A Question of Scenery

[forsyth]

Has anybody driven from Seattle to Las Vegas (or at least Seattle to like Idaho or something) over the mountains and could provide me with pics or descriptions or any little interesting tales? I was just writing the bit in Nano when I realized the only part of the Rockies I've seen up close was down in California by Yellowstone.

Comments

[evilcarp.livejournal.com]

I've been over the mountains. They want you to die. That's the biggest impression I get as we drive through them. They tower up and lean over you in your tiny car and you know they're just waiting to fall down on top of you. And they're gray and green and black and white. They don't move at all, but they never sit still, and they huddle on the horizon just watching you. Just watching everything and waiting until they've got you all alone, seperated on a hiking trip, or pulled over to the side of the rode because you blew out a tire, and then they disapear you.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Now if I can just see if Google maps is at all good at showing the actual locations of mountains, so I can figure out where to put in a description of them. Basically if I need it before or after they cross over into Oregon.

[andysocial]

Driving over the Cascades east of Seattle was a recurring part of my job when I was stationed up there. If your guys are crossing that far north in the winter, something interesting to remember is that it's a cloud forest. So, the western approach is covered in ice and snow, the foothills shrouded in fog, but when you crest the top of the rise and start down the other side - bone dry.

Ellensberg and Cle Elum are in a little mini-valley just before the major rise, and then you're surrounded by massive trees, giant ferns, and a few logging trucks. On the other side, the small town of Royal City is ironically named, but just north of it (it's out of the way and would only be reached on purpose) is the quirky town of George, Washington.

That's all I recall from about five trips across that pass back in 1994/95.