Kim, Colby, Elle and Baylor took the time to go with us on our Second Annual Steamboat Rock State Park camping trip on Banks Lake. We joined Rob and Nancy and a group of their friends for an amazing week of fun in the sun!
Heading East on Monday morning - The Columbia River at Vantage, Washington
We saw some smoke as we went past George, Washington and we later learned I-90 was closed shortly after we passed for a large fire.
The Columbia River Gorge. The drive to the park is very scenic. It takes us about 2 hours from home.
It wasn't hard to follow Kimmie and Colby - their new truck "Tiny Red" had a giant yellow X.
Steamboat Rock on Banks Lake.
The road leading into Steamboat Rock State Park.
Elle and Baylor were so excited to put up their new 2-man tent with Colby's help
Baylor was able to hang on to the tent when the wind picked it up.
Baylor anchoring the tent with stakes. After the tent was pitched it was decided it was too small to sleep in so it was used for storage
Baylor was thrilled to ride his bike - Everywhere!
Elle and Baylor loved all the paved trails in the park. So much fun to ride bikes on.
Breakfast courtesy of Rob and Nancy. That cinnamon bun fed a family of six! We need to make a trip to Cousins restaurant in The Dalles. Amazing!
The Sheets new truck made it's first haul - a couple of Sea-doo's down to the dock.
Rob and Colby took the Sea-doos from the dock over to the shore where we had a camp set up.
This is the sandy beach that we set up on Banks Lake. I took this picture from across the lake.
We took a walk/bike ride over to the public beach. Kimmie caught me taking pictures of everything.
So much to see and do.
The park has an awesome playset and a small store. The store sells lots of things you might of forgotten. I enjoyed the huckleberry ice cream.
Kimmie - just Kimmie!
Colby helped the kids on the playset.
Colby and Kim's Selfie.
Elle did some climbing.
Baylor checked out the public beach. He called the island Hawaii! The water is pretty shallow, you could walk almost the whole way to the island.
Cutie Pies
The Sheets
Bruce in his element!
Our campsite. The place is really amazing, each space has room for an RV and a tent. We put up the WSU canopy over the table for shade.
On Wednesday we took a "Dam Tour". The Grand Coulee Dam offers tours every hour on the hour.
Grand Coulee Dam - We highly recommend taking the free tour. It is so well done and takes less than an hour.
I promised Nancy I would post a picture of her special tank top. Not sure how old it is but it is her favorite, even with holes and tears all over it. I am on the look-out for a replacement!
Elle was thrilled with the bus ride. The tour provided booster seats for the kids and seat belts for the adults and required you to wear them. Safety First!
This was our tour guide Josh. He was amazing - so full of knowledge! We learned more than we ever thought possible.
Elle with her ear protection inside of the dam.
Amazing stuff. This is what keeps the water in Banks Lake!
Baylor wore his ear plugs the rest of the day - even to bed!
Eye protection for Elle.
Looking out over the lake. I didn't like to look over the spillway, made me dizzy!
Dam Hair!
Part of Grand Coulee Dam
Bruce, Kimmie and Elle
Elle snuck in between Rob and Nancy.
Selfie of Kimmie and Colby
I had no idea what this building was until I posted on Facebook and my friend Janet filled me in.
Crown Point Overlook State Park's Crowning Jewel is the Large Covered Concrete Observation Point.
This Circular Structure is Actually a Huge Sun dial.The Sun shines through a hole in the Roof at the center of the Building, letting a beam of light fall on one of the 12 roof support columns, which correspond to the 12 Hours on the face of a Clock
Next year we need to drive up to Crown Point for a view!
Tour buses on top of the dam. This is the spillway I was talking about. Dizzy!
Lake Roosevelt
Baylor and Elle enjoyed camping.
One evening I stayed at the RV with the kids and Kim, Colby and Bruce went into Grand Coulee to check out the Casino. Bruce also went with Glenn and Annie the following night. You will all be happy to know that the visitors contributed to the casino's profits for the evenings.
Glenn was so happy to be together again.
I even got him to dance for me!
All too soon it was time to pack up and head for home. Bruce had tons of help hooking up the RV.
Elle spent her last few minutes with Nancy.
A little cheese before we headed for home. Bruce, Terry, Rob, Nancy, Glenn, Annie, Colby, Kimmie, Clyde, Kim and Baylor and Elle.
Elle and Baylor got their feet wet at Soap Lake. They both said the water was slimy and too warm.
Finally it's corn season - harvest near Ephrata!
Fresh corn on it's way to the cannery.
This is looking north and west on I-90. The aftermath of the fire we saw on Monday. Wow.
When we pulled into the driveway these boys gave us the Look. Where you all been?
Scatter!
Last One over the fence is a rotten egg!
