On this first day we wanted to make a dent in the distance from the southwest corner of Washington State to the northeast region, without pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion. We started by driving I-84 on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, then crossed at Biggs Junction, to follow highway 14 on the Washington side.
I tried to remember the last time I drove this way — it has been many years. Creighton took this route often when he had his Credit Union Auditing business, so he was very aware of his memories and emotional responses as we drove on.
Wind farms along the eastern corridor of the gorge begin in Goldendale, and span several miles. We knew they were here, but this is the first time either of us had seen them.
We chose to stay at a dog-friendly motel in Ritzville, and built in two comfort stops along the route of 300 miles (483 k). A lovely sunset over the wheat fields capped off our day.





























In this shot, an electric power tower appears to be planted in the middle of a field with flowering trees, a still dormant deciduous tree and evergreens surrounding it. I am reminded of the agitation I feel when a weed rockets above my perennial flower gardens!












