We finally left Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and spent a few days in Ritzville, Washington at the Wheatland Communities Fairground. This is an interesting privately owned all volunteer fairgrounds supported by the surrounding communities - the county didn't have a county fairgrounds so the residents started their own. From there we moved on to Charbonneau Park which is an Army Corps Of Engineers Park on Lake Sacagawea. Lake Sacagawea is a dammed up section of the Snake River just before it merges with the Columbia River. It has been unusually hot for the past few weeks - upper nineties for a couple weeks and this week low 100's. Needless to say, we haven't gotten out to do much recently due to the heat.
Our Route
Our campsite at Charbonneau Park with Lake Sacagawea in the background - this is a beautiful campground right on the lake with its own marina
The dam & lock on Snake River that creates Lake Sacagawea
Ancient petroglyphs on a large boulder that was relocated when the dam was built. In its new location it is part of a monument to the Native Americans who inhabited this area.
Nearby McNary National Wildlife Refuge
We spent a couple hours here one morning before it got too hot
Lone white pelican
Squadron Of Pelicans
Other wading birds - mostly egrets
Lone seagull
Campground at Wheatland Communities Fairgrounds
Main Street In Ritzville
I think the owners have a slight self esteem problem
There were several sculptures around town by the same artist that were amazing - this is all made from steel - even the barrel, the wheels, reins, etc - the detail is amazing - even up close
The trains ran 24 hours a day - most of which had 100+ cars and 3 to 4 engines
The restored train station/museum - fortunately it was open the morning we were walking around town - nice free museum
A couple of the many barnyard animals at the fairgrounds
Mountain Ash berries - a common sight in the area
