Palouse from Steptoe

On our return from the city, I decided to take my daughter to Steptoe Butte. Unfortunately, the road up was still covered with patches of deep icy snow and I decided not to try going past the park. This is the view after we had turned around, and I also posted a photo of Steptoe in a previous post. If you look at that photo, the left edge of the trees is where I took this photo from.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my contribution to our monthly CDP Theme Day photo!

Clock on the corner

Ok, I know that technically this has nothing to do with the Palouse, but I wanted to include it. This building is in downtown Spokane, Washington and the way it sits between two converging streets has always reminded me of Times Square in NYC. Architecturally I just love it, especially how they integrated a clock into the building face.

Snowy Spokane

On Highway 195 heading north into Spokane, Washington, you can see a few of the mountains that surround the city. This is really where the grain fields of the Palouse end and the more mountainous areas begin.

Garfield Station

Another photo I have wanted to take for a long time. I know that this isn't Moscow, BUT since I take pictures of the Palouse area, this qualifies! This old station sits in Garfield, Washington. I just love this building and wish that the town could afford to renovate it or turn it into 'something'. Every time my mom comes out for a visit, we both remark on the building and how it could be made into an amazing B & B. The tracks are still in use.

Distant barn

On our recent day trip up north we passed this field with the barn in the distance. I have always wanted to stop and take this shot, and think this one turned out pretty good! Taken from the side of the road between Highway 95 in Idaho and the city of Palouse in Washington. The field and barn are on the Washington side.

Heading north

My daughter and I took a drive this morning and headed up highway 95. The section of road just past the curve ahead to the left is known as Steak House Hill. At the small summit there sits a house that at one point in time was a restaurant. The house has been for sale for several years, but as we passed, I noticed the sign was gone. We have looked at the house several times, but it has always stayed just out of our price range. Hopefully whoever bought it will have it looking nice this spring!

UI Barn

This is one of the ag barns at U of I. There were quite a few bovines out and about as we were going by. It had snowed earlier that morning, very lightly, but most of it is gone and we are left with mud and cold and overcast skies. I think most of us are ready for spring around here!

Interested in humans?

I felt so proud of myself when I managed to be more interesting to these cows than their bins of hay. At first it was just the one that stopped eating to give me a once over, but then another joined in and pretty soon there were quite a few that were probably wondering what I was doing near their fence. I think these guys may actually be steers, but I am not sure. I know that you can buy meat from the UI ag center, so it is possible these guys are intended for slaughter.

Little calf

Sorry, no hearts or Valentine's from me today, just this adorable calf at the UI ag center that was enjoying a rest. He/she was the only one that didn't run away in fright when I walked up to the fence. His momma was quite perturbed at me however, so I took my photo and left her and her baby alone! I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

In the muck

We drove up to the ag center at the U of I and I snapped a few photos of the bovines. I thought the 'cup' dealie on the side of the cow was very interesting, so if anyone knows what its purpose is, please post a comment! These guys were munching their hay...like, what else do they ever do, right? haha One of them stopped eating to check out what I was doing at the fence. I was more interesting than chewing cud! Yay!