Thursday, 9 July

We are relaxing with the air conditioning running, in Cranbrook, B.C.  Never let it be said that you can "judge a book by its cover" (or a day by its weather) or an RV park by it's locale and appearance.  This is the same RV park that we stayed in when we drove through Cranbrook on our way home from Glacier National Park.  [Maybe 2006?]  It doesn't look like much, but the site is just fine, the A.C. works a treat, the water and electric all totally up to snuff and the wi-fi operates as desired.  What more could we ask for?

It's hot and has been for the past couple of days.  Today it was close to 30 C.  (I think that it's close to 90`).  We even had some thunder and lightening yesterday late afternoon, but it did clear up afterwards.  But I get ahead of myself.

We left Pine Needle and began our journey north and east.  A really beautiful drive down Highway 410 into Yakima - the heart of the fruit-growing part of Washington state.

A quick stop at the Rest Area to dump our tanks - can you see Mt. Rainier in the distance (I know it's rather hazy)

and then a drive across the Yakima Firing Range.  It may actually have another name, but I always think of it as so much nothing-ness where I know they regularly have "war games" with soldiers before heading out to Afghanistan.  Isn't it ugly?

But you finally come down into the Kittitas Valley, home of wine grapes, fruit and cattle feed lots.

and heading due east to the town of Moses Lake.  Stayed at the Suncrest resort, where we have stayed before.  Very comfortable and a true oasis in the middle of a dry, arid place.  After a refreshing swim and pleasant evening breezes, we had a good night.  The next morning we crossed the Palouse (the hilly, eastern Washington, range lands.  Lots of wheat grown here,

Our destination was just into Idaho, at a Corps of Engineers camp ground, highly recommended by friends Alayne and Maud.  And it was indeed FABULOUS.  Really very, very well maintained, in a gorgeous setting with HUGE sites.  And best of all, with a National Park Senior Pass it cost only $12 per night.(!)

This morning (Thursday) it was off north into Canada (British Columbia today and tomorrow into Alberta).  Very small towns, some agriculture and lots and lots of trees.

We think this is Canola growing.