North Cascade Highway

getting from eastern Washington to western Washington is easily done if you take the interstate but it is much more beautiful if you take the long way.  And that is what we did going home we first headed up toward anacortes then shot over on highway 20 which is home to the north cascade highway.  closed during the winter months and only opening in April sometimes may depending on the snowfall it has some amazing views.  Definitely worth it if you have the extra time
the beautiful mountains along the way are gorgeous

my favorite stop is diablo lake view point

a beaufitul glacier fed lake


the ross lake resort is the only resort I know of that is by it for access but seeing the kayakers and canoes go by makes me want to make it a destination at some point



above the lake sits high mountains with snow still visible in august

further along the road you could stop dozens of times to see sights like this

I can't remember the view point for this but my dad tells me I was there as a very small child when it first opened.  the clouds were pretty thick so the mountains looked mysterious


that is the road that we took

i didn't hike all the way up as it was COLD and I was in shorts and hubby who twisted his ankle in the race was waiting on me and I didn't want him to worry

the trees were curiously twisted


waited for a while for the clouds to clear but no luck

this was the clearest view

did see this pretty flower though

well that is the end of our long weekend to the west side hope you enjoyed it and it inspires you to visit it