cartour 33

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 7th, 8th and 9th

After the float

Stanley, ID to Cascade Reservoir, ID

     Drive, drive but not too far from Stanley to Cascade ID and thence to a beautiful reservoir about the size of Rhode Island with a lovely sward of green grassland all around. Series of camps along the east side of which we took the first. Biked north for a ways wound up in golf course; bit disheartening. Windy on arrival but cleared and warm enough for a swim later.
     Much time on secondary roads in the Paloose; nice.

Paloose country without the wheat

     Next day to Walla Walla and a night at the Marriott Courtyard which was very new and pretty tricked out design-wise. Dinner was a starter glass of wine with a small but delicious pizza at one place (124?) followed by a sandwich and salad, both rated indifferent by S., at a place called Graze around the corner from 124.
     Off to Wenatchee next morning after breakfast at Bacon and Eggs in Walla. Great river loop bike path ride and off to Leavenworth and way up Icicle Road to camp. Walk next morning from near our camp (one of several on the creek) over river at last camp (Big Pine which S. liked best) looping back to start over two bridges.
     Home to island next day; long ferry line.

Note: spent a lot of time on trip listening to Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson; bit of a slough, never finished.

cartour 32

Friday June 3, 2016

and then there was the float which was the goal of the rest more or less

     Only the Georgetown and the Montana left of the RV’s plus Patrick, Anita and Grace with their sleek road car and dome tent like us. Sharon spending serious logistical effort to move parts of the tent (fly, ground sheet and tent itself) to sunny areas throughout the campground to dry in the rising sun. Host eyed her with some trepidation on his drive-through. Dreamed of ending some camping trip accidentally inside some high security government facility manned by mostly 8th graders who were serious and conscientious but not too much so that they were unwilling to assist a random interloper out; just like real 8th graders.

     Drive, drive 4 hours or 5 down Idaho 95 to Idaho 55 at New Meadows on it through high up over a deep river canyon, the Payette.

Out to another highway north to Stanley our destination. Lunch with Judie, Tobie, Chris and Deon at Bridge St. Meet with tour guy Jared get dry bags and some basic info. Go to another drinks place. Got a cone with Tobie across the street from bar after first drink. Big ass meet with all boaters for wet suits, bootie, etc. Jared spoke succinctly but at length; put our names on cup, water bottle cap and side. Sub guide Bobby recited all 20-25 names of boaters at end correctly. Unreal.

     Sharon told me back at the hotel that we were not going down in blow-up rafts but in rowboats. I was aghast at this but she said she wasn’t sure. I couldn’t figure if we had to wear the wetsuits or we just could. I guess the orientation meeting left holes in our understanding; I hope we will be alright. I’ll have my iPhone and in the wilderness that is one thing you can rely on I heard on the radio on the way out. We have a 30 day trial of Sirius Radio that came with our new Subaru Outback. Surely we will be alri….

cartour 31

Lake Wenactchee, WA to Hammer Creek, ID

Thursday June 2, 2016

     More fire toast in the am. Back roads east - to Pullman, Colfax, Grangeville. Cherries and chips and cheese dip and all that. Safeway in Pullman looking for gasoline (not an easy town for gas stations). Shoestrings from Riteaid. Why did we go to Safeway? South of Grangeville on 95 to old 95 and a bridge over the lower Salmon and thence to Hammer Creek Recreation Area and a solid spot in the high grass beside the river on the last day of salmon season in these parts. Conversed with camper neighbors Patrick and Anita and their dog Grace. Several, say 7, RV’s in residence for the evening; a super cool one called Shadow Rider or ShadowLands or something left at dusk. We were concerned that the high clearance trailer in the next spot with the industrial generator right on the ground up front and no puller vehicle around might be a problem when they returned thus the planting of the tent in the high grass far from that business. When the fellows did return one was tempted to ask if Snow White was coming so white bearded and compact they seemed. A quiet and restful night.

cartour 30

Langley, WA to Stanley, ID

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Out of the gate early; early afternoon.  Entertaining but time expensive side-trips looking for things lost or left somewhere on Whidbey. REI for gas and carabiners. I-90ed to Lake Wenatchee and Glacier View campground, set up, biked to Headwaters Pub for fish and chips and beer. Swam in lake after arriving back to camp; cold, cold, cold. Quick fire thanks to previous campers left wood and starter fiber. Odd assortment of campers. Beautiful trees and impressive blowdowns; ponderosa and douglas fir side by side. Box wine etc. bed in new tent, new sleeping equipment. Stashed bikes in bush. Experimented with various ways of making toast. All good but watch out for that taint of old grill.