rhododendron, cedar and maple
Two sides of Washington State.
Driving to my daughter’s house takes my sister and me away from the greener, more populated west side of Washington State, across the Cascade Mountains, and into a totally different landscape. We cross the pass, and suddenly the dense underbrush is gone, the Douglas firs, cedars, and rhododendrons, replaced by Ponderosa pines. A little farther, and the only trees are along the rivers or in rows, poplars planted by the farmers. Sagebrush grows beside the road; wild grass, on the foothills.
Washington wineries.
Terra Blanca Winery near Benton City, WA
My daughter, my sister, and I aren’t big drinkers, but on a sunny day–of which there are approximately 300 east of the mountains–who can resist a little wine tasting at one of the more than 800 wineries in Washington?
The reds are particularly good … and I do like red wine. The area around Walla Walla in the southeastern corner of the state, among others, produces many red wines that are justifiably famous.
Even when we share a tasting, we need to rest a little and walk around the pond before we’re ready to drive.
The grapes are tiny now. This photo is from last summer.
Apple and cherry orchards, wheat, potatoes, and asparagus.
Thanks to the sunny climate, the many rivers, and a great irrigation system, Eastern Washington is famous for its orchards: apples, cherries, pears, and peaches. The farmers there grow tons of wheat and more than 20% of the nation’s potatoes. This month the markets are filled with locally grown asparagus. Delicious!
We visited farmers markets in two cities.
Flora in Eastern Washington.
On our walk along the Columbia River, we noticed how different the flora is in Eastern Washington. My daughter calls this Russian olive. I wish I could share its sweet fragrance with you.
An enormous fluffy seed head. Further research by my sister identified it as yellow salsify.
Wild roses are the same wonderfully big bushes on both sides of the mountains. Another fantastic fragrance.
Hi, Nicki. I identified the fluffy seed head flower we saw: it’s yellow salsify — quite a pretty flower. I could only find it in my NW Weeds book, not the wild flower books. ….Sue
Hey, that’s great! A pretty flower, and yet you found it in the weeds book. Oh well. Sometimes weeds are the prettiest. They’re always hardy. That’s what makes them a weed.
A beautiful collection of pictures. I have never been to a vineyard where grapes are grown and wine is made but I certainly would love to check one out! Hopefully someday!
My photos can’t compare with yours, but I did have some beautiful subjects. I like the wineries that have a Spanish or Italian-type of architecture. It seems that most of the wine growers in Eastern Washington are fascinated with vineyards and wine, and so welcoming. Terra Blanca, the winery with the view in my photo, also has a pond, a grassy hill, lots of flowers, and a breezy terrace.
Where is Christine living now? We just got back from camping in Eastern Washington and had such fun hiking through pine forests to discover amazing meadows abloom with lupine and balsam root.
I love this post, Nicki! I’m with you on not being much of a drinker these days, but I love wine tastings at wineries. Especially with gorgeous vistas to soak up along with the grapes. Hope you have a wonderful time with your daughter.
Thanks, Nancy. We did have a very nice weekend. I’m not in the habit yet of photographing our food, but another high point was the excellent lunch we had at a Thai restaurant.
One day I should try to go to some “wine areas” in Germany. The landscape there is wonderful (or so I heard).
I really like the first picture, I remember going with my parents often to parks full of rhododendron in all kinds of color 🙂
Rhododendron is Washington’s state flower. On the west side of the state almost every yard has a rhododendron. A few weeks ago I took a friend who was visiting from Virginia to a garden with rhododendron trees that must have been three stories tall.
I should visit Washington State. I’ve only been as far as Portland, Oregon. Your photos make me want to go! And since I like red wine, it looks like I would enjoy the wineries.
Cheers!
In case you ever visit Washington State, Evelyne, I think Western Washington is especially nice in July, Aug., and Sept. Spring and fall can be beautiful, but unpredictable. Eastern Washington is at its best in the spring and fall.
I moved to the tri-cities from Illinois. Our son and his family live north of Seattle. Our son was convinced we would love it here and we do. Mild winters, so much fruit and lovely scenery. I hate going to the west side because I am never warm. Plenty of sunshine here. Costco and a temple (we are Mormon) completes us. Our Washington grandkids are home schooled, so we meet our son or daughter in law half way and get the kiddos when we want. Now if only our son in Utah and his wife and two sons and our two daughters in Wyoming with their spouses and four children would move this way. It gives us a reason to travel.
The tri-cities is lovely. I’m glad you like it, Mary. The weather felt perfect this past weekend, and I do love all the sunshine.
What lovely photos! Who knew the other side could be so green and lush? I grew up in Seattle, and have made it to the other side only twice. Love the photos of you. Thank you for sharing!
I wouldn’t have gone to Eastern Washington very many times either if my daughter hadn’t moved there. The good part about having children scattered around the country is that I take some interesting trips and see places I might not otherwise see.