kootenay_wanderer
Observer
**Title to read "Not a lot off-road, but a bunch of new scenery for us"**
Last spring, I was poking on around on here and various other PNW forums about backroad routes, wheeling adventures, and general dirt road rules for WA state and OR. Turns out, my ambitions were much larger than the vacation time I was able to get off. So we made due, and avoided interstates as much as possible. That being said, here is our west coast trip from July 2015. 7 days, 2000ish kms, for $800 USD.
So our entry point into the evergreen state was the Patterson Border crossing just south of Rossland BC, Canada. This was our first extended trip out of Canada, with 2 overly friendly dogs, and a hard-set date of a wedding on the 4th of July. We weren't sure what we would need, but knew we would not be far from civilization, so we didn't sweat the small stuff. Once we were over the border, dogs full of milkbone treats the border agents were happy to spoil them with, it was onto Kettle falls, where we got onto the Sherman Pass Scenic byway and never looked back!! Although very similar geographically to our home in Trail, BC (a mere 1.5hrs away), the scenery was great, and our choice validated. We meandered up and over into Republic, on to Tonasket, and Omak. The heat of the day was creeping up, and we were eager to get up into the hills and out of the Okanagan desert. Making a hard right-hander, it was on to Twisp. My girlfriend was probably more excited than anyone should be about this. She could (and still can't) barely say it without a giggle. We had no idea, just how beautiful the drive was about to become. We ended up stopping for lunch and a K9 cool down in Winthrop, WA. If you're into western theme towns, this is your mecca! Now I know you guys are all saying to yourself "Blah Blah Blah...PICS NEWBIE!!" Truth be told, we were a bit awestruck to remember to pull out the camera....but they are coming, trust me.
Dogs were pumped to get in and chill.
Spotted!! really wish these were importable to Canada.
I will attach a drive through video in the next couple days!
With the dogs cooled and soaked, our water cooler filled and iced, we made tracks. Onward and upward to Washington Pass. Every corner was followed by a "WHOA! Look at this place!!" and a rapid fire of shutter clicks. The size and aggressiveness of the peaks made paying attention difficult, and the fact the tacoma has a roof annoying hahaha. We played tourist for a bit, stopping at every pullout, not wanting to overlook one cliff, one waterfall. Again, our choice of route was about as validated as one can be.
From here, the descent is quick, and lush. Never have I ever driven a highway that was a tunnel of trees. We felt like kids again. Like that feeling when you went one block further than you did the week before, and everything felt new! And the road! The road has officially made the list of must-do's on motorcycles in the near future. The beefy Tacoma even felt sporty and had to be reeled in a couple of times. Driver may have contributed a tad :elk grin:.
Next ********** in the face beauty was the Ross Lake and Dam, and then the turquoise water of Diablo Lake. We pulled into the viewpoint/rest area, hauled out the hounds, hydrated and cooled them. They then proceeded to steal the show with head scratches, pets, and general attention from nearly every man, woman, and child in the parking lot. Looking for an ice breaker? Get a dog! Once they were sorted and reloaded, we went and had a peek at the lake. No words.
I only posted one pic, because...well because we took nearly 80 there! This particular pic gets the point across in a hurry. We were a bit anxious to get onto the interstate in Arlington, but made the merge and off we went. Heads up Seattle! Canadians coming in hot!!
Now, I'm not sure how many have driven the major highways across Canada, but for those who haven't, heres the norm. As you approach a significant city, there is usually a by-pass or ring road (Saskatoon, SK being the exception, having a fake ring road that spits you out back where you started without so much as a 'Thanks for coming!'). So, in my abundance of noob, and disregard for a map or GPS, was expecting a by-pass of Seattle. We aren't big on cities, and didn't really plan on stopping or exploring, so I began watching for an exit to a by-pass. As the downtown core grew taller and wider infinite of me, a tinge of panic set in. Here we were, on a collision course with downtown Seattle, during rush hour. Rad. At this point, pulling off is not an option, so we're going with it. Never have I been so excited to motor through a tunnel. Ever. Less than a minute later we were out the other side, still piecing together the (in our minds) luck we just got.
Last pic before diving below the city
Next stop....sleepy time. Wait...where tho??
We have now been mobile for 11ish hours (yes, this was all in our first day!) and I'm tired. And edgy. Now with the by-pass conundrum out of the way, eyes were peeled for a campground sign. And there it was!! 12.5 hours after we pulled out of the driveway, a camping sign for the next exit, just south of Tacoma. Once off the interstate, the road weaved and bobbed. More and more rural. When we began seeing roughly handprinted "Camping" signs, we were a little bit nervous about what kind of place we ventured out to. Turns out there is a beautiful park-model rv campground back on a small river, with a few overnighter spots for $15/night. We snagged a riverfront site, all off on our own, deployed the tent, employed the stove, and destroyed a cerveza. It was cool, few bugs, and quiet....at least at first.
Last spring, I was poking on around on here and various other PNW forums about backroad routes, wheeling adventures, and general dirt road rules for WA state and OR. Turns out, my ambitions were much larger than the vacation time I was able to get off. So we made due, and avoided interstates as much as possible. That being said, here is our west coast trip from July 2015. 7 days, 2000ish kms, for $800 USD.
So our entry point into the evergreen state was the Patterson Border crossing just south of Rossland BC, Canada. This was our first extended trip out of Canada, with 2 overly friendly dogs, and a hard-set date of a wedding on the 4th of July. We weren't sure what we would need, but knew we would not be far from civilization, so we didn't sweat the small stuff. Once we were over the border, dogs full of milkbone treats the border agents were happy to spoil them with, it was onto Kettle falls, where we got onto the Sherman Pass Scenic byway and never looked back!! Although very similar geographically to our home in Trail, BC (a mere 1.5hrs away), the scenery was great, and our choice validated. We meandered up and over into Republic, on to Tonasket, and Omak. The heat of the day was creeping up, and we were eager to get up into the hills and out of the Okanagan desert. Making a hard right-hander, it was on to Twisp. My girlfriend was probably more excited than anyone should be about this. She could (and still can't) barely say it without a giggle. We had no idea, just how beautiful the drive was about to become. We ended up stopping for lunch and a K9 cool down in Winthrop, WA. If you're into western theme towns, this is your mecca! Now I know you guys are all saying to yourself "Blah Blah Blah...PICS NEWBIE!!" Truth be told, we were a bit awestruck to remember to pull out the camera....but they are coming, trust me.
Dogs were pumped to get in and chill.
Spotted!! really wish these were importable to Canada.
I will attach a drive through video in the next couple days!
With the dogs cooled and soaked, our water cooler filled and iced, we made tracks. Onward and upward to Washington Pass. Every corner was followed by a "WHOA! Look at this place!!" and a rapid fire of shutter clicks. The size and aggressiveness of the peaks made paying attention difficult, and the fact the tacoma has a roof annoying hahaha. We played tourist for a bit, stopping at every pullout, not wanting to overlook one cliff, one waterfall. Again, our choice of route was about as validated as one can be.
From here, the descent is quick, and lush. Never have I ever driven a highway that was a tunnel of trees. We felt like kids again. Like that feeling when you went one block further than you did the week before, and everything felt new! And the road! The road has officially made the list of must-do's on motorcycles in the near future. The beefy Tacoma even felt sporty and had to be reeled in a couple of times. Driver may have contributed a tad :elk grin:.
Next ********** in the face beauty was the Ross Lake and Dam, and then the turquoise water of Diablo Lake. We pulled into the viewpoint/rest area, hauled out the hounds, hydrated and cooled them. They then proceeded to steal the show with head scratches, pets, and general attention from nearly every man, woman, and child in the parking lot. Looking for an ice breaker? Get a dog! Once they were sorted and reloaded, we went and had a peek at the lake. No words.
I only posted one pic, because...well because we took nearly 80 there! This particular pic gets the point across in a hurry. We were a bit anxious to get onto the interstate in Arlington, but made the merge and off we went. Heads up Seattle! Canadians coming in hot!!
Now, I'm not sure how many have driven the major highways across Canada, but for those who haven't, heres the norm. As you approach a significant city, there is usually a by-pass or ring road (Saskatoon, SK being the exception, having a fake ring road that spits you out back where you started without so much as a 'Thanks for coming!'). So, in my abundance of noob, and disregard for a map or GPS, was expecting a by-pass of Seattle. We aren't big on cities, and didn't really plan on stopping or exploring, so I began watching for an exit to a by-pass. As the downtown core grew taller and wider infinite of me, a tinge of panic set in. Here we were, on a collision course with downtown Seattle, during rush hour. Rad. At this point, pulling off is not an option, so we're going with it. Never have I been so excited to motor through a tunnel. Ever. Less than a minute later we were out the other side, still piecing together the (in our minds) luck we just got.
Last pic before diving below the city
Next stop....sleepy time. Wait...where tho??
We have now been mobile for 11ish hours (yes, this was all in our first day!) and I'm tired. And edgy. Now with the by-pass conundrum out of the way, eyes were peeled for a campground sign. And there it was!! 12.5 hours after we pulled out of the driveway, a camping sign for the next exit, just south of Tacoma. Once off the interstate, the road weaved and bobbed. More and more rural. When we began seeing roughly handprinted "Camping" signs, we were a little bit nervous about what kind of place we ventured out to. Turns out there is a beautiful park-model rv campground back on a small river, with a few overnighter spots for $15/night. We snagged a riverfront site, all off on our own, deployed the tent, employed the stove, and destroyed a cerveza. It was cool, few bugs, and quiet....at least at first.
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