August 11, 2025 - Pullman, WA To Marysville, WA

 August 11, 2025 - Pullman, WA to Marysville, WA

Wow what a day? Different terrain, beautiful scenery, great weather.

We start out with the moon still in the sky.  Did someone forget to tell him it was morning? 

This house above is a scene seen a lot.  Like a mirage out in the middle of these wheat fields

These fields look like sand dunes.

This one looks like it has a sand trap.  Do not tell Larry. 

He is already going thru withdrawal for not playing golf for 3 weeks.

Ron was talking to someone about the harvesting of the wheat around here:

1. Combine harvesters are used to cut the wheat stalks and separate the grain from the chaff.

2. The grain is then transported to a grain elevator, where it is cleaned and stored

3. The remaining stalks are cut and used for straw.  It is used in animal bedding in the US and some is sent to Canada for mushroom beds.

Pretty interesting.

Then the terrain changed and there was a lot of black rock.  

It was like someone drew a line and said "No more wheat here."

Look at how much hay is here.  

Since they have a lot of snow, they need to prepare

We entered in the city of  Harrington. No traffic light and no traffic. 

This is one of the do-not-blink-or-you-will-miss-it towns.

This had an old candy machine.  Candy was 10 cents. Hahaha

Next we see a huge lake in the middle of nowhere.  Beautiful blue!!!

This is Lake Roosevelt.  It is a reservoir created by the Grand Coulee Dam.

The dam is used for power generation and provides irrigation water to the surrounding area.

There is another dam: Chief Joseph Dam along this body of water.

As we cross the dam, we see this hill. WHAT the heck is this?

They are apple fields. We see this for miles and miles.  

Seems there are a lot of different growers.  

It may be hard to see, but these trees are loaded with apples.

There are stacks of creates on the side of the road.  One said Gerber apples.

Terrain change again.  Winding thru some hills.... beautiful.

Lunch in Winthrop.  Cool restaurant/bar.

The name is "Three Finger Jacks.  

Sign says "Oldest Legal Saloon in Washington State"

Here is the legend:

This is a pic hanging behind us.  Can you name all these Jacks?

Love it!!!  (This was for my niece Paislee)

It was a cool western town and it was packed with tourists.

Ok, lets head to the Northern Cascade National Park

Not long into the ride, the trees are brown.  

Not like they were burnt but maybe a bug or disease got them. Acres and acres!!

Nature always has a way to survive.  

Sad to see how much of these forests were affected.

We get beyond this and a great windy road ride.

Now into the North Cascades National Park.

First (and only stop) is Diablo Lake Overlook.

WOW!!! the color of this water is crazy!!!

Here is why this color.  

Back on the road.  We cross over a bridge at the bottom of the lake.

It looks like great beach for swimming.  

Since it was 90, swimming sounded like a great idea.

Back on the road.  Again such a cool ride.

Wait... green water and now white (or light gray) water!!!!

This is crazy.

This is the Sauk River.

As we end the day, we go past a lumber company.  

Fresh cut pine.  Can you smell it!!??

And what is a ride thru Washington without a little snow on the mountains.

We went from the south east corner of the state of Washington to the north west.  

The terrain changes in one day were amazing.

Answer to the quiz: Did you get the name of all the Jacks in the picture:

Jack Nicholson, Jack Benny, Jack Black and Jack Klugman

Destination: Marysville, WA

Miles: 439

Temps: 66-90

Route: no highways and went north west thru the state.

  St R 195, county 23n, 2w, 21, 174, 17, 97, old 97, ??, 3, 20w (thru North Cascade NP), 530

This was an amazing route !!! Cannot wait until tomorrow.