October 6-8, 2023 Chelan to Oroville, Washington

 73 and sunny.

The Mahogany and Merlot festival is going on where we were camped. Huge hydroplane boats racing on the lake. They are really loud- they have air plane engines. They kind of look like regular fast boats in the water to me. Interesting to watch, but we didn't want to hang around for the noise and crowds so we moved. I was admiring these huge apples in an orchard and taking a photo of them when a gentleman came up on an ATV- I told him his apples were beautiful. Honey berry he said and he gave me some to try. This bug was in the bus this am. John set it free outside.  We are parked at the Chelan Valley botanicals farm. It is a harvest host. They make essential oils, skin products and more. They grow most of the herbs here. They also have organic produce. We are awaiting a tour of the farm and a chance to purchase some. It is very quiet and dark here. There is a vineyard and a lake right behind us.

Chelan Valley botanicals farm. The view of one of the lakes from the bus.

We considered camping next to 4 Lakes Vineyard, so we went up to see if we would fit in their spot. It is not level enough for us, too bad, it is a beautiful vineyard on the ridge overlooking 4 lakes. So we wine tasted instead. Mariah pouring us a glass of one of their wines. Very good. They even make blueberry wine.

John helping a pair of cute girls decorate a little for Halloween at the vineyard. Back lit fall grape vines. It is  harvest time now, so there are grapes on the vines.

The  Blue Lake fire, which we saw from the lake cruise yesterday is flaring up some more. There is smoke in the air. You can see if from the vineyard. It is supposed to rain and snow at higher elevations on Monday, so hopefully it will lay back down. We want to go into North Cascades National park, but the fire is burning around the road in the center of the park. Seth, our host, at the Chelan Valley farm gave us a tour today. It is fall and the gardens are winding down.

Inside the green house. He makes the essential oils, skin care products and other herbal products here in this kitchen/lab.

This is one of the still he uses to distill essential oils and hydrosols for his products. He also grows and sells cut flowers, And he offers weekly boxes of fresh food once a week for 18 weeks to subscribers. We bought a basket of fresh veges- many different peppers, fancy tomatoes, fresh lettuce that he cut fresh for us. And I got to pick a box of raspberries and strawberries. I got some essential  oil products. Very interesting place and enjoyable hosts. 

Sunset over the lake. We are now parked at Osoyoos Lake State Park,  in Oroville, Washington. Only a few miles from the Canadian border. 

Osoyoos Lake at the campground. The lake extends into Canada. There is a wine region around the lake in both countries. Last time we were here we went and tasted wine in Canada. But we got pulled over, our car searched and background checks run on us. Spent about an hour at Border Patrol to get into Canada. 

Fall colors and shaggy mane mushrooms.