MORE PEACEFUL COLUMBIA!

I will talk about the Missoula Flood next time. Last weekend I passed this tranquil river shore at Pateros WA ad the southeastern end of the North Cascades Highway #20. Before a dam below this location was completed, steamers came north from Wenatchee up the Columbia River to deliver people and supplies to little towns . This particular stretch then was a rugged rapid. Depending on the water flow a steamer could make it up through the rapids or not. Hurtling through again downstream was also a problem. When needed, teams of horses hooked onto the steamer to help. Also at Pateros is still a large anchoring ring. The local historical society has a small museum adjacent to this lawn. Today Pateros is one of the favorite spots for boating or kayaking.  Not far beyond this little town, around the corner to the right in this photo, another river runs into the Columbia -- the Okanogan River coming in from the north. Its origin is far up in the Okanagan Valley of Canada,(spelled with an o in the USA, an a in BC). The valley is a paradise for visitors as the river runs through two large lakes or more and in winter ski resorts galore flourish on nearby mountains.

The Okanogan River (USA) skirts the Colville Reservation, home to several original tribes and where Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce is buried. He was not an original resident there but was from farther south in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon. During the relocation of many tribal entities, in death Joseph wound up among original tribal residents who once had been at odds with the Nez Perce. Remember the famous flight of this group of Nez Perce from the USA military troops toward Canada to avoid going on the required reservation?  "I will fight no more forever.....?" Chief Joseph??