Day trip on the agenda

A day trip is possible at any time in our household. My wife, Garnet, might stroll into the kitchen and pour a cup of coffee and ask, "What do we have planned for today?"

"Nothing," is the reply.

"Let's drive to Potholes State Park and see what progress they are making on the improvements," Garnet said.

The park service has been enhancing the park during the winter months, as we noticed during a stop six months ago. We enjoy time at the park with Site 23 our favorite. When we stopped by six months ago the north half of the park was closed, including Site 23.

So items are gathered for the trip, such as a lunch, binoculars, camera and an extra jacket. Even though the day is bright and sunny, the weather can change on a dime and become uncomfortable during springtime in the Columbia Basin.

We headed south on Highway 17 to Road M, turning right. At the end of Road M, turn right on O'Sullivan Dam Road and continue to and across the dam, past Mar Don Resort and to the road leading to the park, about a mile past Mar Don.

The north end is completed and they were working on the south end, containing 30 sites. It appears new electrical boxes have been installed at each site, along with new water hookups, too. Also, the site numbers have been improved. More on the park improvements during an upcoming camping trip.

At this point, we wanted to continue our day trip, but which way should we go? We decided to make this a short trip for the day and headed home, but there are so many possibilities from this spot.

Here is a suggestion: Head back to O'Sullivan Dam Road and take a right. Continue on this road, which is also State Route 262 for two or three miles. This road will take a 90-degree left turn. This will take you up and over the road and into Royal Slope.

When 262 ends, turn right onto State Route 26 and continue for about five miles to Royal City. Explore the City for a few minutes and see what has changed. Next go back to SR 26, turn left and travel about a mile, turning right on Road E SW.

This will take you down the hill to Crab Creek and the base of Saddle Mountains. Crossover the creek and follow the road, curving right, which becomes Road 17 SW. You should be headed west.

You are now in the area known as Lower Crab Creek. Saddle Mountains will be on your left and the creek will be to your right for a ways. You will cross the creek again and end up at Beverly after traveling 10 miles. But three miles before Beverly, you will see signs for the ORVs. This is a large bunch of sand dunes, popular with riders of off road vehicles. Crab Creek can be found by parking and walking south a quarter mile across the dunes.

On the right side of the road, north side of the road, are three popular quality water lakes, Nunnally, Lenice and Merry. Motor homes, travel trailers and tents can be found on any weekend, as visitors recreate with their ORVs and fly rods.

Traveling west again, Beverly will be a community on the right, just before reaching SR 243 and the Columbia River. Before heading home, turn left and travel three-quarters of a mile south to the Town of Schwana for no particular reason other than seeing the town for the first time. A few hundred yards south of Schwana is the point where Crab Creek empties into the Columbia River.

From Beverly and Schwana head north on SR 243 for about eight miles to I-90 and home. Or travel SR 243 for about a mile and turn right onto Beverly-Burke Road. Nothing special about this road, but great looking Basin farms. This road will run into SR 26 after a few miles.

Explores can turn left and find I-90 or turn right and end up again at Royal City. Travel past Royal City for about three and a half miles and turn left of Dodson Road. I-90 is a straight shot north for about 15 miles. During this leg of the trip you will pass over Frenchman Hills, Frenchman Hills Wasteway and Winchester Wasteway.

Consider exploring the Lower Crab Creek area on a family day trip.