Lewis & Clark Trail

Thursday | 26 July 2001 | Clarkston, Washington: Hello from the banks of the Snake River! DT and I were very lazy this morning and didn't leave home until nearly 11 a.m. - we were giving Lisa last-minute instructions, maybe dallying a bit too long. The child is nearly 20 and this is the first time we have ever left her home! (No matter that she lives alone in her apartment at school in Washington, DC!)

Anyway... to make a boring story long... we drove east along Interstate 84, following the Columbia River. Of course, this is one of the most beautiful drives in America, though the driver can't take much notice of the views as the winds were blowing campers all over the gorge! We stopped at a picnic spot for a late lunch at 3:00. I felt quite smug - noshing on Salad Caprese (fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced romas and chopped basil) while other picnickers were eating baloney sandwiches!

At Pendleton, we turned north and followed Highway 12 - The Lewis and Clark Trail. This is the route the Corps of Discovery followed east, after spending the previous winter at (what is now) Astoria, Oregon. We stopped for a rest at Lewis and Clark State Park near Dodge, Washington. In May of 1806, Lewis and Clark ate their dog at this site. Why this is a State Park I have no idea. How hungry would I have to be to eat my dog?

We continued on through mile after mile after mile after mile after mile of wheat fields. I was craving a freshly baked baguette after the first few miles! Wheat as far as the eye can see! Just beautiful country, the Palouse!
 
We ended up in Clarkston, Washington. Lewiston, Idaho is next door and we found a nice campground, right on the river. (We are on a wide spot where the Clearwater and Snake rivers come together - for some reason it is called "Granite Lake".) It is very warm here. People are swimming, boating and skiing in the river wearing bathing suits, so the water must be warm. We (ha ha) drove about 375 miles today! We pulled into our campsite and had (Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville tequila and mixer) margaritas! At 9 pm, I made black bean burritos, Mariners are (winning) on the satellite and all is right with the world.

RV Park: Premier RV Resort