One of the most empowering aspects of the Choose Your Own Adventure book series—so long ago—was just that: you held all of the power to choose which direction to go in, which activity to partake in, which adventure to engage it . . . the options were all yours. As vitamin D levels increase throughout the region, we’ve pulled together a little book-o-fun for land, sea, and air destinations you won’t want to miss out on this summer. Grab your friends and family, or journey solo and pull together your own adventures from the choices throughout the next section.

HAVE FINS WILL SWIM

Fun Unlimited

Five years ago Keith and Cara Quien traded the nine-to-five life for a “job” they could get excited about. Their love of water sports and life in the Inland Northwest fueled the brainstorming and Fun Unlimited was born.

They are so passionate about introducing paddleboards to beginners they launched their own line of entry-level boards. The line is called Stillwater Outdoor, intentionally designed to be utilized on the still waters of the lakes and rivers in our region. Stillwater Outdoor SUPs are wider and more stable and user friendly than other models making them a great solution for Fun Unlimited customers and have recently become available online for purchase.

This summer Fun Unlimited is offering rentals in two locations along the Spokane River. Their main rental operation is located in Post Falls at the Red Lion Templin’s Hotel Marina where they offer their full line of rentals and the option of using rentals straight from the beach or taking them to your own destination for the day. The other location is at the new Downtown River Access in Spokane, under the Division Street bridge near the Convention Center. Both locations offer calm and peaceful water.  www.cdasports.com.

Spokane River Rafting with ROW Adventures

Very few cities in the United States have a river flowing through their heart. Spokane is blessed by the gorgeous Spokane River gorge that is a hidden wilderness within an otherwise urban landscape. Most people only see the Spokane River as it flows by the Opera House, through Riverfront Park and over the dramatic Spokane Falls. But just another half mile downstream, the river begins a meandering eight-mile journey through a canyon of mostly undeveloped land, including Riverside State Park and the Bowl and Pitcher. As you gaze upon towering ponderosa pines, huge formations of basalt cliffs and watch osprey and eagles soar overhead, it’s hard to believe you’re within minutes of downtown.

Later in the summer, when the whitewater section gets too low to raft, ROW Adventures’ lower Spokane River gentle float provides boaters with an easy trip where you can experience nature and beautiful scenery. For more information, visit rowadventurecenter.com.

Silverwood’s Boulder Beach

Located in North Idaho, Silverwood Theme Park has more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including four roller coasters, a steam engine train, live entertainment, restaurants, and more, but Boulder Beach is a not-to-be-missed summertime swimming mecca with thrills for every age. silverwoodthemepark.com

SPREADING YOUR WINGS

Avian Balloon Corporation—Hot Air Balloons

Avian Balloon Company was founded by Forey Walter in 1974 and can claim the distinction of being the oldest balloon manufacturing company in the United States which still has its original name and management. In addition to manufacturing balloons in the Spokane Valley, Avian offers unique sight-seeing tours of the Spokane region.

Avian’s Standard Balloon flight begins with a passenger briefing discussing safety procedures for your flight. You watch the unfolding and inflation of the giant balloon, then board a traditional hand crafted wicker basket. The flight begins by the ground slipping away as you escape the confines of earth’s gravity.

If you can imagine the thrill of hot air ballooning combined with the luxury of gourmet dining then the Aerial Cuisine by Avian is the option for you. A full course gourmet meal is prepared and served by your personal, on-board chef while you enjoy a spectacular view.

Allow three hours for these romantic high-adventure experiences. Morning flights are only offered on the weekend, and afternoon flights are every day of the week. Your adventure of a lifetime includes preflight activities, at least one hour of flight time, post flight activities, and a ride back to the launch field. avianballoon.com.

Spokane Soaring Society

The Spokane Soaring Society (SSS) is a glider soaring club based at the Deer Park Airport, a short drive north of Spokane. SSS offers a 20-minute introductory ride for a reasonable rate and has gift certificates available. SSS is a membership based club for those who are interested in learning to pilot gliders or want to join a group of experienced operators. The club mostly flies on weekends, but arrangements can be made to fly any day of the week from mid-April to mid-October.

SSS consists of about 26 active members including one full-time and one part-time flight instructor. The club operates three gliders; a 2-33 two-place basic trainer, a Lark IS-28b2 two-place advanced trainer, and a Pegasus. The tow plane is a Piper Pawnee PA25-235. There are about seven privately-owned ships based at the location. spokanesoaring.com

White Rabbit Helitours

Helitours have been popular for years in resort destinations, and Spokane is no different. White Rabbit Helitours is a new option offering several different tours. The Spokane City Tour offers a 12-15 minute ride offering spectacular views of Riverfront Park, Spokane Falls, St. John’s Cathedral and Gonzaga campus. The Sunset Tour makes for a memorable date night. A sunset tour for up to three people lets you and your guests enjoy the beautiful colors of a Spokane sunset while sipping a glass of wine. If that’s not enough, you can work with White Rabbit’s team to customize a thirty-minute tour for yourself and two guests. This is an incredible option for popping the big question, entertaining clients, or courting new employees. flywhiterabbit.com.

Mica Moon Zipline

Canopy tour zip lining was popularized by wildlife biologists studying wildlife in densely forested and environmentally sensitive areas. They erected arrays of cables strung tree-to-tree to unobtrusively snake into or above a forest canopy without disturbing the wildlife or damaging sensitive ecosystems. Because of the inherently educational nature of canopy tours, they are often combined with ropes challenge courses designed to teach teamwork and problem solving to corporations, schools, and other organizations.

Be Superman and soar like the Man of Steel on Mica Moon’s Zip Tours. The tour is approximately two and a half hours long beginning with a short and informative 15-minute shuttle ride from the Liberty Lake Portal to property halfway up Mica Peak, south of Liberty Lake. From there, guests will take an exciting ride in specially outfitted (side by side) UTVs on panoramic trails to the top of the property. Guides will then outfit guests with the appropriate gear, and after a short orientation and two practice zips, begin the tour which threads through deep forest glens, across a private valley, over a beautiful mountain stream, and near historic moonshine camps where “Mica Moon” moonshine was produced during the days of Prohibition. Most of the scenery can be seen from a unique birds-eye perspective high in the treetops.

There are two short trail hikes and the opportunity to get a glimpse of wildlife including hawks, deer, elk, and moose which can add surprises to the tour. Mica Moon offers season passes, group rates, and special tours. micamoon.com.

Coeur d’Alene Parasail

Coeur d’Alene Parasail offers an unusual way to experience Lake Coeur d’Alene. The ability to fly has always excited people and parasailing offers a unique sensation of flying. They are located downtown Coeur d’Alene on the Independence Point City Dock. The dock is just west of the Coeur d’Alene Resort and is shared by the Sea Planes.

The trained ride operators harness you into the parachute, which feels like you are sitting on a swing. Flyers are winched out into the air from the deck of the boat, then winched back in to the deck after flight. You can choose to be dipped in the water or not, so swim wear is optional.

The standard flight is with a 600-foot line and once you are all the way up it’s quiet and peaceful. You hear the faded sound of boats driving below you, the gentle flapping of the chute and a breeze going by. At 800 feet of line, their Stratosphere ride, offers the flyer a view more than 600 feet off the water, a few hundred feet over most of the buildings in downtown Coeur d’Alene and even higher than the Space Needle in Seattle. You can see all of Coeur d’Alene and well into Post Falls and Hayden. cdaparasail.com

GETTING OUTTA DODGE

Olympic Game Farm

For more than 40 years, Olympic Game Farm has provided an opportunity for visitors from all over the world to learn and observe wildlife, igniting countless imaginations. Olympic Game Farm is the place to get face-to-face and experience wildlife at close range, offering visitors the opportunity to really see a tiger’s stripes, a rare white Siberian tiger, a Kodiak bear’s huge size, or to get slobbered by a buffalo. They now offer camel and pony rides, too.

In addition to a driving tour, the farm offers a summertime combo tour including a visit to their petting farm, aquarium, duck pond, pheasant aviary, and raccoon enclosure, as well as a guided tour of the reptile house and Historical Studio Barn.

The Olympic Game Farm is located on the Olympic Penninsula in Sequim, Washington. olygamefarm.com.

Nelson Kootenay Lake

Along the 65-mile shoreline of pristine, glacial-fed Kootenay Lake, lies a long list of things to do over the summer months. In Nelson, Kaslo and Meadow Creek garden festivals and artisan markets busy the visitors weekly. Larger festivals excite lovers of music to sports: Tiny Lights, Kaslo Jazz Festival, Artwalk, Elephant Mountain Literary Festival, CYSWOG’N Triathlon, Shambhala, SS Moyie Pirate Days, Nelson Fat Tire Festival, Columbia Basin Culture Tour and Queen City Cruise Car Show. It’s not boring here. We like to tell people we are a place of, and for, free spirits and well-rounded squares. What kind of traveler are you? Explore aimlessly: nelsonkootenaylake.com.

The Gorge Amphitheatre

The Gorge Amphitheatre is a 20,000-seat concert venue located above the Columbia River gorge in George, Washington. Administered by LiveNation, it is considered one of the premier and most scenic concert locations in North America and the world. The venue offers sweeping and majestic views of the Columbia River, as well as extreme eastern Kittitas County and extreme western Grant County.

The Gorge is known for its spectacular views, lawn-terrace seating, and concert-friendly weather. It has been the home of many historic concerts, from bands such as Pearl Jam, Shania Twain, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Van Halen, Rush, Radiohead, The Who, Aerosmith, Metallica, John Mayer, The Police, Britney Spears, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jack Johnson, The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, and Tool. It is home of the annual Sasquatch! Music Festival, the Vans Warped Tour, and the west edition of the Christian music Creation Festival.  Open early spring through late fall. georgeamphitheatre.com.

Newport Biayakathon

The Biayakathon, brain child of Rory Axel, was created with the non-running multi-sport athlete in mind. Rory, who kayaks and bikes on a regular basis found that most races that combine these sports also require a running portion. With injuries that preclude him from running, Rory set out to create a unique racing experience that did not include running. This exciting race features a Kayak and Bike portion hence the name Bi (Bike) ayak (Kayak) athon (race). The Pend Oreille Youth Task Force is the sponsoring agency for the Biayakathon. They helped create the race as a fun way to create awareness for substance abuse. The fifth annual Biayakathon will be held on August 27 and be run out of Oldtown Rotary Park in Newport. Online registration closes August 18. biayakathon.weebly.com.

Maryhill Winery Summer Concert Series

Originally hailing from Spokane, Craig and Vicki Leuthold cashed in their corporate careers and followed their dream of starting a winery to Goldendale, WA. Located at the southern tip of the Columbia Valley appellation, the location is not only an area of unsurpassed natural beauty; its warm climate, Walla Walla silt loam soil resting on remnants of the Missoula flood and steady breezes, make it an ideal site for growing wine grapes.

With a lot of hard work and determination, the Leutholds achieved their dream of creating a true destination winery with a 3,000-square-foot tasting room, a beautiful vine-covered arbor, world-class bocce courts, picnic grounds and an adjacent 4,000 seat amphitheater that hosts a world-class summer concert series that returns again this summer. The amphitheater lineup this season includes Tears for Fears, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy, Chris Isaak, but the winery offers live music by some of the best performers in the Pacific Northwest every weekend Memorial Day through September from 1p.m. -5 p.m. maryhillwinery.com.

STAY AND PLAY

Whether you’re visiting Spokane for vacation, business, or a major conference or event, these area hotels offer packages guaranteed to make the most of your time in the region.

Davenport Collection

The historic Davenport Hotel, the foundation of the Davenport Collection, has been a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century. Since its reopening the hotel collection has grown to include the Davenport Tower, The Davenport Lusso, and the new Davenport Grand. All of these hotels are located in the heart of downtown Spokane servicing convention and conference visitors, vacationers, and regional residents in need of a luxurious get away. World-class service, sublime surroundings and luxury within reach are all things you’ll find within the Davenport Hotels Collection. Romance, get-away, spa, shopping, wine tasting and golf packages are offered.  davenporthotelcollection.com.

Coeur d’Alene Resort

There is something magical about a visit to The Coeur d’Alene Resort. With idyllic landscape, year-round activities, and its spectacular setting at the shore of one of America’s most beautiful lakes, it is no wonder Lake Coeur d’Alene has been christened the “Playground of the Northwest.” At The Coeur d’Alene Resort they have mastered the art of relaxation. With luxurious accommodations, rejuvenating spa treatments, sumptuous cuisine, breathtaking holiday displays, and world-class golf which includes the world’s only floating green, this four-star resort continues to be the destination of choice for discerning travelers worldwide. Packages can be viewed at cdaresort.com.

Best Western City Center

Whether you are traveling on business or leisure, you are going to love being just steps from shopping, restaurants, entertainment and incredible attractions. Conveniently located within walking distance of the Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, and Riverfront Park, Best Western offers great value for customers in their newly renovated hotel offering a complimentary hot breakfast complete with cheese omelets, sausage, waffles, yogurt, fresh fruit and more. For information on packages call (509) 623-9727.

Hotel Ruby

Located in the heart of downtown Spokane, Hotel Ruby is only steps away from the city’s most popular destinations: the beautiful Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls, shopping at River Park Square Mall, across the street from the historic Bing Crosby Theater, the Fox Theater and the Knitting Factory Concert House, and a short distance from Spokane Arena and Spokane Convention Center. For package information go to hotelrubyspokane.com.

STAYING GROUNDED

Airway Motocross Park

Airway Motocross Park began with a passion and a dream. Founders Joshua Hitchens and John Thorsen were exposed to motocross riding before they hit double digits and were hooked. The memories they made, skills they learned, and just plain love of the sport did not fade when they both started families. The desire to build awareness of this great family sport brought them together and they opened Airway Motocross Park. It is a race and ride development facility located in Airway Heights. Because of its location it brings in riders from all over the Northwest including Canada. The track is groomed to promote skill building and is appropriate for all skill levels. Airway Motocross produces top motocross athletes and provides healthy family fun. The 2016 season consists of 101 scheduled practices, and several series of racing. Airway holds twelve days of Motocross Races, seven Supercross Races, two scrambles in late October, and a Pro Race each May. Check out everything Airway Motocross has to offer, including camping facilities, at Airwaympx.com.

St. George’s School Story Trail

Built in 2012 by Saint George’s School, a private, non-religious, college preparatory school serving students kindergarten through twelfth grade, this trail is the first-ever reading nature trail in Spokane and is maintained by the school’s students. The trail is located on the school’s beautiful 120-acre campus on the Little Spokane River northwest of Spokane. sgs.org.

Spokane Valley Summer Theatre

The Spokane Valley Summer Theatre (SVST) is a professional summer theatre housed at the Central Valley High School Performing Arts Center at 821 S. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley.

The founders and leaders of SVST are no strangers to the area and you know the quality of their work, professionalism and creativity. They are: former national award-winning executive artistic director of Spokane Civic Theatre, Yvonne A. K. Johnson, Brian Dalen Gunn, managing director, and director of education, Ashley D’Lyn Gunn.

The mission of SVST is to enrich, entertain and serve the community in a safe, professional environment. In their inaugural season they will be producing Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story starring Brian Dalen Gunn, Oliver! and Bring It On: The Musical. svsummertheatre.com.

Outdoor Movies

BECU Outdoor Movies at Riverfront Park is a summer outdoor theater with entertainment, trivia, food trucks and big screen movies. On Wednesdays—June 15 through July 20—enjoy a family-friendly outdoor movie experience. Seating opens at 7 p.m., movies show at dusk. Event entry is $5 per person at the gate and rain or shine you’ll enjoy live entertainment, vendors, activities and prize raffles. Kiddos five and under are free. The summer outdoor movie events happen in the Lilac Bowl, just east of the Clock Tower. Parking is best in Riverfront Park lots 1, 2, 6 and downtown across from the wagon or Convention Center. epiceap.com

Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department offers free movies at Mirabeau Meadows Park in the Spokane Valley. The family-friendly movies are offered on July 8, 22, and August 5 and begin at sunset. There is a fun-filled hour of children’s activities prior to the movie’s start. Spokanevalley.org.

Spokane Outdoor Movies is an outdoor movie event provider in Spokane. They are part of the fastest growing, nationwide group of outdoor movie service providers under the FunFlicks brand, while still providing local service.

Spokane Outdoor Movies offers a variety of inflatable screen sizes, movie projection systems and audio options allowing them to service just about any event size imaginable. From backyard parties, large neighborhood movie events or township movie nights, they have the equipment to make your next movie event a smashing success. funflicks.com.

STAYING GROUNDED

Hot Summer Nights 2016

Another decade has passed and “The Big Cheese” Vince Bozzi is at it again with a post-war celebration of the 1940s. We’re calling all the ducky dancers and swinging cats together for another fabulous night at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. Much like the lavish parties of the 20s and 30s in the old speakeasy days, get ready to flip your wig and dance the night away to the music of The Blue Mustangs and DJ skills of SpokaneVoice.

July 22^, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. should be on your calendar for the hottest party of the summer. The event is put on by Bozzi Media and Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine and hosted at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. General admission and VIP tickets are available. Visit Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living’s Facebook page for event details and a list of participating vendors.

Spokane Party Trolley

Exercise your right to party on Spokane’s only “trolley cycle,” an 8-16 passenger pedal-powered party bike for groups on the move at just the right speed to enjoy downtown. No driving, no parking, no slacking.

Spokane Party Trolley provides a fun, safe, eco-friendly form of group entertainment with some light exercise while taking a slow ride through town stopping at local places to eat, to drink, or to enjoy the scenery. They actively partner with local businesses and charities to increase each other’s visibility—and revenue—and to support Spokane’s economy and community. Learn more at spokanepartytrolley.com.

Ronald McDonald House Polo Classic

Save the date for the 12th Annual Cobra Polo Classic, on Sunday, September 11, Ronald McDonald House of Spokane’s (RMHC) largest fundraiser of the year.

RMHC provides temporary lodging, comfort and support for families with children accessing medical services in Spokane, and supports related efforts to improve children’s health in our region. The Cobra Polo Classic whisks partygoers away to green pastures, beautiful hats, flowing Champagne, gorgeous horses and their talented polo jockeys, emotional tales of incredibly brave children, and the most expensive auction puppy around. Pull on your party pants—and dresses—for the Champagne stomp, spot the golden horseshoe, and celebrate what is bound to be one of the best days of your life in the cigar tent. rmhcspokane.org.

National Lentil Festival 

Our area of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, the Palouse Region, grows a third of the lentils in the United States. Since 1989, the National Lentil Festival has celebrated this wonderful little legume that is consumed by people all over the world.That’s worth celebrating. With a cooking demo stage, lentil cookout  beer and wine garden, celebration of the Lentil Family of the Year, crowning of the Lentil King and Queen, fundraising and donations for local charities, and entertainment for the whole family you should plan on enjoying Pullman’s original food and brew fest in its 28th year. August 19-20. lentilfest.org.

Valleyfest

Valleyfest is an annual three-day community festival bringing the greater region together since 1990. The community-wide celebration is held each September at Mirabeau Point Park and CenterPlace Regional Event Center in the Spokane Valley. Valleyfest exposes talent that enriches the Spokane region and celebrates the visual and performing arts, education, science, and recreation so the entire community can experience them. Valleyfest 2016 kicks off on Friday, September 23. valleyfest.org.

Festival at Sandpoint

The Festival at Sandpoint has presented music under the stars, on the lake in Sandpoint, Idaho, since 1983. The nonprofit arts organization was founded by a group of local volunteers who wanted to introduce symphonic music to the area and provide an economic boost for their community. The Festival’s Principal Conductor since 1999 is Gary Sheldon. The two-week series now includes an eclectic range of country, jazz, blues, folk, world, rock and pop concerts. Check out the lineup and get your tickets at festivalatsandpoint.com.