Journey to the Palouse

We decided to take a three day journey into the Palouse beginning Sunday, August 5. The Palouse is the most serene and pastoral of the many wonders of Washington State. It actually encompasses south eastern Washington, north central Idaho and northeast Oregon. The Palouse is characterized by gentle rolling hills. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes.

The Palouse holds the largest concentration

of wheat per acre in the world.

Thirty percent of the world's lentils

are grown in the Palouse. 

Pullman, Washington, is home to Washington State University.

Just across the state line lies the University of Idaho in Moscow.

The Connor Museum, located in WSU's Science Hall,

exhibits fish, amphibians, reptiles, a dinosaur skeleton,

and several hundred mounted birds and mammals.

The Old Spiral Highway, connecting Lewiston, ID,

to the Palouse was built over 100 years ago.

It is one of Idaho's premier motorcycle drives.

From this viewpoint Lewiston and the junction of the

Clearwater River and Snake River are observed.

The Nez Perce National Historic Park is composed

of 38 historic sites.

The main visitor center is in Spalding, just east of

Lewiston, Idaho.

The Nez Perce have inhabited the Clearwater River

Valley for thousands of years.

The Nez Perce are know for their fine horses.

The museum contains artifacts and exhibits of

their history and everyday life. 

Lunch along the Clearwater River.

The Dworshak Dam was completed in 1973.

This is the highest straight axis concrete dam in

North America at a height of 717 feet

and 3/4 of a mile long.

Dworshak Reservoir

The 65 foot tall Codger Pole in Colfax, Washington, is the

tallest chainsaw carved structure in the world.

It was built to commemorate a football game between the rival

high schools of Colfax and St. John.

 The football game was first played in 1938 and replayed

in 1988 by those still around after 50 years.

Hence the name "Codger" Pole.

The final stop on our tour was in the town

of Rosalia, Washington. This renovated

Texaco Gas station was originally built in 1923.