Oregon to Washington - Wonderful Weather for Ducks

Hints of snow along
the highway, continuing
rain shrouds our travel

~ carliewired

We left Baker City, Oregon right after breakfast. Heading west on Hwy 84, the sky was dark and gloomy ahead of us. Just a few miles down the highway there's a sign that tells us we are half way between the North Pole and the Equator. Good to know!

As we climbed up the hills above the Umatilla River Valley, there was snow along the edges of the highway. Rain started. We drove down into the valley which is largely agricultural. In spite of the chill, there were lots of new calves in the fields. Some already sported their ear tags.

We crossed the bridge over the Columbia River and we were in Washington State. There is a huge hydro dam to the east of the bridge. As we drove through Washington's wine country we noted that the sprinklers were on in many of the vineyards regardless of the very wet weather. The state of Washington has been suffering with the abundance of rain and has already experienced one significant and tragic mud slide.

It was a rather long and uneventful drive into Moses Lake, Washington. The highlight of my day was my early dinner at Shari's Cafe and Pies in Moses Lake. It was indeed, very good – chicken and dumplings served in a cast iron frying pan. (that branch draped across the top is rosemary, not the top of a pine tree, just in case you were wondering)

Shari's Cafe and Pies started back in 1978 in Hermeston, Oregon. It has now grown to 100 locations in seven northwestern states. The buildings are uniquely six-sided with most patrons getting a window seat. The chain has gained a great reputation as a 24-hour, family restaurant. I highly recommend their pies – good crust and real whipped cream. I chose banana cream and I didn't leave anything on the plate!

The rain didn't stop until we were in our location in our RV Park and D had leveled the trailer. The welcoming committee was a pair of Mallard ducks that were enjoying the wet spots all around the RV Park.