Spokane Falls was one of many delights on a surprise-filled trip to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Spokane Falls was one of many delights on a surprise-filled trip to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Family takes a mystery trip that’s full of adventure

Her family was minutes away from leaving on a road trip, but there was a catch — they had no idea where they were going.

It was July 5 and my daughter and I had our packed suitcases loaded in the car. We were minutes away from leaving on a road trip, but there was a catch — we had no idea where we were going. The answer was in the envelope from our travel agent, Pack Up + Go. I ripped open the envelope and saw our destination. We were headed to Spokane!

Pack Up + Go gave us a folder full of driving directions, suggested activities and information about our preplanned events. They had booked us at the Davenport Tower and made dinner reservations at Anthony’s for later that evening. A sky ride over Spokane Falls and a kayaking excursion were also on the docket. The rest of the adventure was up to us.

I first heard of Pack Up + Go when a friend booked a surprise road trip from the Bay Area and was sent to San Luis Obispo. Ever since I saw her pictures, I wanted to try it out, too. My husband and son had to work, but a mother-daughter trip was doable. Our trip cost $400 a day, which included a disclosed 20% markup for using the agency, but for me it was worth it. I’ve lived in Washington for 16 years and this was my first trip to Spokane. For some reason, it wasn’t on my radar as a fun vacation spot, but boy did the city deliver.

Our hotel was a two-minute walk away from Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, playgrounds, shops and restaurants. As big cities go, it felt safe to walk around, even late into the night. There were dog walkers, retirees and young families everywhere. My daughter and I had fun exploring the area on electric Lime scooters.

We spent one day of our trip at Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho. Visiting midweek meant crowds were small and my daughter could ride the brand new roller coaster, Stunt Pilot, five times in a row.

The next day was educational. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture had a wonderful exhibit about Dreamworks Animation. My favorite museum artifact was the Campbell House mansion next door. I love historic homes, and this one did not disappoint. We also stopped by the Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University where my daughter saw her first Andy Warhol.

Would I travel to Spokane again for a vacation? Yes; in a heartbeat. The Davenport Tower was lovely but next time I want to try the Davenport Historic instead.

What about booking another mystery trip? That’s another yes for me as well. It’s true that it cost a bit extra, but it ministered to my decision fatigue. Instead of me being the person who planned everything, someone else made critical arrangements for me. That’s the closest thing I’ll get to being a kid on vacation again. Unless of course I became brave enough to ride Stunt Pilot five times in a row. Which, frankly, is never going to happen.

Jennifer Bardsley publishes books under her own name and the pseudonym Louise Cypress. Find her online on Instagram @jenniferbardsleyauthor, on Twitter @jennbardsley or on Facebook as Jennifer Bardsley Author. Email her at teachingmybabytoread@gmail.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.