Grand Coolee Area Trip

[Sharpie]

Just returned from a HOT 3 day moto-camp trip to the Grand Coulee area of Washington. Nice weather, albeit quite hot. I stayed at the Sun Lakes State Campground (http://www.experiencewa.com/attraction.aspx?id=6637) which was very nice.

Late start ;) pulled over for a photo op at Orondo canyon for a couple of pics. Temps were an even 100 degs F at about 1pm.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=616
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=617

Riding through the wheatlands of central WA.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=618

Dropped down into the coulee canyon on US rte 2 and temps rose to a balmy 104. :cool:
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=619
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=620
A one room school house. Vandals have destroyed most of it. It's literally in the middle of nowhere.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=621

Dry Falls which is along WA 17. I've been by this a few times but never stopped to take a look. It's quite impressive.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=622
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=623
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=624
Dry Falls is right up the road from the campground where I stayed.
Home sweet home for 3 days.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=625
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=626
The coolee's kept the earl;y morning sun off the tent, which was nice.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=627
Obligatory campfire shot :D
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=628
I could only have one fire. The burn ban started the second day I was there.

THe Grand Coulee dam. DAM !
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=629
Need one of these for my toolkit. :D
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=630

I had a very nice moto-camping experience this trip. This is a unique area of WA state.

A couple of lessons learned. Try a cooler time of year in the high desert when camping and I need to ditch the Thermarest for an inflatable. Way too large.
Hope you enjoy the small report.

:tent3:

[Black and Blue]

Great report. Although it was hot sounds like you had a relaxing time.P^ We were there Oct. 2007 (motorhome) and you're right, it was still hot then. Nice pics.:)

[bigTom]

Oh, brother, makes me homesick. I grew up less than 30 miles from the park:) 104 f is good wheat harvesting weather...

Nice report, very nice. The temps are widely variable in that part of the world. You can have highs in the 80s just as well, all depends on the jet stream...

[Trailace]

Nice little ride thanks for sharing.

I always stop at old school houses
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=38&pictureid=621

[Sharpie]

Oh, brother, makes me homesick. I grew up less than 30 miles from the park:) 104 f is good wheat harvesting weather...

Nice report, very nice. The temps are widely variable in that part of the world. You can have highs in the 80s just as well, all depends on the jet stream...

I spoke with a local that was camping there and he said that it's the two extremes. Either it's very hot or it's very cold. He said the winters are usually below freezing most days.:eek: It's dry so, the extremes don't feel as bad as they could in a more humid clime. Nice area and I'm glad I was able to experience it for a few days.