This is the last leg of our trip south, a trip which has taken us 5 years to accomplish as the previous 4 years have been cancelled due to a number of reasons. This trip was not exactly how we envisioned it would be, seeing us return two weeks early as Craig's back continued to be worse! But at least we were able to get south, at last!
Last Leg ~ South Trip Over
We entered Canada at the Osoyoos/Orville border crossing driving north on Highway 97 through Osoyoos, Oliver and through Penticton. This area from Vernon to Osoyoos is known as the Okanagan Valley and is Wine Country with over 120 wineries.
Chief Joseph Dam is the second largest hydropower producing dam in the United States. It is the largest hydropower producing dam operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The single powerhouse is over a third of a mile long and holds 27 house-sized turbines. Alone, it produces enough power to supply the whole Seattle metropolitan area. Power produced here is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration.
When Chief Joseph Dam was built on the Columbia River, it created a lake called Rufus Woods Lake. The Columbia River has eroded through the Waterville Plateau creating a deep canyon. The rugged landscape found along the lake came into existence after millennia of erosion. Glaciers and the Missoula floods assisted the erorsion process and exposed basalt and granite cliffs. Giant boulder fields on the ridges above the lake and along the shoreline are evidence of the glaciers that once dominated the landscape. From US Army Corps of Engineers
We did not have a clue about Soap Lake before this trip, but we will be sure to return and try out the Medicinal and Healing waters of the lake(s).
The name Soap Lake came from the word Smokiam, an Indian term which translates to “Healing Waters.” The tribes used the lake for healing purposes for themselves and their animals for many years before the area was settled by pioneers.[5]
At that time, Soap Lake was already a busy resort and health spa. It contained four hotels and many rooming houses and businesses catering to sojourners seeking a cure. The residents were very proud of the two-room schoolhouse built in 1907. Even though Soap Lake’s main industry was derived from the medicinal lake, it became a social center. In its heyday celebrations, socials, and gatherings where held continuously. Especially well known were the open-air dances, which would draw participants from miles around.
This came to a halt during the Depression; drought hit Soap Lake. Because of the lack of water and the lack of money, the tourist trade dwindled. But, when Grand Coulee Dam was built, the irrigation canals brought new life into the area. Soap Lake has been internationally known during the past century for its uniquely mineral-rich (23) waters and mud. Many people believe the water and mud to be successful in treatment of a variety of aliments. From the early 1900s to the mid-1940s there were a number of sanitariums located on Soap Lake.
Of the five lakes existing along the Coulee Corridor, Soap Lake has the highest mineral content. The first layer of Soap Lake is made up of about 81 feet of mineral water; the second level is mud-like and consists of a stronger mineral composition with concentrations of unusual substances and microscopic life forms. The lake’s two layers have not mixed in thousands of years.
The scientific community refers to lakes with this rare condition as meromictic. With only 11 meromictic lakes in the United States, Soap Lake is likely the most radical of all. The scientific community is currently exploring the lake to document some of the unusual qualities. The mineral content of Soap Lake water has been analyzed many times throughout the last 95 years. Concentration of different minerals has changed throughout this time. The most recent analysis was conducted in 2000.From Wikipedia.
This RV Resort has RV Sites, Cabin Rentals and Unique TeePee Village. Following from their website:
Smokiam RV Resortoffers 6 guest Tepee’s that allow guests the chance to experience a taste of Native American culture and an outdoor stay in comfort and ease. Our Tepees are set in a private setting on the shores of the lake, away from the rest of the resort.
16 Foot Tepees – Our 16 foot Family Tepees are perfect for a couple or 2 adults and 2 children. Each 16 foot Tepee has a futon sofa bed, 2 sleeping cots, Adirondack chairs for lounging and enjoying the views, a fire pit, BBQ, and picnic table. Nightly rate of $75.00
26 foot Family Tepees – Our larger 26 foot Family Tepees are a great getaway for the family to have a unique experience. Each Family Tepee has a futon sofa bed, a bunk bed with twin beds, 2 sleeping cots, Adirondack chairs for lounging and enjoying the views, a fire pit, BBQ, and picnic table. The Family Tepees will comfortably sleep 6 to a maximum of 8. Nightly rate of $99.00. Family Tepees will be opening in April for the 2016 season.
We are a 400 km drive from this resort and decided we would like to come back here for a few days camping; maybe these healing waters will be good for Craig's chronic back pain!
This is the first time we stayed at the Omak City RV. Very nice stop and only $25.00 a night for full hook-up site. The RV park is adjacent to the Stampede grounds and the grand stand.
Though the race was inspired by Indian endurance races, the actual Omak race was the 1935 brainchild of a local Omak business owner in an effort to promote interest in the Omak Rodeo.
The course starts at the top of Suicide Hill, where riders have 50 feet (15 m) to get their horses up to full speed before charging down the hill and into the river where they swim across to the other side, then sprint a last 500 yards (460 m) to the rodeo arena where the crowd waits.[2] In August the river is often low enough for the horses to run across. Most riders wear helmets, and all are required to wear life jackets.[1] Horses and riders have to pass three tests to demonstrate their ability to run in the race and navigate the river: there is an initial veterinarian exam to make sure the horse is physically healthy, a swim test to ensure horses can cross the river, and the hill test where riders ride their horses off the hill at a controlled speed to prove that the animals won't give way to fear at the brink, which can cause a dangerous pile-up.[2]From Wikipedia
The Need To Get Home 10th April, 2016: 8.5 hours - 835kms
Our goal was to drive through Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks which were within an easy drive from Kanab. We were going to take Hwy 9 through Zion National Park but the tunnels in Zion have a width restriction which requires an escort through the tunnels. Our Unity which is 7'11"wide would require us to wait for an escort, and as the schedule was not co-operating and the fog had moved inure west on Hwy 14 to Cedar City. Then we read that we would be climbing to almost 10,000' and a recent snow fall and snow banks over 6' high at the summit.
As we were still a little cautious about the Mercedes Sprinter loosing power, we decided to be cautious and just continuing North on Hwy 89 up to Salt Lake City. Then it was headed northwest past Twin Falls Idaho to Glenn's Ferry
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- North on Route 89
We were surprised to see the fog settled into the valley up ahead. It was very thick and reminded us of our time boating in the Pacific Northwest! What we were not anticipating was the junction of Route 89 and Hwy 9 which leads to Zion National Park.
Not much sense in taking the time to get an escort and tour the park with heavy fog settled in!
Fog Up Ahead!
Distant Mountains Jutting Above Fog
Getting Thicker No Radar On Board!
These 3 motorcycles had passed us earlier on! Not going to fast now!
Of course we are in Utah; The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints and there are 17 temples in Utah. We drove through Salt Lake City on Sunday and were not surprised that many, many businesses were closed.
LDS Temples operate 150 temples worldwide, 16 temples under construction and 11 new temples announced! Very impressive, and the only temple we saw was amazing!
We came across the Manti Temple, the third temple built in Utah which is in Manti, UT which has a population of approx. 3,300. Manti Temple Info: Announcement: 25 June 1875 Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 25 April 1877 by Brigham Young Private Dedication: 17 May 1888 by Wilford Woodruff Dedication: 21–23 May 1888 by Lorenzo Snow Public Open House: 6–8 June 1985 Rededication: 14–16 June 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site: 27 acres. Exterior Finish: Fine-textured, cream-colored oolite limestone obtained from quarries in the hill upon which it stands. Ordinance Rooms: Four ordinance rooms (four-stage progressive) and eight sealing. Total Floor Area: 100,373 square feet.
Temple Locale
Perched atop a rising knoll, known as "Temple Hill," the magnificent Manti Utah Temple dominates the Sanpete Valley of central Utah. Located just off Highway 89, approaching travelers can glimpse the distinctive towers from miles and miles away. Across the highway from the temple is the Pioneer Heritage Center and Gardens—a 2.5-acre park featuring a reflecting pool for the temple, meandering walkways with park benches, an amphitheater, finely crafted statues, and beautiful landscaping. Thousands flock to the spacious temple grounds each summer to watch the popular Mormon Miracle Pageant.
Glenns Ferry was one of the most famous and treacherous river crossings on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers forded the Snake River at the Three Island Crossing until 1869, when Gustavus "Gus" Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream, primarily to expedite freight but also for emigrants.
His boat, which could hold two wagons, cut nearly twenty miles from the former route.[4] In 1871 the city of Glenns Ferry was established. Construction of the Oregon Short Line Railroad through the town in 1883 gave the city its first major employer.
Three Island Crossing State Park, opened in 1971, is home to The Oregon Trail History and Education Center, where visitors can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history. The Glenns Ferry community sponsors a crossing commemoration the second Saturday of each August.[5]
The townsite was platted in 1871, just downstream from the ferry site. From Wikipedia
