After 15 days in the semi-arid Washington State Interior we sympathised with Lewis & Clark who crossed this land in 1805, and like them headed west to the Pacific Coast for its milder climate.
En route we passed within 2 miles of the:
Crescent Mountain Wildfire
Total Firefighting Personnel: 617
Size: 43,716 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 35%
Estimated Containment Date: Monday October 22nd, 2018 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved: Timber (Litter and Understory)
Subalpine fir, lodgepole pine and true fir in upper elevations with Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with grass and shrubs in lower elevations.
Significant Events: Moderate, backing, creeping and flanking. Occasional torching in downed fuels.
BIG fire - LOTS of smoke - and FLAMES! Drove fast, didn't stop, no Photos!!
Along the 138 mile North Cascades Scenic Highway we also passed through Winthrop:
"Take a step back into the Old West. Located on the North Cascades Scenic Highway in Washington’s magnificent Methow Valley, Winthrop is a Old West town with wood boardwalks and western charm. Stay in a romantic cabin, a charming cottage or an elegant resort. Get ready to enjoy saloons, sunshine, festivals, rivers, snow, trails, hiking, biking, and more!"
It's probably lovely, but the western charm was totally obscured by a wall of solid steel - oversized cars and trucks right along the highway through town, blocking any view of the Boardwalk and Historic Buildings! Boy the Yanks love their Tanks!!
And stopped at Diablo Lake for a Picnic Lunch where we took in the turquoise waters and the Diablo Dam which powers Seattle via the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.
"The intense turquoise hue of the lake's water is attributed to the surrounding glaciers that grind rocks into a fine powder that is carried into the lake through creeks. That fine powder stays suspended in the lake, giving the water its brilliant color."
Arriving at Bay View State Park was like coming home! Our third stay here in two months.
No Burn-Ban, sites with Leccy, Village Green layout and close proximity of Padilla Bay were all a big draw - oh - and it was the weekend so everywhere else was fully booked! We blagged a last minute cancellation on Pitch 27 where we spent a lovely few days; getting to know the neighbours - Hello's to Kevin & Laurie, Carol & Doug (plus Riley their licky hound!), Bobby & Kids in their fabulous 1967 Winnebago, George & Eddie (plus Norman the Garden Gnome) in the biggest RV we've ever seen, let alone camped next to!
Took full advantage of the Fire Ring with some of our biggest Burn-ups yet - cheers to the Weekend Trailer brigade who left piles of logs behind! Full advantage of the Blackberry Brambles heaving with luscious fruit which the 'Into the Wild' watching worried fellow campers daren't munch!! Great garnish to David's Breakfast Granola!
And full advantage too of Kevin & Laurie's Luxury 39 Foot Trailer when they were out for a day. Air-Con/ Comfy Lounge Chairs/ 40" Flat Screen TV! Watched the BBC's 'Worlds Most Dangerous Roads' show from 2011 - 'Dalton Highway, Alaska' Episode with Charley Boorman & Sue Perkins!
Been There, Done That!
