Clarkston, Washington

Packed up early yesterday morning and left Pollock, Idaho.  We were concerned that when we hooked up the 5th wheel to the truck we would get the trailer warning.  Got the warning, but, once Dave reset the alarm, the truck and trailer seemed to be okay.  We are very pleased with ourselves - we managed to live for 9 days being very miserly with our water usage.  Said our goodbyes to the owner and told him we would be back. We will miss our riverside spot.  And as a goodbye - a bald eagle swooped by, looking for breakfast along the river right near us.

Field of Canola

The drive to Clarkston took us on US route 95 north and up a huge mountain at White Bird, the length of the drive up the mountain was 4 miles, switching back and forth against the side and the grade was 7%.  The truck screamed at us but we got up and over the mountain without anything breaking or overheating.  Poor Grace - her ears must have hurt her with the climb in altitude - she really let us know she was uncomfortable.  As we drove along we were parallel to the Salmon River, very pretty.  Saw farms with this bright yellow (flower) on it -  discovered they were growing canola.  Green, green, then this wild bright yellow patch.  Very distinctive.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay!

We picked up US 12 going west. Again traveled through the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, picked up the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Nez Perce Trail and on into Lewiston, crossing the Clearwater River and into Clarkston.  This is the first time we have camped at an RV resort with a marina attached to it.  Got front row spot - looking out over the marina and the Snake River (Snake and Clearwater merge in Lewiston).

The Port of Clarkston is the home to the one of the largest cranes on a navigable waterway east of Portland, Oregon.  The Clearwater Paper Corporation transports wood chips and sawdust via barges and sends goods out to Portland.  The marina here is the only marina within the two cities and many boaters travel to Hells Canyon south of the cities. And let's have a diction lesson - I grew up pronouncing Oregon as ore - ah - gone.  Nope.  It's pronounced: ore - ee - gun.

Barge heading towards Portland

The wind was howling last night and the sound of the shrouds clanging on sailboat masts - reminiscent of our years spent sailing on Lake Erie with our sailboat.  Did get to see a river barge heading westbound.

We woke this morning (sunrise is at 4:45am) to a rank smell - forgot about the large wood processing plant right on the banks of the Snake about 1 mile from us.  And Dave caught this osprey flying around over the river and it dove down and caught a fish.

Will be here for a week, then move towards Mount Rainier National Park.

Osprey looking for breakfast