Photo Adventure: The Palouse

Recently, I was inspired by some images I had seen of some farms and wineries around Eastern Washington.  Their spring crops and colors were breath taking, and as I was driving around the city where I work, and the areas around where I live - I began to crave the feeling of the open space that the other side of the Cascade Mountains offers.

I told my idea to my husband - that I wanted to take my camera on a photo adventure.  He is a WSU Cougar, so I was hoping he would be up for a road trip with his wife to his old stomping grounds near Pullman, WA - to The Palouse.  I was excitedly surprised when he immediately agreed to the idea - and told me to plan a weekend and we'd go!  And the planning began. . . . .

After finding out that hotels were limited due to lots of happenings in Pullman. . . . .I secured one of the last hotel rooms in the city!  I mapped out the towns in an approximate 1 hour radius around Pullman - that might be of interest to me and my camera.  I loaded up my husband and my son, and we made the 5+ hour drive from our home in Covington to Pullman on a Friday evening. 

Now - I've been to Eastern Washington vast numbers of time in my life.  I've been to Leavenworth, Chelan, Wenatchee, Yakima, Tri Cities, Ellensburg, etc. . . . and I've always liked those areas.  But. . .when we hit the official Palouse Scenic ByWay - and started traveling through the rolling hills of wheat farms - I was in love.  The Palouse, by far - for me, is quite possibly the prettiest area of Washington State that I have ever seen.

I woke up just before sunrise on Saturday, left my sleeping hubby and son in the hotel, and headed north to Steptoe Butte - chasing the sunrise the entire 45 minute drive.  The view from the top of Steptoe Butte is amazing.  The sun was playing a little shy. . . . . . hiding behind some clouds - which does not make photographers happy.  Especially ones who got up around 4:15am to catch the "golden hours" of the sun casting the shadows on the hills of The Palouse.  But I managed to take some great photos of the sun coming through - along with 2 or 3 other brave souls who were crazy enough to be up at that hour, on a Saturday, on the top of a small mountain, in the middle of no where.

From there - I meandered my way all around the area - turning down gravel roads, coming across barns (I'm a barn fanatic by the way), and being in awe of the beauty of the area.  I had been told by a few people - "Just turn down any 'farm road' and you're bound to run into old abandoned farm houses, barns, tractors, etc."  So that's what I did. . . . . . . . however. . . . . . .you'd be surprised at the number of "farm roads" that dissect The Palouse.  I came to the realization - I did not have time to explore every one.  That. . . . . . would require another trip.  (twist my arm...)

After a few hours on my own, I returned to Pullman to meet back up with the family.  We toured around the campus (sorry - no pictures of that), and my husband got to tell stories to our son of some of his adventures from back in the day.  It was really interesting to see where he spent that part of his life - and to see my son ask him questions.  We left Pullman, and headed south to explore the towns of Colton and Uniontown.  We came across an old barn turned into an Artisan Workshop and Store - which was surrounded by a wonderful fence, made from rusted wheels, gears, and other metal scrap parts. 

We stopped off for an ice cream at the only "market" in town - and met two wonderful ladies who ran the ice cream counter.  I told them of my days adventures around the area, and they were happy to give me pointers for locations that would be of interest....of which I soon forgot as soon as we left. - except for "the church".  The first consecrated church in the state of Washington - built in 1901.  That was pretty impressive to see.  I wanted to venture in and take photos of the original brick, stained glass, pews and alters - but there was a wedding - so I could only look from a distance.

We did travel down a few dirt roads - which I think made my husband a little nervous.  I don't know if he feared getting lost - or feared what we may find.  :)  To my excitement. . . . . . .down one of these roads.................out of the corner of my eye I spotted an old farm truck, in a field.  Ok. . . . . technically it was on private property - but there was a "road" that bordered a wheat field and took me right to it. . . . . right next to the farm house.  So I jumped out and captured that amazing find. . . . .while my husband kept an eye out for an angry farmer. . . . . .possibly carry any kind of fire arms.  Hey. . . . . .it's an adventure!  Right?

I realized that evening - as we were driving to meet friends in the Tri Cities - that I really need about a week to really explore the area.  Maybe one of these days....my husband will agree to another long road trip with his crazy photographer wife. . . . . and I can go hunt down more treasures with my trusty camera.  For now. . . . . I have these memories. . . . . .



 

 

Looking south from Steptoe Butte

Looking south from Steptoe Butte



Looking southeast from Steptoe Butte

Looking east from Steptoe Butte

Looking northwest from Steptoe Butte

Some old structure off of a two lane road between Oakesdale and Colfax

This was one of the barns I came across on one the "farm roads"..aka gravel road



Colfax Cemetary

This was an old mill building on the way to Uniontown/Colton

Dahmen Artisan Barn - Uniontown

Dahmen Artisan Barn - Uniontown



Dahmen Artisan Barn - Uniontown

Dahmen Artisan Barn - Uniontown

An old farm house near Uniontown

Barn near Uniontown

"The Church" - in Uniontown.  First consecrated church in Wa.



"Left Behind".....one of my favorite subjects of my trip





Group of barns near Oakesdale

This isn't yellow paint.....it's some sort of moss

An old abandoned farm house outside of Oakesdale