Lazarus Is That You?

When last I posted, we had collapsed in Kennewick WA. Although my beloved has been feeling better, and has been off the cold meds, my plague yet rages on.

We ordered Domino's Mango Habanero Wings and Artisan Greek Pizza for dinner at around 4:00 p.m. watched a little TV and were asleep early, expecting our customary early departure.

Nonetheless it was still a rude shock when my alarmphone went off at 5:00 a.m. I got up and started shuffling around the room getting coffee ready and things packed up to go. Once my beloved got up and dressed, I loaded the car.

We rolled out at about 5 past 6, and although I had previewed our route for the day, I still managed to get headed the wrong direction. "Never mind" I said we'll go this way and end up at the same destination. This was the view when we headed out.

Although the first picture for today's post shows the Ed Hendler bridge over the mighty Columbia River, our route would take us over the Kennewick Pasco Bridge, known to the locals as "The Green Bridge".

As we traveled up I-82 we needed to stop for fuel. As we pulled off we were greeted by this fine fellow. Although he looks somewhat menacing he is in fact stationery and harmless.

His slightly larger brother sits just across the road at the entrance to the gas station. Many of you have read in the past of our stopping at Sinclair Stations to fill up with "Top Quality Dino Juice". Perhaps Sinclair supplies the gas for these folks as well.

The town touts itself as being "Granger Where Dinosaurs Roam". Apparently this was an attempt at luring tourists that began in 1993.

There is also a monument to the tragedy that took place on 9/11. The towers are executed in Stainless Steel. Any such memorial always brings up such strong memories for our generation. It was at the time, and remains a paradigm shift in our worldview.

Having taken these pics, I add another for your approbation and we push on.

We pull off a little after 8 at Ellensburg. Although the sign says "Thank You For Visiting Ellensburg" I say "not so fast, we just got here".

Ellensburg has a historic downtown, and we were feeling well enough to grab a few pictures on the way through. This is the Kittitas County Museum.

This is the Davidson Building. I particularly like the Post Victorian details on what would otherwise be a run of the mill retail office block.

Apparently the art community likes the renaissance of the Davidson Building and have supplied a phoenix mural to illustrate their approval.

Across the street from the Davidson building  was a small park and we found a local taking his ease on one of the benches. The fact that this individual was a bull was somewhat unusual, but I imagine that even bovines like to relax.

One of the tenants in the Davidson Building was the Starlight Lounge. Ya gotta like a historic downtown that has a Starlight Lounge. I sounds so 60's. We didn't bother to investigate further.

At the end of the block was the First National Bank of Ellensburg.

Now, you might think this bank has delusions of grandeur, but the owners of the Starlight Lounge were still probably happy to deposit their take there after a busy weekend evening.

Heading north from Ellensburg we again cross the mighty Columbia River.

Due to the dry climate, they haven't bothered to repaint the iron. It gives an interesting contrast in color, or maybe it's just me. Yeah, probably..

We continue north and roll through several towns including Tonasket. I like the sound of it Tonasket. It rolls off the tongue in the same way Alamogordo, New Mexico does. Or maybe it's just me....hmmmm...

We arrived in Penticton B.C. around 1:00 and went straight to the hospital to see my aging mater, who has been in since Sunday. She seems to be on the mend, and in good spirits, even managing to get out of bed for a bit today.

We will head back to the Coast early Friday a.m. In the meantime we will console ourselves with this. Today was a day of passes. I shall enumerate.

• Manastash
• Satus
• Blewett

These are names from the past, dimly remembered. It was nice to reacquaint ourselves with them as we exited freeways and rocketed up secondary roads through little towns and by quiet lakes and streams. We shall have to retrace our steps when we have more time to poke around abandoned homesteads and historic sites. Thanks for riding along. As always we enjoy the company!