Midday today we found ourselves in Odessa, Washington, a little town in the middle of nowhere, that was setting up for its biggest event of the year. We got there because we chose the middle route across Eastern Washington. From Wenatchee, a sweet little city at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers we took highway 28 towards Spokane. This road follows the wide Columbia for a while and then winds up through bench lands, desert, and finally arrives at a high plateau that is farmed for hay and wheat. Odessa is right in the middle of this farmland and it seems that the third weekend in September Odessa's three day extravaganza--the Deutsches Fest.
All the townfolk were out preparing: washing the door of the town hall, putting up direction signs, and setting up the booths and food vending places, and the gaily painted garbage drums every ten feet along the sidewalk. We took a walk up and down the main street to the accompaniment of oom-pah-pah music from the loudspeakers on every corner. It looks like this is a well-orchestrated event with everyone knowing exactly what to do and where to put things. Here’s the heritage church booth that sells cabbage rolls,
and here’s another food booth set in front of the grain elevators.
It’s a shame we had to miss the actual festival but maybe it was better to have a quiet visit before the crowds arrive.
Tonight we’re camped along a little river just past Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and we got here in time to have a long play time and a hike with the dogs before the sun set. We are trying to stop for the night by 4:00 pm and it’s great to have the time to enjoy exploring a little before nightfall. You can imagine that the dogs really appreciate this too.
Tomorrow we head into Montana.
I think I'd be staying for the cabbage rolls! What fun places you're finding.
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