Snowy Drive to Ione, Washington

Ione, Washington is north of us here in Spokane by about 70 miles.  The town is located along highway 31 and about 26 miles from the Canadian Border.  The drive begins on Highway 2 going toward Newport, WA, then you take highway 20, then highway 31.  The Pend Orieille River follows along most of your route and absolutely gorgeous views along the way.

You can't beat the gorgeous Fall color that Mother Nature provides.  Though, here in the Northwest, it is not as striking as the East coast, but still very pretty nonetheless.  I had taken the chihuahua out for a nice 1 hour walk before dinner to enjoy the warmer day.  The color is at its prime in our area and soon it will be cold and stormy.  I was walking from my house in Spokane Valley, to a park called Mirabeau Point and about 1.2 miles from where I live.

Mount Spokane which is only about 20 minutes outside of Spokane, WA, is one of the primary winter destinations in our area.  It is close to town, and just far enough to feel like you are away from it all.  The mountain is over 5800 feet and  a popular ski and nordic destination in Eastern Washington.

When I had taken these pictures, it was in the spring time and the weather was just beautiful with the clouds out in the background.  On a fairly clear day, you can see the Canadian Rockies to the North and some of the beautiful lakes of Idaho, to the East.

Facing East Toward Idaho

Also Facing East

The Vista House - made into a Lodge

Gorgeous Palouse Falls is located in Washington State, south of Spokane by about 2 hours.  When you are driving there, you see a whole lot of oven land, farms, and the high desert type of scrub brush as you get closer.  The main road to the Palouse Falls National Park is a gravel road which goes for a few miles and you begin to wonder how the "gorgeous waterfall" you hear about can exist her.  Looks  dry and boring on the way.

As you enter the park, park you car, and head over to the canyon overlooking the falls, you will be amazed how pretty it is. The Palouse Falls and canyon was created when Glacial Lake Missoula's ice dam broke free and a massive amount of water from Northern Montana came flooding down.  It cut out a canyon path along its way through Washington, Oregon and out to the ocean.

Natural Mask: Egg White and Honey

This is the 4th egg white mask and will help those who may have skin that has been irritated, will hydrate eye area, help with breakouts, cleanse skin, and lightened dark circles.

1 egg white
1 TSP honey
1 TSP Plain organic yoghurt
1 TSP Cucumber Juice

Directions:  beat egg until foamy and frothy and then add the rest of your ingredients and mix well.
Apply to skin in circular motion and avoid directly under eyes
Keep on for 15 minutes
Rinse with warm and wet cloth

Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRQANhboB3BGvPsv7KqR939GREpt5xQQzwQCgCiXd0fWj6l-KvA8Lmrv_qYwepBjpIaoJLF0gChF50cMy0sKLSU33ri7nKxo1ZUB6a-tlygwYYPYEa56S2JAnvxBm1G5AEwpzRvPRNkA/s1600/egg.JPG
Content Sources:  http://homemademasks.net/beauty-tips/6-effective-skin-care-face-mask-egg-whites

Post Falls Dam, Idaho

March 14, 2014 my husband and I ventured out for a little bit before it decided to start raining.  I wanted to check out Post Falls Dam and was told the gates are wide open right now.  They sure are and the full force of the water is rushing out.   Post Falls Dam is located in Post Falls, Idaho (imagine that) and from out apartment in Spokane, Washington, only about a 15-minute drive.  This is the first time we have gone here and well worth it.  The dam itself is located about 9 miles south of Lake Coeur d’ Alene and where the Spokane River splits off into 3 channels.

The dam began its operation in 1906 as a way of providing power to the mines in the area and up to 100 miles away. It was said to be the longest high voltage transmission line in the world.

Content Sources:  http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/hr/print/volume-27/issue-7/feature-articles/post-falls-powering-northern-idaho-for-more-than-a-century.html
http://www.avistautilities.com/environment/spokaneriver/dams/Pages/default.aspx

It is the 10th of January, 2014 and we decided to drive north on highway 395 in northeast Washington.  The weather was nice and we decided to go up to the town of Chewelah (which means water or garter snake)  to get a couple pictures.   This town which is farm land and wide open space is surrounded by the beautiful mountains and only about 80 miles from the Canadian border.  This has been a dry year for snow, and there should normal be about a couple feet of it by now,  but still very pretty.