Feb. 25-Feb26. Lake Chelan, Washington

Feb 25-26
Wintery weather continued with icy rain falling in the morning.  With bad weather continueing we made the decision to follow the Columbia River all the way to Lake Chelan in one day.  We were able to secure a condo with a Lake view until March 2.
 We followed the  Columbia River Gorge north passing through small towns and cities like Richland, Mattaway, Quincy, Wenatchee and finally Chelan.   Eastern Washington geography is arid and desert like.  However, in complete contrast to the desert areas of Utah or Arizona the Columbia River provides water to the thousands of farmlands in this desert like environment.  The Cascades to the west are snow capped and provide a stark contrast to the brown treeless hills below.  They also provide water run off into the Columbia River.  The farmlands are a well organized and perfectly pruned fields of  apple and pear orchards as well as vineyards all made possible through the magic of irrigation. Although the trees and vines are bare this time of the year, they have been pruned to perfection awaiting warmer weather to blossom.  There are about 175,000 acres of apple orchards in Washington State and  produces 6 out of every 10 apples consumed in the United States.  These desert orchards extend miles into every direction and I can only imagine how beautiful the transition to spring is when their pink and white blossoms are in full bloom.
   The choice to continue to Lake Chelan turned out to be a great decision.  Our dog friendly condo overlooks the 50 mile Lake Chelan.  The city of Chelan is definitely a summer resort town of about 4,000 people,  but to visit during the winter gives us the opportunity to enjoy the town and its small town quality without the summer tourists. The summer population can increase to 25,000 including tourists and residents.
   On a morning walk through town we spent time in a local coffee shop, a book store and shopped at the various gift shops on Main Street.  With all the wineries around, we made a plan to visit two, Benson the Lake Chelan Winery.  We were the only visitors to both wineries so they were very willing to offer more than the regular offerings.  Two visits were enough for one day!
We will be in Chelan until March 9 and plan to take advantage of all this lovely community has to offer including a day long trip on the Lady of the Lake.  The excursion will take us into the wilderness areas of the lake surrounded by peaks over 9,000 to the town of Stehekin accessible only by boat, plane or hiking.
   This part of our journey across America marks a transition.  After our time in Lake Chelan we will begin our travels home.