Travel to/from our fishing destinations held lots of treasures and a few surprises. To begin, how about snow in Idaho on June 9. With the 100+ degree weather they’re now experiencing, it must seem like a dream.
Washington held some great spots. For wine lovers like us, Columbia Crest winery was a must. They have some great everyday wines as well as some outstanding reserve vineyard selections that never leave the area. Then, we had spectacular views in Mt. Rainer National Park. Truly inspiring! We spent the day in the park virtually by ourselves. All roads were open (with snow stacked some 15 – 18’ on the access areas but most trails were still closed due to snow.
We next went to Grand Coulee Dam which harnesses the mighty Columbia River. You have to marvel at the massive structure. We left the U.S. via the North Cascades National Park. Again, the scenery and vistas were gorgeous.
Between the Blackwater and Pyna-tee-Ah, we spent time at Barkerville, an old gold mining town, once one of the largest towns in all of Canada. Guides dressed in period clothing tell the town’s history and some of the buildings now house shops.
Upon leaving British Columbia, we spent time in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. It’s truly beautiful but is now quite a thriving town and no longer a quaint village as we had hoped. While in Idaho, we also visited Craters of the Moon, a site of incredible historic volcanic activity. You don’t dare get off the road or trails if you value your tires or feet!
Finally, we spent the 4th of July in Pinedale, WY. Pinedale?? We choose to stay here because our second date – a backpacking adventure with Ed’s geology class students – began and ended in Pinedale. Then, as now, we enjoyed an evening at the Cowboy Bar. We originally celebrated the end of our backpacking trip there almost 22 years to the day. Hey, what better way to finish a great trip!!
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EN ROUTE TO B.C.
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MINE SHAFT AT IDARODO (NEAR TELLURIDE
& |
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A "KODAK MOMENT" ON
APPROACH TO MT. RAINER NATIONAL PARK |
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CHINOCK PASS (THE ROAD WE'RE
TAKING TO CROSS IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PHOTO) |
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LINDY STANDING BY THE
SNOW ALONG THE ROADWAY AT CHINOCK PASS AT 5,439 FEET |
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FIRST VIEW OF MT. RAINER AFTER CROSSING CHINOCK PASS; THIS GREAT VOLCANO IS POTENTIALLY STILL ACTIVE |
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LINDY BESIDE A CATARACT
(WATERFALL) CAUSED BY MELTING SNOW |
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A DISTANT VIEW OF MT. RAINER
WHICH TOWERS AT 14,410 FEET; FROM THIS SIDE YOU CAN SEE GLACIERS IN THE FOREGROUND & ON BOTH SIDES OF MT. RAINER |
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GRAND COULEE DAM COMPLETED IN 1942 IT NOW HAS THREE POWER PLANTS |
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A VIEW IN NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK |
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THE PICKET RANGE IT CONTAINS NO TRAILS OR ROADS & IS CONSIDERED TO BE ON THE WILDEST PLACES IN THE U.S.; IT WAS 1ST TRAVERSED IN 1963 |
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MT. BAKER THIS VOLCANIC CONE IS 10,000+ FEET AND TOWERS OVER THE BAKER NATIONAL FOREST |
BARKERVILLE, B.C.
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A GENERAL VIEW OF THE
STREETS OF |
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INDIVIDUALS IN PERIOD COSTUMES |
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THIS IS THE CHINA TOWN
SECTION OF BARKERVILLE |
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THE TOWN'S BLACKSMITH |
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THE ANGLICAN CHURCH AT BARKERVILLE |
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THE WELLS HOTEL |
EN ROUTE HOME
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CATALDO
MISSION (NEAR COUER D'ALENE) |
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THE CHURCH ALTAR NOTE THAT THE WOOD IS PAINTED TO LOOK LIKE MARBLE; ALSO THE CHANDELIER IS MADE OF TIN FROM TIN CANS |
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A VIEW INTO THE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS |
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GLACIERS IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS |
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GALENA PASS AT 8,450' IN THE BOTTOM OF THIS VALLEY IS THE HEADWATERS OF THE SALMON RIVER |
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CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL
MONUMENT THE LAVA JUMBLES WERE FORMED SOME 6-10 MILLION YEARS AGO |
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A CLOSER VIEW OF THE LAVA
JUMBLE WITH A CINDER CONE IN THE BACKGROUND |
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THE COWBOY BAR, PINEDALE, WY
WOW, 22 YEARS LATER!! |