Monday, July 16, 2007 – Penticton, BC to Wenatchee, WA

Yes, back in the US of A (or whatever the Beatles named it). Although we got away at a reasonable time this morning, the line was long at US Customs, the Washington State Road Department was making repairs, and add to that an accident. All those things impeded our progress. Add to that, traffic.

Actually, I exaggerate (I’ve been known to). The US Customs officials were efficient and cooperative – after a short exchange of, “where have you been; who did you visit; how long were you in Canada, etc.”; we were waved through. I declared my 7 bottles of Okanagan wines, two bottles of Absolut, and one can of beer; he said “It’s not worth your time to pay $1.42 duty; go, and enjoy your wine.” Wow!

After a relatively long day, we have found camping nirvana! (More later) - I say long day; it was only 228 miles (long by our standards), but included lots of highway repairs; waiting for prescription service at a local Wal-Mart, small town speed limits, and of course, the US border crossing. As it turned out, it was quite a scenic drive. We followed the Okanagan River from the valley where we spent the last 5 days, down to Brewster, WA where the Okanogan (spelled differently in the USA) joins the Columbia River (on its way to the Pacific at Astoria, OR).

When we left Florida – back in May – we drove through smoke from the Georgia / Florida fires all the way to Nashville, TN. How fitting then that as we drove back into the USA through Oroville, WA (on US 97) that we should drive through more smoke from fires in the hills around Omak, WA.

The drive along the Okanagan River (or however you wish to spell it) is a drive through orchard after orchard of apples, peaches, cherries, apricots, and grapes (plus others, unidentified from the road). What a wonderful growing paradise this land of arid hills, wonderful lakes / rivers, and rocky hillsides. If you add water, it will grow – apparently whatever you decide to plant.

The upper Okanagan Valley is quite populous with a heavy influx of tourist, retirees, and summer vacationers. As you drive south, that population disappears and you are left with basic farming, agriculture, and service industries. At some points you are left with the feeling that you are at the end of the earth. But there are folks scratching out a living selling cherries or apples at roadside stands.

Anyway, on to tonight’s resting place: as I said, after a long day, we were ready to stop at almost anything that said RV. Fortunately, Margaret spotted a sign saying Wenatchee County Park – left lane. Naturally I was in the right lane with a convoy of cars in the left. Bravely I put on the left turn blinker and a kind soul gave me a gap.

So we are ensconced tonight in one of the most idyllic campsites imaginable -- about 40 yards from the raging Wenatchee River, and almost as far from our nearest neighbor. Green grass; abundant trees; beautiful hillsides; full hook-ups: what more can you ask. (Also, only $24 / night with full hook-ups.) Life is good!!!

Tonight’s photos are: 1) the view from the back of our motor-home of the Wenatchee River and environs; 2) a wonderful pair of trees – also close to our site – spelling W for Wayne (or as Margaret observed) and M for Margaret viewed by the angels above.

By the way, we had a near-death experience today. I was inexplicably delayed at Wal-Mart getting my prescriptions filled. Eventually they were filled and we were on our way. But just south of Omak, WA, there was a “terrible” accident – closing the highway for hours. Had we not been delayed, we might have been involved. Moral: never question divine acts of intervention!

We will stay here for several nights while we enjoy the environment – and relax back in the US of A. And yes, we are within cell-phone range! This is reported to be a special weekend in the area. We’re up for anything.

M. Wayne is outside, humming with delight in the twilight. Odds and ends: leaving Penticton a sign announced the performance of Relvis (Elvis with an R), and on the same sign, a Sasquatch breakfast. Or one could enjoy a Chinese smorgasbord. Down the road a bit, was a bald eagle looking for the above mentioned Sasquatch breakfast. We saw several bald eagles and their nests along the lake. What else (we always have “list” which we can’t remember)? The scenery/area seemed quite inhospitable, dry, sage brush, rocky cliffs, rumpled hills with few trees to break up the barrenness of it all. Not that there needed to be – the orchards were incredible, laden with every fruit imaginable, covered every tillable surface.

Thanks for your interest in our adventures

Wayne

p.s. In case you haven't discovered "by accident", if you double-click on the various photos included these blogs, will give you a full screen view. Sometimes the photos - as seen in the blog - are pretty tiny and the details aren't visible. Try double-clicking and see how it works.