Steven's pass US Highway 2 Washington

We decided on our way back from Spokane we would try another route. This time we took Steven's Pass. It also had many interesting landscapes and a theme town. Here are some pictures of Steven's pass US Highway 2.

Steven's pass US Highway 2 leaving Medical Lake.

Steven's pass US Highway 2  

Steven's pass US Highway 2.

Steven's pass US Highway 2.

We saw a lot of these dust devils along the way. They were really fun to see.

Steven's pass US Highway 2.

The landscape was very dry.

On this route there were much more distant views.

Steven's pass US Highway 2

On this route you climb quickly into the mountains.

Leavenworth was a German themed town it is set in a mountain area. 

They sell German themed items.

I don't know how I got this stamp on my picture but I thought it was really funny.

It really does feel like Germany. 

The rest of the way home was filled with evergreen covered mountains. 

Both routes are worth seeing. All in all it was a really fun road trip.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens_Pass

Manito Park in Spokane

Manito Park in Spokane is a very large and beautiful park with many gardens in it. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone trying to get away from the city-life in downtown Spokane

Perennial Garden 

Manito Park in Spokane Perennial Garden

 Perennial Garden

Manito Park in Spokane 

Manito Park in Spokane Formal Garden

Manito Park in Spokane Formal Garden

Manito Park in Spokane Rose Garden

Manito Park in Spokane Japanese Garden

Manito Park in Spokane Japanese Garden

It's beautiful to come in the summer when the gardens are in season, 

Cowboy Cafe and Black Bear Motel Davenport WA

Cowboy Cafe and Black Bear Motel was a fun stop. The women who put this place together has done a wonderful job. I felt like I was in a western movie. She had great antiques everywhere. Each room in the motel had a western theme but with different schemes.

The cafe had a great breakfast and very kind people serving it. I would put it on your list of fun stops when driving around Davenport WA.

Cowboy Cafe and Black Bear Motel

Cowboy Cafe and Black Bear Motel had lots of antiques everywhere.

I loved this coach.

Where did she ever find these horses?

Having some tea :) 

The cafe was set up like an old store. 

Do you see the creepy guy behind my son. I think he was made of wax.

This was in one of the motel room, it's a chandelier made out of door plates and knobs then decorated with keys,
 it's so clever.


Motel information is : Cowboy Cafe and Black Bear Motel
30 Logan Davenport, WA 99122
1-509-725-7700

www.Blackbearmotel.com 

Washington State Route 20 North Cascades Highway

Route 20 called the North Cascades Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The landscapes drastically change all the way through the drive. We started in Sedro Woolley and ended in Medical Lake just outside of Spokane. Here are photos of the journey I took to share with you, but nothing can compare to doing this yourself.

A beautiful river winds along a lot of the journey

Mountains jet straight out of farm land.

Fir trees reach well over the highway.

Beautiful Vistas are everywhere.

Snow capped mountains.

The beautiful Turquoises of Diablo Lake is such an amazing site. 

My sweet son teaching me how to do a selfie right.

This is close to the highest point of the trip.
 Make sure you have your brakes in working order, it's a longway down.

You will see many land slides all along the way. 

If you notice the haze in most of my pictures it's smoke from forest fires.
It was really a bright sunny day we should have seen blue skies the whole way. It was very strange.

We stopped for lunch in a small town called Winthrop.
 Winthrop is modeled after an old western town it is very cute. 

Winthrop

Farms in the valley just after coming through the pass.

Here is a photo of an area burnt by a wild fire.
There were big areas of burnt forest along the way. 

Driving through the valley

Coming out of the valley into a new landscape of golden fields as far as the eye can see.
The haze is still smoke. 

The end of our trip was filled with beautiful farms of hay.

If you would like to read more about
Washington State Route 20 North Cascades Highway just click on the link below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Route_20

Bird Paintings

I also saw these at the Chicago Art Institute. They are a series of Bird Paintings. The series is called Twelve paintings of "Foreign and Domestick"Birds. It was done by Samuel Dixon. In a very smart marketing move he dedicated each bird painting to a female member of the aristocracy. They probably sold very well. I should try it. LOL

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon

"Foreign and Domestick" by Samuel Dixon