And
it
will
be
easier
next
(this)
time?
Perhaps,
as
we're
necessarily
even
aiming
to
leave
the
albeit
completely
finishing
up
I-90,
via Tokio,
Bauer
Coulee
(Fr. "To flow"),
the
community
of
Moses
Lake,
first views
of the
distant Cascades
and George
(Washington, get it?),
descending
the
spectacular
Columbia
River
Gorge,
past
severe
basaltic
cliffs,
ovr
the
azure,
crystalline
waters
on
the
Lake
Wanapum Bridge to Vantage,
Ryegrass
Coulee
to
its
Summit,
the
continued
incline
up
Canyon,
eventually
to
somewhat
familiar
Ellensburg,
the
surprisingly
easy
transit
from
there --
after
gathering
strength
at
Indian
John
Hill
Rest
Area,
a
gradual,
extensive
grade
past
Keechelus
Lake
and
surrounding
impressive,
looming
prominences,
up
to
Snoqualmie
Pass
(3,022
feet --
less
than Mt. Diablo,
or
many major California passes).
Down,
down
the
drizzly
slopes
to
Issaquah
for
supplies
and
ultimately
bridging
tunneling
to
Seattle,
south on 5,
over the
West Seattle
Bridge,
for a
lovely time with
Claire,
Nathan, and
Joyce -- who is bravely bearing up despite an alarming diagnosis.
Aiming to visit Marek tomorrow,
it's
time
to
head
south
again
in
traffic
and
the
gathering
gloom,
stop
and
go
extensively
in
Cowlitz
County
again
along the
Columbia
to
bivuac
in
quaint
Kalama --
waterfront west,
cliffs east,
a
walk along the motel
balcony and parking lot to dinner at
viewful
Columbia Inn.
74th day of summer down south, high up 6 to 90 --
Spokane, 81
Seattle, 64
Kalama, 63
