Stable.com Travel Report:
August 2, 2005
Northern California, Oregon & Washington

Our Stable.com Summer 2005 roadtrip to the Great Northwest began in Placerville, California. Bill & I traveled up Interstate 5, stopping at Tack and Feed stores along the way to spread the good word of Stable.com - Everything Horse in the West! Scenically and geographically, our trip was dominated by a GREAT series of volcanoes. From Mt Shasta, St. Helens, Hood, Baker, Adams, to the stunning monarchy of of Mt. Ranier - ruling over the Seattle area, it is clear that the Northwest remains a great work of art in motion..

Mt. Shasta from I-5.

On our second day, we stopped at a wooded park in Northern Oregon and took stock of our Stable.com roadsigns.

Our next stop took us to the most dynamic volcanoe in the cascades -- Mt. St. Helens. She was blowing off some steam the day we visited - the weather was hot and clear and the photo opportunities abounded.

We took some time to explore the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and viewed the vista showing the astounding natural recovery of plants and animals since the eruption, 25 years ago.

We spent several days at a friend's in downtown Seattle. Driving out to nearby rural communities where horses are common. Tucked into the Old Seattle Waterfront, we found a fourth generation, old-time Saddlery Shop called Duncan & Sons. Larry Duncan keeps his family's heritage alive, with photo albums, tools and assorted artifacts dating to the late 1800s. "I don't make saddles no more," said Larry. "But I can sure fix em..."

Duncan & Sons - Seattle Washington, is largely responsible for outfitting the Seattle area with carriage, harness, western and calvary saddles and tack for more than 100 years. Stop by if you get the chance, it's a great history lesson.

The Olympic Mountains, Washington

In Northeastern Oregon, we came upon the Bureau of Land Managements, Wild Horse Corral. We took the Auto Tour and found that the horses were well fed and watered. I must say, that facility has some serious fencing.

Horse Heaven Hills, Benton County, Washington. Here at the edge of the Horse Heaven Hills where bands of wild horses once roamed: now a vast wheat growing area, stretching westward below you is the Yakima Valley - Home of the Yakama Indian Nation. This once arid region today ranks among the most fertile irrigated areas in the United States. More than fifty different crops and a wide variety of livestock, particularly beef and dairy cattle, are raissed here

Horse Heaven Hills South East Washington