Idaho and Oregon Snake

Neat Retreat RV Park, Fruitland, Idaho.  This AAA and AARP-recommended RV campground (and trailer park) is located just off I-84 on Idaho State Hiway 95.  We arrived mid-afternoon, making good time following the National California Historic Trail from just north of Ogden, Utah, with the Wasatch-Cache National Forest on our right for most of the morning.  We soon crossed into Idaho and made Twin Falls by late morning.  Still following I-84, we passed thru Boise (Go Broncos!) and Nampa, and crossed the meandering and majestic Snake River several times.  As the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the Snake begins in NW Wyoming south of Yellowstone and west of the Continental Divide at an elevation of almost 10,000 feet. Several small streams converge to form the river that then flows south for more than 100 miles before turning west into Idaho and flowing across the southern part of the state. The river then turns north and west through southern Washington to its confluence with the Columbia a few miles south of Pasco, WA.  At the confluence, the Snake’s elevation is about 350-ft above sea level, which means it drops more than 9,500-ft from its sources – quite a step decline. Early French fur traders called the Snake a “mad river,” apparently for good reason. The rapid descent and rocky canyons of the Snake made it a good river for hydropower development and the river is also heavily tapped for irrigation.  Near Burley, Idaho, virtually the entire flow of the river is pumped or diverted. Further downstream, the Snake is replenished by springs and tributaries, essentially amounting to a second river.  The Snake has been called the lifeline of southern Idaho and the multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry in this part of the state.  Before the construction of dams, the Snake produced huge volumes of salmon and steelhead, and the fish spawned in the main part of the river and in tributaries as far inland as Shoshone Falls – about 600 miles from the confluence with the Columbia. Salmon passage today ends at Hells Canyon Dam. In its upper reaches, the river remains a popular destination for sport fishing and water recreation. Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, is a national recreation area. The Snake was named after Indians who lived along its shoreline in present-day SE Idaho. Early fur traders noted that the Indians marked their territory with sticks that showed an image of a snake. The Indians also greeted people by making a snake-like hand motion.

Anyway, we’re staying only a stone’s throw from the Snake on the Idaho side of the river.  Tomorrow finds us headed further into Oregon, crossing the very NE part of this state via I-84 as we continue our journey to Yakima, WA.  Much of the morning will find us following the Oregon National Historic Trail, passing thru Baker City, La Grande, and Pendleton (yes, THAT Pendleton wool), before catching I-82 and crossing the mighty Columbia River at Umatilla, Oregon.  The trek thru this part of Oregon will find us winding our way between Wallowa-Whitman National Forest/Wilderness Area and the famous Blue Mts.  BTW, a note for sightseeing and wine lover’s:  After crossing the Columbia, just 14 miles west on WA State Hiway 14 – near Paterson, WA – sets a beautiful French-style chalet that is home to Columbia Crest Winery. Many of you may have seen Columbia Crest or its sister winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, on many a restaurant’s wine list or even in your favorite wine store.  Washington State is home is many, many fine wines and wineries; these two are just a couple of the more well-known.

Columbia Crest Winery, Paterson, WA

Once we cross the Columbia, the rest of the trip is pretty much familiar territory for us.   Many of the cities and towns that we’ll travel thru in the Lower Yakima Valley are home to the very same high schools that I used to play against while playing football and baseball at Naches Valley High School.  Like I said, very familiar territory.  We are both anxious to arrive in Yakima, where we’ll be spending a few days visiting family and friends.