Washington June 23

Cont'dJune 24th Washington or bust

I have no idea what day this really is.  All I know is that we made it to a Rob and Desi's around 5:00 today.  Finally we have wifi!

I wrote quite a bit this morning about the state campground we found yesterday.  Our plan was to see the Coulee Dam.  I spent a great deal of time trying to contact the park.  No answer, will call back .  No same day reservations, first come first serve.  Check the main site for further  info.  Couldn't connect.  Tried the number to the main state campgrounds- no help, no info to provide. Need to just show up.  Oh and BTW if the budget isn't approved by 7/1, campgrounds will close , which didn't affect us, but angered me nonetheless.  So we backtracked after nixing the first on the list that looked like a homeless campsite and 20 miles later came upon the Ranger Station.  All closed down.  The R got out and read a bunch of stuff posted including a list of available sites (not sure when it was updated),  only one.  We found it and parked the HH, disconnected and then went back to register us.figuring possession was 9/10s of the law.  When he got to the Ranger Station, there was a huge line, which he hopped.  Very unlike the Rooster.  Somehow, it,all,worked out, but I wondered just how.  What if a person had already claimed site 99?  Did we then have to go back and start all over again?  Didn't matter.  We had a beautiful,site in the Dune area.  Large site, lots of trees, near the water.  We set up, and took a walk around.  Down at the lake, Lucy did her usual sniffing and going in to her knees, but no amount of cajoling would she come in deeper.  I was up to my thighs, looking around at the mountains surrounding us and the lovely lake enjoying the cool water, hot sun and over all beauty of it all.

On our way in and back we were almost attacked by some birds jeering at us and swooping down close to our heads.  It was only when we left that we realized they were protecting a fledgling that fell out of its nest.  We saw it on the ground, I,took a pic but it didn't turn out.  I left it in the collection as a memory.  As we came out of that area we saw a doe and fawn literally skipping through the section of the park we were walking in.  Must be different deer around these parts. We settled in. The R  reading  his fifth book while I worked in my knitting .  All around us there were lovely families, big boats and more,rigs,to be envious of.  Next to us we laughed at a group of kids playing badminton and changing the rules to,suit themselves.  They played a long time.  Next to,us, a big RV. A boat and a Barcelona rocker next to the fire pit.  While I amused myself thinking that was pretty cool, a large elderly man came out, moved it into,the sun, proceeded to sit in it, broke it and arms and legs went flying.  Trying not to laugh because the whole thing was so silly, and ready to go over to se if he was ok, he got up, looked around, I bowed my head so it didn't look like I saw the whole,thing and he sauntered off, out off out of sight.

Later we took a long walk around 75% of,the campground.  The entire area exceeds 500 acres, is located in a peninsula and each camping area has its own character.  The sun started to set and cast wonderful,reflections of the orange mountains onto the lake.  Magical!

Over at the next area from us the campground was set up as a desert.  No trees, just sage brush, rocks surrounding each site that was circular.  Behind the sites was a large expanse of lawn, well tended and large enough to have families with space for dog crates, games, bikes etc.  we watched 2 guys and a little boy race a radio controlled keep in the sand, roaring around at the little boss's delight.  Then a orang up (which is what my dad called his accidents with his radio controlled planes). The little,boy gleefully ran to,revue it and off they went again.  Further out on the peninsular was a concession area, picnic areas and a boat launch.  Lots of shade trees and again lovely reflections on the water along with boats fishing and roaring around or puttering.  We noticed a trail sign that went up a mile into,the mountain area allowing a panorama view of the park as well as,the dam we came to see.

So, the Coulee Dam... its big.  The is a visitor center than the R went inside to see. The dog