Birthday Drive

Today we celebrated our March birthdays driving to Pataha WA and into the Blue Mountains.
The elevation at our home is 740'.  Driving from Idaho into Washington on HWY 12 in a short time we arrived at the top of Alpowa grade 2750'.  It hadn't taken long for our ears to plug and pop!

On this route one drives along the Snake River.  Activity on the river  today was fairly quiet with a few tugs and of course the usual water fowl.

Point of interest along the highway is the Wilson Banner Ranch.  It is too early to stop for peaches, cherries, melons, berries, grapes etc.  Also, they grow beautiful iris here.  Be sure to plan a stop when you drive by.

There are many tempting side roads to follow.  Be certain to watch for the exit to Lower Granite Dam  this is a day trip that we will need to take another day.   

Lewis and Clark travelled  from the Pacific Ocean on their return trip in 1806.  As we look at the geology we wonder what the journey must have been like.  Valleys run through the area with huge rocky crags...small streams that perhaps were rivers.  The area was travelled also by the Native Americans of the area.  The path of the journeys of the Native Americans can still be seen grooved into the hills. (Sorry the picture didn't show but it is visible)

Another wonderful point of interest is the Pataha area and the Pataha Flour Mill.  This is a Must stop for lunch and a quick tour.  Today we didn' have time to stop but be sure to check it out.  Meals are made from scratch and charge is a donation.  No alcohol but you wont miss it.  There are musical events and special programs that are always ongoing.
There are no other services in Pataha but Pomeroy is just a mile or so down the road.

Today we didn't take time to tour Pomeroy.  It is an interesting old farm community with restaurants, inns, stores and shops.  You will find groceries, gas etc here. 

The Blue Mountains were our destination so we jaunted left at the city park and headed to higher elevation.  It didn't take long before we were seeing snow but the road was fine.   It was interesting to see the results of the School House Forrest fire of several years ago.  We saw a few dear but the elk were elusive today. 

Spring will bring wildflowers, summer and fall the campers and mushroom pickers.  Today we were the lone travellers.

Old School houses and pioneer cemeteries beckon those with a love of history.. 

Such a fun day!  Join us soon on our trip to Baker City, OR and Riggins, Id  More wonderful pictures to come.  Our life is about making new memories and remembering the people that made the memories of earlier times.

UP Coming

Soon we will be taking a trip to Baker City, Oregon. Be sure to watch for updates, pictures etc. The trip will begin in Lewiston, Idaho but we will travel the RattleSnake Grade (always a thrilling ride). Be certain to watch for news on historic museums, neat old hotels, brew pubs and good places to eat. Another wonderful adventure with the Back Woods of Central Idaho folks

Wildlife of our area

Wildflowers of Sping in Idaho area

Wild Flowers

Spring is a wonderful time to view the wildflowers of this area.  It will take searching to find lady slippers but they are hidden in the forrest. (We are still looking)

Mushroom picking is popular in the area.  Huckelberry picking and Blackberrys will abound in the summer.  Watch for bears and sometimes snakes.