Tag: Road Trip

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Late Winter Road Trip

There is a regional flyfishing show in Seattle every year that we’ve been interested in checking out.

Last year we had a huge snowfall around the time of the show. But this year we’ve enjoyed a few weeks of mild weather and clear roads, making a trip north and west a possibility.

Any time we’re on Pacific Northwest roads during winter, we travel with basic emergency supplies. Cold weather coats, hats, gloves and boots and a cooler full of rations.

Columbia River, Washington Hwy 14
Snowqualmie Pass

Our route plan was to use US 97 north to Washington state, hit interstate 90 and use Snoqualmie Pass to get over the Cascades

There are still a few feet of snow in the passes but the lower level roads appeared clear.

We kept watch for changing weather conditions, even tracked avalanche warnings, knowing Snoqualmie Pass is at risk. When stopping for coffees and to stretch our legs, we spoke to a couple of area locals about road conditions. Apparently there was a road closure at MP 67, but they figured it would be open by the time we arrived (which it was).

South Central Washington has fruit orchards and over 240 wineries.

We’d never been through these parts of the state so it was nice to explore some new country. Apple and wine country to be exact, plus it’s really a beautiful drive.

Seattle, Washington

Getting to Seattle and the show was not a problem, took our time and made it through the crazy Seattle maze of freeways.

The show was … well, glad we went, but we’re not going again … okay.

Didn’t explore Seattle, instead we headed out the next day to knock around Central Washington.

Our plans got shuffled when there was an avalanche delay on Snoqualmie and we had to shift routes south, then east to White Pass and into Yakima.

We encountered a bit more snow on this southern route and any view was hindered by a snowstorm. We did however get a sense for the potential of White Pass and the Mt. Rainer area and plan on a revisit.

Spent a night in the heart of Central Washington wine country and the charming little town of Zillah. It’s just east of Yakima and on the northern edge of the Yakima Nation’s reservation. This area is on the eastern edge of the Cascades and the start of some really beautiful canyon land we are itching to check out.

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German Plum Cake

During our most recent trip to Hood River’s Fruit Loop we came upon an unexpected discovery.

Italian Plums.

I know the perfect recipe for these babies … German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen).

Italian Prune plums are ideal for cooking. Their flavor becomes more complex through baking and they have a lovely texture.

 

This yeasted cake is typically made on a baking sheet and is a perfect vehicle for Italian plums. The cake itself is not overly sweet. Now add a layer of tart, juicy plums and a touch of cinnamon sweetness via streusel and this is one of my personal favorites.

Print Recipe

German Plum Cake 'Pflaumenkuchen'

German Plum Cake is a yeast dough with fresh fruit topped with butter streusel
Servings: 48 2 inch squares

Equipment

  • 17x12x1 inch jelly roll pan

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs Italian plums pitted and cut into quarters
  • 3/4 cup warm milk have extra to add to dough as needed
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dry active yeast
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter melted but not hot
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

streusel topping

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butter at room temperature

Instructions

  • In small bowl dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  • Place flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add yeast mixture, butter, eggs and vanilla, give a stir to combine. Attach the dough hook and knead at a medium low setting for 4-5 minutes. Dough will be sticky but should hold together and be more of a thick batter. If necessary, add up to an additional 1/4 cup milk. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set in a warm draft free place to proof for one hour or until about double in size.
  • Lightly oil the bottom of an 17 x 12 jellyroll pan and then line bottom with parchment. Generously butter the sides and parchment of the pan.
  • Scrape the dough from the bowl into the center of the jellyroll and using your hands spread it out to fill the pan even from side to side. Try to keep the dough an even thickness. Starting at the very edge of the pan lay the plum quarters next to each other in rows the length of the pan. Rows should touch each other. Cover the entire surface of dough.
  • Set the baking sheet in a warm place and allow to rise for an hour. Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Prepare the streusel by placing all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Use your fingers to mix and bring it all together. Work the mixture until it is a fine crumb. Squeeze crumb together to make sizeable clumps. Sprinkly this over the top of the cake.
  • Bake in the middle rack of a 350º oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  • Let the cake sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the liquid to set. Slice into squares and serve.
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Are we there yet?

We enjoy planning road trips.

Short or long it doesn’t matter. Maps come out, calendars are penciled in … its all good stuff. Personally, I think we like the possibilities of a new adventures, as much as the trip itself.

We used to be limited by vacation time. So, of course it was all about “getting there.”  Now, not so much. Since retiring, we’ve adjusted our mindset and have slowed things down.

All those roadside stops we used to zip by are now interesting. We stop at historical markers, geological sites, scenic outlooks … heck, even wide spots in the road.

Some of this dawdling has had some surprising results like: catching a storm front near Biggs, driving through freezing fog south of Pendleton, viewing dippers on the Malheur River, enjoying a sunset in Yosemite and marveling at the Metolius Balancing Rocks (a small wide spot with trail that lead to this geological wonder).

All because we started with a plan, then changed it.

Storm front near Biggs, Oregon
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Fall at Summer Lake

In Central Oregon Fall seems to have gotten skipped over and we’ve moved directly to winter or at least the cold part.  That said we took off for Summer Lake this morning hoping to catch some migrating waterfowl.

The weather was overcast with temperatures just above freezing as we drove south Fremont highway (US 31) past Fort Rock on to the high desert.

Took a brief side trip a few miles up USFS 2901, which would eventually take you to the rim of the cliffs that border the west side of Summer Lake. Snowy roads persuaded us to turn around before they got worse higher up.

The reserve at summer lake was packed with pre-wildfowl season RV’s, no people just their trailers.

The clouds broke up and we enjoyed some birding, highlighted by a trio of swans landing and paddling around just a few hundred feet away.

 

 

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Is everyone in Yellowstone National Park?

 

Sulphur Caldron (one of the most active areas of Yellowstone’s buried volcano)

The geological phenomena that is Yellowstone National Park (NP) attracts a global array of tourists. It’s July and it seems like everyone is at the same overlook we’re at.

We’d picked July because the Flyfishing Federation International meeting was in Bozeman. 

No surprise …

it’s not a good idea to go at the peak of the season.  That said, Yellowstone is the kind of park you can see from your car.

Pretty much most national parks are not dog friendly. Tip was banned from nearly every trail, boardwalk, and even short-paved paths to scenic overlooks. That, and the jam of people kept our visit to a day and a half, but in that time we managed to see a lot of cool sites.

Artist Point (Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River)

It should be noted that we avoided the geyser basins. My childhood memories of Yellowstone are of unpleasant odors (gagging and retching), rather than magnificant views.  We managed to find some un-occupied pull-outs along the Madison and Firehole rivers that made perfect picnic stops.

It’s a beautiful park, just a bit crowded which is to be expected.  We did manage to catch bison stopping traffic, as well as a couple of bull elk in velvet. Yeah, the classic Yellowstone picture ops.