| July
2, 2011 What began as a meander along Highway Two around Gold Bar, Startup and Index ended as a drive up and over the mountains into Eastern Washington. We haven't done that for a while. Eastern and Western Washingtons landscapes differ in varying degrees. We didn't drive far enough east to see the wonderful High Desert area, but we saw stark and rocky mountains, rushing rivers and the skeletal remains of years of forest fires near Icicle Road. There were also some pretty wildflowers, and lots of heat and sunshine! All of the following photos except Tim's and the flower pictures were taken through the car window. |
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Here we are, heading along Highway 2 towards Stevens Pass on a brilliantly sunny day.
This is the landscape on 'our' (West) side of the mountains - lush and green.
On a good day, the drive along Highway 2 is stunning.
The approach to Stevens Pass is very beautiful too.
Now we're on the East side, driving along beside the Wenatchee River.
Many of the mountains are dotted with the charred remains of trees.
There have been huge forest fires here, often caused by heat, dryness and
lightning.
The roadside scenery is much rockier here too.
We ride along beside the gorgeous Icicle River, a favorite with kayakers.
Tim took this picture of the rushing water.
On the cliff above the river grow tiny little wildflowers. This might be Buckwheat.
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