The Great Outdoors. Yeah, that's a bit of a cliché, in addition to the title of an underrated John Candy/Dan Aykroyd film.

But the outdoor opportunities we have here in the Inland Northwest are unique, and we're lucky to have such lakes, rivers, mountains, trails and trees within such close proximity. You don't get that everywhere, so we want you to get out there and give the outdoors a go. We know that outdoor recreation, with all the associated equipment and hard-core experts, can be intimidating. That's why we've given you ways to break into a few different sports. We even have a testimonial from a woman who stumbled into a hobby as a competitive sailor. There's also the skinny on how to get a cheap bike, overcome your fear of sheer rock walls and rekindle your lost love of water skiing, and even the very basics on going camping. Come on: You can do this.

- MIKE BOOKEY Section Editor, Casual Outdoorsman

CLINK THE LINKS BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO:

CAMPING

WATER-SKIING

BIKING

SAILING

ROCK CLIMBING

SPOKATOPIA

33 Artists Market @ The Wonder Building

Sat., April 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., May 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., June 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., July 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Aug. 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat., Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Mike Bookey

Mike Bookey was the Inlander's culture editor from 2012-2016. He previously held the same position at The Source Weekly in Bend, Oregon.