Sara&Grant, Too: Our Trip to Washington - Day 3

Moses Lake. Very cold, windy, clear. Tumbleweeds blowing all over the roads! We bundled up and headed north to visit the Grand Coulee Dam. We stopped in Soap Lake - "Famous for Healing Waters". There was a beautiful memorial statue there. Also a map of the various lakes along the Columbia headed up to the Dam. I picked up a little guide book as well so that I'd have a map to post in my journal.

The tumbling tumbleweed

Soap Lake, WA

The beautiful memorial statue at Soap Lake

Another view of the statue

This was on a sign in the same park as the memorial statue

Map of the drive from Moses Lake to the Grand Coulee Dam

As we approached Coulee City, it got colder and windier. Grant opened the truck door and it was flung open. The gorge along Rte 17 and 155 was spectacular (need I say, gorgeous?). We saw a red-tailed hawk. The towns out here are rather pretty, but one wonders what it's like living so far from everything, rather in the middle of nowhere?

We stopped at the Visitor's Center when we reached the Dam. I know Grant took better pictures than I did, which I will post when he gives them to me, but it was pretty awesome. Not as tall as we expected, but quite a lot longer. The specs on it can be found here, for those who are interested.

A film that I recommend (we watched part of it while at the Center) is: A Man Made Marvel The Columbia River (and tributaries) is a vast system of hydroelectric power, geology, fish habitat, and human endeavor! One of the interesting factoids is that the building of this Dam (during the FDR years) was such a national honor that all 50 states collected water from their home state to pour into the reservoir once the dam opened.

The gorge along Rtes. 17 and 155 to Grand Coulee Dam

Red Lichen

Grant

Smile dammit!!!

The Grand Coulee Dam

We headed back south and arrived in Coulee City around 2 pm. On to Rte 2 now - climbing into the sun! Snow covered mountains in the distance. Wide, WIDE open spaces here, all tilled for wheat. Very sparse populations. Miles go by without seeing a house.

2:45 pm. Waterville. Church and antique firetruck are the major sights. Winding canyon road back to the Columbia River in Oronda, WA. We reach the junction of Rtes. 2 & 97 around 3:00. Stopped for gas ($2.38/gallon). The Columbia River flows south here. We will travel along it on our trip home. 32 miles to Leavenworth. The air here is apple-scented due to the numerous orchards!