One of the nice things about keeping an open itinerary is that we have the flexibility to change our schedule and destination each day. It also means that we are constantly doing research and making decisions. We woke up this morning knowing that today would require a haul across Washington state, a minimum of 6 hours. The tent was still damp from the rain the night before but a nice dry breeze promised to dry it quickly if we chose to make a quick get-away.
As the coffee water boiled and Karen and I relaxed in the morning sun, we discussed our options: get on the road so we could find a campsite, or stay here a while, drive late and grab a hotel room. We blamed the growing pile of laundry for our decision to have a hotel night in an actual town, but the allure of crisp sheets and a solid internet connection to get a bit of work done may have also contributed to the decision.
Kellan got a lesson in making breakfast burritos while Julia made pancakes. Properly fueled, we hopped on our bikes to take advantage of the network of mellow trails through the park. For 30 months during World War II, this 4,000 acre site was home to the Farragut Naval Training Station. President Roosevelt wanted a secure inland training station to prepare troops and this peninsula on Lake Pend Oreille quickly became the largest city in Idaho, housing 55,000 soldiers. It was also used as a POW camp for nearly 900 Germans. The roads and trails that exist today in the park are the training station’s legacy.
Someone has outgrown his kids bike. One large front chain ring just won't cut it anymore.
Problem solved.
After packing the van, we couldn’t resist one last dip in the lake before getting on the road. Exercised and refreshed, we plotted a course for Olympia, Washington. It was a pretty straight shot across I-90.
Friends and travelers had warned us about the boring highways in the flyover states, but once we passed Spokane we entered some of the most desolate areas we have encountered on the trip so far. It wasn’t boring though. The temperature was bouncing from 99-101 degrees the entire way and conditions were perfect for dust-devils. We watched dozens of small tornadoes dance across the dusty landscape.
Dust devils are a meteorological phenomenon caused when superheated air creates an updraft. The resulting vortex acts like a small tornado, but without the power.
There are some optimistic farmers in this area. Blowing dust from working ag equipment created some interesting road conditions.
Karen took up residence in the passenger seat office.
After crossing the Columbia River, the landscape began to improve. Karen pointed the van through the Cascades and negotiated the SEA-TAC rush-hour traffic, while I worked on downloading photos and putting together an update. We finally docked the van in a hotel lot in the Port of Olympia.
Looking for a hotel that is used to welcoming smelly travelers? Find one next to a marina.