Washington State Route 23

On Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5, 2009, we drove Washington State Route 23 from the quiet town of Steptoe to the the quiet town of Harrington.

RCW 47.17.095
State route No. 23:

A state highway to be known as state route number 23 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 195 in the vicinity north of Colfax, thence northwesterly to a junction with state route number 90 at Sprague; also

From that junction with state route number 90 at Sprague, thence northwesterly to a junction with state route number 28 at Harrington.

We started driving so late in the afternoon that the sun was all the way around to the northeast. Or so you might think if you didn't know that "north" on SR 23 is actually quite a bit west in reality. The lovely bit of concrete crossing this photo is US 195. And off we drive into the rolling hills and channeled scablands of eastern Washington.


Google Maps had told me that the first 43 miles of Highway 23 would take me over an hour to drive, so I was all set to take a "halfway" photo. But then I discovered the highway is 55 mph for most of the way, so it would only take 45 minutes or so to get through the scenic landscape to the freeway. Ergo, no "halfway" photo. We spent the night at Sprague Lake, just before this juntion with I-90. Sprague Lake has a multitude of of fish, which brings the boaters, and a multitude of birds, which makes it sound like you're waking up in a jungle when dawn comes around. There was also a multitude of insects, but the repellent worked, so long as you spread it everywhere.


A few seconds past the freeway on our Sunday morning drive, SR 23 has an intersection with SR 231. It goes thataway.


Past farmlands galore and a couple creek coulees, Highway 23 turns west to Harrington, then north through town to this junction with SR 28, which marks the end of our journey. Harrington was incredibly clement this morning, so we hung out in their park for a while. Curiously enough, no one was around and only a couple cars were in the church parking lot. Perhaps we were too early for worship service.

Highway 23 was as quiet as I expected, with all the sleepy towns and farm fields that I expected to see, but I must say that I wasn't expecting the many mini-mesas around Ewan and elsewhere. Just a reminder of those Missoula floods, I suppose. You gotta watch out for those ice dams. . .

Washington State Route 22

On Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, 2009, we drove the length of Washington State Route 22, down the Lower Yakima Valley. Lots of straight stretches through the farmlands, with a few minor left turns, following the railroad almost the whole way.


RCW 47.17.090
State route No. 22:

A state highway to be known as state route number 22 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 82, thence southerly to a junction of state route number 97 in the vicinity of Toppenish; also

From a junction with state route number 97 at Toppenish, thence southeasterly by way of Mabton to a junction with state route number 82 at Prosser.

Heading due south on an overpass over I-82, we begin our journey east on Highway 22. We're going to Toppenish, but that's only a couple miles from here.


Once you cross the Yakima River, you're on the Yakama Indian Reservation. SR 22 then winds through Toppenish. On the south side of town, we come across this odd junction with US 97. The two highways don't actually cross, but instead sort of bounce off each other. East is east and south is south, but north is west and west is north. We stopped for the night at an RV park nearby that is quite wonderful, so long as the wind isn't blowing from the direction of the beef-fat rendering vats a half mile away.


The next morning, off we drove eastward. This road, which follows the railroad that (from what I can tell) goes past both my granddad's farm in Kittitas County and my parents' house in southeast King County, has been a state highway since 1937, when it was Secondary State Highway 3A from Union Gap to Prosser. For some reason, in the 1960s, they changed the north-south stretch through Toppenish from US 97 to SR 22 and the (mostly) east-west stretch from Union Gap to Toppenish to US 97. I think it was because they didn't want big trucks trundling through the turns of downtown Toppenish, but who can tell? . . . In any case, you can get back to the interstate quick if you take SR 223.


On the outskirts of Mabton, we come across the south end of SR 241, which will take you due north to Sunnyside -- not that they bother to mention it on the signs. This junction also marks the eastern end of the Yakama Indian Reservation -- not that they bother to mention it on the signs.


A few more straight stretches and gentle left turns later, Highway 22 turns away from the railroad on the western edge of the city of Prosser, whereupon the highway hugs the hills south of town. Just as the road is curving back north to the river, we find the junction with SR 221, which will take you to Paterson, way down south on the Columbia.


After a right turn to get back on to the old highway (US 12 before the freeway was built, and US 410 before that), SR 22 comes to its end at an overpass above I-82, same as it began.

Highway 22 is a very quiet road, but I guess that's to be expected when it parallels an interstate. The straight stretches aren't very challenging to drive, but at least you can see for miles without any trees!

Washington State Route 21

On Saturday, May 30, 2009, we drove the length of Washington State Route 21 through the wilds of eastern Washington, flat farmlands and farm-filled forests.

RCW 47.17.085
State route No. 21:

A state highway to be known as state route number 21 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 260 in Kahlotus, thence northerly by the most feasible route, crossing state route number 26, and continuing northerly to a junction with state route number 395 in the vicinity of Lind; also

Beginning at a junction with state route number 395 in the vicinity of Lind, thence northerly by the most feasible route by way of Odessa to a junction with state route number 2 in the vicinity west of Wilbur; also

Beginning at a junction with state route number 2 at Wilbur, thence northerly by the most feasible route to a junction with state route number 20 at Republic; also

Beginning at a junction with state route number 20 east of Republic, thence northeasterly by the most feasible route to the east of Curlew lake by way of Curlew to the international boundary line in the vicinity of Danville.

Near the Snake River, in the unassuming town of Kahlotus (which means "hole in the ground" in the native tongue), Highway 21 begins at a junction with SR 260. The road then promptly starts climbing out of the hole and up onto the Columbia Plateau.


In the middle of empty farmlands, SR 21 intersects SR 26. There's not a city for many miles in any direction. Try not to hit the birds basking on the pavement.


We continue through the gloriously huge farms of the Columbia Plateau, eventually arriving at a junction with US 395. Highway 21 then jogs west a bit, finding the small city of Lind, and then turns due north once more.


Before too long, Highway 21 intersects I-90 -- once again, in the middle of nowhere, with nary a gas station or convenience store in sight.


After many more miles of green and golden fields, we arrive in Odessa and have a stop sign at SR 28. The restaurant known as Chief's will make you a good sandwich for a good price, even if the cheese isn't fully melted and the bun isn't toasted. . . On the maps, SR 21 overlaps SR 28 for a block, but it now goes straight north through the heart of Odessa, then does its zig-zag on the north side of town.


The farms of Lincoln County keep rolling past, and then we arrive at Wilbur and US 2.


SR 21 has a short gap as it gets further west of town, then leaves US 2, heading north.


A few hundred yards later, you must take a right turn to stay on SR 21. Otherwise, you're on SR 174, heading for the Grand Coulee Dam.


North through the fields once more, then up a short hill, around a bend, and . . . SR 21 drops off the face of the earth, plunging and weaving down a canyon to the Columbia River, glistening tantalizingly blue in the distance ahead of us. Closer and closer we drive, down onto the flats and past some bright green farms, until the road suddenly ends with this sign. It is now time to wait for the little ferry boat to arrive. Don't fret; it's only ten minutes away on the other side of Lake Roosevelt.


The ferry arrives, cars and motorcycles drive off, and -- after a moment -- the ferry operator waves us down the ramp as if he expected me to start driving without his signal. A pickup truck gets on behind us, then we're sailing; cars are already waiting at the north side of the lake. I would say that the ferry is free, but everybody in the state has to pay for it through taxes, whether they use it or not; I should clarify, however, that no additional toll is required for the trip.


Ten minutes later, we arrive at the north side of the lake/river. It's time to get back in the car!


After some time, we pass through the town of Keller, for which the ferry is named, and enter the forested north. Forty minutes from the ferry dock, which is about halfway to the next junction, I stop for a photo. Thirty miles from anything, out in the middle of the Colville Indian Reservation, heading up the Sanpoil River.


Another forty minutes or so later up the Sanpoil River valley, SR 21 hits SR 20 in Republic. We've been here very recently, it seems. We stopped for dinner this time, though, at a restaurant named Tamarack that a woman down the street described as Mexican even though the Mexicaniest item on their menu is a taco pizza. We ate a chicken-artichoke pizza for dinner and breakfast the next day (in Canada!).


A couple miles east of Republic, SR 21 starts up again from SR 20, still heading north up the Sanpoil River valley. A few miles later, unbeknownst to us at the time, we start heading down. At a place called Torboy, the Sanpoil River flows down into the north-south valley from the east, whereupon the main river turns south while a small portion turns north -- or so it seems on the maps and aerial photos -- and flows into Curlew Lake, then Curlew Creek, then Kettle River, which takes us north through the most-populated stretch of SR 21 all the way to . . .


The Canadian border! Open 8 a.m. till midnight, every day. Manned by one guard, carefully screening the southerners. He almost didn't let us in -- I think it was because we were from Seattle. Can't trust those Seattlites!

And thus I've finished another state highway -- probably the loneliest road so far. Not much to do but keep driving and driving and driving. . .

Washington State Route 20 north

On Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2009, we drove SR 20 north, which is signed Spur 20 or 20 Spur, depending on the sign, and then isn't signed at all for most of its length because it's on the ferry system. To the glorious San Juans, we go!

RCW 47.17.081
State route No. 20 north:

A state highway to be known as state route number 20 north is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 20 in the vicinity southeast of Anacortes, thence northwesterly to the state ferry terminal at Anacortes; also

From the state ferry terminal at Anacortes via the state ferry system to the state ferry terminals at Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor.

State Route 20 north starts on Fidalgo Island at a junction with SR 20. The driving portion is quite short, so don't blink.


A few minutes later, we're in the middle of Anacortes (named for a woman named Anna Curtis). We're also halfway between the junction and the ferry terminal.


And here's the dock! Time to wait. . . and wait. . . But at least it's a nice place to wait.


A little while later, the boat shows up and we get on. Approximately halfway between when we started waiting at the dock and when we're going to arrive at Lopez Island, we're still in Ship Harbor just a few feet from the Anacortes Dock. But that's the way it goes. The San Juans lie off to the left. Um. . . port. Anchors away!


Here comes Lopez. Only foot traffic can disembark for this sailing. Lopez is a good place for bike riding.


The ferry then steams away from the dock, turns 90°, shifts to the opposite end's engine, and starts moving the other direction. And that turn took about half the time to get to Shaw Island. Shaw's dock is just around that point to the left. . . um. . . port.


Only 200 or so people live on Shaw Island, and there's not much in the way of activities for visitors, but it has ferry service! I guess it's because it has a better harbor for a dock than other islands like Decatur and Blakely.


After another three-point turn, we're sailing across Harney Channel straight for Orcas Island.


Good ol' Orcas! We drove off the boat here because there wasn't a daytime route that stopped at all the islands. Plus, camping at Moran State Park was cheaper than anywhere on San Juan Island. $22 for lakefront property!


Sunday morning, we board another ferry. Surprisingly, instead of weaving through Wasp Passage north of Shaw Island, the ferry goes to the east of Shaw. They must've planned it, though, because we stayed on schedule. Halfway to Friday Harbor, we're cruising down Upright Channel with Lopez off the port and Shaw off the starboard.


And here we are at the end of the line: Friday Harbor, the heart of the San Juans. The state highway doesn't include one foot of roadway on any of the islands, so there aren't any "SR 20 Spur" signs anywhere, but we know the truth, don't we?

Quite a scenic route, and I didn't put much mileage on my car, either! We had to pay fares, though. . . The San Juans are peaceful and relaxing. I'll have to get back on this "highway" sometime again in the not-too-distant future.

Washington State Route 20

On Sunday, February 15, and Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, 2009, we drove Washington State Route 20, the longest state highway in Washington (436 miles!). It's also the first one in my travels with a ferry ride as part of it.

RCW 47.17.080
State route No. 20:

A state highway to be known as state route number 20 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 101 in the vicinity of Discovery Bay, thence northeasterly via the most feasible route to Port Townsend; also

From the state ferry terminal at Port Townsend via the state ferry system northeasterly to the state ferry terminal at Keystone; also

From the Keystone ferry dock on Whidbey Island, thence northeasterly by the most feasible route by way of Deception Pass, Burlington, Sedro Woolley, Concrete, Newhalem, Winthrop, Twisp, Okanogan, Tonasket, Republic, Kettle Falls, Colville, and Tiger; thence southerly and southeasterly to a junction with state route number 2 at Newport.

At the south end of Discovery Bay, just about where US 101 gives up on its northward journey and turns around and starts heading south for a change, Highway 20 begins. Follow that red truck.


The road cruises up the Quimper Peninusla. Suddenly, just after passing the Jefferson County International Airport, the highway makes a quick right turn to a stoplight. Turn left to stay on 20. Turn right for SR 19.


Soon thereafter, Highway 20 arrives in Port Townsend, a lovely old town. We probably should've visited and seen the sights. Instead, since I was worried about catching the small ferry and perhaps being forced to wait an hour and a half or longer till the next one or the one after that, I headed for the dock. Even though we arrived at 11:05 and the next ferry was at 11:15, and the boat only carries 50 automobiles, we had no trouble getting on the boat. About ten cars got on behind us. I think some had to wait behind.


'Twas a lovely day for a sailing. This was about at the halfway point across Admiralty Inlet. Or at least it was about halfway from when we entered the Port Townsend Ferry Terminal to when we were scheduled to leave the Keystone Ferry Terminal. Do you see Mt Baker?


And there's the Keystone Ferry Terminal. Impressive, eh? It's just beside Fort Casey State Park. Hence, the wilderness.


Highway 20 takes off east from Fort Casey, but soon runs into the main Whidbey Island highway, which for its northern half is SR 20, but for its southern half is SR 525. We turn northwest, also known as "east."


The highway weaves its way north on Whidbey, going off-course from "east" by up to 200° by my measurement, just west ("east") of Coupeville. We didn't stop in Coupeville, but we did head out to Fort Ebey State Park for a walk on the beach, and then we stopped in Oak Harbor for lunch. Wendy's was incredibly more crowded than Dairy Queen. Cheaper, too. Correlation? On we drove, past the Naval Air Station and Deception Pass, until we came with the poorly signed (unsigned?) junction with SR 20 North, pictured above. They're doing construction in the area, so maybe that's why the signs were missing. Either that, or I just wasn't paying attention.


Over the Swinomish Channel, we're back on the mainland. Farmlands and a speedy highway. Just past Fredonia, we find the junction with SR 536, the cutoff to Mt Vernon. And then the highway collapses back to a two-lane road. They say they'll have it expanded to I-5 by the end of this year.


Speaking of I-5, here we are! At this point, we turned south on the old US 99 just for kicks and headed home, hoping it wouldn't be too long before the mountain pass opened and we could continue our drive of Highway 20.


Several months later, we're on the road again. Hooray! After zigging through Burlington and a brief rural stretch, Highway 20 arrives at SR 9, southward points only, at the western edge of Sedro-Woolley.


At the other end of Sedro-Woolley, we find the junction with northward-heading SR 9. Oddly enough, I posted a terribly similar photo from the Highway 9 trip. . .


Up the Skagit River valley we head, as the mountains grow taller and the valley shrinks narrower, until we wind our way to the junction with SR 530. Last chance back to civilization!


Since the distance between the SR 530 junction and the SR 153 junction was so great, I divided the segment into thirds. Here we are at the one-third point, having just crossed Thunder Arm of Lake Diablo and heading up to that wonderful viewpoint that you must stop at, every time you go there. Instead of its normal glacial green, Diablo Lake was ordinary blue. I guess the glaciers were still frozen under all the winter's snow and the lake was filled with typical snowmelt.


Over the passes which till recently had been closed for the winter (and which still had avalanche chutes piled high with snow and debris), we pass the two-thirds point between junctions, a ways west of Mazama.


Through the scenic Methow valley we head, with a stop at the quaint village of Winthrop, to the junction with SR 153 outside of Twisp. You have to take a hard left past that red hill to stay on Highway 20. The more-travelled route down the river valley is taken by SR 153, but that turns south soon.


Over Loup Loup Pass to Okanogan we head, on a seemingly seldom-used stretch of roadway. At the south end of Okanogan, you have to turn right to stay on Hwy 20 (even though it's not mentioned on the sign). Going straight will put you on SR 215.


After crossing the Okanogan River, SR 20 junctions with US 97. Thus begins their coincidence, if you turn left. US 97 takes over the mileposts because it's more important.


A few minutes later, we arrive at Omak, where there's a junction with SR 155. We're heading north on US 97 and east on SR 20, so it's quite obvious that to head south on SR 155, one should turn left. Or wait a minute. . . Wouldn't that be west or north? Oh, 155 loops through town and heads south. That makes sense, then.


Up a hill and without warning, we arrive at the north end of SR 215. It's a good thing the light was red, or we would have missed this photo. As it was, Chunlin gave me five or six to choose from. This one had a good combination of the street signs and the surrounding scenery. Not too narrow, not too wide. Um. . . yeah.


Up the Okanogan River to the glorious city of Tonasket, where one must take a right turn to stay on SR 20. The main route, heading straight, is US 97. Canada is less than a half hour up thataway.


Into the mountains once more we venture, up over Wauconda Pass and through narrow valleys that don't provide much scenic viewing. Shortly after the city of Republic, "Junction! Quick!" I say and Chunlin scrambles with the camera. Veer right to head south on SR 21. Veer left to stay on SR 20.


A few miles later, the northward junction with SR 21. Highway 21 gets to stay in the north-south Sanpoil River valley, while we get to head up into the mountains once more.


Through some more mountains that were quite entertaining for me to drive, but were rather boring for Chunlin to passenger, we cross Sherman Pass (5575' -- more than 100' higher than Washington Pass) and drop down down down to the Columbia River (1300'), whereupon we reach a junction with US 395. Canada's a half-hour thataway, once again.


After merging with US 395 southward, we cross the Columbia River and back up the other side to come to SR 25. Canada's an hour to the left.


Shortly thereafter, we arrived in Colville, whereupon we drove around in circles looking for a hotel because it was rather late. Whilst circling, I snapped this photo of the junction where SR 20 departs US 395. Chunlin took a photo Sunday morning, too, but there were cars blocking the beautiful pavement. Hmmm. . . Sunday morning has more traffic than Saturday night. I guess you can tell what kind of town Colville is!


We left Colville upon a much different road than we arrived on. Unlike our previous windy roads that hugged the hillsides, this segment of SR 20 over the Selkirk Mountains rarely forced us to dip below 60 mph -- I believe this was the last segment of SR 20 constructed. A very nice road with not many cars. Well, it was early Sunday morning, so perhaps it gets more traffic than we saw. . . Zig-zag down some switchbacks that force us to slow to 25 mph (I'm sorry. What did I say earlier?) and we arrive in the Pend Oreille River valley at a junction with SR 31.


Lots of people make a big deal about the Pend Oreille River flowing northward, like it's unheard of that a river can flow north. Rivers flow down, and down is not always "down" on the map! In any case, the Pend Oreille is a mighty and scenic river. I believe Chunlin liked this part better than most of the tree-lined trip. Getting near the end of our highway, we arrive at the junction with SR 211. Oddly, the quarter-mile warning sign said "Newport" and "Spokane" even though you must stay on SR 20 to go to Newport. . . . Which we did.


Back into the forest, I'm counting down the miles till Highway 20 is finished. With less than a mile to go, I'm starting to get concerned because I don't see any signs of the city of Newport. Surely there are some outlying neighborhoods? Then, wham. We exit the trees less than a block before the junction with US 2. Take a right to go "west" to Spokane. Keep straight to go east into Idaho. We went straight, but stopped at the McDonald's a hundred yards shy of the border. Second breakfast, yay!

With that ginormous road under my belt, I'm itching to get going again. I probably shouldn't be looking two years into the future, but I just can't help myself! So many highways, so little time.

Washington State Route 19

On Sunday, February 15, 2009, we drove the length of Highway 19, which is a rather short road for such a low number. It starts over in Jefferson County south of Port Townsend and ends over in Jefferson County south of Port Townsend.

RCW 47.17.077
State route No. 19:

A state highway to be known as state route number 19 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 104, thence northerly to a junction with state route number 20 near Old Fort Townsend state park.

Today was a good day for a drive. Just about as far east as you can get on the Olympic Peninsula, near the Hood Canal Floating Bridge, we depart SR 104, heading north.


After a dozen or so miles heading down the Chimacum Valley ("Look, sheep!"), we arrive at the junction with SR 116, which is the way to Marrowstone Island and Fort Flagler. I hear it's a nice place for a bike ride.


Five minutes later, after passing Jefferson County International Airport (too small for jets, but I guess you can get to Canada), we're at the junction with SR 20. Our drive is at an end, or at least it is on Highway 19.

Washington State Route 18

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, we drove the length of Highway 18, from Federal Way to Snoqualmie (more or less). It's nice to drive the road I drove as a teenager (sorry, Mom!) and see all the changes WSDOT has made since then.

RCW 47.17.075
State route No. 18:

A state highway to be known as state route number 18 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 99 in the vicinity of northeast Tacoma, thence northeasterly by way of Auburn to a junction with state route number 90 west of North Bend.

At a busy intersection in Federal Way, Highway 18 begins. SR 99 is the federal highway that the city is named after, you know.


A hundred yards later, Highway 18 has a junction with SR 161. Looks about the same.


And another hundred yards or so later, 18 gets going and has a proper junction with I-5.


Down a steep, windy hill, we arrive at the bottom of the Green River/White River valley, aka Auburn. Here we find SR 167, the aptly named Valley Freeway.


A short way across town, the junction with SR 164. Heading to Enumclaw?


Up the Green River, hang a left at Soos Creek, up over a little hill just past Green River Community College (The old stop light is long gone. . .), and we get a glorious view of the junction of Highway 18 and Kent-Kangley Road, aka SR 516. Here we stopped for a brief visit to my parents. Home sweet home.


A bit late, we left my parents and continued northeast. The freeway section of Highway 18 ends seven miles short of I-90, but we managed to make it through the fog and over Tiger Mountain in time to get to I-90 just after sunset. Hence the pink sky.

And so old, familiar Highway 18 is at an end.