Grand Coulee Dam

Hi from Junior, Started out the day with an early morning walk to the Soap Lake to see the teepees once more. I love the way they are painted. Then on the road to Dry Falls. Donna had read about them and was anxious to actually see where they were. The campground was down by the lake with playgrounds, golf course, boating and lots of very green lawns. Then up to the visitors center to see a movie and an explanation of the Dry Falls. Too much amazing history to go into here, but another great story to look up. It made me realize, it's not a good idea to get mother nature upset. We went out on a narrow walkway to look down into the valley where the 3 1/2 mile wide waterfall had been. When i looked over the edge, I realized the tower we were standing on was not connected to the "mainland.' Cmor stopped a bit down the road so we could take pictures of it.

Next stop Steamboa Rock and anotherr beautiful lakeside campground. I think it was a bit more than a rock.  We went on down the road to Grand Coulee Dam. Wow!!! It was like the Grand Canyon, more than I could really comprehend. We took the tour and were amazed at the security. two days after 911, new strict security precautions were put into action. Because so much power is supplied to so many states, the dam is considered vital to national security. Before we could get on the shutle bus, we had to leave most extra stuff in Cmor. No purses, backpacks, bags, bananas, weapons, or camera cases. We were each given a yellow bin to put personal items in before we went one at a time through a security room. Donna's new knee did not ping. Don took a long time emptying his bin after he went through the check. Wallett, coins, keys, golf tees, belt, camera, water bottle and a partridge in a pear tree.
We waited on the bus for him. there were two guides. We were followed by an armed guard.One was always in frront of the grroup and one in the back. When we got to the dam, there was a car side ways in front of the gate. The driver and the guide on ourr bus had to show ID's. Tthen the gate opened. It is the same kind of gatte as at the White House. They said a fully loaded Semi could not gett through. Then down into the Dam.We also go to get out and sand on the dam. Don and Donna got lots of great comments on their shirts. They are the "Significant Otter " shirts frrom Tiff and Chris. HOWEVER they did cause my people to have another discussion. Donna noticed they were even wearing the same colorred shorts. She said, we really look alike, and Don said "yes, but you have hair." Donna got a little upset. She thought he meant her legs were too hairy. Boy she gets touchy somettimes. I
know what she will be doing in the shower tonight. On to a fruit stand for peaches and cherrries but no bananas.

As we continued driving, we realized the scenery quickly changed. No more desert. Beutiful green trees and rivers. Next stop was suggested by Joan. Leaveworth. A Bavarian town witth flowerrs everywhere you looked. I have never seen so many flowers. It was very hot, but we walked around anyway.  Lots of the outdoor restaurants had misters going. Every other building was either a restaurant or wine tasting. In beween were gift shops. We were going to go into the nutcraker museum but it was upstaairs and Donna was worn out. Anyway, no pictures were permitted. We then went to Thee Sleeping Lady resort to see the walk aaround art display. There was a piece by Chihuly called "Chihuly Icicles", fitting because the resort is on Icicle Creek. We saw an apple tree with apples growing and glass eyes on the branches. Called "tthe evil eye tree". Also bird, fish and other sculptures. Then across the state to Everett. And here we are. I am a tired monkey. Where shall I take my people tomorrow? I dont know. Let me dream about it. Good nightt.