Somewhere, somehow, and someway I managed to forget that Duncan would have Memorial Day off from work. I always have Monday’s off, and lucky for me most of the major holidays fall on a Monday. When I realized Duncan also had a three day weekend, I decided to plan a very last minute overnight trip to Eastern Washington.
I got off of work on Friday, booked a hotel, and we left Saturday morning.
I’m finding it helpful to have getaways somewhat planned ahead of time. By that I mean I have a handful of hikes saved that require more than a 2.5 hour drive. Most all of my weekend getaways revolve around hiking, making it easier to choose where I want to go. For this overnight trip I chose to go see the White Bluffs. All it takes is for me to see one photo of a good hike (or in this case a walk) and I will plan an entire day/weekend around this location.
This is the third time in one month I have made the trek to Eastern Washington, and it proved to be the final straw for my lower back. The continual 3.5-4hr drives (one way) did a number on my muscles and this adventure was ever so slightly tainted by the discomfort. Alas, we still had a great time. The journey to the bluffs was an adventure unlike one I’ve had thus far in my life.
The winds off the Columbia River were stronger than I anticipated. Wind alone is not a big deal, but the sand blowing into the sides of my legs and face at what felt like 100 MPH were not only painful, but disorienting. We were also warned by fellow walkers that they had seen a rattlesnake, adding to the heightened awareness of our surroundings.
Despite the wind blowing tiny spherical daggers into my skin, this was an epic adventure. The dunes were much cooler than I expected, and the surrounding views were just what I was hoping for. We stayed on the dune just long enough for me to summon a Sandworm while looking for Paul Atreides, and for Duncan to rescue my hat after it blew off.
The walk back to the car turned into sporadic jogging and occasional pauses to wait for our vision to be cleared. The wind started to get even worse, and I was thankful to be almost done with the sideways sand. I didn’t find the Fremen, but I did leave with 2lbs of sand in my ears that took me days to clean out.
All in all this visit to the dunes was worth it. Even though I lost a hubcap along the way.
We spent the night in the town of Othello, which let me tell you is nothing to write home about. We had a cheap bed to sleep on and a bathroom to shower in (fully equipped with a cracked leaking toilet) and that’s really all I could ask for. After a full nights sleep I woke to find my car had not blown away in the wind, and we set off on our second adventure.
Next up was a 25 minute drive north to Blythe Lake. I typically read trail reviews like I’m studying for a test, but I somehow glazed over this one. Thankfully I had battery on my phone because this trail turned into a walk through wild, trail-less terrain that required me to follow the little blue dot multiple times on the AllTrails app.
This started simple enough, an old road led us up to a decent view as we continued to wrap around the nature preserve.
We continued to play “where’s the rattlesnake” throughout this walk, but truthfully I was more concerned with ticks. The shrubbery was sharp at times, and I couldn’t tell you how many spur like needle things I had attached to my socks after this. Spirits were high despite the rogue wandering, until we came to an opening providing a view of where we parked.
From here we had to make our own path, and as one AllTrails reviewer said the trail became “a crapshoot.” Truthfully this was kind of fun, but I was ready to be done after a couple hours had passed. With no clear trail to the bottom of a moderately steep drop off we decided to make our own. And by we I mean Duncan saw a path someone else had gone on after I can only assume they were fed up.
Am I glad we did this one? Yes. Would I do it again? Definitely not. The views were quite something though.
From here we made the trek back home, and despite the back pain I still carry two weeks later (the joys of aging?) this was a fun overnight away. The story doesn’t stop here though. Remember how I lost a hupcap? Back in 2012 my car lost a hubcap for the first time. Then in 2014 a secret santa brought me a new one. Shortly after this wonderful gift, I found a hubcap on the side of the road that looked to be similar to the ones on my car.
Naturally, I kept the hubcap just in case I needed one someday.
A decade later, this slightly cracked and discolored hubcap that has been living in my garage is having its moment. These hubcaps sell brand new for $55. That is insane to me. I’d rather drive around hubcap-less than spend that kind of money on something aesthetic. The amount of joy it brought me to use this once lost hubcap is indescribable.
She ain’t perfect, but it’s better than the before.
I’m not typically one for last minute trips, I need a tentative plan and I don’t like flying by the seat of my pants. This getaway was a small mix of both spontaneous and planned. I already have another hike trip up my sleeve should the last minute opportunity present itself. Or when I can wrangle Duncan for another two night getaway. Only time will tell which comes first.
Q: Do you prefer spontaneous adventures, or preplanned? I can do shorter trips with some spontaneity, but longer trips I need to plan.
Blissfulbritt 
40 thoughts on “White Bluffs & Blythe Lake”
matt
You don’t find the Fremen. They find you.
Some really nice photos, too.
Brittany
LOLOL. Good point! Perhaps they were watching us all along…
Thank you!
Looking for the Light
I like planned travel, it’s much easier and it causes less anxiety especially traveling Internationally. I took a trip to Spain in 1987 with three weeks notice, it was my first International trip. Actually I had travelled very little before then. The trip was short but we had a great time and Madrid was an eye opener for me. We did find a great restaurant and the people are friendly.
Brittany
I agree that planning causes less anxiety! I feel safer when I am prepared. Three weeks notice is quick, but I think I’d be able to pull together a plan in that time.
Sounds like overall it was a good trip to Spain. That’s one country I have yet to visit.
Looking for the Light
I’ve travel more since and now that Spain was not a shock at all. It was my American ego expecting people to speak English.
Brittany
Oh no. 🙈 These days I’ve found most countries do speak English that I’ve been to (mostly Western Europe), but I never assume.
While I was living in Germany any time I tried to speak German with a local they immediately switched to English. 🤣
Looking for the Light
The issue in Spain was as I understand it, the locals may know some but choose not to speak it. The hotel staff speak English and many shops and restaurants tried as we tried to communicate is our very poor Spanish. I always make an effort, with at least a few basics words but even in Russia, everyone spoke English.
C.A. Post
You and Anita are cut from the same cloth. For me, I “plan” to plan, but at the last minute would take off for a couple weeks… until I met Anita. She takes better care of me than I used to do.🤠
Brittany
A yin and yang! Good to have someone to balance us out.
Pree
I’m like you – if it’s a shorter trip, say over a 3 day weekend, I can be spontaneous.
When I picture Washington, the last thing I think about is sand 🤣
Brittany
SAME!! I think that’s why I’m suddenly enthralled by eastern Washington. It’s SO different from western Washington where I live.
I much prefer the green and forests, but this once in a while switch up is nice.
Roy McCarthy
Great that you take advantage of the endless, wide and varied landscapes there in the US – no better restorative than getting out into nature. Here in our smallish island we get to appreciate our outdoors in a more ‘micro’ way, possibly spot things we didn’t see the previous ten times. All good for the body and soul.
Brittany
How great that you can revisit places and continue to discover new things! While I’d love to travel father than my home state, I like being close to my old man kitty right now! This is a good balance of near yet far.
Atheria
My Honda Fit’s 15″ wheel hubcaps, if gotten from Honda, are $140 EACH! Freaking nuts! Because Discount Tire guys broke 2 of them and I damaged one, I got a nice set of generic hubcaps from Amazon for cheap. I’ve already scraped up one. LOL!
Regarding your back and long drives, my friend, Rob, says his butt has a 3.5 hour sitting/driving/flying limit when I asked him why he never flies farther than to Mexico from where he lives in North Carolina. 🙂
Brittany
$140!!!?!?! That’s insanity. Toyota once broke one of mine and ended up replacing two of them for free. That was great. They’re much sturdier than the ones my car came with so I think those two are forever safe.
Somehow I am able to fly internationally without back pain, yet these car rides have killed me. I think I need to start sitting on a pillow and putting one behind my back like I do on my flights.
Atheria
Certain specific things trigger my OCD to kick in. I can’t stand it when a car does not have hubcaps. I know a guy who doesn’t have hubcaps on his VW and it freaking drives me nuts. He refuses to put hubcaps on it. I need to get rid of him as a friend. 😅😂
Brittany
LOLOLOL. You would have had to avoid me years ago. I drove around for two years missing just one! I should have taken them all off at that rate. I think these days it would bother me though. I’d have to buy something cheap to cover it. 🤣
Atheria
Missing just one is even worse! How is it that I even know you?! 🤣
Brittany
I swear I’ve grown. HAHA.
Liz H-H
I’da saved that hubcap, too. Smart woman.
I liked your Dune take on things.Oh! Idaho!!
Brittany
Lololol. The hubcap continues to bring a smile to my face. What a funny story it is.
I’m glad you got the Dune references. 🤣
Liz H-H
Dune, artfully referenced! 👍
niall
Well done on the hubcap, you’re now a fully qualified hoarder with a justification for keeping *anything* forever 🤣
I do like planning but I have a habit of not following through. On holidays we tend to make it up as we go along but hate when we return home and discover stuff we could have done with a better plan! 🙈
Brittany
Hey, hey, hey!! I’ll have you know I only hang onto things I KNOW I will use. LOLLL. My collection of items is quite minimal, aside from a rogue hubcap? Hahaha. That pretty funny though, I suppose you’re right in a way.
I think what you said about discovering other stuff you could have done is EXACTLY why I need a plan. I would dwell for a long time if I missed something I could have otherwise seen with a bit of research. On the opposite end though, sometimes I get too obsessive about needing to see as much as possible that I overwhelm myself. It’s all a balance. 🤣
niall
If I had my way I’d probably have a schedule but my wife likes the laid back approach to holidays and doesn’t want to feel like she’s on a guided tour 🤣
Brittany
I suppose having some wiggle room in a planned holiday is key for me. It’s ok to deviate a bit, but zero schedule would have me spinning with stress. LOL.
Nicole
I am totally the same! I need to plan out our larger-scale trips, but I can handle a spontaneous trip if it’s shorter.
I absolutely loved this recap… and the photos! That terrain is just SO different than what we’re used to out here in New England. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. And to be walking on trails with rattle snakes?!? Yikes!!
Ticks on the other hand… Yeah, we’ve got those things. Ha, ha!
It all sounds like a very fantastic adventure!!!
Brittany
Honestly this terrain is so different from where I live, and it’s in the same state! I love that I can drive somewhere semi close and see a whole new landscape.
Nicole
That is wonderful!!! I was saying something similar to my husband the other day… We live in an area filled with forest, but we can drive to the city, ocean, or mountains if we want. It’s nice having those options!! 🙂
Still a Runner
Great photographs. Looking at those trails entices me to pull on my hiking boots.
Brittany
Thank you, I hope you find a fun trail near you and get those boots dirty!
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
Fun stuff. Wind burn, yuck. I do like planned hikes only so we can prepare for it. No fun forgetting things like extra hubcaps.
Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
Preparing for a hike is a must. Even hikes I have done time and time again I try to have some basic essentials. Safety first.
gpavants
Have fun.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Allie Zottola
Aren’t dunes just the coolest thing?! When we visit North Carolina, we always visit the sand dunes there and they never cease to amaze me.
So glad you were able to get away with Duncan on a last minute trip! Minus the hubcap thing lol.
Brittany
I think this was my first time to an official sand dune? Which is wild. There are some in Oregon I’d love to see soon too. Definitely a fun experience.
Amy
What amazing views!! I’d be stressed about rattlesnakes and ticks the whole time too… We have a decent number of rattlesnakes in the area where I live (some of which manage to wriggle into our backyards — ugh!!), and they terrify me. So glad you didn’t spot any!
And I remember your hub cab saga from way back in the day!!! That’s SO awesome!
Brittany
NO WAY, do you really remember it!? That’s SO funny. I love you for that. A true pal from the beginning days!!! I can’t tell you the joy the free hubcap continues to bring me.
I’m surprised you have rattlesnakes near you, that’s scary! I’d worry letting the dog out in the backyard, sheesh!
Amy
Man, those beginning days… It’s CRAZY how long we’ve been doing this!!! And even crazier that we haven’t met in person yet. I really hope that changes — and I haven’t given up the hope that it happens at Disneyland either!! 😉
I didn’t realize there were so many rattlesnakes until after I moved in! Oops… I worried a lot about letting my dog out back until we installed really sturdy wire mesh to keep the snakes out too. It seems to have worked so far… Knock on wood!!!
Pingback: Early Morning Confessions | Blissfulbritt