Today, September 21, is the first full day on our journey. A day with sentiment. We left Lynden and the Puget Sound area on a beautiful day. We encountered a lot of traffic that Tom handled very confidently, while Natalie carried enough tenseness to need a chiropractic visit! The smoke around Issaquah area was unpleasant but the higher we climbed the clearer it became. So - we arrived in Ellensburg just fine.
We decided the first stay on the journey was going all out (Pardon the puns) with deluxe amenities at the site. We had a stone patio, nice table and Adirondack chairs, grill, fire pit. Then a celebratory dinner of steaks, fried rice, potato, and croissant. We lingered so long over dinner the office closed before we got our ice cream. 😂
Our first full day we ventured into Ellensburg to find a hardware store. Our closet rod fell down during the drive, so we needed to remount it which Tom did easily. Then it was rest and enjoy the scenery. I saw a flock of quail, studied a willow tree up close with all the winged insects climbing all around it, a dove,
an owl hooting a lot in the night. The Yakima River is just a few feet from our site. Gods parks are filled with lots of nature. A variety of trees dot the park and what was interesting to see were all the different types of trees in the park and how they swayed in the wind. Each had its own dance.
Ellensburg is about the middle of the state of Washington. It still has many original buildings (after a big fire in 1889) in great condition and still in use. The architecture is amazing to look at such as the dates they were erected as part of the architecture. The sidewalks had stone artwork in them, probably to enhance the walking art tour. There is more to this town than just college so it is well worth visiting,
The next day was very blustery which is something I generally like, but not while pulling a 5th wheel. So we stowed and rested prepping for moving on the next day.
The next day, the 23rd, we headed east out of Ellensburg. One of my great concerns from the start, has been possible high winds at Vantage at
the Columbia River which can be very scary with 5th wheels. God was gracious - no winds at all along the way especially at the Vantage Bridge over the Columbia River. The day was clear and bright, no worries necessary. On the east side of the Columbia, in the farming areas (a sign will tell you this) are signs on the fencing of what is being grown in the fields beyond. Did you know we grow lots of alfalfa, corn, and potatoes? Idaho better work hard to out do us in potato farming!!! We picnicked at the Sprague Lake rest area, just before Spokane, an hour to Coeur dAlene. Quickly the vegetation went from prairie to pines.
We were told to stay at Tamarack RV park by long time camper friends. Well!! It couldnt be better suited for what we needed if we had personally designed this location!! We are right next to a Costco, Safeway, Great Clips, restaurants, shopping AND our friends we came to see. Everything is right here!! I walked to Great Clips for my first haircut away from my stylist of 29 years and I am pleasantly pleased with the results, so that concern is
put to rest (this Great Clips is used by our friends who live here). As you can tell, I recognize God is with us, quieting my fears - worries - concerns, letting me lean on Him and trusting Traveling these days with a truck and cell phone mapping system is sure a lot easier than previous years on the road.
We have spent precious time with our friends, went to their church, and sampled several favorite restaurants and toured some beautiful areas of the city. So much so, we extended our stay here a few more days. We will be going to the town of Wallace (as in The Big Burn by Timothy Egan) on Wednesday. The weather has been just perfect and the setting is so relaxing with all the trees and landscaping slots. It is no wonder this park is so full. We feel spoiled. Next???
