On to Washington

We continue on north up Hwy 97 and 197.

Through the sage rolling hills of eastern Oregon

with wonderful views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helen's

We stop to check out Maupin City Park, which is a small RV park doubling as a Deschutes River running put in and take out.

Rafting, fishing, and hanging out

A girl watches a raft floating by

We both like this little park so much we debate about staying the night, but it's too early to stop and we have many miles yet to go. So we move on looking longingly back.

Maupin City Park

The town of Maupin OR

We cross over high plains and then drop down into the Columbia River Gorge.

Very ripe wheat - looks like a Van Gogh painting

Heavy basalt columns of the Columbia River Gorge

Our next stop is for lunch at the Deschutes River State Recreational Area. It's a beautiful park at the confluence with the Columbia, but with temperatures hovering just under 100 degrees F, we don't hang out too long.

Deschutes River State Park picnic area

Peter at our picnic table

Soon it's back on the road to cross over into Washington.

Looking forward into Washington

The bridge crossing over

the mighty Columbia River

As we cross over, we marvel at what the early explorers must have thought finding such a large river. Later we're somewhat surprised to find out the Columbia is only the 5th largest river in the United States. Now days this part of the Columbia (Hood River area) is well known as a wind surfer destination.

Looking back into Oregon from the Washington side

Windmill farm

This Stonehenge Veterans' War Memorial has to be one of the strangest we've ever seen

Eventually we end up in Chelan, a resort town on the banks of the lovely Lake Chelan. Although it has cooled off into the 90's, we are thankful for scoring an electrical hook-up so we can run the air conditioning and sleep in comfort.

Our campsite at Chelan's City Park

Picnic tables and boating docks

Oddly we meet many people from British Columbia Canada camped there. We wonder why they don't vacation in some of the great BC parks. They reply because it's some place different and besides they and their families have been returning to Lake Chelan for many years... plus they like the town itself. The town is fun with many interesting buildings.

Panorama of the south shore beaches of Lake Chelan