Sightseeing in the Palouse Region of Washington and Idaho Our sightseeing included the cities of Uniontown, Colton, Pullman
and Palouse all in Washington. Then Viola, Moscow and Genesee in Idaho. June 26, 2007. We are staying in Hells Canyon Resort in Clarkston, Washington. Hells Canyon is a top notch RV-Resort at $30 per-night with cable and wifi FHU totally paved interior roads and pads. We are taking a sight seeing drive to see the Palouse Region of Washington and Idaho. We started our tour of the Palouse Region at the top of Lewiston Hill 10-miles north of Lewiston, Idaho. Before I introduce pictures you need to understand that the Palouse Region is unique in that it is an extremely rich agricultural area that results from the rich loess soil. The Palouse Region is a patchwork of rolling hills in southeastern Washington and the adjacent area of northwestern Idaho. The region extends from the Snake River in the south to Spokane in the north and extends from the mountains of Idaho on the east to the western side of Whitman and Spokane on the west. The soil in this region is loess a very fine wind-borne soil. Loess is a rich soil and as such the region is almost exclusively devoted to agriculture. The characteristic rolling hills topography of the Palouse began forming about 6 million years ago as tiny soil particles, blown on the wind, began to fall and build-up in this region. This wind-borne soil that built into the hills is called loess. Loess is is a Scandinavian word pronounced like "look" with an "S" sound instead of a "K" as in loo-ss. The usual source of loess is old lake beds, eroded hillsides and flood plains. In any event loess is very fine particles of sand and dust usually blown in on arid, glacial winds. Palouse area loess is a tawny color with even texture. Some deposits are 200 or so feet deep. Now lets see what loess can grow.
Peas or beans on a Palouse Region farm operation
This was taken south of Uniontown, Washington as we were heading north on US 195. These are beans or peas. They grow a lot of dry peas, chickpeas, lintels and garbanzos in addition to grain in this area. Too bad I can't tell one pea from the other. The brilliant green of these vast pea fields covers the landscape as far as the eye can see, and the eye can see a long way in this treeless region.
Damen Barn on highway 195 in Uniontown, Washington
This is the Damen Barn on highway 195 in Uniontown, Washington. A group of local artisans work and sell their creations Thursday through Saturday in the barn as well as conduct classes. Joyce did not get to spend several hours in the barn because this was Monday. Sometimes I get lucky. VBG Actually, I might have enjoyed watching the artisans.
Grain elevators in the Palouse Region of Washington
This is grain and dry pea country as can be seen by these silos.
This is a close-up of one of the fields of grain.
This field of grain stretches beyond the horizon.
Hay operation in the Palouse Region of Washington
When this farmer isn't growing beans and grain it looks like he is producing hay. Isn't this beautiful! There is no irrigation being used to produce these beautiful crops.
Barn in the Palouise Region of Washington
Joyce thought this was a cute barn and I agree.
Old steam engine tractor Colton, Washington
I think this old steam engine tractor was on display in the small town of Colton, Washington on US 195.
Pastorial scene from Palouse Region of Washington
Can you call this a pastoral scene? There is just something that makes this region so visually appealing.
Peas to the horizon in the Palouse Region of Washington
Dry peas to the horizon and beyond. They grow a lot of lintels in this area so there is a good chance these are lintels. If so this is going to make a lot of lintel soup.
Peas to the horizon in the Palouse Region of Washington
Thousands upon thousands of acres of dry peas.
Peas & grain to the horizon in the Palouse Region of Washington
Dry peas and grain. The grain is the darker patch.
Peas to the horizon in the Palouse Region of Washington
Peas, peas and more peas.
Peas to the horizon in the Palouse Region of Washington
Can the world eat this many peas?
Kamiak Butte in the Palouse Region of Washington
Kamiak Butte in the Palouse Region of Washington
This is Kamiak Butte. There is a good view of the fertile Palouse Region from that Butte.
Peas & grain in the Palouse Region of Washington
As you can you say this is an extremely productive area! Aren't these beautiful shades of green?
Weather protection for road gravel
I know this travelogue is about the Palouse Prairie but I just have to ask a question. Look closely at this picture. This is a covering over road gravel, yes gravel being staged for highway maintenance. In Idaho and this area of Washington road gravel is staged under protection like this while the equipment is stored outside.
Someone has to explain to me why it is so important to protect road gravel.
Peas and grain in the Palouse Region of Washington & Idaho
A typical scene from US 95 north of Lewiston. Some form of peas or perhaps lentils with small white blooms are in the light colored field while grain is represented by the dark green. The Palouse Region of Idaho
Joyce took this through the windshield of the motorhome as we are on our way to Coeur d'Alene. The rich tapestry created by various textures of grain, hay and dry peas.
Farm house in the Palouse Region of Idaho
This was an astonishingly beautiful homestead highlighting the wonderfully rich soil of the Palouse Prairie.
Agriculture in the Palouse Region of Idaho
Agriculture in the Palouse Region of Idaho
The pastoral scenery of the Palouse Prairie changes with every twist and turn. In this picture we spot a field of canola. Canola fields have only been scattered since we left the Camas Prairie about 80-miles south of here. The yellow flowering canola added just the right amount of color to this quilt of greens. Agriculture in the Palouse Region of Idaho
This hay field appears to be ready for the bailer. We looked for the bailer but did not see one. It was possibly operating on the other side of this hill. One thing is for sure, it is going to take a lot of work to bale this much hay then it is going to take an even longer time to pick up the bales of hay and transport them from the field. Barn in the Palouse Region of Idaho
I think Joyce has a picture of every barn in Idaho. This is one of the truly unique ones ---------------- the blue roof sets it off.
Grain elevators in the Palouse Region of Idaho
Large elevators and silos go with the Palouse Prairie like a hand with a glove.
Grain elevators in the Palouse Region of Idaho
Typical grain elevator and silo system along US 95.
Wheat fields in the Palouse Region of Idaho
Literally thousands of acres of wheat.
Wheat fields in the Palouse Region of Idaho
Grain fields forever! What a sight.
Click here for more Washington Travel Adventuresor Click here for Idaho Travel AdventuresUntil next time remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix
|
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|||
