Day 27 July 28, 2025 Osoyoos British Columbia to Pendleton Oregon 298 miles
The skies are mostly blue. The temperature is already warm. It’s going to be a hot one for sure.
We ate breakfast at A&W Canada. They have a similar menu to the other fast food places. It was easier to get to than McDonald’s. Then we went next door and filled the gas tank.
On the way out of town we drove through much of the residential area and then along the lake. Lots of options for recreation.
We are barely out of town when we reached the border. The only vehicle in front of us is a semi. We thought we might have to wait awhile but the truck breezed right through. We didn’t spend long either. Usual simple questions. Glad we didn’t purchase any of the fruit at the stands we just passed.
In a yard just down the road are two Big Foot metal yard art with a dog. Both Big Foots have on hard hats. I guess they are off to work.
A family of birds that were either quail or ptarmigans were attempting to cross the road in front of us. Thankfully they took flight before we got there. Even the chicks flew. There must have been at least eight chicks and two adults.
Numerous semis loaded with big square bales of hay are headed north. Can’t imagine they are going to Canada based on all the hay we saw up there.
Several long stretches of highway had the ruts in the road filled in with asphalt. Obviously cheaper than resurfacing the entire highway. It sure made the driving for us difficult with the narrow tires on the car. We wiggled back and forth all the time. You might think Rob was a drunk driver.
To the west of us and up on a ridge was a big collection of satellite dishes. They were all different sizes placed close together. Oh maybe one for every streaming channel provider?
For several miles we still see orchards and vineyards. Eventually however that gives way to grain fields. They are very large and appear to be dry land farming. No sprinklers.
We passed by the Chief Joseph Dam. Also came to the sign for Grand Coulee Dam but we chose not to go there.
We stopped for lunch at a wide turnout overlooking a small town and a canyon of some sort. We are close to the town of Soap Lake. The canyon most likely has a river flowing into the lake. This was one of the few turnouts we even saw. It didn’t have a trash can nor a toilet. The back roads just don’t have many rest stops.
We drove along what must be Soap Lake. Quite a bit of activity for a week day. Lots of RV parks with a lot of RVs in them. Very popular spot.
The grain has given way to fields of corn. The corn fields do have sprinkler systems running. Then we came to two large dairies only about a mile apart. No subdivision In the area.
The hills are dry with very few if any trees. Some sage brush and dry grass. Not the beautiful scenery from a few days ago.
We followed Lake Wallula for several miles. It looks like a nice lake but no activity in the area we were.
The last part of the journey was through rolling hills of grain. Most had been harvested. Then we arrived in Pendleton. We drove right down the Main Street of town past the stampede grounds. Then up the hill to our hotel for the night.
Then woodie ran well today. The temperature was in the mid nineties and it did not overheat. The transmission is making more noise but is still working. Time will tell.
Spoffords Travel 