Boondocking and a new route...

On the Oregon/Washington border.

We called an RV park where we had stayed before - no room at the inn.  We decided it was time to dry camp with the Aspect - it is self-contained and certainly capable.  We stopped at a Walmart to pick up a few things, but just down the road was Cabela's - quieter and a more level parking lot situation.  I checked with our new friend, Megan, at their Customer Service Desk, and she said, "You are welcome to spend a night or two in our lot.  Not a month, though.  Someone actually did that."  I assured her that one night was our plan... we'll spend a night and some money in the store.  That's fair.

Nice evening sky.  We saw a couple other RVs pull in before we turned in.  We checked the batteries before going to bed.  Watched some TV.  Next morning, the batteries were still in great shape.  We fired up the generator to use the coffee maker and microwave; we had plenty of fresh water onboard and empty holding tanks.  All the comforts of home.  Yep, the Aspect will be fine with boondocking.

The weasels were calling for rain, but the sky looked promising.  We were looking to get off the Interstate once again, and our friend, Merv, suggested we avoid Seattle traffic and go over the Cascades on two lane roads.

The portion of I-90 that we were on wasn't bad.  Well, there was this sign...

Yeah, we've had more than our share of potholes - no need to visit a State Park full of 'em.

We both lamented about missing the wine country in central Washington with this routing.  Who knew there was plenty of vineyards and crops to see along this route!  I really like that someone puts up signs telling you what the crop is in that particular field...

We grew up in Iowa, so we know what corn looks like; but we were both city kids.  When Joan asks what I think any particular crop is, I say, "Sorghum," 'cause no one really knows what sorghum looks like.  These signs make my sorghum answer unnecessary.

The terrain gets hilly to mountainous, and there are cherry trees, pear trees, grapes, and more on every useable soil...

This is definitely more interesting than the I-90 alternative.  The Columbia River Gorge - beautiful scenery...

We stopped for fuel; Joan cleaned the windshield and side windows while I pumped the gas.

Speaking of which, Washington is sure proud of their gas - highest prices we have seen this trip.  We might be able to pay for it by moving to this street...

More pretty scenery...

We stopped for lunch at a rest area...

By the time we got to Stevens Pass, we were climbing into the clouds...

The road down the west side wasn't as smooth as that up the east side.  Not bad, and certainly more scenic than I-90.

This road eventually met up with I-5 at Everett.  Before that, we found ourselves in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic in Munroe... at the Seattle Auto Swap Meet.  There are also Big Rig races today.  SO many people, so many cars.  For a car guy looking for parts, this IS the place.  For a couple tourists with their cute cat just rolling through... it's timing.

Getting close; and wrapping up the "through the windshield" tour.