These pictures were taken only a few yards from a barking dog and us taking pictures. "No fear" here!"
These pictures were taken on Highway 164, just outside the Mt. Rainier National Park area.
Lots of snow and not very high
This is a year-round glacier. Picture taken in mid June.
The views are all the more breath taking when you come up on them all of a sudden.
The rock walls are a lot like the ones in Glacier National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and others scenic roads around the country.
Mt. Rainier is hidden in the clouds behind this smaller vocanic vent.
The mountains are just amazing.
This arch is at the very top of Hwy 410.
This view is to the west just before you start the descent down the hill.
The waters are all a milky color because the movement of the snow and ice in the glaciers grind up the rocks and produce rock dust that stays in the water, giving it its milky color.
Notice the trees behind these restrooms. The snow is bending them over as it moves down the mountain.
It is downhill for a long way without a break. Watch your brakes.
We took the picture of this sign and did not notice that there was a chipmunk until we got home.
A log jam must have caused a lot of flooding during the winter.
Washington has a lot of water and wild rivers everywhere.
The new policies of not removing fallen logs have made all the rivers full of logs. In time this policy will make these rivers hard to run with any kind of boat.
Just outside of the park to the east.
We fell in love with these homes and cabins. What a nice place to live.
How to describe Washington is not just by all the trees, but the flowers. They are everywhere, even in the side of cliffs.
Nice little hidden beach just off Hwy 410
This trip, as many in Washington, has several trailhead areas and very few campgrounds
Checkout Pam taking the picture in the mirror.
This area is an east water shed area desert and wilderness.
Reminded us of Truckee, California, even the names This is on the American River, but its not in California.
Moving out of the mountains and the pines, into the high desert area of Eastern Washington
You cannot see it to well in this photograph, but the tops of the hills are all fruit orchards
You know what Mike is thinking!!!
Turn around point for todays ride
Little coffee shops are everywhere in Washington.
Take the time to visit Yakima if you get the chance.
Freeways means heading home. I don't like freeways.
Ellensburg, WA
Busy little downtown area well done lot of small nice shops and places to eat.
Same old fast food as everywhere on the outskirts of town. Note that they even have Pam's favorite Mexican "restaurant", Taco Bell.
Another Coffee Stop.
Looks like rain on the way home
Looks like fun to me (Mike). Looks like torture to me (Pam).
This is for my son-in-law, Brett, the fly fisherman in the family.
Found a side road on the way home. I am happy again.
I knew it couldn't last!
Cle Elum
Another Coffee Drive in. We have thought about making an album of all the coffee shops we see. Note: we have never stopped at one. If we stopped at all the coffee huts we see, we would have a really high caffeine high!!!
It looks like a way to get off of the freeway to me (Mike). It looks like its going to be a lot longer trip to me. Can't we just go home! (Pam).
Great views and a golf course. Can it get any better than that?
This picture is pretty, but look at the the plants in the water. They got a lot of water this past winter.
This side trip was picked out by Pam. it tooks us several hours and some of the roughest roads the Jeep has every been down (Mike). What was I thinking (Pam)?
Interesting flower! The flower is on a plant that just looks like grass.
Checkout the map. We were supposed to be next to the water, but the road is very steep and rocky. Can't even see the lake most of the time. This is the road that Pam chose.
When we got to Stampede Pass, hoping to take it around the lake on the back side. The pass was closed with snow. Had to double back and take another route.
I guess I should watch the road. But no chance of there being other cars here.
Meadow Creek
Getting too late to turn back now.
Keechelus Lake - Backside of Lake - You don't want to try this road unless you are in a 4X4. Beautiful scenery, but wow what a ride. Rough Road. About half way through, we thought about turning back.
Looking down at Keechelus Lake - from Backside of Lake - with zoom lens - that is Hwy 90.
Can we make it???
It is along way down straight down
It is a long way straight down, but I think we can make it . . I hope!
Looking down at Keechelus Lake - from Backside of Lake
You don't get this view from the freeway!
Looking down at Keechelus Lake - from Backside of Lake - that is Hwy 90.
Sure glad we have the Jeep. The car might not have made it. (Mike) But I'm sure he would have tried! (Pam)
We had to stop taking pictures because we were losing light. But the adventure had only just begun. The road got much worse and it was too late to turn back. We crossed a deep stream running full. Rock filled roads and lots of mud. Freeways are boring!!!! This road gave us a greater understanding of the term "Rock Crawling"
