Deschutes State Recreation Area

We left our beautiful campground in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (also referred to as the Coeur D’Alene National Forest) and headed in a different direction from the route we had taken in. Yesterday’s route was very dusty and long. Today’s was a bit less dusty but just as long, but it reached a paved road much sooner. We went up a couple of thousand feet before descending into the town of Coeur D’Alene.

In Coeur D’Alene we sought out a car wash that could handle our high profile vehicle. From there we took I-90 west toward Spokane. After a quick stop at a Walmart for some hats, we continued west. The terrain changed quickly. From mountains, pines, hemlock, and spruce we crossed a dry, desert-like plain. Nothing growing. Some volcanic rock and burned over areas — whether they were controlled burns or not we couldn’t tell.

Soon we began to follow the Columbia river. The hillsides on the north side were either very dry and yellow or brilliant green from irrigation. It was a pleasant drive except the wind picked up.

We ended up staying at the Deschutes River State Recreation Area, located where the Deschutes empties into the Columbia. As she lives right on the Deschutes in Bend, Amanda suggested we just swim up the river. Given that it is 140 miles upstream, we declined.

The campground here is very nice. The A-loop has electricity and lovely views of the river. The B and T loops are primarily for tenters and while nice, are pretty close together. We have LTE ATT service. There is a bit of noise from I-84 and there is a train that crosses the Deschutes from time to time.

After dinner we took a bit of a walk around the campground. There was a very informative display about the settlers crossing the Deschutes here in the 1850s. David noted that you could still see the wagon tracks left after they crossed the Deschutes and continued westward.

Tomorrow we will be in Bend where the celebration of Amanda and Brian’s wedding will begin.

-- Janet (text) and David (photos)