Time Flies - Wanapum S.P. - Vantage, WA

My goodness, nearly six weeks have passed since we arrived at Wanapum State Park and we have enjoyed every minute of our time here. The park is lovely, our site is roomy and has pretty good views to Wanapum Lake. Our fellow campers (most of them Washington residents) have been friendly and we've appreciated them sharing their favorite places to visit in the state. Our chores are simple and we set our own schedule. And the park staff have been great. We've enjoyed it so much that we've arranged to return next fall and are looking forward to it.
Speaking of fall, the tree colors here have been beautiful. While not as broad and sweeping as the aspen-covered mountains of Colorado, the ribbon of trees that line the Columbia River are no less lovely in their autumn finery and maybe even more pronounced because they pop out next to the stark, muted desert colors. These poplars are common trees around here and are used mostly for their ability to block the winds that can be fierce.
The day use area in the park has an assortment of trees that are changing colors. I'm not certain, but I think this is a maple.More poplars glowing gold against a big blue sky.
More trees in the picnic area at Wanapum.
Rudy posing in a pile of autumn leaves. We've raked leaves (just in our site) twice since we've been here and it reminds me of one of the reasons why I'm glad I don't have a house anymore -- never did enjoy raking leaves.
On our days off, we've taken a few day trips to explore the area. One day we checked out several other campgrounds along the Columbia River and found the lovely Lincoln Rock State Park. The park is huge with big trees and plenty of grassy fields. It sits alongside the Columbia River and many of the campsites have nice views to the water. We've applied for a camp host position there for next spring and hope we get it.
Another day trip took us to the Bavarian inspired town of Leavenworth. Getting to the town took us into the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains and we delighted in the pine trees and alpine feel of the area. We particularly liked this inn with its profusion of flowers draping every balcony.
Orchards are abundant in this area and every flat parcel of land within a mile of the Columbia River is covered with fruit trees -- mostly apples, apples and more apples, but also peaches and grapes. Fruit stands abound and fruit processing plants are plentiful and ginormous. Wanapum Park is located about five miles upriver from one of biggest apple orchards in the area and every day dozens of apple-filled tractor trailers drive by on route to the interstate. This orchard was just one of hundreds along the route to the city of Wenatchee.
When you head east on I-90, after crossing the Columbia River, there is a vista point that has an outstanding view of the area. We've stopped here a few times just to marvel at the size of the Columbia River.
Also at this scenic point is a view to the monument known as "The Wild Horses". These steel structures in the shape of wild horses are slightly bigger than life-size and can be seen from the Interstate.
There is a steep trail that leads up to the top of the bluff where you can get a closer look at the statues, but we opted to zoom in on them with the camera and binoculars. The link above shows better photos and gives more details about the monument.
Just another pretty view of the lake and park at Wanapum.
Just recently, the wild critters have started to emerge around the park. I guess before there were too many people around, but now that the campers are thinning out we're seeing deer wander through the park and this bold coyote was checking out campsites the other day.
One night gave us this beautiful, big moon rising over the campground.
And lucky us -- we even got a rainbow after one of the scarce rainstorms.