Our trip to Deer Park in Eastern Washington goes ever on. Just crossing the bridge over the Columbia River you will encounter the Wild Horse Monument. If the day is void of fog and drenching rain you cannot help but notice the silhouettes of wild horses up on the bleak hillsides. We did not stop to see the monument so this is the best picture I snapped as we drove past at 55 miles per hour. There are 15 horses in this silhouette and they were created by David Govedau of Chewelah, Washington. ( we love Chewelah and have looked at property in the area for purchase. It is fairly close to our youngest sons' home)
This lone barn in the midst of plowed fields has always captured my thoughts. I wonder who built it and why it stands vacant , in need of repair, and obviously soon to collapse. "
Washington ranks # 3 in the U.S. for revenue generated by hay, #1 for income generated by sweet corn, hops, mint, grain corn, barley, and Kentucky bluegrass." WA St. Economy
The rain on the other side of the mountains has not made it to this side, and we encounter only blue skies and beautiful clouds.
Washington ranks # 2 among the states in potato production, #5 among the states for wheat production.
There are many picturesque barns and farms along the way. Some are still very productive, some stand deserted among productive fields of crops..a reminder of times past. Not sad though because the crops surrounding them are abundant!
Amazing , isn't it ? This looks like the prairie , or farmlands in the fertile mid-west, not what you would expect a scant hour or two away from one of the highest mountain ranges, or most densely forested areas in the United States! "
Aquaculture, chicken eggs, and broilers are other major livestock products thriving in Washington." Economy of WA
Now we are much closer to Spokane, the second largest city in Washington. You would not know this from the news networks though. Spokane is a politically conservative area, but very populous and liberal Seattle reigns in votes, tax revenue and dominates politics because of its' large population. Eastern Washington has often threatened to secede from the state because it is truly NOT represented in most government forums and causes. The little lake just off to the side of the freeway in the picture has 2 islands and we always see many wild fowl flying above or swimming in it.
Isn't this rocky formation along side the free way just amazing ? It is just really not much more different or incredible than many along the way.....we are almost to Spokane!
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The state of Washington generates more apple revenues than any other state. About 20 % of the states' total agricultural receipts are generated by apples. Washington produces about 64% of the nations' apples.. ....beyond apples, cherries ( #1 among the states) grapes, pears ( #1 among the states) and raspberries are the leading fruits grown in Washington." Economy Of Washington My husband and I have noticed there are many, many wineries in our state on both sides of the mountains that produce great wines, notable wines! The wineries are well worth visiting even if you are a teetotaler , the gardens and views alone are worth a visit!
We are almost there ! This barn is in the Deer Park area, where our sons and their families live. Deer Park is a few miles north east of Spokane and very much a rural community. The Spokane area has many lakes and hills bordering mountains. It is rich with productive crops, herds of cattle, horses, sheep. You cannot drive many miles without encountering pheasant,quail, wild turkeys, deer, elk, moose. A hunters' paradise!A naturalists' paradise!
View of the Columbia River behind us at the overlook of Wild Horse Monument, Washington.
These horses are a monument overlooking the mighty Columbia River and I-90, just past the town of Vantage in Washington. They are made of welded steel plates by artist David Govedare. For years we have viewed this impressive stampede of horses across the ridge from the highway below. The granddaughters wanted to see the horses up close, so we decided we would take a break there on the 6 hour trip driving them back home at the end of their spring break from school.
A more distant view of the horses.
This might help with some perspective. The trail is a bit longer and much steeper than it appears at first. The granddaughters are very active and energetic, have I mentioned I am still recovering from my wonderful and busy time with them? ( I need another nap.)
See the little bits of color on the trail, that would be the granddaughters. The 3 older granddaughters were up the trail before I even got to the beginning. I think they could have run up and down several times in the time it took me to just get to the top.
My husband helped Little 'T'. Her pink cowgirl boots weren't the best foot wear for a steep hike, but she wasn't to be parted with them.
This granddaughter, #3 Granddaughter, was up the trail first, but speedily climbed sideways off the trail and over rocks to reach the ridge, just about giving me a heart attack. Reminded me of her father and our trip to the Grand Canyon when he was a teenager. What is it with these fearless people who challenge heights with laughter and excitement?Don't they know their Moms and Grandmas can't take it?
The granddaughters tried every horse while I took pictures and watched them like a hawk as they ventured near every edge , ledge, cliff, and overlook they could find. ( Grandpa was the same, he was a mountain climber in his younger days so I wasn't worried about him). You can see some of the snow covered foothills and the Columbia River in the background of this picture.
I had a wonderful time last week, from Saturday to Saturday with these 4 granddaughters. We played, read, were able to visit with family and just be together. This is a privilege and an honor I will never take for granted. Hopefully we will be able to have them stay for a few weeks in the summer. One thing for sure though, most parents get one, maybe two kids who are very active and energetic..but our son has 4 daughters who are very active, very energetic,( good girls and well -behaved though) and leave this grandma needing a nap. Wake me up next week please!
