Week 160 - Chelan WA - 09-06-2009

Shalom from Chelan,

Typically each week we travel to new places on new roads. We'll take a longer, round-a-bout way just to avoid a previous road. This keeps the drive fresh and exciting. However, when in Washington State we just have to get back to Chelan to visits our friends Wally and Colly and Colly's sister Karen and husband Bill. Last year we stayed at Beebe Bridge Park on the Columbia River. We looked forward to that park again, but sadly a big rig truck crashed over the bridge killing the driver and shutting down the bridge. If we stayed at the park we would have had a 90-mile trip one-way trip to Colly and Wally's. So we parked behind their house. Our stay was marked by their amazing hospitality and great meals.

Chelan, a small town with friendly people, swells in population during the summer and especially on holidays. Lake Chelan is 55 miles long and averages about one mile in width. With a maximum depth of over 1,400 feet it is the largest natural lake in Washington State and the third deepest lake in the United States. The 490 foot wide Lake Chelan Dam was the fourth on the lake (in the same location). The first three dams were constructed in 1892, 1893 and 1899. The first two were washed out by flooding and the third replaced in 1926 by a hydroelectric dam to provide power to the local area.

The town of Chelan is at the Southeast end of the lake. Stehekin, at the Northwest tip, is a town of only 75 permanent residents. Access to Stehekin is by boat, float plane, horseback, hiking or the very challenging Stehekin State Airport open only in July, August and September. Pilots beware of the mountains!

We had a marvelous time again this year with fellowship, dinners, outings and a church service at North Shore Bible Church. Many of these photos were taken on last year's trip.

1) A view of their house from atop their 17-acre parcel. 2) We tucked the Mothership behind their house, this photo was taken in the morning after a great lightening storm. Yes, in case you are wondering, the road up to their house is smaller than it looks!

The water in Lake Chelan is as clear and beautiful as you will find anywhere in the world.

This trip last year in Bill's boat gave us a great view of the homes along the shoreline.

1) The first 20 miles of the lake are dotted with homes on both sides. 2) The obligatory party boat.

Homes range from condos to mansions with vineyards and fruit trees being very prevalent.

1) Mill Bay Resort is a membership only RV park. 2) A couple of biggies right on the edge of the water.

The Lake Chelan Yacht Club also has parking for RVs.

Getting further down the lake only a couple of homes are on the Southwest side.

The Northeast shoreline becomes accessible only by boat or horseback.

Back on the Southern tip of the lake you can take off on a number of dirt roads. This one leads from Lake Chelan . . .

and winds through the hills before dropping you down to the Columbia River.

Sitting down to Wally's BBQ chicken feast are Wally, Pete, Karen, Bill, Ellen and Colly.

Thank you guys, we love you and miss you already. See you next trip!

Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Sep 2009