Oh say, can you see . . .  a lot of amazing scenery if you drive through Washington and Oregon?    YUP!!
For the last 3 days we have driven pretty much through the middle of Washington to Kennewick and then back west along the Columbia River in Oregon to Portland and then down almost to California.
We had hoped to stay in each state a day or so but the weather did not co-operate.The forecast was not at all promising so we decided to move on.  It rained too hard to even take a picture out the window in Washington.  I was really disappointed because I was in awe the whole time we were driving through.  Basically we were in a valley the whole time so you really get to see most of the town, industry and crops as they are pretty much along the highway.  It looked like they had harvested over half of the apple crop.  The interesting thing about the area is that it is really desert just like the Okanagan in BC.  Anything that is not irrigated is just dry and desolate with sand and sage type plants.  We saw every crop you can imagine when we drove through ('cept like - you know - bananas and pineapples). Well, maybe I exaggerate a little but you get the idea.
The drive along the Columbia river was absolutely amazing. We drove on the Oregon side (the Columbia river is basically the border between Washington and Oregon). The bridges are gorgeous, numerous and huge!

Luckily for most of the way along the Columbia River it was not pouring rain so I did manage to get a few pictures albeit through the window as you cannot stop on the Interstate just to snap a few. 

This country side was the opposite of the lush, fruitful one we witnessed in Washington.  There was really nothing growing on the hills. It was just rock but such interesting shapes and formations!  There were quite a few barges going along on the river as well as fishermen and some huge dams.
About the only farms we saw were huge wind farms.  There were miles and miles of turbines.  I never realized how huge these things are!  Just one blade is longer than a semi.

And then we hit Portland, and the rain and the wind - enough said about that day.
Today was a whole new wonderful day!  It did not pour rain, and I was actually outside with shirt sleeves.  Man it is nice to feel dry and warm! We did not see any crops but rather miles and  miles of  livestock.  I have never seen so many sheep in my life.  They looked pretty naked so I am guessing they must sheer them for wool?? I will have to research this another day - seems kinda mean to take away their winter coat.

The landscape is also very  different. There are trees and green grass everywhere.  The hills are alive with the fall colors - it is sooooo beautiful. The next pictures are of our campsite.

Tomorrow we are headed to Redding California where we hope to spend a few days exploring the area by car and then keep heading south and seeing as much of California as we can.
California, here we come!