As we often do, we like to spend our first day getting to know the area so for
our first day in Ellensburg we decided to drive up to Leavenworth then on up to
Stevens Pass so we could get a view of the Cascades from the eastern side. The drive along US-2 runs up the Wenatchee
River for a while then departs to go to the pass summit.
I was very surprised to find that the pass was only 4061’ feet in elevation (about a mile and a quarter shorter than Beartooth Pass in MT) but there was still a ski resort there.
Our plan was to stop in Leavenworth for lunch on the way back but after our drive through town on the way up to the pass, we decided it was way too crowded, even for a Friday, plus we had the pups. We had noticed this place on the way up and nearly drove by on the way back but we decided to give the 59er Diner a try.
I was very surprised to find that the pass was only 4061’ feet in elevation (about a mile and a quarter shorter than Beartooth Pass in MT) but there was still a ski resort there.
Our plan was to stop in Leavenworth for lunch on the way back but after our drive through town on the way up to the pass, we decided it was way too crowded, even for a Friday, plus we had the pups. We had noticed this place on the way up and nearly drove by on the way back but we decided to give the 59er Diner a try.
And
we were glad we did as the food was delicious, served quickly, and the service
was very good - I only got a shot of my meal which I washed down with a blackberry shake. With less than 50 seats, table turn over was very important to them and I was surprised they could turn out such good food so quickly.
The
next day we drove down to Yakima with the intent of visiting some wineries but
we had the dogs and Coco got real barky at the first place we stopped so we
decided to abort and just look around the area for a return trip. The winds had changed direction and blew out
some of the smoke from the fires so we were able to get some shots of the irrigated valley in
contrast to the dry hills. Most of the green in these shots are apple trees, pear trees, or timothy fields. All of the un-irrigated land looks like the third shot.
In addition to the fruit grown in the area, 75% of the hops grown in the US come from the Yakima Valley - they look like giant pole bean plants and this brewery is surrounded by hops fields.
Photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Have
a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
8/14-8/15/15 event dates
8/14-8/15/15 event dates
Smart plan to get to know the area a bit first. That club sandwich with the crust trimmed off on crisp toast took me back to the fifties with the ruffle chips on top. Those were the BEST sandwiches in the world to me as a child (well, almost as good as a BLT). Great choice of a place to to eat. It's nice to know if something happens to your bed in the coach, you can always find a room on the back porch :)
ReplyDeleteSam
What an interesting area.
ReplyDeleteThe clubhouse looks like the ones I made and served in my restaurant, very tasty.
Larry, Love that 59er Diner! Great looking sandwich and the idea of a blackberry shake has me drooling... Most people don't know just how much food is raised in western Washington...it is amazing! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteSo....would you spring for the bed at $25, or just enjoy the porch for $10? And I'll bet that they would even try to accomodate the pups at the 59er Diner; places like that are always the best.
ReplyDelete