I had been planning this trip for several months, mostly with the intent
of traveling alone, and camping out somewhere near Dry Falls or Lake
Lenore. Mike let me know he wanted to go a few weeks ago, and we altered
the plans...Grand Coulee Dam and the Okanogan play center fiddle in this two man 675 mile trip. Mike and myself left from Bellevue early Saturday morning and soared through Snoqualmie Pass, thankfully before any rain came out of the sky.
Our first stop was in Ellensburg where we had a good breakfast at the Palace Cafe. Yummy food, attractive wait staff and great atmosphere. There are model trains and parts all over the restaurant and the tables and furniture are a nice dark wood, I would definately go back to this place.
When we continued on our grand (Coulee) adventure.we found our next stop at the south end of Soap Lake. There is a little park there with an amazing American-Indian sculpture called the Soap Lake Sundial. I didn't take the time I should have here, I would have enjoyed learning more about this sculpture.
The run up along Soap, Lenore and Banks Lakes is a nice relaxed trip, and the first part of the trip I had been looking forward to. We were really lucky with a lack of significant traffic all the way up to Grand Coulee Dam, making this even more enjoyable. Unfortunately it was not a bright and shiny day, had it been a probably would have stopped more often along the way, because all of these lakes have great spots to stop and take pictures. As it was I stopped in one spot to take the picture of me and Mike (seen at the top of this post).
When we arrived in Grand Coulee, and finally found where we were going to stay, we were both less than impressed. The Grand Coulee Center Lodge, a little hole in the wall motel, with 1970s wood paneling and the strangest alignment of furniture. With two small rooms, each with a queen bed, separated by the bathroom. This makes for much difficulty for the person staying in the back room to do anything if the other is using the toilet. It also made it difficult for the both of us to stretch out and shoot the poop. I would not stay in this place again unless I had no other choice.
The next day was always intended to be an easy, enjoyable ride with chances to stop and take pictures. This was even true if I went alone. I was not as diligent in keeping to that plan as I had hoped to be. We only stopped once specifically to take pictures, but I do like some of those results. Mike even took over an got a couple pictures of me moving down the road.
These were taken on the Colville Indian Reservation at the top of the pass along Peter Dam Rd. or Manilla Creek Rd. which runs East out of Elmer City. Unfortunately this road is only 15 miles long, but it was in good condition, and had curves that a moderate skill can maintain the speed limit at. There was also next to no traffic on this road, or on State Highway 21 which took us up to Republic, WA. This section of SR-21 was about 50 miles of peaceful road, again in pretty good shape, and so lightly used that I never saw a single carcass of road kill. I would really enjoy spending more time on these roads. SR20 and US97 which was a little less exciting/enjoyable due to cooling temperature and greater traffic, but they got us to Omak, which directed us to two more lesser used roads to get back to Grand Coulee. Along the way we stopped to view the Chief Joseph Dam, which was also an impressive sight.
Day 3 did not go as planned. Because of weather and traffic concerns we decided not to come back across Steven's Pass and HWY 2, but to go back the way we came in. But just after we crossed the Columbia we ran into rain. And the rain stuck with us the rest of the trip.
Now I come to an issue where I made a decision, and it weighs on me a bit. I don't think I would normally do this, but many things played to this decision, which I will not go into now. Mike and I parted ways in Cle Elum, and while I got home around 1:30pm and later spoke to Mike and he was still in Cle Elum at 5pm. So now I question whether or not I did the right thing, or if I abandoned my friend...
This idea is giving me fits.
Memories from this trip will be different than the previous Memorial trip, or the previous Grand Coulee trip.
