This diary might not do much to help elect more and better Democrats to office but it might provide a diversion for a few on a lazy Sunday evening. Taking a few days off we headed for Canada. Before we get there we pass through the Washington not usually focused on in the Great Orange.
This is the Grand Coulee dam. Built during FDR's presidency, it was the largest concrete structure in the world by volume at the time of its completion
In the depths of the Depression, America could summon the resources to dam the Columbia. Irrigation water became available to arid central and eastern Washington. Apple, Cherry and Pear growers planted orchards in central Washington because there was water now. Wheat and potato growers turned the Columbia high plateau into the breadbasket of the Pacific Rim. Because they had water courtesy of the Grand Coulee dam. Then we were the America that could, even in the depths of the depression and not the America of "Hell no, you can't"
There was also that surplus of cheap electricity coming from powerhouses 1 and 2. So much some people figured they would never be able to use it all. But the cheap electricity brought Aluminum refiners there and stimulated economic growth which is to say it created jobs and soon enough they added Powerhouse 3 to double the generating capacity. Central Washington is conservative country. Many people there will assert that Government does not create jobs and simultaneously hold the belief that the Grand Coulee dam was the eighth wonder of the world.
And here I gotta insert the song that every kid who grew up here must know by heart. Woody Guthrie got $266.66 to write this song and others. I figure we got good value for the money.
Passing through Douglas, Washington
store is closed ever since the owner hurt her hip a few years ago
We crossed into Canada at the US 97 crossing into Osoyoos, British Columbia. There were signs all along BC 3 about a proposed national park there. Most were against it. Canadians really are very polite though. One farm had a sign saying "No Natiional Park" followed by one that said yes and then by a sign that said "Maybe".
Looking at this makes me lean to the people who want to make this a Canadian national park
We cruised on to Hope, BC and Harrison hot springs.
">
A little tour around the lake
Pictographs from First Nations peoples in the area-look in the center at the outlines in orange
A family of Ospreys was peacefully hanging out in the lake-well as peaceful as could be considering there was an eagle overhead watching for the chance to have Junior for lunch.
That tiny little fuzzball next to Mom is Junior.
Dad came back to keep an eye on us too.
Back to the country that does not have single-payer health care, leaving Hope behind.