Land Cruisin in the Pacific Northwest - Part 1

Arriving in Seattle, we were introduced to our new "Land Cruiser" and after a systems orientation by Rick and Deb (our partners), we headed onto the road and Bellingham to spend a few days with Lindsay and grandson, Shamus.

Shamus

Rivers Bend near Twisp

From Bellingham, we ventured east to warmer clime's to visit long-time friends Arne and Judith Jorgenson in Plain, WA (near Leavenworth). The weather cooperated for the 4th of July celebration in Shugart Flats.  Rosie and I participated...driving a tractor in the parade!!  Great food, Lawn Mower Drill Team, Egg Toss and more....

Egg Toss

Country 4th of July

Local Parade

Lawnmower Drill Team

From Plain we traveled farther east to Sun Lakes State Park, near the infamous Dry Falls.  Once a huge waterfall several times larger than Niagara following the erosion of a glacial ice dam holding back Lake Missoula.

Dry Falls

From Sun lakes, we were off to Hamilton, Montana, to locate the home of Rosie's Aunt and Uncle where she spent summers when she was young.  We were successful and Rosie was even able to talk to the current owners.

We located a nice campground near Hamilton along the Bitteroot River and spent a few days hiking and sightseeing

Hiking in the Bitterroot's above Hamilton

Chainsaw Art

Bitterroot River near Hamilton, MT

From Hamilton we crossed over the Bitterroot Mtns to Lewiston, ID, our home of many years while working at Potlatch.  A week of seeing old friends, riding the BMW and eating several great meals!! Great time!!We spent a week camped in the Gentry's driveway (reminded us of the Chevy Chase movie "Christmas Vacation"

Cooking a Gourmet Dinner for old friends, Gentry's, Thorn's and Rotz

Jim and Sue enjoying a french appetizer

From Lewiston...north to Spokane to see Chelsey/Ryan and the grandkids.  Another active week...boating, Silverwood, playing pirates......

 

Babes aboard!

Rosie under tow...

John Elway's lakefront retreat!

From Lake Coeur D'Alene to Silverwood (Idaho's answer to Disneyland.  We enjoyed a day of exhilarating rides and swimming at the water park...

Panic Plunge......120' freefall

After Shock...wild!!

After a week with the kids...we needed a little rest so we headed west to Wenatchee, WA (John's place of birth) to see long-time friends Steve and Chris Kuykendall (they joined us Serena Ray last January for a week in Tenacatita).  They have a beautiful "hacienda" overlooking the Columbia River and the Cascade Mtns....

Well, we are now back in Seattle for a few days and attended brother Rick and Deb's son's (Sean) wedding, held in Woodland Park Zoo.  Beautiful evening with and occasional roar from a neighbor lion....

That's the first half of our land trek...we are off for Chehalis, WA tomorrow for another wedding of our good friends Tad and Tina (once cruisers). More about this and our travels down the Oregon coast in the next update.