A bouquet of good times during a spring swing through Eastern Washington
Spring was in full flower during our swing through Eastern Washington last week. There were blossoms, waterfalls and even some dramatic encounters with a crazy bird.
First stop: Potholes State Park
The name of this Columbia Basin state park really doesn’t do it justice. “Potholes” makes you think of a bumpy back-alley in Moses Lake instead of a lovely state park with lots of bird life, a huge reservoir and comfortable camping.
This was our first visit to Potholes, but it has been on our radar for years. It was the perfect time to visit -- the vast orchards in this part of Washington were in full bloom, the product of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, which created this lush landscape in an otherwise arid scrubland.
Potholes Reservoir was also created by this 1940s-era program, and it’s a ginormous body of water, bringing recreation opportunities -- primarily sport fishing and boating -- to the area. As we pulled into the state park on the western shore, we marveled at the big skies and all the birds -- including one in particular that we got to know all too well.
This angry robin seemed to have it in for our RV. After setting up, he began bumping our back window with a vengeance, then perching on top of John’s bike and doing what birds do -- that would be leaving lots of do-do. We tried to shoo him away, but he was back at it until sundown, then resumed bright and early the next day.
He chased us out not long after. Score one for the robin.
Next up: Palouse Falls State Park
We traveled deeper into the basin to the state’s official waterfall. The Palouse was beautiful, its rolling hills capped in fresh green as we pulled into this dramatic, isolated spot. The falls were swollen with spring runoff, dumping copious gallons over the 200-foot drop.
If you’re looking for a picnic destination -- as we were -- check it out in the spring, when the Palouse River is high. A short hike takes you to several viewpoints around the 94-acre park for jaw-dropping vantage points. Just keep your eyes on the ground to avoid that dreaded big stumble -- and rattlesnakes, who ought to be waking up in the next few weeks.
Meetup in Spokane
Two hours later, we were in Spokane to visit old friends, eat a memorable meal at Italia Trattoria, and then meet some new friends at the Active Living Expo in the Spokane Valley.
We pulled into the event last Saturday at Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center and were treated to some real Inland Northwest hospitality, thanks to the dozens of nice people who came out to say howdy. It was a true pleasure to connect with everyone.
And if you’d like to reach us, offer a suggestion or tell us an RV camping story, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at goingmobile@spokesman.com, or message us at facebook.com/goingmobiletravel or instagram.com/goingmobiletravel.
Final stop: Leavenworth
The pretty yellow balsamroot was blooming and the Wenatchee River was up as we capped our swing through Eastern Washington to visit some of Leslie’s family members.
The Bavarian village was practically glowing as the winter snows melted, making way for the climbing and hiking season. Leslie got in a leg-stretcher with brother Chris up Icicle River after a visit with Auntie Eileen, and John hopped on the bike for a ride up Chumstick Highway toward the town of Plain.
After our whirlwind tour, it was nice to chill for some quality time out of the rig at The Blue Elk Inn, our comfy go-to hangout when we visit Leavenworth.
