I had planned to cut back west from Wenatchee on Hwy 2, but that would mean another trip down I5 from Seattle to Vancouver, and I didn’t want to end my beautiful trip that way. So I made a last minute executive decision to stay east of the mountains until Yakima, then take Hwy 12, White Pass Hwy, over the mountains. I had avoided this option in my original plan because it’s HOT. But I decided to spend the day in my van with the AC pumping, and not try anything too adventuresome. I could be back into the mountains for the night where it would be cooler.

It turned out to be a great plan! After a few days in deep forest, ,suddenly I was on the east side of the mountains, dry and hot. The cool, clear Methow River meanders through the agricultural Methow Valley.

I took a little bypass to check out Chelan because I’ve never been. Hmmm, this is not my scene. Crawling with tourist traffic, little tourist shops and restaurants. There is a very pretty park on the river, but no one was there! Maybe there are some nice places further up the lake, but I’m headin’ on down the highway.

From Wenatchee, I took a loop to the west through the mountains again on Hwy 97. More beautiful mountains, they just never stop.

It’s a remote highway, with no services or campgrounds along the way, and miles to any crossroads. Traffic was stopped for one lane road construction, so I sat in a line of traffic for maybe 15 minutes. I was near the front of the line and close to the contruction workers. While I was waiting, a young woman grabbed a sign with “Cle Elum” in block letters, and walked along the row of cars with her thumb in the air. She was smiling brightly, and looked clean and energetic. She did NOT look like a through hiker who needed a ride to services, a common sight near the Pacific Coast Trail.

The mom in me considered giving her a ride – that silly young lady is going to get herself hurt. The skeptic in me remembered stories I’ve read where a cute girl hitches a ride and her accomplice appears to rob or murder the driver. She was past me before these warring factions could settle the matter, so it solved itself. But I do wonder what she was doing way out there on foot?

I found a great spot for the night at Hause Creek campground, along the Tieton River. Once again I had a spot right next to the water. It is so soothing to camp next to water.