Lakewood to Missoula

Lakewood to Missoula

Well, just as we are leaving the Seattle area it starts to warm up, heheheh!!!

Starting to look pretty good (front of house)

We spent ten days at the house getting everything taken care of. Weeding, mowing, edging, cleaning the shed, painting a couple of rooms, replacing a broken window in the garage, bringing gravel in for the driveway, cleaning and staining the deck, putting flowers and bark in the gardens, arranging lawn and garden maintenance until the place sells. The house sits in the middle of  2+ acres of lawns and gardens surrounded by 3+ acres of trees.

Rear of house, deck and hot tub

Our realtor wanted us to vacate so the interior work could be completed, carpets shampooed and a thorough cleaning done. Once everything is completed, the inside will be staged and photos taken for the sales brochure. As soon as we get everything from our realtor we'll make sure everyone has a copy. We plan to offer a $500 referral fee to anyone who sends a buyer that signs a purchase contract.

Heading for Snoqualmie Pass

After leaving Whidbey Island we drove to our youngest daughter Marni's to spend a day visiting, then it was on to Lakewood and Tina's Mom's place where we stay next door at her sister Shanda's house. We spent two days visiting then headed out this morning for the trip home to Naples. Leaving Lakewood around 8am we filled the gas tank then got on I-5 north to the Puyalup cuttoff, I-512 to Auburn where we got on I-18 to North Bend and I-90 West.

Cresting Snoqualme Pass

I-90 crosses the Cascade Mountains via Snoqualmie Pass and heads into Eastern Washington. I learned to ski at Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area when I was in the 7th grade, lo those many years ago... Hmmmm, where were we, oh yes, crossing the Pass. Traffic was light as you can see from the photo and we made great time.

Lake Cachese on the east side of the pass

Cresting the pass and heading into Eastern Washington we had a slow down for construction projects that will make this stretch of highway safer from rock slides. we were able to take this great reflection photo of Lake Cachese in the morning sunlight. Soon we were through the construction zone and headed East again.

Our first stop of the day was at the Vantage Junction just above the Columbia River on the West side. We were here several years ago to hike in the Petrified Forest and had our granddaughter Emma with us. The three of us headed out for a hike with the dogs. Halfway up the hill the dogs started sniffing at a rock that had a hole at its base When I looked at what they were interested in, it turned out to be a small rattlesnake. Needless to say we all backed ff and gave the snake his room!

Looking South from the Vantage Bridge

This time we stopped for a restroom break and a switch in drivers then it was back on the road to cross the Mighty Columbia! Then we climbed out of the Columbia Gorge to the Inland Plateau of Eastern Washington, Wheat Capital of the State.

Climbing out of the Columbia Gorge

We made a stop in Ritzville for lunch at the Ritz Restaurant. Just as we got out of the car a lady came out and said they were closed, that they had just lost power. Then, just as we were climbing back in the car, she stuck her head out the door and motioned us back in, the power had been restored. Good for us as the next closest restaurant was anther 60 miles further on. We had a nice lunch and with a switch in drivers hit the road again.

Lake Coeur D'Alene

We made our next stop in Spokane Valley for gas then it was back on I-90 and heading into Idaho. This far north the Idaho panhandle is only about 90 miles wide but crosses some absolutely beautiful country. We passed Lake Coeur D'Alene where we have stayed several times, the last being about five years ago.

Lookout Pass

Soon we were climbing the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains towards Lookout Pass and the Montana border. The pass is at 4,711 feet elevation and there was plenty of snow.

Montana Mountain Grass

We made a pit stop a little further on to give the dogs a chance to stretch their legs, heh, heh! The girls had fun romping in the snow before we were once again on the road. We arrived at ou destination just before 5pm only it turned out to be 6pm as we had moved into Mountain Time. After getting registered, the bags in and the dogs fed and settled, Tina and I went next door to the Irish Pub for dinner. After dinner we watched a little TV, uploaded pictures and wrote the blog, then it was off to bed.

Tomorrow we head for Sheridan Wyoming.