Exploring the Pacifi c Northwest
BY TRACY MEIKLE, Kelowna BC
a new hobby that we have started!! Geocaching combines the GPS navigation system with treasure hunting in a nutshell. It is a perfect hobby that goes hand-in-hand with RVing. Basically you plug in the coordinates using your GPS, and it directs you to caches along the way. Even I, with a visual impairment, have been known to fi nd some diffi cult caches!! As a result our fi rst geocache led us to an interesting, historic site called Sheep Slaughter. T ere is a huge placard outlining the feud between sheep farmers and cattle ranchers feuding over the land that resulted in the slaughter of many sheep. T ankfully the farmers and ranchers fi nally resolved their dispute. We drove by Winthrop, opting to visit this touristy town on our way home. We stopped to
camp for our fi rst overnight at Klipchuck National Forest Site. For $12 a night, it was a lovely quiet, private, woodsy campground with 46 sites, fi ve that will accommodate RVs that are 34 feet limit. T ere were trails leading to Cutthroat Lake. We enjoyed taking our dogs for a stroll down to Early Winters Creek. T e trail is too rugged
for those with mobility issues, like myself, but very enjoyable for our dogs. Although you have to come to this place prepared to do some boondocking, it is really a nice spot. T ere are no hookups or drinking water, so load up on water before arriving here. T e toilets are pit toilets, but I was very impressed with how clean they were. T ey were wheelchair accessible. As we lingered over our dinner with a glass of wine outside, my husband spotted bats fl ying overhead. I was glad I could not see them!!
September 15 T e next day took us through breathtaking views leading to Washington Pass along the
My husband, George, and I have long talked about RVing to the Pacifi c Northwest specifi cally to visit the San Juan Islands and Neah Bay. We fi nally took the opportunity to explore this beautiful, rugged area in September of 2010, and we discovered some gems along the way. We loaded up our 21- foot Airstream, our two dogs, Brodie and Chance, and enough food to feed a family of six before venturing out from our homebase in Kelowna, BC. I wanted to chronicle this journey with an eye to accessibility for those who face physical challenges. Having some challenges of my own due to visual impairment, I am so appreciative when campgrounds take individuals who have physical challenges into consideration. I hope this proves helpful to those who want to experience as much as possible, despite their limitations!!
September 14, 2010 Our fi rst day was a nice leisurely drive
from Kelowna, BC along 97S heading towards Osoyoos to cross the Canada-US border at Oroville. We did not have too much hassle at the border. We were glad that we had phoned ahead to know that no fruits or vegetables could be taken into the States. T ey scrutinized our doggy vaccination records to ensure that they both up-to-date in their rabies shots. And of course, the dog food got a vigilant inspection. Within 20 minutes, we were on our way. From Omak we took Highway 20 through lovely, rolling farmlands and vineyards. We spent a little longer stopping to do some geocaching…
Cascade Highway 20. At Washington Pass we were at an elevation of 5,477 feet with spectacular views of snowcapped mountains with jagged, sharp peaks and sparkling, blue waters of Ross and Diablo Lakes. Highway 20 essentially is named the North Cascades Highway at this point, and it is easy to see why it is declared as one of the most scenic highways in the U.S.A. T ere are several turnouts that give the opportunity to stop and gaze at the stunning views; however, signs did not give enough warning for those pulling trailers. We did not drive far before stopping at Rasar State Park. T e park off ers electricity and
water for $27 a night. We opted for no hook up at $21 a night. T ere is also a sani-dump and a separate washroom for those using a wheelchair. I was impressed with how well this park was maintained with well-graded, paved trails for wheelchair users leading down to the Skagit River. T ere are other trails for those who prefer a more strenuous workout. T ere are signs warning owners to keep dogs on a leash at all times, as there are coyotes in the area. What I found surprising was there were no beware of bear signs despite drooling over the bushels and bushels of ripe, juicy blackberries along the banks of the river. Sadly our timing was off for some great fi shing, but in the late fall this would be a prime area
for salmon and steelhead. In November, this area is a major feeding ground for bald eagles, as they feast on the spawning salmon. We went for an evening stroll along the river, and fi lled a bucket with big, juicy, ripe blackberries to enjoy with our breakfast the following morning.
September 16 We continued on Highway 20 towards Anacortes, occasionally stopping to do some
geocaching. We boarded a ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island – one of 176 islands and reefs (at high tide) that comprise the San Juan Islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I was surprised to fi nd out how many islands and reefs there were, although most are not inhabited. Lopez, Orcas and San Juan are the largest. Once aboard the ferry, it is a lovely jaunt through the islands. Depending on what time you
take the ferry, you may fi nd yourself stopping at Lopez Island before arriving on Orcas Island. It is a short stop to allow passengers to get off and on at this small island before venturing onwards. T e trek took about an hour and a half, including the stop at Lopez. I did not mind the length of the ferry ride - it is a relaxing, tranquil way to look at the
gorgeous scenery and marine wildlife along the way. Once we arrived on Orcas, we headed straightaway to Moran State Park to fi nd our destination for the night. Moran State Park is made up of fi ve separate campgrounds. We were dismayed to fi nd out that the North campground was already closed for the year. We checked out campgrounds at Midway, but they did not accommodate trailers larger than 20 feet. Mountain campground was also not a possibility for us. Finally we found a site in the South campground, and I am convinced we found the only
site on the island that would accommodate our 21-foot trailer. It was one of the nicest spots I had seen on the island. Our front door overlooked right onto Cascade Lake, and it had a nice lawn area for our dogs. It was the perfect setting, as we feasted on grilled salmon, dilled
RVT 142 • JULY/AUGUST 2011 17
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