Moved to Leavenworth, Washington

We wanted to drag our feet to leave Twisp yesterday, the GPS said our mileage to our next stop would only be 94 miles.  But, we are getting so good at packing up and getting ready, we left the site at 8:30 anyhow.  Poor Buddy - we did not give him enough time to get doped up, we need to be more diligent in waiting at least an hour.  Thank goodness he did not get sick during our drive time but it took much too long from him to come out of the drug.  I had to carry him or hold him around for hours, too afraid if he tried to jump up or jump down, he would fall.

Our last look at the Methow River by our camp sight in Twisp

Dave decided to take a little different route than what the GPS said and we skirted more north on Route 20 which took us up and over the Loup Loup Summit towards Okanogan.  This is the area that was severely burned last August and the devastation was terrible.  Over 400 homes lost.  We could see a number of homes being rebuilt, but for the most part, nothing else was standing but burned out tree skeletons.

Mile after mile of burned forest

A norm - seeing logging trucks

Picked up Route 97 and headed south again, driving for many miles along the Columbia River and the many orchards of apples, peaches, and cherries.  Even saw some picking going on - we think they were harvesting cherries.

Many orchards/farms had helicopters on them

Followed the Okanogan River for awhile

Passed a large Earth Station (satellite) complex near Brewster

Got on US Route 2 near Wenatchee and started our westward trek towards Leavenworth. Instead of our 94 miles we ended up at 143 miles by taking a different route.  Which was fine - we could not have gotten into our new sight until after 12, so it worked out good.

Must be a fishing tournament going on - Columbia River

Packing fruit boxes waiting to be filled

Yes, the Columbia River is this  blue!

Picking going on

Crates for cherries, these were empty

The expensive homes on the Columbia - wow.

A lot of windows to keep clean

We are camping at Icicle River RV Resort, and wow!  We are sitting on a cliff looking down on the Icicle River.  Only 4 of us are up here and we were even treated last evening to a huge osprey resting in a tree right across the river from us.  And this morning, an osprey was sitting in the same tree.  So I think our time here will be quite lovely!  We sat out last evening, in front of the RV, looking down on the river, listening to the roar of the rapids, wonderful.

Same I 90 and US Route 2 go right through Cleveland - are we back?

Made the turn on US 2 - Cascades in background, heading west

Whole town of Leavenworth is this Bavarian style architecture

Looking out the dash of RV, down to Icicle River

And looking up to mountains

Mr. Osprey

Buddy has taken over my underwear drawer, his new norm.

After setting up the RV, we drove back into Leavenworth, a town that has recreated itself into an Alpine community.  Bavarian shops with all kinds of goodies, all store fronts with the Bavarian look. The town is on the Wenatchee River and the Icicle River joins it right at the base of downtown.  Supposed to have a nice interpretive trail in town.  We stopped at the Ranger station and got trails and sights to see in the area, then went grocery shopping.  We definitely will not venture back into town on a weekend - the traffic was a nightmare!  Guess we have been away from people too long!