WA -- Wenatchee, 9-14 Apr 2019

5 days in Wenatchee WA…

Why we came…
To check out a part of Washington we aren’t too familiar with and to visit Beau and Renea.

Challenging travel day….
At Alder Lake we did not have a cell phone signal and were unable to follow the weather.

We were concerned about snow over White Pass but that wasn't a problem. The problem was the WIND from roughly Ellensburg to Quincy, WA. It really kicked our butts!

Not only did the 50-60mph cross winds result in a stressful drive but we even had some damage. The refrigerator vent cover nearly got blown off... it was totaled. Then our slide awning unraveled and the metal bracket was severely bent. It's amazing the slide awning didn't get destroyed but the bracket did! We weather forecasters should have known better. We're fired!

Arleen called Rick, owner of Cascade Mobile RV, and sent him a few pictures of the damage. Rick ordered parts and visited us in the campground a few days later. He quickly replaced the refrigerator vent. The damage to the awning was not as straight forward. But based on his 20 years in the RV repair business, he gave us five different options. We highly recommend him! He’ll travel most places in central Washington.

New snow on White Pass but roads were just wet

The campground…
We stayed in the upper campground loop at Lincoln Rock State Park where there are 32 sites with water, electric and sewer hookups. The loop was a combination of half-moon pull-throughs and back-in sites. They were all paved, wide, and level. There was a nice green space between all sites and larger rigs would fit in most. The pull-throughs on the northwest side are premium with a view of Lake Entiat (Columbia River).

Satellite would be difficult in many sites during the summer when the deciduous trees fill in. They’ve planted trees at the back of most sites for summer shade. I got a signal because of a few naked trees.  Verizon signal was strong and reliable. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table.

It was quiet most nights because of the space between sites. We only heard occasional road noise. We were very happy that we could not hear the trains on the other side of Lake Entiat. The campground varied from half full to three-quarters full.
We would definitely stay here again.

We had full hook-ups and plenty of space

Nearby towns… 
The Wenatchee area, population ~60,000 and elevation 780ft, has plenty of stores and services.  It sits on the drier side of the Cascade Mountains along the Columbia River.  The area offers a plethora of outdoors activities with far fewer people than the Puget Sound region.  We liked Wenatchee and could spend a significant time there.

Adventures…

Lincoln Rock State Park…
“Lincoln Rock State Park is an 80-acre camping park with 2,300 feet of freshwater shoreline, on the east side of 31-mile-long Lake Entiat, a reservoir created by Rocky Reach Dam blocking the flow of the Columbia River north of Wenatchee. The park has expansive green lawns that span the shores of the lake, a popular place for swimming, water skiing and respite from the hot sun.”

“The park is named for a prominent rock formation visible across the Columbia River that resembles the profile of President Abraham Lincoln. The formation, which is carved into a cliff at the mouth of Swakane Canyon, was long-recognized by Native Americans and Euro-American settlers as resembling a human face.”

The day use areas at the park include: year-round boat launch with two boat ramps, 320 feet of day-use dock space, 80 picnic sites, two tennis courts, multi-use court, horseshoe pits, two sand volleyball courts, one grass court, swim beach, multi-purpose field for baseball and soccer, 1.3 miles of paved trail, five modern restrooms, four with showers, trailer dump station, playground equipment, and an amphitheater.

We enjoyed walking two to three mile loops around the park and campground each day. Everywhere we walked we could watch the antics of the yellow bellied marmots, squirrels, and a few rabbits enjoying the fresh green spring shoots. The Canada geese were always hanging out by the swim beach. All of this was back-dropped by Lake Entiat and the spring blossoms of many fruit trees.

Walk route around Lincoln Rock State Park

The namesake rock face

Being silly on the Columbia River

These geese are hanging out at the swim beach

Leavenworth…
Leavenworth is a charming mountain town that was abandoned by the railroad in the 50’s. “In the early 1960’s, town leaders had a bright idea: change Leavenworth’s appearance to draw visitors. If the gorgeous alpine hills had no equal except in German Bavaria, the city planned on completing the experience.”

“This was no mere facelift. In addition to completely renovating the downtown area, community leaders created a series of festivals, drawing revelers into town. From there, the Autumn Leaf Festival, Mayfest, and the immensely popular Christmas Lighting Festivals were born and continue to this day.”

“To say the change worked is like saying you can taste a hint of cabbage in kraut. For decades, Leavenworth has been a top tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest. More than a million tourists walk our streets every year, finding “Bavarian authenticity and Northwest hospitality.”

We started our tour at the Visitor Center. When Arleen asked about a self-guided walking tour, Nancy a gracious host, let us borrow her personal copy of Leavenworth, Then & Now book.

As we wandered up and down historic Front and Commercial Streets, we referred to the book to learn about the buildings that were built at the turn of the twentieth century. They’ve all been lovingly preserved as restaurants, hotels and shops with a Bavarian twist. Then we walked down to Waterfront Park and the Wenatchee River. The wilderness so close to town was evidenced by a sign warning of a mother bear and cub.

We wrapped up our visit with a delicious dinner at Sulla Vita. We shared a meal of Stuffed Mushrooms with Chorizo & Sharp White Cheddar, Flank Steak topped with Wild Mushroom Marsala, roasted Brussel Sprouts with House Pesto and Figs, and Scallops Picatta. It was a party for the taste buds.

Are we in Washington or Bavaria?

Colorful signs and murals are everywhere

Watch for bears in town

Bike ride…

The Rocky Reach Trail was just completed in 2016. The five-mile long paved, mixed-use ADA-accessible trail connects Lincoln Rock State Park to the Apple Capital Loop Trail in East Wenatchee. Interestingly, the Rocky trail is only open noon to dusk in spring due for agricultural reasons.

The trail led us along the river and next to several orchards. Only a few of the trees were in full bloom. It ended at the Odabashian Bridge and Highway 97 on the north side of town.

But here we were able to merge onto the 10.5 mile Apple Loop Trail. After crossing the bridge, we cut south along the paved trail next to the Columbia River to Wenatchee Confluence State Park, Walla Walla Point Park, and Riverfront Park. At each of these areas we were happy to see joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, and families out enjoying the day and getting some exercise. Benches and restrooms were scattered consistently along the route. 

The west side of the trail ended at the Pedestrian Bridge and a dog park. The bridge was the first spanning the Columbia built back in 1908 and for years was known as the Old Wenatchee Bridge.

We crossed the bridge, stopping to admire an Osprey lunching on a fish and a pair of Canada Geese nesting in the highest rafters. We know that geese will nest up high, though it’s rare. The gosling’s bones are so soft they can survive a long fall but this would be several hundred feet to the Columbia River far below! Nature is amazing!

The east side of the river was quieter and we saw a few other cyclists but only a couple of walkers. The paved trail meandered up and down a few hills, just enough to keep it interesting and fun. We completed the loop when we returned to the Odabashian Bridge.
We put our heads down for the final 5 miles and did a quick time-trial race back to the campground.

22 mile bike ride on the Rocky Reach Trail and Apple Capitol Loop Trail

No trail use due to "honey bee activity"?!

Tractors use the trail too

A few apple trees were blooming

Posing on the Odabashian Bridge above the Columbia River. Looking south towards Wenatchee and Mission Ridge which tops out at 6,820ft.

Crossing the Wenatchee River near its confluence with the mighty Columbia

There are a bunch of fruit distribution centers in the area

Riding onto the Old Wenatchee Bridge

Mile 0 of the Apple Capitol Loop is at the center of the bridge

An osprey eating a fish on the bridge.  It had a nest nearby.

Nesting geese at the top of the bridge were pretty close to the ospreys

The Old Wenatchee Bridge over the Columbia River

Family...

Renea and Beau graciously invited us over for dinner and also let us do laundry at their house. They’re distant relatives but they are also two of our favorite people. We enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives and sharing stories. We really hope they are able to visit us in Colorado.

Beau and Renea

Next…
We are near Dry Falls Lake WA.  Our next stops are Spokane WA, Curlew State Pake WA, and Kelowna BC.

Parting shots…

The Geology of the region is incredible

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