Tuesday morning, we left Anacortes heading east, and almost immediately headed into blistering heat. The dogs were panting madly, so I had to keep stopping to water them (and me)—my Outback will run air conditioning, or tow my camper, but it won’t do both.  Even up in the northern Cascades, the heat was a sweltering 100°. 

The scenery, however, was spectacular, and the Skagit River was the most unearthly shade of sea glass green. 

Lots of little waterfalls tumble down beside the road.

Coming out of the Cascades, I went back into the dry central part of the state. You would not think that this area would be a huge fruit producing area, but (thanks to massive irrigation) it is.

On and on, through the heat we drove. Finally, we reached Lake Roosevelt and the Kettle Falls Campground, and that’s when I discovered that the lakeside campsite I’d chosen had NO SHADE. Fortunately, it was evening by then. The next morning, I moved to a shadier site. Good thing, too, because this heat is supposed to continue at least until Sunday. 

I will be checking out the swimming beach soon.