June 25, 2015, Moscow, ID –  I have been intrigued by the Palouse region for quite some time now.  So, it was quite a treat to have ended up in Moscow,last night.  I had woken the owner-operator, at Royal Motor Lodge, so my reception  there was not the warmest.  This morning, though, she was a bit sad to see me check out so quickly- at 10 A.M.

I spent about an hour, walking about Moscow’s downtown area, and stopped in at the salubrious One World Coffee House, at the outset of that little jaunt.  With so many people, in and around the place, the only unobtrusive photo of One World was this coffee bean puzzle.

Downtown and Fort Russell, about six blocks east, are Moscow’s two historical districts.  I found Fort Russell would be interesting for a post on historical houses, but this was the Palouse in June, after all, and it was already getting hot, at 9 AM. So, I kept myself downtown.

Moscow, rightfully, prides itself on being a premier arts venue.

John’s Alley looks like it’d be a great place to sit and jam.

Moscow does not ignore its Idaho-ness.  Hyperspuds is the local sporting goods and outfitting spot.

This message, at the northern edge of downtown, evoked images of The Avengers.

The McConnell Mansion was built in 1886, by Idaho Governor William J.McConnell.  It’s now the historical museum of Moscow, and Latah County.

Stone is put to good use, in the Palouse Valley, as evidenced here, at the United Methodist Church.

Moscow is hip, but that doesn’t mean it ignores its roots.  Farming here does not take a back seat.

I spent about an hour at the University of Idaho, largely in its cool and impressive Charles E. Shattuck Arboretum.

Here is the Red Oak that is the centerpiece of the World War I Memorial Grove.

The interior of the Arboretum offers trails that could keep one content for a few hours.

As with other universities, this would mean buying a Parking Pass, as established by the Administration, housed here.

The university has the good fortune to have a School of Music named for one of the greats.  Mr. Hampton worked with the University, from 1980, until the end of his life, to establish a home for jazz, in its School of Music.  in 1987, he had the honour of seeing the School bear his name.  A Jazz Festival has graced UI, since 1985.  Lionel Hampton is the only jazz musician, thus far, to be so honoured by a University.

The University’s mascots are the Germanic tribe, the Vandals.

Their facility is impressive in its length and utility.

Moscow is a welcoming, and very comfortable town, and I would not be surprised to find myself passing through there, time and again.