Palouse Falls part II

as I stated in part I this is the second half of our little Friday get away on a beautiful day in February.

And just so you know yep I was there here is an phone shot hubby took of me



see that river that is teh other side of the falls where it lets out.  you can see our grand canyon of the palouse   Isn't she beautiful?



on our way to the park we saw bald eagles, hawks diving for food, horses even a camel not sure why someone has a camel but whatever.  And we saw lots of cattle.  the calves were especially cute.  I love how in the winter the cows look all fuzzy.  sorry didn't stop to take any pictures of them but did take plenty of pictures of the marmots



Marmots are large ground squirrels and these guys were out enjoying the sun as well.



i took way to many photos of them but couldn't resist.  these on the blog were my favorites



we also saw a coyote there but I was to slow getting my lens cap off and only got a glimpse of him in the camera



so then it was time to go we headed down to walla walla and had lunch at the olive one of our favorite places.  heading home we went through Dayton Washington where they use to be the cannery for the green giant until they decided to move their business to Peru but they still decorate the hill with the green giant



we hit the beautiful sunset but to late to make it to Steptoe Butte before dark oh well another time. the hills were golden.



windmills are great sources of renewable power for the pacific northwest.  they are huge one blade fits on a semi truck.  we guess it takes at least a dozen to ship one windmill to its resting location.  here are some windmills spinning as the sun is setting  i remind you these are huge and there are hundreds of them around the gorge and palouse.



hope you enjoyed my little adventure more to come

palouse falls part I

It was a beautiful day today and for February that is not the norm.  the sun was shining as we headed out of Spokane toward Palouse Falls which is about a 2 hour drive. I was hoping to catch some ice formation on the falls but as you will see we were to late this year.  Not a great drive in icy weather so I was to chicken to go in January.  oh well another time.  it is still one of my favorite spots. It is such a hidden gem and so many people don't know about I am spreading the word to check it out.  you don't have to hike any of it there are a couple of great viewing areas right off the parking lot.  bring a lunch there is no food or water service but there are restrooms and picnic tables.

the drive goes through mostly farm country well wheat farming to be exact and lots of cows.  This is just a short distance from the entrance to the state park.  I love it because it just looks like nothing special and you can see part of the windy road leading down



but what you find after the entrance is amazing



this waterfall has a 198 foot drop per the state park website.  many people have died going over those falls some on purpose some by accident. in 2010 Tyler Bradt did attempt and succeed the drop in a kayak crazy I say but he made it and only broke and ankle.  you can see his you tube video here  at the time this was a world record.

water is power


we have hiked around the falls before and onto the ledge just before the water a few years ago but only went to the tops of the cliff this trip

this is what you see on the backside and if you view the video above this is where the kayaker starts from



and a closer view of the outcropping of rocks next to the falls



here is hubby looking at a couple of friends that I will show more of tomorrow in part II




PS I am back blogging but wont be posting every day only and unlike last year where I only posted one picture a day this year I am going to attempt to tell a better story and fill the post we shall see how this goes.

found a great blog I want to keep a watch on and they do a walk and click wednesdays

another picture of the palouse falls.  this is looking from the falls out and down the river.


hey check out onenezzz my comment won a guest spot you could be next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://onenezz.blogspot.com/2011/06/caption-halloween-present.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKNQZq+%28Onenezz%29

not to mention the site has some really cool photo shots on it

signs of the end of summer

this flower was along the trail of Kamiak and I know its dead/dying but something about the color made me really like it.

yeah another dying plant I see a theme here but I pass this and though how funny and fuzzy.

a closer look you can see how furry it looks

but a zoomed in look you can really appreciate the beauty.

this was all over the trees.

and lastly my last shot of kamiak

Steptoe Butte

Yesterday I told you about the hike up kamiak butte well this is the other side of the mountains view. 

It is a view of steptoe Butte from Kamie Butte.

I have tried several different times to get a good clear picture of steptoe but everything we go it ends up being a hazy day.  I am beginning to think there are no clear days.

zoomed in a bit for you and here it is.  You can also drive up to Steptoe but there is no hiking its strictly a drive up to a parking lot.  the view is great especially in the summer when the fields are green.

I loved this shot of the harvested field.  so many times you see the picture of the pretty green fields but this is the bread and butter for the farmers here and the makings of some good bread for us at home.

Hike to kamiak

went for a drive about an hour and half from home to the palouse to kamik butte.  After climbing up around 3600 feet we reached the top

From both sides of the butte you can see the farm fields.  this time of year they are in the process of being harvested.  In the Spring they are fields of green.

Duncan (aka couch potato dog) went with us.  Its only about a 3 1/2 hour hike but he had to be carried part of the way