Day 115 Coeur d’Alene, ID to Seattle, WA

Wed., Sept. 11

Coeur d’Alene, ID to Seattle, WA

Sad to leave Coeur d’Alene, wanted to ride the Hiawatha trail but the shuttle service stopped Sep. 8 and now only running on weekends. I don’t think I could ride down the mountain and come back again so we’ll just have to come back. It was cool in the morning but by 9 am it was 16 degrees and within the hour it was 24 degrees and warming.  This place is shopping heaven, from Coeur d’Alene to Spokane, all kinds of shopping with lots of RV sales.  Then we’re into the fields that have been cut with stacks and stacks of hay covered with tarps or stored in huge sheds.  This area also known for its potatoes and corn.

Looking across the campsite

Leaving the lake

Past Moses Lake it starts getting hilly and very dry.  Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind & Solar Facility is visible from the view point above the Columbia River.  The elevation at the river is about 1200 feet and at the Ryegrass Summit it is 2526 feet.  The truck’s exhaust is still not clean will have to get that checked in BC.  

Columbia River crossing

Marina & campsite on the Columbia River

In the distance we can see a huge snow covered mountain, we’re guessing its Mt. Rainier.  Pretty impressive!  Construction crews are working on the Snoqualmie Pass.  Two trucks pulled in front of us and slowed to 35 km/hour in both lanes so no one could pass for about 10 km. That’s one way to slow traffic and use of pilot cars in a different way.

Resevoir getting low

Following the GPS to get to the campsite, we were just about there when we realized we were in the wrong lane and couldn’t move over, 5 lanes of traffic.  No problem Garmin will take us back.  We got turned around and crossed the interstate and our exit was blocked, detour!!!!  Now we had to ignore Garmin since it wanted us to do a U turn and go back.  We got back to a previous exit and made it without further incident. 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  495 km
Weather:  Sun; High: 35 degrees; Lo: 12 degrees in the RV at 7:30 am
Wildlife: Hawk, vultures
Campsite:  Maple Grove RV Resort $46 full service
Walking: 1 km walking

Washington Stats:
Nickname:  The Evergreen State
Flower:  Coast rhododendron
Bird:  Goldfinch