Pictures from the Road: Headed Back East

[Tobin S.]

After about 36 hours of sitting around waiting to get loaded, I finally got my load and took off out of Seattle bound for Indiana. Those of you who have been following me may remember my first post from the road on my new journey as an owner-operator. In it there were some pictures of some windmills that I had run across in Indiana. I was impressed by their size and elegance. I'd seen electricity generating windmills before, but only out in California and those were about half the size the ones I saw in Indiana. I'm happy to report that I've seen those windmills in several states now and they have mostly been the larger sized ones. Someone told me that the blades are 75 feet long and if that's the case then the tower they are hooked to must be around 150 feet tall. I've seen these windmills in California, Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, and now Washington and I have some pictures of those below. These are located near the little river town of Vantage, Washington:





Vantage is located in central Washington and it's not close to anything but the Columbia River. The Columbia River carved a huge valley through the Washington countryside. It was down to the river and up to the other side through mountain grades for about ten miles getting across there. At the top of the hill on the eastern side I stopped at a little park on the side of the road created for the purpose of taking neat pictures. In the first one you can see the river valley and the bridge across there. In the second I tried to get a shot of the little town of Vantage, but I don't know if you'll be able to make it out:





A lot of people who haven't seen Washington think of it as all pine trees and mountains. While a great deal of the state is hilly and mountainous, much of it is wheat producing farm land with nary a mountain or a pine tree in sight for huge chunks of miles.

I told you guys about not being able to stop in some of the prettier mountain passes in Montana and get some pictures. Well, I got one and it turned out pretty good considering I just blindly aimed the camera out the windshield and snapped a quick picture not knowing what I'd get.



I'm in the little town of Deer Lodge, Montana now and I'm settled in for the evening. Blew $40 in a local video casino and had some dinner. Life is good. :)

[Ptah]

1. Say hi to my cousin Kathy in Deer Lodge.

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

3. Give Kathy a holler

and tell her to come over to I-90 Plaza. I'll buy her a beer and we can gossip about you. :hi:

[Ptah]

10. I'm guessing you didn't meet her husband, the prison guard.

I'm glad you are rolling.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Tobin!

Ah.......pictures!

I actually grew up (4 years worth) in a little town in eastern Washington and so that landscape is very familiar. There weren't any wind farms back then, though.

The little town looks very pretty! And your random shot out the window is a winner.

I'm so glad this is working out for you...

I love reading your stories...I guess you're traveling for most of us!

:hi:

:hug:

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks Peggy!

I'm glad you enjoy my stories and pictures. I know most people don't ever get to see this area of the country. I only wish I had more time to take more pictures, but I guess I have to get this freight down the road at some point. :hi:

[femmocrat]

5. Thanks for the great pictures, Tobin.

I always wanted to see those states. Maybe someday I'll get there.

We have those huge windmills in PA too. I think you can see some on the PA Turnpike near Somerset.

[Tobin S.]

8. You're welcome

If you get a chance to do a little traveling, the west is the best as Jim Morrison said. Actually, New England has its points, too.

[elleng]

6. Great to see you and your pics, Tobin, and glad that life is good!

[lunatica]

7. This is a fabulous use of the internets!

Tell us about some of the people you meet. Are there lots of teabaggers in those small towns? And keep the photos coming and your little history blurbs. Very few of us get to take in the landscape of this great country.

[likesmountains 52]

9. Thank you for taking the time to post from the road. I have always loved reading your notes.