Day 36 Spokane

On the road again, or almost, before the trouble began. We were right on track for an early start to Spokane when trouble hit. I include this firstly, because this blog is primarily for us, and a record of our travels. But secondly, because I have received numerous messages laced with envy from those of you following the blog. For all of you have been reading longingly of this incredible trip, I would just like you to know that not everything is rosy with life on the road. I will leave out the gory details but when David began to dump the trailer tanks, we quickly discovered a problem with the campground septic system! Once begun, there is a certain momentum that must reach conclusion before you can stop and organize a plan B. You can stop draining and close the sewer, but you are left holding 20 feet of flexible hose filled with waste, and limited options. For us that momentum involved a raw sewage slap to the chest … now here David says I exaggerate, so to be fair, I’ll offer his version … mixed with some used sink drain water – that makes it all better! We managed to get the attention of someone from the park. They were all apologies – again, that made it all better!! By the time we had sorted everything out we were an hour late leaving, smelling rather funky I suspect, and happy to see the end of that campground! Although one man in the campground did mention that he was amazed I was still in such good humour! A rather crappy start to the day!!

Leaving Seattle and heading east we quickly found ourselves enveloped in deep wooded mountains. Most of the road through the western part of the state runs through state forests. While I would have to say that the mountains are not as picturesque as the Canadian section of the range, the roads are well divided, with three or four lanes in each direction and the passes far more civilized! The temperature drops continually and by the time we reach the peaks, it’s a lovely cool 16°.

As the day journeys on, we discover that Washington State is incredibly diverse. If I was to go from Labrador to Africa, I would anticipate certain changes in geography, weather and overall appearance. As we are travelling parallel to the TCH through BC just a couple of hundred miles to the north, I didn’t expect the variety that presented itself today. As we topped, what we now know was the last mountain in this particular range, the terrain changed instantly! We left a deep, cool, wooded road to descend into a desert where the temperature soared, within a minute from 16° to 24°. The day actually continued to get hotter so within an hour we were sweltering in 34°, but the initial rise was so fast it was startling. The surroundings looked as I imagine Nevada to look from the pictures I’ve seen. It was sun-baked to a yellowish brown. The only plants were knee high sage bushes and the only green was a faded grayish colour that looked bleached and tired of the relentless sun.

Very desert!

...but beautiful!

Driving along, still marveling at the change in scenery, we began to look for a place to stop for lunch when we hit the jackpot! I think it might be karma leveling the score after our start this morning!! The Wild Horse Wind Farm and Solar Facility on Whiskey Dick Mountain (I couldn’t make this stuff up!) appears across the desert landscape like some kind of scene out of a science fiction movie. Then we get a sign for a highway picnic stop – sold! 179 windmills and over 2700 solar panels generate 273 megawatts – enough to supply 70,000 households! Check it out! The future is now!

(These pictures are especially for you Paul!)

A perfect setting for a SciFi movie.

They went on forever!

A few miles down the road Grand Coulee Dam appeared and once again there was a change, no less spectacular. Being one of the largest concrete structures in the world is the least of its notable characteristics, as the surrounding hills offer surreal vistas well worth another stop. At this rate we may never get where we are going!

The whole area is called Wild Horse!!

Well fed and entertained I fell asleep as we hit the road again. I was (thankfully) suddenly awakened as David shouted, “I found the prairies!” The next surprise in Washington was the appearance of the scenery that we expected in Saskatchewan! The fields of wheat went on forever and it appeared as if the horizon had disappeared. Broken only by long canvas tents (like we use for highway salt – only on steroids!) that housed hay, we learned that in Washington, hay is an export crop! Never knew there was such a thing!

Here's the prairie - we found it!

Hay huts.

The fields of wheat go on and on for as far as the eye can see.

We just crossed the 8800km mark as we pulled into a beautiful campground with private, landscaped and paved lots. They are drive thru (always a nice bonus when you’re 55 feet long) and are so level we don’t even need to unhook the trailer for one night. A walk through the campground and a lovely chat with the neighbours (a couple from Calgary) and we are ready to call it a night. Tomorrow we are on the road again as we leave Washington state for Idaho and Montana. The state that claims its highest point (Mt. Rainer incidentally) at 14,411 feet and its lowest at 5 feet below sea level certainly offered lots in the middle to delight the eye and tickle the senses!

Home sweet home.