Catching up 2

We took our time getting up this morning (September 12, 2012)  We have been through many different types of landscape.  Today, we went through areas of huge wheat fields with some rolling hills.  We had left the interstate behind us heading towards North Cascades National Park.

We come to an area with large gorges and two dams.  One was the Grand Coulee Dam and the other was Chief Joseph Dam both on the Columbia river.

We also saw miles of Apple orchards which were part of the Gerber Apple Farms.  The apples were ripe and they were just beginning to pick.

We start following the Methow River towards Wintrop, Washington.  This river is very clear.

Between Pateros and Twisp, we saw a fairly large forest fire (smoke bellowing above the mountains)

This is the first glimpse of the smokey fire.

 

We pull over when we got even with it and took some pictures.

 

 

This is our view from the highway.

 

 

This is a picture of the helicoper  that was dipping water from the river just in front of us.  He would then go to the fire and dump the water and come back for more.

We were told there were a few more fires around the area.  This made the sky really hazy.

 

We stay the night at Pearrygin State Park just outside of Wintrop, WA. 

Another surprise we found at Washington State Parks, is that we had to pay extra for showers.

 

Another view of the lake.