Getting There
October 3
The weather was nice, in fact can be the nicest time of the year.
Several sunny days were forecast, so I decided to head over to
Eastern Washington, and spend the night at Grand Coulee Dam,
mainly because it was in north central Washington! The plan
was to take the North Cascades Highway, but for whatever reason,
I went for Stevens Pass instead. On to Wenatchee to cross the
Columbia River and head north.
Omak
Just a little north of Omak is this interesting line of
mountains.
The road ahead, at the same place.
Coulee Dam City
I continued up Highway 97 to Tonasket. This was new territory
for me, as I have not been further north than Omak before.
It's possible to take a road from Omak to Coulee Dam City,
but I have already been on that road, and the more northerly
road seemed more interesting. Indeed it was, as Tonasket to
Republic is through very pretty country, and it was a pleasure,
although getting a little chilly, as there is Wauconda Summit
to cross, and it's 4310 feet (about 1300 metres), a tad higher
than Stevens Pass, and somewhat shaded from the trees, which
makes it cooler (quite noticable on a bike!).
I made a reservation at the Columbia River Inn, just across the
street from the visitor centre.
It seemed to have been recently
renovated, and was in good condition, except the bed was like a plank!
Each room has a balcony, though, and that was nice.
Balcony Views
The spillway section of the dam.
The extension part of the wall, and the left of the original
wall and spillway.
Looking towards the town on the northern bank of the Columbia,
showing the road bridge and (probably) the world's biggest
sand pile - the grey mound was sand intended for dam construction,
but I guess they got the order wrong!
2001