North Columbia River Communities

Recently we took a drive on some back roads northwest of Spokane off Highway 25 north and ended up at Kettle Falls, rich in archeology, on the North Columbia River. It was a bright, sunny day and the windy, forested roads among pines and firs helped provide a beautiful backdrop against the river. It was the first time I've traveled some of the roads, and it felt like a step back in time.

Little towns were few and far between, so that when we reached Kettle Falls it seemed like a large city. Population: 1256, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to visit the Kettle Falls Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.kettlefalls.org to read about the town grouch. There's also some interesting history about why the town was moved from its original destination.

On the trip we traveled through the community of Cedonia where there was an old country store, aptly named Ye Old County Store. There was a lazy hound dog outside and the area contained a lilac-filled cemetery with lots of bushes on the surrounding, rolling hills. It's a good place to lose yourself, if that's what you're about.

The next burg was Hunter. On a quick drive through a liquor store, a Russian church with stained glass and an antique store caught my eye. We didn't stop. The way there was full of rocky hillsides and mountain roads. Just past I took this picture of the North Columbia River.

It's in stark contrast to the stretch of Columbia River that skirts the south of our state. Around Washington if you talk Columbia most folks think of the Columbia River Gorge and windsurfing. This stretch of river winds along the eastern side of the Colville Indian Reservation.

There is even a small car ferry that runs every fifteen minutes in the daytime across the river, the Gifford/Inchelium Ferry run by the Confederated Tribes of Colville Indian Reservation. The Gifford townsite view was painted with yellow and purple wildflowers around town, nothing more than a post office and some homes. Beautiful picture of a small community forgotten by time.

When we entered Daisy, yes folks, Daisy, Washington, there was an Inn and small gas station. The price that day was $2.13 a gallon, in keeping with Spokane at the time. It always amazes me when we go to small towns and the gas price is similar or less than that of bigger cities. Daisy also had a boat launch for those of you wanting to get in the water.

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