It's time for a day trip

The days are warm, hot actually. Still, it's time for a day trip.

On this day we will head north out of Moses Lake on Stratford Road. Next take a left onto Highway 28. About a mile later, turn right on Pinto Ridge Road.

It has been years since I have traveled this route, which is considered the back road to Coulee City by some.

A few miles north, perhaps five or six, there will be a sign to Summer Falls State Park. Take a right and travel a short distance to the area.

On the map, this is still listed as a state park, but a call to Washington State Park Headquarters could not confirm it.

This is the head of Billy Clapp Lake, also known as Long Lake. Friends and I would fish this part of the lake during high school for Burbot. We fished from shore at night using water dogs as bait.

The original Summer Falls was dangerous when the irrigation water was flowing at full force. Several people drown when swimming to the edge of the falls. Apparently, there was an undercurrent that would pull swimmers under.

If you are a railroad buff or just adventurous, continue north again on Pinto Ridge Road for a couple hundred feet. There you will notice an abandoned railroad bed. Hike west (left) of the road to the town of Bacon.

The story of the town, as told to me by a friend who lives and breathes railroad history goes like this: In 1911 there was a post office established. Homesteaders in the area wanted the post office as a way of retrieving their mail closer to home.

There was a general store near the railroad, but the demand for supplies was great and all of the supplies were sold, except for bacon. Therefore, the post office was named Bacon.

The year 1916 was a bad year for crops and many homesteaders abandoned their claims. Fewer homesteaders brought an end to the store and town.

Those who want to look for the town should walk west for a couple of thousand feet. This same railroad buff said he hiked to the area of the town, but could not find much indication it ever existed. Still, Bacon has an interesting history.

Back on Pinto Ridge Road, travel north a few miles to Coulee City, the oldest city in Grant County. Look for the senior center, as it is part of the old trail depot.

The Coulee City Community Park would be a good spot for lunch or just a place for the kids to stretch their legs a bit.

This is at the southern end of Banks Lake. This lake was named after the chief construction engineer of Grand Coulee Dam, Frank Banks.

For years it was known as the Equalizing Reservoir, as the irrigation water for the Columbia Basin Project is pumped from behind the dam up and over the rim of the rock wall beside the dam. The water travels in a canal to Banks Lake.

A turn west on Highway 2 will take you across Dry Falls Dam. For the short version of this day trip, turn left (south) on Highway 17, past Dry Falls and Sun Lakes State Park, go through Soap Lake and back to Moses Lake.

For a longer trip, continue west down and out of Moses Coulee, past the town of Farmer, but don't blink as there is just a building with the name Farmer on it.

The next spot is Douglas, a small town with a beautiful church. Stop and take a look. but the church may not be open. Inquire at a couple of the nearby houses may produce the caretakers of the church and a tour.

Continuing west will bring along Waterville, which was the county seat for this area prior to 1909. Therefore any plat maps of this area are of Douglas County. A stop at the museum will bring about interesting facts about this area before we became Grant County.

Heading west again on Highway 2 will take you down an interesting canyon.

Steep now on a paved road, but, as you head down the canyon, imagine what it would be like to head up or down on a stage.

At the bottom, take a left (south) on Highway 2 and 97 along the Columbia River and toward East Wenatchee and back to Moses Lake.

Day trips are always fun, but take precautions because of the hot weather. Take plenty of water and plenty of snacks for everyone.