Living Our Dream: Settled in Twisp, Washington

Methow River - right in font of us, Twisp, Washington

View out our front window

We made the move yesterday from Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Twisp, Washington. 294 miles later we are nestled under huge oak, Douglas Firs, and cottonwood trees right next to the Methow River. This river flows out of the Washington Cascade Mountains down the east side and joins up to the Columbia River in Patero, Washington. In the distance we can see snow capped mountains of the Cascades. This little town of Twisp is right on the highway that goes up and over the Cascades and through the North Cascades National Park. The manager of this park in Twisp said that in the fall when the salmon are running, osprey and eagles and elk roam the river in front. How cool!

Very common - wood/pulp industries

The Priest River

Spokane

The drive was very different, only on Interstate 90 for 3 miles while in Spokane, the rest were state roads. But the geography - phew. 15,000 years ago the Missoula icecap began to recede (melt) and the run off carved huge gouges in the land. You could see scars everywhere. Black lava rock, and then way out a huge lava boulder as big as a barn where no other rocks were. The ground was fertile and you saw huge farmlands and then rock. Wasted land. Then farm land again. Way in the distance we could begin to spot the Cascades, snow capped, loom up. We were getting closer.

Farm land as far as you could see

Dropping down into Coulee Canyon

Lake Roosevelt

Grand Coulee Dam and Lake Roosevelt

Dropped down into the canyon where the Grand Coulee Dam is and back up we climbed. That's when the geography got really weird. Not only seeing farms, then ranches where cattle grazed, but then arid dry desert - they call that the high desert. Felt like we were in Arizona again seeing so much sage.

Huge boulders size of barns

Chief Joseph Dam on Colville Indian Reservation, near Brewster

Came through the Colville Indian Reservation and saw Chief Joseph Dam, continued on around Patero and the gazillion orchards of apples and cherries. Crates stacked sky high waiting to be filled. Hot summers, cool nights, plenty of water for irrigation - ideal for the apple capital of the world.

Columbia River near Pateros, Washington

Fruit packing crates piled way high

Fires from late last summer - so much devastation!

About 1/2 mile from our campground

We will miss Bonners Ferry big time. What a lovely little town. Has what ever you need, is the gateway into British Columbia, and the RV park we stayed at - Twin Rivers Resort RV Park with managers Rex and Shelley - wonderful people! Made us feel welcome. Will miss seeing the eagles and other wildlife roaming around the Kootenai and Moyie Rivers.