Sprague - Small Eastern WA Town

The landscape in town and around is pines, scab land and freshly tilled wheat fields. The sagebrush on the surrounding hills by the freeway mingles with golden fields, irrigated to bring them to life. I saw a peaceful little valley, trees planted around farm buildings, hay, Angus, Guernsey and Holstein cows, circular lines made by the huge tillers and lots of green under the sprinklers.

Sprague Lake, 1-1/2 miles east of Sprague, is a six-mile-long lake with good bass, perch and crappie fishing. It's the kind of place a hawk would soar over or grouse would wander by, looking right at home. At one time it boasted two resorts on the Adams county side. The photo focuses mainly on the clouds, but you see the long, skinny lake at the bottom of the photo. A book I use for Washington State research talks about cottonwoods and other greenery along the lake fifty years ago - none of that stands now.

Time changes a lot of things. Though I didn't have time to stop and visit folks in town, I enjoyed the lazy drive through. The only person I saw in town was a Mom pushing her child in a stroller. She gave me a big smile - probably wondered who I was. This is the kind of town that I'm sure knows when an outsider drops in.

It's also a town with a sense of humor. I wasn't able to get the name of the business across the freeway, but if you get off at the exit you'll notice a leg sticking out of a big gravel pile. This requires another visit someday.

For now, this is Sprague, as I see it. Hope you enjoyed the visit.

Copyright 2000 Jerri Brooker

Go To Page: 1 2