We had a beautiful drive down Hwy 90 this morning. The variety of scenery was wonderful! As we left Lake Sammamish, heading south, we passed several sparkling lakes, multiple little waterfalls trickling down steep rocky hillsides, vine maple and poplar stands adding the appropriate autumn blush of color here and there.
After a few miles the road opens up in the Kittitas valley. A broad, flat, fertile valley with rivers and streams crisscrossing and forming the boundaries of pastures and hay fields. The valley supports several large cattle ranches and farms. Washington is known for it's production of apples and other tree fruits, and this one of the prime production areas. At the southern end of the valley the lush green fields change to rolling golden hills. Suddenly we are in semi-desert, judging by the plant life. Turning south on Hwy 82 and driving for several miles through the dry plains that are part of the Yakima military Reservation we finally arrive in Yakima, our destination. We again see the tidy rows of commercial orchards and a really nice view of snow capped Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainer.
The Yakima valley is truly the fruit basket of the northwest and looking at the tourism brochure we picked up on the way in to the campground they've added wineries to their fruit growing industry. There are too many places of interest to visit here, so we'll have to pick and choose. So far we're very impressed with the campground, and we'll post photos and a detailed report in a day or so - stay tuned!
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