A week ago today, I continued my exploration of nearby parks. (See my previous park adventures [here](https://steemit.com/photography/@scribblingramma/a-trio-of-post-falls-parks).) This time I found it necessary to bring along my smallest grandpuppy, Louie the mini-dachshund. This means my photos were all taken with the handicap of a small dog tugging at a leash. I am impressed they came out as well as they did!

<center>![20180928_095315_1.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNgx9ebPHNxzWyQ2NWgwzWKRZjusBW4rXuMwYP1Jw7fvc/20180928_095315_1.jpg)</center>

I had been to Black Bay Park before, but had not walked quite far enough to find this colorful picnic shelter. It was a pleasant surprise!

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I love this green expanse of lawn, as well as the rock wall around it, which must be made from local stones. It's our best crop in this area!

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I've tried to find out how Black Bay got its name, but so far I've not come up with an answer. Here it is, though, reflecting an autumn blue sky. It was a very windy day, and not very warm.

<center>![20180928_100641_4.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW6muGUdKsUStwmb43MRt8nfZxdbTLMiNsCdScWS1xs3M/20180928_100641_4.jpg)</center>

<center>Another view of the bay, just around the bend.</center>

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<center>Do you see my small companion at the end of the leash?</center>

<center>**************************</center>

My second park for the day was Falls Park. This is a park I have frequently visited, because the falls are so interesting to view at various times of the year. Also, my granddaughter has celebrated two of her birthdays at a picnic shelter here, and she enjoys the playground. Plenty of incentive to come here often!

<center>![20180928_155321_12.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUgvhLN1YGV4m3AvWpgAvtyGKkEbdG5jsdoCimMGpJmAm/20180928_155321_12.jpg)</center>

<center>This amazing fall foliage greeted my eyes upon my arrival at the parking lot.</center>

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The duck pond is a focal point at the picnic/playground area. People fish in the pond, too. 

<center>![20180928_153743_7.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZLM2puiAykbYY6uJUcvRJGD5Yo6HuWDnnpkEQpfpeDow/20180928_153743_7.jpg)</center>

<center>Looking back at the pond from the zig-zag path up to the falls overlook.</center>

<center>![20180928_154019_8.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW5UNFooaFmSinb7hZrrV28n9rPx6QjKPL5WgLd9Qm68E/20180928_154019_8.jpg)</center>

<center>This time of year there isn't much water going over the dam and the natural 40' waterfall.....</center>

<center>![20170323_162332.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmY4SVL21Gndpg5xtiUDBXEUe9Cr9Mbq3kotZZx2BqfCzR/20170323_162332.jpg)</center>

<center>.......however, this is how it looked in April 2017 with spring run-off at its peak! That day we could hear the roar of the falls all the way out to the parking lot!</center>

<center>![20180928_154500_9.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbu9YW7MBUzQ9SZE3Cx8PU9R1CXFK7xrJixq4H2TubcT2/20180928_154500_9.jpg)</center>

Downriver from the falls, the Spokane River continues on its way to the west, passing through six more dams and another falls before it eventually empties into the Columbia River.

<center>*All photos were taken by me, with the "assistance" of the dog, on my Android phone.*</center>