We pass through “The American Alps”. Steep, stark peaks jut into the clear blue sky.  Dark rock is accented with brilliant streaks as sun glints off snow and melt streams.  Lush green meadows drape like shawls across the mountains shoulders.

The motorhome worked pretty hard during this 220 miles in 6 hours (so did the driver). But it’s worth it.

That’s weird. We dropped over one mountain and the temperature jumped from 70 to 90.  Something must be wrong with the thermometer!  But, no; it is really that hot here in the Columbia Basin and its supposed to stay that way for at least 3 or 4 days.

It’s a bit hard on people but seems to work well for their agriculture. Take that killer heat.  Add lots of water (collected behind the Grand Coulee Dam) and apply it to some rich ancient volcanic soil and you can grow anything.  We stop to sample product of that successful combination, Rainer Cherries and tree ripe peaches.  YUM