline to the waterway that can be lost while riding among its downtown buildings.
Instead of each side simply repeating scenic views in reverse, the loop exposes the geography of this valley where the North Cascades gently surrender to rolling orchards.
The west side of the trail shows off art sculptures, gardens and parks of the industrious folks of Wenatchee while the east side features more of the natural habitat of the valley before irrigation helped spring apple trees from the sandy dunes along the shoreline.
Wenatchee is a little off the beaten path, but worth the effort.
Seattle: Elliott Bay Trail
Although Seattle’s vibrant cycling community enjoys seemingly endless options to explore the city by bicycle, most visitors invariably find themselves in or near Pike Place Market with the scent of the sea filling their lungs and views of Puget Sound calling to them.
For those folks, the Elliott Bay Trail will deliver an eclectic experience of big city waterfront reality.
Elliott Bay Trail isn’t a cohesive self-contained trail but instead a collection of segments that can transport one from Smith Cove to the West Seattle Bridge.
Along the way you glide through parks, past cruise ship terminals, railroad yards, marinas, ferry terminals and hardcore shipping terminals — often with stunning views of the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle to your east and snowcapped Olympic Mountains and the Sound itself to the west.
Time to ride.
