Summer travels, part 2 ( Idaho, Oregon and Spokane)

 After leaving Nevada we made a new to us stop at the Y Knot Winery in Glenns Ferry, Idaho.   It was a short stay on our travels north but the name and location were intriguing so why not or perhaps Y Knot?

The winery is just down the road from Three Island Crossing State Park (of Lewis and Clark fame) and has a small restaurant, 9-hole golf course and decent rv park on site...  We did a little exploring of the area, had dinner and wine tasting and took advantage of our spacious site across the street before moving along into Oregon.

Three Island crossing in the Snake River

Next stop, Mtn. View RV Park in Baker City, Oregon.   It is a regular stop on our way to Spokane and we always enjoy ourselves.    

Our regular end site is shady and grassy and quiet.   Just what we like, well...except the grassy part.   Taos seems to find it "tickly" on his feet and often swerves to the stony driveway as we walk along.   Go figure. 

Our neighbor stopped to admire Taos one morning as we sat outside for second cup.  He and Dave chatted and we found out he was a SEAT (single engine air tanker) pilot with a small group of pilots that were being stationed in Baker City in preparation for fire season in this area.   We checked out his plane one day as we were near the airport.   I bet he's very busy this year.... sigh

The rest of the planes were arriving the next day

We drove up into the mountains on the Elkhorn Scenic Byway to continue the route that we tried the last time.    Snow and downed trees made us abort that trip but this time we were able to complete the entire route.     We stopped at beautiful Anthony Lakes for a waterside lunch.   

Taos is beginning to allow water to touch his toes now.  Major breakthrough!

We walked the pretty downtown streets and ate, again, at Sweet Wife bakery.   Their lunches and baked goods are absolutely delicious, and... they make fresh cardamom rolls every day!

one of many mosaics depicting Baker City history

Oh Dave....he kept Beluga smelling sweet by bringing in the last few peony flowers he found on his morning walks....

Oh Dave....

The weather changed drastically during our days there.   It went from very hot to cloudy with lots of rain.   The sky was often interesting to watch.

Walla Walla, Washington is also one of our regular stops, one we very much enjoy.

Lots of wineries, restaurants and plenty of green places for the boys to walk and interesting things for them to smell. 

even bronze statues have something to offer

zerba winery tasting room

The Walls tasting patio

one of Dave's favorites - Croque Madame with pickled onions and frites!

Did I mention restaurants and wineries?

Lest you think all we do is eat and drink, here are a few pictures from a nearby event we were lucky enough to be able to attend.     The Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton, Oregon held its 30th annual Pow Wow celebrating the cultures and traditions of indigenous tribes, bringing traditional songs, dances and regalia to all.   The celebration was free and spectators were encouraged.    

 Dancing and drumming competitions featured participants of all ages from across the western US and Canada.

 We were so affected by the sounds of those drums and the haunting voices.  It brought tears to our eyes and goose bumps to our arms.   I took very few pictures; I was mesmerized by the pageantry and the deep meaning and emotions in front of me.

 

 Full disclosure - an Indian Fry Bread Taco may have been consumed by one of us....or both of us.

pristine Eagle feathers

 

Spokane was next.    We spent a week there, visiting with Jesse, Erin and Annie before we all moved west and a dedicated vacation week on the Washington coast.

We enjoyed a few meals together, celebrated Jesse's birthday and walked around the beautiful Manito Park's rose garden.

oops

Tres Leches cake with strawberry/rhubarb compote...mmm

grass is for running

she tired of her bike, but not the helmet!

beautiful Dahlia

papa carries the cast-off bike, Oh Dave.....

There were lots of people at the gardens that evening, a few strolling and sniffing and admiring its beauty.    But....many, many folks were not.   They were sitting together in large groups, looking at their phones.   Not the flowers, their phones.

 

 Not talking with each other, looking at their phones.   I wondered.     Jesse told me that they were probably playing a game, Pokémon scavenger hunt.    Who knew?   Sigh.

Soon we were on our way west, with a short stop at Memaloose State Park on the Columbia River.  We'd meet the family at a sweet Airbnb in Seabrook, Washington.    More in the next post!