Plan C - Back on Highway 2

 July 20-25, 2021

Cashmere - Wilbur, Washington

Our turn around route takes us back through Marysville, Washington, for the sixth time in two weeks - probably don't ever need to return :-)

I didn't realize that when we took Washington Highway 2 last time we missed the section between I-5 and Cashmere, driving I-90 and Hwy 97 to Cashmere instead. As part of the Cascade Scenic Loop, this is definitely the better way to go! Our Tuesday drive is beautiful, including miles along the Wenatchee River. The skies are still blue with a little heat haze. 

Cashmere is a beautiful small town surrounded by fruit orchards and smooth beige hills (looking just like a cashmere coat). Takes a bit to reprogram my brain to recognize brown after months of so much green!

This route takes us through the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth where all the businesses are decked out in similar architecture and signage. Lots of tourists enjoying the sunny day.

We once again stay at the Chelan County Expo Center with 50 AMP FHUs on level grass sites. Essentially we're back in a big open field. 

Good dog TV here.

One of our days we check out Icicle River RV Park (crowded with small sites), and discover a beautiful drive into the surrounding mountains. A well-maintained road with several campgrounds for tents and small trailers follows the river through a deep canyon. 

Friday we're back on Hwy 2 for two hours through miles and miles of serene wheat fields. We can definitely stretch our eyes in these wide open spaces.  Sadly we've also caught up with the smoke :-( By the time we pass Dry Falls visibility is seriously impacted.

Wilbur, Washington, has two RV parks and we try a different one this time after experiencing a very weird utility set up last time. Country Lane RV Park is on the highway (the back-in sites are actually just a couple feet from the road) with 30 AMP FHUs on level dirt and dry grass sites. Our pull-through has open skies which gets pretty hot although we're happy to have satellite. 

Along with the heat, the smoke gets worse over the three days we're here. A couple drives with the AC on take us into some interesting places.

Fort Spokane Visitor Center is still closed.

Most of the grounds are vacant now.

The trails are so dry they crackle.

Amber pine cones dot the ground.

Scary dry.

The fort eventually became a school for local tribes. Teaching them to farm the area is credited for the large agricultural community that now defines the area.

Smoke along the Columbia River

Vintage structures next to a very busy boat launch in Lincoln, Washington,

The RV park has "room service" from their little cafe which we enjoy one evening. It's one of two eateries in the little town! 

I love the many shades of gold in the surrounding area. There seems to be new building and developing in the little towns, it's encouraging.

On Monday we head for the big city and visits with great friends, getting a short reprieve from the thick smoke.