Departing Zim's Hot Springs and vowing to return on another trip, we pulled back out on to Hwy 95 heading north. It continued on and down a long mountainous pass along side the Little Salmon River. The river wasn't so little with the spring run-off. It was raging and quite the site to see! It tumbled all along the side of the road for miles and miles and miles through the pass that we were driving through.
Driving into a little town of Riggins, we see many signs indicating "Hell's Canyon" Adventures, so it is obviously a big attraction in this area and as we have learned,m it is a very large National Recreation Area. It is actually 600,000 acres of rugged, pristine wilderness. And actually home to the deepest River chasm on the continent and three of North America's Wild and Scenic rivers. Might have to check this out for a fun 'River ride' sometime.
What an inviting little town this Riggins is. If the weather had been nicer, we may have stopped and found a nice coffee spot or browsed into some spots. All the business names seemed to be themed around the Salmon River, or Wild Waters.
Out of Riggins, we began a very long climb up and further up. We, despite the low ceiling and rain, were witness once again to sweeping green valley and beauty beyond description. You could see in different parts what may have been wagon trails that were forged long long ago. Conjures up quite the moment of imagination for me. I think this is one of the longest climbs/hills that we have experienced in our travels. It's called Whiebird Hill. It Provided us with some incredible views that's for sure.
Part way up there was a stop to become educated about the Nez Pearce War. I read about it online this afternoon while we were camped. Quite the story and well worth the read.
After the long climb out of the stunning green valley, we find ourselvess driving through miles and miles of grain farms as far as the eye can see on either side of the highway. This part of Idaho and approaching Washington State is a very productive part of the USA. There are also wind turbines in the area at the crests of some of the hills.
Coming into Clarkson, we turned on to Hwy 128W for a short distance and then on to Hwy 12West . We are now on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Lots of history here as well. They were quite the explorers. The farmlands disappeared for awhile and we were back to winding through yet another long ravine - a long climb up and out of Clarkson, surrounded by grassy or sage brush covered hills that loomed up on each side of us and displayed some lava outcropping a as well.
With the continuous rain, we decided to pull into Tucannon River RV. We have stayed here before and it is such a lovely, pristine and very quiet little campground.
Tomorrow night we will be at Curlew Lake State Park in northern Washington near the US and Canadian border. It is another favourite spot of ours and usually where we stay the first night out on the road or the last night out on the road. It is quiet and ever so peaceful. They don't have wi-fi so this will be my last post on this Phoenix to Vernon journey.
There are only 4 pictures today. The rain made it tough. I did start with a photo of Ziim's though.
As my regular readers know, I like to end a journey-blog with "This I know".
And This I Know.... This great continent of North American provides us with miles and miles of visual beauty. I also know that Joe and I want to retrace this particular route another time because it has been one of our prettiest journeys that we have taken between our winter and summer homes. I highly recommend any one doing this drive take it too. You won't be disappointed. The spring provides such a carpet of spring greens while the fall journey will offer up golds and rusts.
Thanks to those who have travelled along with us.
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