Yetti’s Pacific North West Exploration & Expeditions Picture heavy

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Here Is a good OPD video, on the CCC. It’s about 30mins long. Its pretty close to the same one that are played in some of the National and State parks, with regards to the CCC.

Great reporting from the field, thx.

Since you’re kinda in the area and seem to enjoy geology…have you visited this place just SW of you? I think you’d really enjoy exploring it this time of year.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Ableguy, I have been! But I am always appreciative of suggestions. I even have a few more I will add,



It’s a cool, area they actually take many of the local kids, (High school + College) there for field trips. Most recently, I was there in November of 2020 after a med contract in Bend. I was the only person, and there was a light dusting of Snow. So the contrast with the boardwalks and hills was really pretty.

The PNW has some really cool geology.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

After adding air, it was time to start heading back. And I figured grab some grub, and hit a few more places down the way. So, It was smiles and smiles with a new podcast loaded up and ready to play.

There is not much Around Vantage Washington where all this is. A few months ago, the company looked at a bid to run new fiber under the bridge that crosses the Columbia river. During that process, I made a few work trips out that way to preview and safety issues. But also added some places to visit to my list. Since I had to go back through Vantage I hit the Ginkgo Petrified Forest state park.

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park · 630 Ginkgo Ave, Vantage, WA 98950, United States

★★★★★ · State park

www.google.com

Small facility, with almost zero signage as far as knowing it is there, or finding it. If I had not seen it on the map, I would have never known.
Once there, good exhibits. . But well done, and the lone ranger there. She was nice, and we chatted about the area for a bit.

I did not expect to see the Dino, but got a chuckle. It was at a Gem store on the way to the state park.

I wish the camera did a better job of caputurung the grey, limited visbility overtones to that day.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

They had some exhibits on the outside as well, so took another opportunity to put Mishka on her leash, stretch her legs, and do dog things. Although, she mostly wanted to sleep.
The petroglyphics they actually moved, as they were going to be underwater after the dam was built.





The bridge I checked for safety concerns, and running fiber under it. ( Maybe a project for another time) A lot of Alphabet Soup agencies have to agree on some things first.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

After the state park, I needed some coffee and food. Not many options, But I saw Riverview Espresso when I was topping off my fuel tank.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/R...9896295!16s/g/11v0lv7wxv?authuser=0&entry=ttu

I walked in, and it smelled great! The gal working was friendly but shy. She seemed pretty young, as I was asking about the area and just making conversation. Breakfast burrito and dirty chai it was. When I asked her what people do in the area, she replied, “just things, like hang around with friends”. Not what I meant, but It made me chuckle.


The plan was to also stop at the Wanapum Dam visitor center, as the reviews are good. ( Grant PUD Visitor Center) And they have some of the turbines on Display that you can walk through! Unfortunately, it was closed, due to the season. No worries though, Im sure I will be back. That wraps up Saturdays explorations.

Not far from here, well……relatively speaking. Probably about 45 mins. There is a Titan Missile Base. Like many, it was flooded when abandoned. However, there is a company that lets you dive it.

Missile Silo Dive - Unique Dive Washington - UnderSea Adventures

www.underseaadventures.net

Would probably be really cool. Many don’t know, but a lot of what was once top secret things happened in this area. Mostly all involving Chemical Weapons, and Nuclear material. I drove through the Hanford Nuclear reservation, as well as the Umatilla Army Chemical Weapons Depot. Not places, you just drive around on dirt roads next to.

Alrighty* That covers it for now.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

A few weekends back, Veterans day. After doing a few miles with the dog, in a spot I go to often. There were no gunshots, and no people. So I did about a 20-mile loop on the power line and Dam inspection road. Nothing crazy, mostly (right now) two tracks, rocks, and sandy washes.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

The weekend called for rain both days, and with Friday having freezing rain and snow. But a high on Saturday of 54 I figured a wander about was in order. We were on the road before 9. I added some air to my driver’s side rear. And Noticed my passenger side rear TPMS most of failed, as it shows 15psi regardless.

So I ordered the front level for the ZR2 so I can get 33’s under there, and can at least get that on before the next ice storm. Since I will need tire before winters end. ( I am just being lazy, that is way easier to install than the AEV trim kit for 33’s)
The day’s goal was to head to Soap Lake, and check out the area a bit. On the way we had everything from sunny skies to snow. With a few hours being a heavy downpour.

Soap Lake Washington,​

A small eastern Washington town of about 1700.

“Of the five lakes existing along the Coulee Corridor, Soap Lake has the highest mineral content. The first layer of Soap Lake is made up of about 81 feet of mineral water; the second level is mud-like and consists of a stronger mineral composition with concentrations of unusual substances and microscopic life forms. The lake's two layers have not mixed in thousands of years. The scientific community refers to lakes with this rare condition as meromictic.”

Soap Lake, Washington - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That National Scenic Byway would make a pretty weekend trip.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Not very “ Overlandy” as of late. But, I have come to appreciate doing what I can, when I can.

Soap Lake, made it to my list some time ago just due to the mineral content, and cool geology around. The town is trying, but kind of dyeing. They are working hard to get toursists for the lake mud. Of course on this winter day, it was pretty much just the dog and I. They even have a bid in for building the world’s largest lava lamp. Or did in 2011. As a way to bring in more tourists.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smar...-years-planning-a-60-foot-lava-lamp-14258919/



Mishka, wasted no time to make dog angels, and just roll around in the snow. I just cannot express how much she loves the cold. Like, all the Great Peeresses I have had. I suppose being cold weather dogs not being overheated is a pretty exciting thing. She even woke me up last week when it started snowing to go outside.

I did not go in the lake; however, I did think about it. But had no way to clean the mud off afterword’s. And the water was quite a way past the only partially frozen mud flats. Even the dog refrained from swimming this time.





She wonders why I was not joining her. haha


Excuse me as my face moves places.


As you can see we were quite entertained,

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I would imagine when its warm the mud and lake have a distinctive smell, but since we could not get out to it. And it was winter, we only stayed for about 45 mins. (Also no smell) Stretching our legs and planning the next move. And generally just messing around.

Its always interisting to see the size comparison of the dogs feet, or I am just weird.





I think in general, when people think the PNW, they don’t think about all the large canyons, and old lava flows, the geology it creates in the Columbia Basin Plateau. But it’s a large part of Eastern Oregon, Washington and parts of Western Idaho. The lahar,cools top down and bottom up, which is why it creates the basalt column’s like we see, as well as the other shapes and forms that only become typical in this area. OR places with a volcanic history.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Plateau

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Lenore Lake, is the next one up the way. I have not spent much time, in this area of WA. But it is very similar to the Eastern Oregon area I am in. And I have to say i would like to come up for a weekend and explore more of the lakes area up here. As well as find some caves I failed to find this time.


I was also surprised to see some of the Slavic Translations on a lot of the signage. I am not used to seeing that up here. Spanish or French don’t surprise me.
I think* its Russian, due to the "e" As Ukranian does not use it, at least not like that. As they use a differing letter. However, Russian does not have an “I” so…




Mid edit


I had not seen a " Drowning" count sign before. Sobering however.


The patterning of the snow on the rocks is always cool to see. Where it sticks, and melts based of the shadows from the day.

The water was very clear, as well as being quite cold. We did a mile-long hike along the shoreline.

 

[ITTOG]

Lenore Lake, is the next one up the way. I have not spent much time, in this area of WA. But it is very similar to the Eastern Oregon area I am in. And I have to say i would like to come up for a weekend and explore more of the lakes area up here. As well as find some caves I failed to find this time.


I was also surprised to see some of the Slavic Translations on a lot of the signage. I am not used to seeing that up here. Spanish or French don’t surprise me.
I think* its Russian, due to the "e" As Ukranian does not use it, at least not like that. As they use a differing letter. However, Russian does not have an “I” so…




Mid edit

I noticed the extra languages and it upset me. I don't know why we include any language other than English. I guess I am getting old and grumpy but I don't expect other countries to have English when I am there.

 

[NevadaLover]

I noticed the extra languages and it upset me. I don't know why we include any language other than English. I guess I am getting old and grumpy but I don't expect other countries to have English when I am there.

Well you've obviously never been to Australia......😎

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

My phone struggled to do a god job with some of these pictures, I think just due to the large color variations and contrast. But the remainder is just a bit of a picture journey of our walkabout along the lake.



Mishka of course found herself in the water a few times. After we did a slow mile it was back into the truck. And a differing route home. Stopped at a little coffee drive through on the outskirts of town. And then a bit later at DK’s drive in. For some old fashioned burgers and a shake. Mishka got a corn dog and said it was pretty good. And then, it was Miles + Smiles + one of my favorite pod casts. That wrapped up the Saturday. And Sunday was a rainy day of adulting and staying in.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I noticed the extra languages and it upset me. I don't know why we include any language other than English. I guess I am getting old and grumpy but I don't expect other countries to have English when I am there.

I would not usually see any other languages in SA, and Mexico except the native tongue.

However, in Europe its relatively common to see English a lot of places, as its taught as a requirement for many countries.
Its always best not to expect it and to speak at least a little of the language of the place you are visiting. As it’s our responsibility to do so.

Well you've obviously never been to Australia......

I have never been there, but that does not surprise me in the least bit.

Is it the language of the majority tourists or a native dialect?


One of the things, that makes America, America: is just that. Our willingness to make others feel at home, to let in others and grow as a country. Politics aside,

We even have same laws that specify that. For example, let’s take something I know well. OSHA, there is a regulation that says training must be offered in a language the employee understands, and is comfortable with.

The Oregon DMV, says you must be able to read, write and understand English. However, the driver manual is available in many languages, Spanish, Russian, Etc Where as I believe the test is only offered in English.

 

[NevadaLover]

I have never been there, but that does not surprise me in the least bit.

Is it the language of the majority tourists or a native dialect?

Tongue in cheek my friend.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I could not think of a better way to spend new year’s eve. So some explorations were in order.

The goal was Guler Ice Caves about 3 hours away.
Up at 5 no matter, what. So we hit the road at 7:30 or so. It was thick as pea soup until we climbed out of the low lands. Even though it added a ½ hour I chose the two lane Washington side. Versus the freeway in Oregon and crossing over the river further up. +, I averaged 20mpg on the two lane. Can’t complain about that,



Once we climbed out of the fog it was beautiful. I expected to see plenty of snow on the road, some closures. And that I would need to snow shoe into the caves.

The road was pretty much bare. The sign said it closed Dec 1. Even though I assumed that was probably for snow pack. (Which is not here) I did not want to be “ that guy” So I parked the truck. And we started hiking the last mile in. The asphalt was pure black ice. And Even Mishka could not stay up, so we stuck to the 2 inch deep snow next to the road for traction.


Looking in: