Tuesday 9/18

Beautiful morning. Had my coffee and a stretch on a mound looking over the lake. Cool but not cold. My circadian clock is still on montana time so i was in bed at 8:00pm last night and up at daybreak. It’s about a 7 mile drive on a #5 gravel road back to Hwy 21. I putz along listening to “Watercolors” on XM radio. Hit the pavement and whip Bill up to 45 mph. No traffic on this road this morning. The birds seem to like to play chicken with the schooner. We must push a lot of air. There has been a loser or two on occasion.

Fuel up (15.09gal / 187 miles) and refill propane. (2.8. Gals) Stop at the market for dish soap and paper towels. Grand Coulee Dam here we come.

Stop at the visitors center for a hour or so and find it very interesting. If you threw a stick into the Bitterroot River it would end up behind this dam. It generates power for Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. Enough to power Seattle and Portland combined with power left over. A must see if you are in the area. Lake Roosevelt goes for 155 miles to contain the water.

Head out of town on Hwy 155 to Omak. Travelers Observation: Native Americans never get rid of vehicles they just store them on their property. This is all reservation up here. The scenery has changed from wheat fields to pine trees. This road parallels the Columbia River (sort of) I truly missed a road less traveled as when I left Grand Coulee i saw a sign for “Columbia River Road” but by-passed it. I see it comes back into hwy 155 just before Omak. That’s about 50 miles down stream. Damn, that what happens when you get in a hurry.

Finally turn on to Hwy 20, which is the road I’ve been aiming for. North Cascade Hwy. It’s only about 100 miles to Rockport were I plan on heading south before i hit the coast metropolitan area. Looks like some nice stuff. Plenty of time to enjoy it. Camping at Loup Loup Campground tonight. Bought a 3-day fishing license that starts tomorrow, hopefully i see some good water. We’ll see. Good night.

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