Opposite Ends of the Travel Spectrum - Seattle and North Cascades National Park (National Parks Trip #3)

This post represents another installment in the series documenting our West Coast National Parks trip in the summer of 2017.  Alan and I, along with our 18 year old daughter, Kyra, logged a total of 8,513 memorable miles of adventure over the course of five and a half weeks during the months of July and August.

It wasn’t easy to pull up stakes from Salt Creek Recreation Area in Port Angeles, Washington.  Salt Creek had been base camp for our visit to Olympic National Park, and the spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca would be sorely missed.  But Day #31 of our West Coast National Parks trip was a gift waiting to be opened, and all three of us were eagerly anticipating the adventures ahead.

While the Washington State Ferries are near and dear to our hearts, we opted instead to drive across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on our way to Flowing Lake County Park in Snohomish.  The nicest thing to be said about the traffic in and around Seattle is that it’s bad.  A few other words come to mind, though.  Like challenging, frustrating and a pain in the, uh, neck.  Best to bite the bullet, remain calm, and get through it as best you can.  Because you always do . . . eventually.

We had a terrific campsite waiting for us at Flowing Lake, but we won’t stay there again.  I chose it because I thought it was a good location from which to explore North Cascades National Park (our 8^th National Park of the trip, if you’re counting).  The Swinomish Casino RV Park up in Anacortes would have made a better base camp, but I wasn’t aware of the casino at the time.  Plus, we made this trip with our 30’ Jayco travel trailer, and found the interior roads at Flowing Lake to be tight and somewhat overgrown.  We’d never attempt it with our current Outdoors RV Creek Side.  At 32’ feet, it’s a little too big for us to feel comfortable about dragging it through this particular campground.

Best campsite in Flowing Lake County Park (my opinion, of course!)

The best part of our upcoming visit to North Cascades?  We’d be spending the day with my childhood friend (Valerie) and her husband (Charles).  Val and I grew up across the street from each other, and we stayed in close touch throughout the ensuing decades.  Anytime they make it back east to visit Val’s family and anytime our travels bring us to this area of the Pacific Northwest, we make it a point to spend some time together.  First, though, a quick trip into Seattle to hit a couple of tourist hot spots.

After getting settled in at our campsite at Flowing Lake, Alan, Kyra and I immediately headed over to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.  (Go for the combination ticket – not cheap, but well worth it.  They are literally adjacent to each other.)  Despite our prior visits to the city, Alan and I had not been to either attraction, and Kyra had never been to Seattle at all.  She was extremely excited about the Space Needle.  I, however, was not.  I have that fear of heights thing going on, and I would have been happy to wait street-side for her and Alan.  The two of them finally convinced me to go up in the damn thing, pointing out that I didn’t have to look down, I could just look out.  That I could handle, so I finally agreed.  Truthfully, it was a pretty impressive view.  And Kyra enjoyed it immensely, as Alan and I suspected she would.

I still can't believe I went up in the Space Needle.

While I merely tolerated the Space Needle, I luxuriated in strolling through the so incredibly impressive artwork at Chihuly Garden and Glass.  Every exhibit was a veritable feast for the eyes, and my logical, fact-loving, numbers-oriented brain simply cannot conceive the possibility or probability of anyone creating such magnificent works of art.  I seriously think I could have spent an entire day there, ooo-ing and ah-ing over the gorgeous pieces on exhibit.  To say that Dale Chihuly is an extraordinary artist is the understatement of the year.

One of the facets of travel I find intriguing is that one day you can be touring a world-class art exhibit, and the next you can be wandering the back roads of a remote area marveling at the beauty created by nature.  The next morning (Day #32, if you’re following along) found us heading out with Valerie and Charles on State Route 20 from Burlington.  Although we were dealing with some smoky haze from wildfires, North Cascades National Park was absolutely beautiful.  And I have to admit that this National Park wins my award for the Best Sign EVER.  But you have to be an extremely dedicated National Parks fan to truly enjoy this park.  Hiking, camping and boating are all possible, but your options are restricted due to the limited road system.  The only way to access the lake is via plane, ferry, private boat, horseback or hiking in, and cell phone service in some areas is nonexistent.  The rewards for your efforts are amazing, but North Cascades is a little too isolated even for this introvert.  Our drive through was satisfying, and our stop at the small, but well-done North Cascades Visitor Center was educational and enjoyable.  I was delighted that we were able to visit this National Park and check it off our list, but it’s probably a “one and done” for Alan and me.

My absolute favorite National Park sign!

Rugged beauty all around

Lake Chelan

The five of us stopped in the small, western town of Winthrop on our loop back toward Seattle.  I was charmed by the rustic buildings, and half-expected to see a few cowboys driving a herd of cattle down the main street.  It was a perfect place to break for lunch before we resumed our drive through the magnificent mountains of Washington, and the Old Schoolhouse Brewery was a good choice.

Winthrop, Washington - Population 603

Keeping an eye out for cowboys and lil' doggies

If I remember correctly, we ate on the outdoor patio.

Our brief visit with Val and Charles came to an end all too soon, and it was time for Alan, Kyra and I to turn eastward toward home.  Day #33 was a straight up travel day, and I believe we spent the night in a Walmart somewhere in Montana.  Next up was a stop at our 9^th and final National Park – one that I plugged into our itinerary just to check it off the list.  I wasn’t expecting much – and, boy howdy, was I ever wrong.