SIDE TRIPS PART part five--Destination

Misty clouds were still hanging in the hollows of the mountains when I started out the next morning. The highway dropped down through the forests and leveled out at Spokane, Washington. The land opened up into huge farms that went on…and on…and on. I thought about getting out the other pair of glasses I keep in my glove box

A sheriff from Texas-modeling my glasses (sorry Cindy).

When Hubby and I are on long, boring road trips and I am in the passenger seat, sometimes I put those glasses on and wave at the truckers we pass for the amusement of all. But, considering I was alone in my car--and already a hazard to myself and everyone else on the road---I decided against the idea. I exited the four-lane at George, Washington (love the name) and traveled through apple country. There were apple orchards, apple warehouses, apple packing houses, and fruit stands loaded with produce all along the way. I crossed the Columbia River at Wenatchee and took State Highway 2 into the Cascade Mountains. My route followed the course of the Wenatchee River. The highway was new pavement and paint and all busy with people traveling on their way to play in the woods.

Not sure if this is a noun or a comment on the State of Washington

I pulled over to stretch my legs and take some photos of this waterfall.

As I was standing there a group in their kayaks

appeared and took turns dropping down through the rapids.

I went over Stevens Pass and nearly drove off the road when I caught a view of Mount Index decorated by Sunset Falls.

Sunlight was sifting through the cloud hanging on the crest of the mountain and glinting off the falls. I had to go 'way down the highway to turn around. Fearing the light and clouds would change at any moment I grabbed my camera and nearly high-centered on the guard rail. Most of the beauty was still there and, despite the traffic zooming away at my back, I had a special artsy moment with the clouds and the mountain and the smell of wild blackberries ripening in the sun.

 I found my way to The Dreaded I-5. The traffic was even worse than I remembered from living in Tacoma when Hubby was in the army. I traveled far north of familiar territory and was soon looking for the exit to my motel. I had a weird déjà-vu feeling there because I had explored the area virtually on Google Maps. I knew exactly what I was going to see before I turned every corner. My assigned motel room was great. It was in the corner on the ground floor with big windows on two sides. I called the family back at home, unpacked, and relaxed on the queen sized bed. Total miles 840 (1352 km).