Washington 2007

8/1/07 Day 37 summer trip. We left Sandpoint about 9:30 a.m. for Wenatchee, WA. To our surprise we met the Giengers on the road about 60 miles from Wenatchee, so we decided to drive in together. We arrived about 3:30 p.m. at the hot County Park. It was in high 90’s and I was really tired from the trip, heat, and dehydration from drinking wine the past 5 days. I made fried rice mostly for Linda. I went to bed early and slept well.

8/2/07 Day 38 summer trip. Stan and I decided to do a 5 mile float on the Wenatchee River from Cashmere to our campground which is right on the river. It was a very enjoyable easy class 1 & 2 float with beautiful scenery through fruit orchards. At 5:30 p.m. we and the Giengers headed north to the German tourist town of Leavenworth. On the way we stopped at very nice fruit stand where we bought peaches, Bing cherries, huge fresh blueberries, peach butter honey, cherry preserves, etc. We are in a large beautiful fertile river valley famous for its orchards and produce. Leavenworth was touristy but fun. We toured several shops and then had a German dinner which was the worst dinner I have had in years. We forgot to ask the locals where to eat and paid the price. Later we went to a Gelato shop and had a wonderful Cherry concoction to die for. Came home and watched the new TV show called BURN NOTICE. Had to get up in the middle of night and lower the awning because of wind.

8/3/07 Day 39 summer trip. Got up at 8:30 and had cereal with bananas and fresh blueberries. We drove to Cashmere River park to give Meghan a short two mile run along the river. Next we went to the Aplets and Cotlets factory for a tour. This is the only place in the world where this candy is made and it is sold all over the world including Costco stores. They are delicious when fresh, are made from fresh apples & apricots, no preservatives, kind of like healthy gummy bears. After lunch we drove to Ohme Gardens. It is another amazing garden overlooking the Columbia River all made on a bare rocky landscape into a lush garden of trees, shrubs, flowers, and pools by one man and his wife. It cost $7 per person but well worth the cost to provide funding to maintain this beautiful place.

8/4/07 Day 40 summer trip. Stan and I decided to do another raft run on the Wenatchee River. The rafts were all ready to go and we got very fast for another very enjoyable float on this beautiful river. I want to come back bad next year in June when the water will be higher creating class 2 and 3 rapids. We stopped at a local bar afterward and found out that a 50 year old women who was tube floating got tangled up with some strainer logs, getting sucked under and she drowned. I stopped at a local bakery and bought some sour dough bread with wheat and walnut flour that was to die for. I never spent $8 on a loaf of bread before but it was worth it. I will never come here again without buying some of this bread. We and the Giengers had dinner together at our 5th wheel. We provided corn on the cob, sour dough wheat walnut bread, tri-tip barbecued roast, wine, and Joy Rey Gienger provided a delicious green salad. The temperature subsided to low 80’s on shade side of our trailer, so it was a quite pleasant dinner party. We cleaned up the dishes and went over to the Giengers for a campfire.

8/5/07 Day 41 summer trip. We said good bye to the Giengers and headed south to Maryhill State Park. We got one of the last sites available but could only stay one night as all sites were reserved the next few nights. The weather was very pleasant in the low 80”s. I gave Meghan several walks around the campground. Watched some satellite network TV shows and retired at 10:00 p.m. which is late for me.