--Hamilton Warren E-96 and Jamie Shandro E-98

For those who subscribe to the healthy body/ healthy mind/ healthy soul philosophy, you are in luck. You may be surprised to find many of your favorite athletics and recreation available on the Palouse, and recreation and fitness do not have to be postponed for a year. Someone may have told you there would be no time to exercise during 1st year, but bullocks to that! Getting some sort of exercise every day has an amazing effect on one's peace of mind. It's amazing what power endorphins have on our psyche.

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Depending on where you are coming from, you may or may not be impressed with the athletic facilities available, but between UI/WSU, there are multiple options for working out and playing. Both campuses have open gyms where basketball games can be easily found, although UI may be a better place to find an open court. In the fall, volleyball nets are also available in the gyms.

UI: The Student Recreation Center is (approximately) 85,000 square feet of facility devoted to student health and recreation. The flagship of the facility is the climbing wall, showcasing a pinnacle with a height of 55 feet - the highest of any university. The facility also contains 10,000 sq. ft. of fitness equipment -- enhanced by an audio and video system; indoor jogging track, 2 full-size gyms, 1 multi-purpose court, 2 multi-purpose/aerobic rooms, locker rooms, and social lounge.

Fitness Equipment includes:

…                    47 pieces of cardio equipment

…                    13 pieces of plate-loaded equipment

…                    23 pieces of Selectorized weight training equipment

…                    2 Smith machines

…                    1 Cable-Cross Over

…                    7 Dumbbell Racks

…                    1 Multi-Stack Jungle Gym

…                    14 pieces of combination cardio/Selectorized equipment

WSU: By far one of the most popular amenities offered at WSU is the Student Recreation Center. The Rec-Center opened in the Spring of ë01, offering students 7 basketball courts, volleyball and badminton as well as 4 racquetball courts, a pool and a 40-person hot tub. The center also offers the latest in cardiovascular and weight lifting workout equipment. While working out on one of the 100 elliptical bikes you can watch TV on one of the two big screen televisions. If jogging is your thing you can take a jaunt on the elevated track as you watch the basketball games being played on one of the four courts below. You can also enroll yourself in one of the many classes offered. Classes range from ballet to martial arts training. After your workout you can relax and get a massage from the Health and Wellness Center office located on the first floor of the Rec-Center.

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Swimming (aka returning to the womb)

-- Gabrielle O'Sullivan E-96 Following exams like Immunology and Nervous System, I use the last of my caffeine high to swim a few laps and retreat from the hostile WWAMI world of exam-taking. Nothing feels better than a quick dip followed by a very long sauna. Both the UI and WSU pools are Olympic-sized, and UI also has an Olympic-sized shallow pool for those of you who like to keep your feet on the ground or just don't float! You will need to show your student ID to the armed guard before entering the pool and picking up a towel.

There are open swim times in the early mornings, during the lunch hour, and in the evenings. It is feasible to swim each day at lunch time if you don't mind that not-so-subtle chlorine smell which may cover up the ever present formaldehyde smell from the anatomy lab. Both pools offer family open-swim times where you can practice your un-swanlike dive, play Marco-Polo, or have tea parties underwater with your kids, significant other, or new-found WWAMI mermaid/merman.

Make the transition from pool to sauna to shower draped in a complimentary, freshly-laundered locker room towel which maybe covers one thigh. You won't mind of course because you'll have a body sculpted by laps and dehydrated by the sauna.

If you're planning on being a hard core Palouse swimmer apply for a locker early in the semester, leave a plush towel there, and buy some dechlorinating shampoo. The pools are usually not crowded, the water tepid and clean, and the lifeguards friendly. So pack your Speedo, goggles, and cap and swim the Palouse!!

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--Jana Peters E-96

These classes are another great way to give yourself a break from those long hours of sitting in a chair and pulling your hair out over minutia. At WSU, these classes are numerous and very diverse in focus (i.e. abs only, body sculpting, combo power step, etc.), and are frequented by both women AND men of all ages. Cost at WSU is ~$40-45 for either a MWF or T, Th, Su class that lasts ~8 weeks. Schedules and information are available in CUB 337. The classes start during the first week of classes (for the undergrads, which is usually a week after you start class), so sign-up for MWF classes are on the first Monday, and T, Th, Su classes are on the first Tuesday of the undergraduate semester. At UI, info is available in the Memorial Gym.

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IM Sports

--Kelly Pettit and Bill Weppner E-97, Cora Ludwig E-04 One of the difficulties we had as a WWAMI was deciding how many intramural sports we could play and still have time to study. Kelly finally decided on indoor and outdoor soccer, ultimate Frisbee, floor hockey, and volleyball. Those were only a few of the thirty or more sports offered between WSU and UI I. Take it from me, it's an excellent way to have some fun and get some of that elusive stuff called exercise that always seems to get sacrificed to studies or sleep. Whatever category you fit into, IM sports have been great for getting our class out and active, allowing us to drop our faÁade of "studiousity" and adopt of faÁade of athleticism.

The WWAMI folk played on a number of excellent teams for basketball, softball, volleyball, football, ultimate Frisbee, and soccer. And not to toot our own horn (Toot, toot), but we did pretty well. One WWAMI b-ball team made it to the championship, our indoor soccer team went to quarterfinals, and the WWAMI goddesses of the gridiron played an instrumental role in the WSU female flag football championship of 1997, earning the respect of their classmates, and more importantly, coveted IM championship t-shirts. With a bit of creative name signing and rule-bending, UI or WSU WWAMI's can participate in either schools IM program. (Just remember to cheer for people using their pseudonyms). For IM information, go to CUB 337 (335-6639) at WSU or UI's Memorial Gym at the beginning of each semester. Oh, and please continue the tradition of naming the teams something totally incomprehensible, such as Splanchnic Invasion, Dartos Inducers, Coopers Droops, or Over-Active Pudendals.

The E-04 class enjoyed an ultimate Frisbee team, The Intervertebral Disks, a flag football team, Dura Mater, and a basketball team, The Circle of Willis. Check out Dura Mater in action! Video created by Arzhang Fallahi and Nigel Campbell.

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WSU 100K Relay/Solo

--Eric Walter E-98 I participated in a number of intramural teams this year but the 100K race was probably the most fun. It is a 100K race that begins in Pullman, winds its way through the Palouse and down to the Snake River. It follows the river and then comes back UP until you end up in Pullman again. We had 10 team members and ran different lengths (4.1 - 8.7 miles) each with differing terrain. We took the WWAMI van (get permission first) and all hung out, stopping every few miles to cheer on whoever was running at the time. It was a lot of fun and everybody got free massages from Moscow School of Massage afterwards!

Last years (E-97) team recruited outside the WWAMI class and so their time of 8:01.22 has an asterisks in the record book. We ran 8:34.46 using only WWAMI's, I believe a record for a students only team. E-96 ran it a minute faster but they had Dave Conley (anatomy instructor) on their team. Dave's been on WWAMI teams for years, ask him if you have any questions (he was on the injured reserve list this year and couldn't run on our team). The race is in April. Look for race fliers in the spring or contact the intramural office.

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Fun Runs: WSU 100K Relay/Solo (etc.)

--Trisha Mitchell E-99 The E-99 WWAMIs put together a couple of teams for the WSU 100K relay. I agree with Eric, it was a great time. We recruited Mike Laskowski and Greg Bohach to run with us (Dave Conley was out with knee surgery, but should be in prime condition for the coming years). The E-98 WWAMIs came back for the event and put us in our place, so watch out for the return WWAMIs! In addition to the WSU 100K, there are a ton of fun runs to participate in.

Some of the E-99 favorites were the Lentil Festival, Snake River Half Marathon, Seaport River Run (Lewiston), and many others. Look for flyers throughout the year, these fun runs are a great way to hang out with your classmates, exercise and relieve stress . . .not to mention the many cool T-shirts you can collect!

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WSU Outdoor Recreation Center

--Kelly Pettit E-97 The WSU Outdoor Rec. Center is one of the best in the northwest. They have an extensive rental shop offering camping gear, ski gear, rafting and kayaking gear, and lots of other miscellaneous equipment. The ORC also offers a variety of outdoor classes including kayaking, rock climbing, cross-country and telemark skiing, and even wilderness survival. These classes are taught well and are a lot of fun. Also, keep and eye out for cooperative skiing, hiking, boating, and many other types of trips that are organized by and posted in the ORC. The ORC is also the home of the sports club federation. The last time I checked there were over thirty different clubs such as cycling, soccer, skiing, rugby, fencing, crew, and I think even chess. If you're interested in joining a club, simply go down to the ORC and pick up the information.

Finally, be on the look out for the many events that the ORC puts on. Don't miss the annual Ski Swap and Outdoor Equipment Sale in November or the Best of Banff Festival of Mountain Films in April.

The ORC is located in CUB room B-22. The rental shop number is 335-1892 and the front desk can be reached at 335-2651. I encourage you to take advantage of all they offer.

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U of I Outdoor Program

--Bill Weppner E-97 Perhaps one of the best aspects of the UI is the stellar outdoor recreation program. And, although I know how difficult it can be to tear yourself away from the wonders and delights of medical school, if you have any desire to try some new outdoor endeavor, I would urge you to check out the ASUI Outdoor Program. Whitewater and flatwater kayaking, telemark skiing, rock climbing, and mountaineering are just a few activities they can teach you about, equip you for and even take you on a trip to do. If you already have experience in any such activity, the ASUI OP sponsors great trips and expeditions.

Some are nearby, such as skiing in the Selkirks or kayaking down the Selway; other trips range as far as mountaineering in Alaska or sea kayaking along the Mexican baja. Just stop by the Outdoor Program center in the basement of the SUB and talk to the head of the program, Mike Beiser, for more details. Or visit its sister organization, the Rental Center, around the corner, where you can get great deals on everything from avalanche transceivers to zip-together sleeping bags. Just make sure to take time and enjoy the beautiful environment that lurks just beyond the rolling hills of the Palouse.

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--Bill Weppner E-97

If you have an interest or talent in a particular sport, you may want to check out the possibility of playing on a college club team. The UI and WSU have several club sports, from volleyball to soccer to rugby. The soccer club typically practices early fall and spring evenings at Guy Wicks field (UI) or on the old rugby pitch near the Alumni Center (WSU). The UI Rugby Football Club practices on the north side of the Kibbie Dome whenever there isn't snow on the ground or beer to be drunk. For an interesting look into the wonderful world of rugby, obscure profanity, concussions and head lacerations, check out a Saturday game at Guy Wicks field (usually beginning at 12 or 1 PM) Look for UI in their dashing yellow and black Lucky Lager uniforms. If you really feel adventurous, tag along for the after game drink up, which is commonly more offensive and hazardous than the game itself. The WSU Rugby Club practiceswell, I don't know where they practice, so if you want to play with those cheating scumbags, you'll have to find out for yourself. (Just kidding, they're a good team. Very good at cheating.)

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Rock Climbing

--Kelly Pettit E-97, Diane Wing E-99 Pullman Rocks: Good for beginning climbing, but not an endurance day. Pullman Rocks features some good boulder problems with a few simple top rope opportunities. Most are in the 5.5 to 5.9 range. The best thing about Pullman Rocks is its proximity. You can go after class for a quick outdoor workout. To get there, take Davis Way and turn north on State Street, go a couple of blocks and park next to the big grain elevator. The trail to the rock is on the left side of the road. Granite Point: Granite Point is the best climbing the Palouse has to offer. Don't accidentally drive past the rock! It's only about thirty minutes from Pullman, down along the Snake River a couple of miles from Wawawai Park.

There are numerous top rope climbs ranging from 5.8 to 5.13. All can be top roped, easy walk up side to anchors. Most of the rock is good, but there are a few spots of rotten rock (Beware of the right side!!) to watch out for. Also, lingering broken glass left by the many partiers that also frequent Granite. Oh, there is some fun cliff jumping on the other side of the rock to cool down after a hard session.

WSU Climbing Wall:

The WSU wall is a great excursion with cave for tough bouldering. They set up some harder routes so no matter what level, you will be pleased. They offer intro climbing for minimal fee, and without this, or proof that you are qualified, you can't use ropes. No shoes rented here (yet). Here you will find some hard core climbers with climbing competitions that often have more prizes than contestants!!! Located in the racquetball court/ Olympic Gym area.

UI Climbing Wall:

Completed in the spring of 2002, the new UI climbing wall mimics the REI wall in Seattle, except it is a mere 7 feet shorter. Thus, while it can't claim to be the tallest wall in the US it is, reportedly, the tallest climbing wall on any US campus. The wall is fairly narrow-not very many people can climb at once and it is a bit tough for beginners. Another climbing option while in Moscow is the small wall in Memorial Gym. It is a great place to vent frustrations even if it might not take more than a half hour to conquer.

Other Areas:

There are many other areas with better climbing not too far away if you are willing to drive a bit. Vantage, along the Columbia, is about 3 hours away, with free camping. Smith Rocks is 5 hours or so in Bend. There is Lightening dome near Grangeville, Minnehaha in Spokane and others in Sandpoint. There are route guides in the outdoor dept. of U of I (see UI climbing), they give you free guides!!! Climb safe! Climb on!

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Play Fields

WSU: There are a couple of play fields in Pullman where you can go to toss the ball or throw the Frisbee. Valley fields are located on the corner of Valley and Merman. This is a huge patch of grass, and there is usually plenty of turf for a football game or baseball toss. Orton field is located right across from McEachern Hall. This patch of grass is not quite as big as Valley fields, but, like Valley, there's usually no problem with overcrowding. As for outdoor basketball courts, there are a couple in Pullman. One is located at Lincoln Middle School. There are other courts located near McEachern Hall.

UI: For those of you in Moscow, the grass is green near the administration building, and in the grass field off the Moscow/Pullman Highway, across the street from the Mc Donald's and the University Inn.

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--Brad Nelson E-97, Holly Sato E-04

Believe it or not, if you are looking for good golf, the Palouse has a lot to offer. I am a die-hard golferyou know the type of idiot that will put on a heavy jacket and special grip wool golf gloves to brave a 40 degree day with a 30 mph cross wind all for the sake of hitting a little white ball over a mile of hilly terrain. So naturally, when I moved to Moscow I was more than a little concerned about where my next long drive fix was going to come fromso let me lay it out for you to put your mind at ease. Moscow, in my mind, has a spectacular 18 hole gem. It is a challenging par 72 course that has a lot of side-hill, uphill landing zones off drives. The holes are beautifully laid out with tee boxes facing gorgeous vistas of the mountains and rolling wheat fields. The highest point on the front nine is the tee box of the 5^th hole par three, and on really great days clouds will be rolling overhead giving you a great glimpse into what heaven must look like! The back nine is extremely challenging with two par 3 holes that average 210 yards in length. If you have a slice, a hint of a slice, dream at night that you slice, or push your ball to the right bring an abundance of extra balls, you will need them on this course. (P.S. there is an ongoing challenge in the WWAMI classes to see who can land their approach shot on the uphill 4^th par 5 closest to the pin. The catch? You have to play it off the water tower for it to count in the record books)

Pullman offers a nice, compact nine hole course. While the course takes a distant second to Moscow's, the driving green at WSU is far and away the better site. They allow drivers on the range and are set up so the setting sun doesn't blind you for those evenings you want to get out after class to hit a bucket. Spokane offers several public courses which, on a nice day, are fun to get up and play. They are inexpensive (around 15-25 dollars) and have some nice, relaxing hole layouts. Coeur d' Alene boasts an 18 hole layout that has earned it a ranking on Golf Magazines top 100 courses you can play and on their top 100 resort courses.

The challenge, a par three with a floating green that you reach via motor ferry. While the course is stellar, so is the price tag, be prepared to pay $125 for green fees unless you get one of their great package deals offered throughout the off season for green fees, lodging cart/caddy.

Finally, if you are in the elite of the golfing class you can challenge Lewiston's or Clarkston's Country Club courses. Dr. Tom McKean is a member and has been known to escort numerous WWAMI's to their golfing demise, but you have to get on his good side. (I.E. don't threaten his cats!)

This year we instituted a WWAMI semi-annual golf scramble. I teamed up 3 WWAMI's with one of the many professors in the class who golf, or physician preceptors. We had one in the fall and one in the spring. It was a scramble format and everyone had a lot of fun both in making up the team names, and on the course! I encourage your class to keep up this tradition.

Prices for the UI and WSU golf courses are as follows, as of 2004:

UI

M-Th: $20 (18), $16 (9)

F-Su: $25 (18), $18 (9)

Cart: $25 (18), $15 (9)

Range Balls: $6 (large), $4 (small)

WSU

18 holes: $15

9 holes: $12

Cart: $20 (18), $12 (9)

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--Jamie Shandro E-98

Ah, the Chipman trail, biking to and from Pullman three days a week in the fall and spring was the perfect way to warm up for and wind down from long days of classes. The trail is smooth, flat, and safe, and is often full of runners, bikers, dog walkers, and rollerbladers. I recommend all of the above! The trail itself is 8 miles long, and the trip from WWAMI office to WWAMI office probably 10'ish. Mornings can be crisp and beautiful, and there are showers downstairs in Morrill at WSU and upstairs in the WWAMI carrels at UI. Apparently they didn't have this trail a few years ago-alas to them! Take full advantage of the smooth sailing, my friends. It can be just one more way to maintain a sense of sanity, and if you can talk others into joining you, a great way to get some quality time in.

Oh, and a side note--I have to recommend living in Moscow for the trail alone. The sun is never in your eyes when commuting Moscow-Pullman-Moscow, and somehow the wind nearly always blows from Pullman towards Moscow. The push home by the wind at your back at the end of the day is well worth it.

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The single track ranges from medium to technical to No #*@&% way dude! (steep, with major air through tight trees). For anyone who likes to suffer, there is a great non-technical lactic acid fest in the fall called Moscow Mountain Madness Mountain Bike Race which consists of 12 miles of uphill with some steep sections followed by a fast 2 mile descent to the finish.

Pullman Trails: There are a few miles of good single track, jumps and dirt roads around Pullman that are good for after-class hammering. Ask the locals.

White Pine Campground: My personal favorite. Located about 1 hr. NE of Moscow, this area features some of the best and least crowded single track I have seen in years of riding. A map of the trails is mounted on a sign at the campground. Perhaps the best ride there, starts at the campground, takes the highway a few miles to the turn off for the North-South Ski bowl, goes past the entrance to the ski area (stay to the left) and takes a forest service road for about 5 more miles to Lookout Mountain. From there it is 8 miles of almost all downhill single track back to White Pine. Tune up your brakes and bring your helmet!

For more info: talk to a local. The guys at Northwestern Mountain Sports, or the WSU/UI cycling clubs will give you the dirt (pun intended).

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-- Darius Schenck E-96

I began this year thinking that the sad time had come when I'd finally have to sacrifice skiing for my education. I soon realized this wasn't true at all and that it was actually possible to get more skiing in than any of my undergraduate years. After finding that maximum amount of knowledge that is possible to cram in your brain, NOTHING is more relaxing than hitting the steeps for the weekend with two feet of fresh, dry 23ƒF powder. (Make sure to prioritize and include Friday in that weekend when this much snow falls. Those hours of cramming will still be there for you next week, but not the powder!) Try out the areas below and make sure to watch out for trees as we found this year that they tend to appear in mysterious places.

Schweitzer: This place takes the cake for our favorite mountain. Boarders, pinheads, and all levels of skiers will love the wide variety of terrain found at Schweitzer. There is even a snowboard park with a half pipe for the boarders. Lift tickets are a good deal (they have student discounts) and if you stop at Tidyman's, you can pick up a $21 coupon. Snow, wind, fog conditions can vary, so call the snow phone (1-800- 831-8810) before you plan your trip. There is some lodging on the mountain, but it is fairly limited. The Green Gables Lodge is pricey, but if you've got the bucks it can be worth it as it is located right at the base of the lifts.

There are also many fully furnished condos that are reasonably priced: $160/night for a four person condo that actually sleeps six. Call Sandpoint Central Reservations (1-800-876-8921) or Selkirk Vacation Rentals (1-800-538-4870) for info. Many people chose to stay in Sandpoint which is 8 miles (of switchbacks) from the ski area. Sandpoint is a funky little artsy ski town with a multitude of great bars and restaurants. Watch for lodging specials as low as $35/night including ticket if you stay in Sandpoint. So if you get the chance, plan for a three hour drive (each way) and some of the best skiing around.

Brundage: Located in McCall, Idaho, four hours south of Moscow, Brundage has three lifts, superb powder skiing with few groomed runs and little crowding even on the weekend. Rates are around $21. Stay in McCall, try the Shore Lodge. This is another town with a good night life. Silver Mountain: Known for the gondola that sweeps you up to the mountain, Silver is about the same distance as Schweitzer for half the skiing. The majority are short intermediates but if you look, some short advanced runs are decent. Boarders will enjoy the half-pipes and this snowboarder-friendly mountain. Look for lodging in Kellogg, there may be some weekend rentals. The snow phone is (208) 783-1111.

Red and White Mountains: Drive north to Canada (long drive). Nelson, B.C. is a small little Canadian town. Red Mt. has recently added a new chair which makes much more skiing terrain available. Good deal at today's exchange rates.

Mt. Spokane: Hit Mt. Spokane on a clear weekday and enjoy the view, the lack of crowds, and some great skiing on a variety of terrain. Park at the base of Chair One and enjoy advanced runs with no beginners. Or, park at the base of the Lodge and enjoy the other half of the mountain with the beginners and intermediates. On weekends, the mountain can be filled with every high schooler within 60 miles. Mt. Spokane is 20 miles north of Spokane and is an easy day trip or just stay in Spokane for an overnighter. Check out the $10 lift days during the spring.

Bluewood: Watch out, Bluewood will eventually break into the big time with its incredible terrain (we never found it), a multitude of chairs (one giant slow double), and the rocking nightlife of Dayton, WA (where?). Head southwest from Pullman or Moscow for about two hours and you'll find this one-day-a-season ski mecca. Bluewood doesn't offer much, but if they get dumped on, ditch class and head for the slopes. Don't even think about going here on the weekends more cars fit in the parking lot than people fit onto the mountain. Snow phone (509) 382-2877. Timberline: This ski area at Mt. Hood is a six hour drive and although not the most challenging area it is well worth the drive. This year the area opened the first week of November and although it had only a 30 inch base, we got over 16 inches of new snow in two days. The (only) place to stay is the Timberline Lodge. It has a giant log cabin type of feel and comes complete with a 180 pound St. Bernard called Bruno who patrols the premises.

If you've ever seen The Shining, this is the lodge that the movie was based on. (Of course one can rent a VCR and this movie from the front desk while you are staying there!) The lodge also has a very good restaurant and ski bar. There is also a large outdoor hot tub and pool with plenty of snow for snow rolling prior to jumping in the hot tub. One should also note that they do have a fax. If you happen to have an immunology take-home test due Monday and feel that skiing is a priority this comes in handy.

Utah: No I'm not talking about driving there. Delta Airlines has a $74 round-trip flight from Spokane to Salt Lake City if booked 14 days in advance. The flight leaves Friday at 4:30 pm (one only misses class after 1 p.m.) and arrives back on Sunday just before 9 pm. This trip allows for two full days of skiing as the return flight leaves Salt Lake City at 6:30 pm on Sunday. True, this is about $50 more than gas to Schweitzer, but how much do you spend going out to the bar 3 or 4 times. The reward for this trip is two days of deep dry powder at a variety of great ski areas from Snowbird to Park City. This is also a great break from Pullman and costs no more than flying from Spokane to Seattle. Staying at the ski areas is quite expensive (about $100/night), but if you stay in town there are many hotels that run $40-$60/night. Quality Inn is in this range and has a free shuttle up to the ski areas.

Other areas: Big Mountain, MT (great skiing, catch the train from Spokane or drive if you have a long weekend, consider trying to stay with your Montana WWAMI classmates); Bachelor, OR (great late season skiing).

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It is rumored to have been developed by the people who started Sun Valley and Deer Valley, two of the biggest destination resorts in the west.  They are trying to make it the next "big thing" and say that all the celebs will be flocking to Tamarack soon; we'll see!  This winter they had four lifts open but they are planning on adding about five more.  It is $35 (student discount price) a day to ski or snowboard.

 Flying to Salt Lake City (SLC) to ski for the weekend or Spring Break is a great option for those hardcore people.  You can get cheap tickets if you look early enough on Southwest.  They are $59 each way with the late Friday flight leaving Spokane at 4:10 pm and arriving in SLC at 10:00 pm.  The late Sunday flight leaves SLC at 6:10 pm and arrives in Spokane at 6:50 pm. 

 There are numerous great places to ski near Salt Lake.  Just outside of Salt Lake are the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.  Big Cottonwood Canyon houses Brighton ($41 a day) and Solitude ($47).  While these slopes are good for beginners and intermediates, Little Cottonwood Canyon has more challenging terrain and receives more snow.  Out of Brighton and Solitude, I prefer Brighton because I feel they have better terrain.  Little Cottonwood Canyon would be my pick if you are staying in Salt Lake City.  It is home to Snowbird and Alta.  Snowbird has challenging terrain for the advanced skiers but also really great learning areas for the beginners.  Plus Snowbird has awesome snow (I had one of my best days skiing ever at Snowbird in the middle of April after a big storm) and a tram.  It is $59 and can become very crowded on the weekends.  Next to Snowbird is Alta.  Sorry to the snowboarders, Alta is skiers only.  Tickets cost $47 a day.  Snowbird and Alta are actually connected so you can buy a joint day pass for $66 a day.

 If people want to head up Guardsman's Pass to Park City, they can experience three ski resorts and a great ski town with a fun night life.  The first ski resort heading into Park City is The Canyons.  I have not skied at The Canyons but from what I hear, it is the least challenging of the three PC resorts.  Tickets are about $60 a day (the website did not say) so it is the least expensive of the three Park City resorts.  The next resort in Park City is Park City Mountain Resort where I did most of my skiing last year.  PCMR has several awesome nationally renowned parks, a great beginner area, and awesome advanced terrain.  They even have a lift that you can ride into town to each lunch at the best pizza/taco place ever, Davanza's.  Tickets are $71 a day.  The last resort in Park City is Deer Valley.  Deer Valley is known for the celebs and all the other wealthy people that ski there.  So they groom the runs to within an inch of their lives for all the oldsters that ski there.  But if you liked groomed runs, this is a great place to go plus the people watching is fabulous.  Deer Valley is also $71, no snowboarders allowed, and they cap ticket sells to 5000 a day so it will never get too crowded like some of the other resorts do.

Another great place to ski if you are willing to drive is Whistler/Blackcomb outside of Vancouver B.C.  It is a great little ski town with quite the night life (the Irish pub at the base of the gondolas is a must) plus lots of shopping for the non-skiers.  Whistler-Blackcomb is two ski resorts in one.  It is best to ski one the first day and another the second day because each is so big.  I prefer Whistler to Blackcomb because I think the terrain is better (though Blackcomb does have an awesome glacier that you can hike to).  Whistler-Blackcomb fulfills the needs of any level of skier.  Ticket prices range from $69 to $74 dollars a day (Canadian).  This is a great place to spend spring break.

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Idaho - The Whitewater State

--Jamie Shandro E-98 For all of the paddlers among you, don't put your boat in hibernation for the year! You've landed a wee bit north of whitewater heaven. There are whitewater kayaking classes available at both WSU and UI, and for those of you who already boat there are trips that one can join along with. I found other kayakers somehow (I may have flagged down some cars with boats on top), and made my way down to Riggins in the fall for a bit of Salmon River paddling. It is 3ish hours away and there is a surf wave that is playable well into the fall.

Go South on 95 into Riggins, and on the south end of town watch for a road sign for "Big Salmon Road." Take a left, then go about 0.5 miles and watch for a dirt drive/lot to park in on your left. There are plenty of other good rivers within a few hours (the Lochsa!!, for example)-check out Grant Amaral's "Idaho the Whitewater State" guidebook. Happy paddling!

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--Ginger Allen E-96, Cora Ludwig E-04

Countless times I have heard, There's nothing to do here!. Actually there is a great deal to do in the Palouse area; you just have to go looking for it. Here are a few events or locations that may provide some much needed R&R.

August: Visit the National Lentil Festival in Reaney Park. Try some lentil ice cream, lentil soup, and just about anything else you can imagine with lentils in it. After all, the Palouse is the national lentil capital of the world.

September: Visit Elk River Falls which is about 1 hours east of Moscow. You can hike to a series of three falls and weather permitting, you can take a dip in the waters below the third falls. Stop at Huckleberry Heaven in Elk River afterwards for some out-of-this-world huckleberry ice cream. If you are not up for the drive, stay in town and blow off some steam at the Latah County Fair. And don't forget the Lewiston Rodeo! It's a WWAMI tradition!

October: By now you are tired of staring at the walls of a classroom. Get some fresh air by visiting Spring Valley Reservoir. You can hike around the lake, have a picnic on the docks, or try your luck at fishing.

November: Culture in Moscow? Of course there is. Try visiting the Prichard U of I Art Gallery on Main Street in Moscow. While it's a small gallery, there are many interesting and unique items. Or if you need an escape from the rural experience, take the 1 hour drive to Spokane, and get a start on that Christmas shopping.

December: The ground should be covered with snow by now. Take advantage of it by snow shoeing, sledding, or cross country skiing on Moscow Mountain. There are also several good ski mountains close by.

January: Take in a play at the Hartung Theatre on the U of I campus. They put on well known plays as well as some very unique ones. You might be surprised at the degree of acting talent in this small area.

February: The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is in town for a week. Or if you want to get away from all of the people that flock to the area during this time, take a drive to Coeur d' Alene. There are some nice shops and restaurants, or you can walk along the docks on Coeur d'Alene Lake.

March: New Orleans? Nope, it's Moscow Mardi Gras. There is a parade during the afternoon, and then in the evening you can buy one ticket that will get you in to all of the bars in down town Moscow. They have some great bands and festivity is in the air!

April: Spring is finally here! Get outdoors again. If you enjoy rollerblading, the Moscow/Pullman Chipman trail is good, or the Lewiston Levy is a nice long, flat place to try out your wheels. Or take the 1 hour drive to Palouse Falls State Park. It's absolutely beautiful with all the wild flowers in bloom. There are lots of other parks in Whitman County, some of them just a short drive from Pullman. Check them out!

May: The Renaissance Faire in East City Park in Moscow has something for every one. They have crafts, good food, and bands. It will provide a nice break from studying for finals.

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Faith on the Palouse

-- David Pommer E-96 In medical school, I believe there is a horrible tendency to purge oneself of anything not related to one's classes. This sort of purification can creep up slowly on a person. First, one might begin to deny the importance of sleep. Then they may suspend their belief in the necessity of the four food groups. Social contacts may be minimized or avoided, as one deliberately evades their neighbors and fails to nurture close friendships.

Even God may be put on the back-burner of life's stove. Having taken many of these actions this past year, I've found them easy to rationalize. People seem to understand that medical school is a busy time; initially, they can tolerate my isolationism.

But what brought us to medical school in the first place? Why did we pursue a helping profession? I'm confident that all of the E-97's have had a rich life outside of academics. You are Renaissance women and men who have a multiplicity of interests, talents, and meaningful relationships. Trying to suspend these areas of your life during your medical training is not healthy, not pleasant, and (I believe) not helpful in making you the best physician possible (it certainly won't help you relate better to patients). I think many students falsely assume they can put many facets of their life on hold until they are less busy as physicians. Unfortunately, that time probably never comes.

As I've wrestled with my desires to isolate spiritually, I've been challenged by a couple of ideas. First, from the Judeo-Christian perspective, it seems that God does not demand that we change in order for Him to love us. Rather, His unconditional love allows us to change. Practically speaking, that means that we should come to Him while we are broken; spirituality is important in the lives of the busy, especially when all our ducks aren't in a row. Secondly, the Gospels record that Jesus consistently reached out to those in need (physically, psychologically, spiritually, etc.). If there is a time where I felt broken, empty, inadequate, and needy, it certainly has been in medical school.

Attempting to take God off of the back burner, my wife and I tried a few churches in Pullman. Currently, we've been attending Emmanuel Baptist Church, which is up the hill from Denny's. Here, we've enjoyed a young-married's Bible study, a compassionate pastor, and some great fellowship.

I don't know much about other churches or centers for other religions in this region, but a quick tour through the phone book should give anyone plenty of leads.

May your WWAMI year be a time for both academic growth and spiritual renewal.

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Theatres

--Tyler Burpee E-96, Trisha Mitchell E-99 If your heart is set on catching the latest winner of the Cannes Film Festival while it's playing on the big screen, then you may be out of luck in the Palouse. That being said, the area does offer a variety of theaters and video rental stores that will suit all but the most finicky of film fanatics. Moscow Kenworthy Theatre - 508 S Main. Movie information: 882-8078 Nuart Theatre - 516 S Main. Movie information: 882-8078 Eastside Cinemas - 1420 S. Blaine Movie info: 882-8078 Union Cinema - UI SUB. Best bet for Cannes winners. www.sub.uidaho.edu/cinem/cinema.asp Pullman Cordova Theatre - 135 N Grand Ave. Movie information: 334-1605 Audian Theatre - 315 E Main. Movie information: 334-6683 Village Centre Theatre - 1805 SE Bishop Blvd. 334-1002 www.pullmanmovies.com Editor's Note: WSU and UI Associated Students Body Arts and Entertainment Division shows several movies each semester on campus for discounted prices. Call the ASWSU or ASUI offices or look for fliers in the CUB/SUB.

Video Rental Stores

Moscow

• Videoland - All new releases rent for 5 days at $3.50. 1404 S Blaine, Moscow
• Howard Hughes Video - Good selection of titles, particularly foreign. Weekend rentals are the best deal in town. 407 S Washington, Moscow
• Hastings You can almost always find the new release you want here.
• Safeway Hidden treasure video department, no one knows about it, so the new releases are always in! Unlike Videoland or Hastings, rent 10 and get the 11^th free!

Pullman

• Blockbuster - 1620 S Grand Ave., Pullman
• Empire Video - Good selection, especially if you're into oldies. No membership required. Great specials on dollar days S 970 Grand Ave., Pullman
• Video Quest - NW 108 Stadium Way, Pullman,
• Videoland - Just like the one in Moscow! 1670 S Grand Ave, Pullman