May 18, 2009 ~ EXPLORING NORTHEAST WASHINGTON
We are now in the tiny town of Usk in Northeastern Washington on the Idaho border, about 50 miles south of Canada. Our temporary home is Skookum Rendezvous RV Resort, a private deeded park where residents own their lots here on the beautiful Pend Oreille River. Pend Oreille, pronounced "Pond-o-RAY", means "ear pendant" and was coined by French settlers for the earrings worn by the local Kalispell tribe.
We’ve had the opportunity to explore a little of the area since we arrived May 1st. The Kalispell Indian Reservation lies here in Usk and in the neighboring town of Cusick. Our Native American neighbors have a herd of buffalo, some of whom you’ll see in the "Northeast Washington" photo album. Also within their land lies the Manressa Grotto, a glacially formed above-ground cave system used for religious ceremonies by early American Indians and missionaries. Close to home and right off the road, it is an easy and interesting site to explore.
We take a daily five mile walk from the resort down to Skookum Creek, and are happy to say that nature abounds here in northeastern Washington. We’ve seen deer, elk and llamas, peamouth chub fish spawning, and delicate flowers and insects. It’s "baby" season, and there are new offspring of every living thing! The Canadian geese are very protective of their new broods, and a killdeer couple, a plover-type bird, spent some time in our yard tending to their newborns. Both parents take turns sitting on the chicks, especially when it’s cold and drizzly as it was the day my photos were taken. You’ll see the mother sitting in the gravel with several tiny legs sticking out from beneath. The gangly-legged chicks are up and about as soon as they hatch, and they are the cutest little downy fur balls you’ve ever seen! Once you’ve heard their distinctive call, you’ll always know they’re around. And this is interesting…unlike most species that protect in an aggressive manner, an adult Killdeer puts on a deceitful "broken wing" display. As you approach, you may notice it suddenly develop a broken wing. As it struggles pitifully and you instinctively try to help, it lets you come close, but stays one step ahead. It guides you further and further away from its chicks and when it feels you are no longer a threat, its broken wing suddenly heals and it flies away. Isn’t Mother Nature incredible! We haven’t yet encountered any moose, bear, lynx and bobcat, but we’re keeping close watch since we know they’re here.
My fascination for clouds has grown since we arrived. As was the case last time we were in the northwest, the cloud displays have been fantastic. You may see one or two in the album, but I’m determined to create a cloud portfolio before I leave.
The International Selkirk Loop runs through Northeastern Washington, the Idaho Panhandle and into British Columbia. We took a portion of the loop in Washington and Idaho. Our first day-trip took us north from Usk past Box Canyon Dam to Metaline Falls, about 10 miles from the Canadian border, and our second trip was a loop past the Little Pend Oreille Lakes, the wildlife refuge and the historic town of Colville. Although the lack of wildlife in the refuge was a disappointment, we did have a bit of excitement when we encountered a blizzard (note: it was May 12th).
Our day-trip into Idaho will be saved for the next post after we’ve had a chance to explore Idaho further and add more images to the album. Until then, thanks again for sharing our travels. We’ll see ya back here soon!
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