Washington State Route 173

On Saturday, April 21, 2012, we drove through Bridgeport and Brewster on Washington State Route 173, crossing the mighty Columbia River.

RCW 47.17.360
State route No. 173:

A state highway to be known as state route number 173 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 17 at Bridgeport thence northwesterly on the south side of the Columbia river to a junction with state route number 97 in the vicinity of Brewster.

Here we begin, just southeast of Bridgeport at the junction with SR 17. Behind us is Chief Joseph Dam, the first dam downstream of Grand Coulee.


Slowly we drive through Bridgeport, past the row of wood carvings and quiet homes and shops. Leaving town, we speed up and head north through the blossoming apple orchards. Row upon row of cropped trees covered fully in white. In the town of Rocky Butte, we hang a left and reach the halfway point of Highway 173. I had to stop the car and get out to take the photo because the windshield had so much bug splatter that the camera wouldn't focus on the road when we were facing into the sun.


Highway 173 proceeds westward to the point just across the river from Brewster. We take a right turn onto the bridge, which was built in 1970 after a welder accidently burned down the original bridge. The state still has provisions for a ferry, just in case. We then head due north on Bridge Avenue through the lovely town of Brewster until we reach the junction with US 97 and the end of the highway. It was then time for dinner at the Mexican restaurant near the Air Force jet, where they serve more than just salsa with your chips...

Apple orchards and the Columbia River. What more can you want?