A Full-time Life

EASTERN WASHINGTON FARMLANDS

 

We both grew up way over in the far south-eastern corner of Washington State, but it had been almost ten years since we went back for a visit.    

 

2013-09-15

 

And we really couldn't remember the last time we'd seen the fields at this after-harvest stage.  I love the patterns strip-cropping creates.   We made quite a few picture-op stops last week as we drove toward our destination.   

On Sunday, we took a slightly different route as we headed back toward our RV at the lake:   

 

 

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But this time, the fields weren't nearly as aesthetically pleasing.    After harvest,  farmers sometimes burn the fields to sterilize the soil and kill weeds. I was able to get these drive-by pictures through the very tightly closed window.  

(The smoky part of the highway was less than an hour of our day's drive….the rest of it was fine and we were well out of the smoke by the time we stopped for the night.) 

 

Road-trip  pictures shared with OUR WORLD TUESDAY.  Thank you to  Lady Fi and  Our World's team of amazing bloggers.  Visit them and the OW links to see what's going on out there.

We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.

40 responses to “EASTERN WASHINGTON FARMLANDS”

  1. Carol Ann

    Hey glad to meet you. Best way to meet people on blogs.
    Who have same interests photo taking.
    Thank you for coming in to mine and a comment.
    I admire peoples pictures. These are very lovely all you have taken..
    Great job!! I live in the country . It was my first trip in the plane years ago but I will never forget it.
    It was awesome. I loved the take off and the landing.
    Was on our way to the Princess Ship cruise.
    Then we had stops off the ship along the days aboard. Mexico, Jamica. I loved it all. Beaches were nice and the water..
    I enjoyed all the shows on the ship.

  2. Lesley

    I agree, the patterns are lovely!

  3. Linda

    Loved, loved, loved seeing the farm world. I hate burn season here…makes me sick.(Body and soul) but it does do the job it’s supposed to do.
    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

  4. NatureFootstep Photo

    made me uneasy actually. Don´t like the idéa of burning the land. But as long as it is mostly bare land it might not go out of hand.

  5. Stewart M

    The crop stripes look good – not so sure about the stubble burning.
    Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

  6. Al

    Very pretty farmland. But I’ve seen enough fire (and enough water) for one year!

  7. Karen, Pixel Posts

    Farm fields in autumn look so calm, except for the burning ones!

  8. orchid

    Dearest Sallie,
    Beautiful huge area is being burned for the worthwhle reason!!! This reminds me of the mountain burning at the place called “akiyoshidai” in my prefecture♡♡♡ It is for the green to grow so it is held right before spring. Never seen the patterns strip-cropping creates; aren’t they amazing♬♬♬
    Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

  9. Annie

    The pale colors are so beautiful and the sky, so big !

  10. Clair Z.

    I loved Eastern Washington when we drove through this past summer. Maybe it’s my new-found appreciation for agriculture, now that I live in the middle of fields and orchards in New Mexico. We drove past a fire, too–unfortunately it was an out of control fire, and the road was shut down just after we got through.
    After we got back home, I read The Orchardist, by Amanda Coplin, which takes place in Eastern Washington at the turn of the 20th century. It was a wonderful read and made even more so because I could picture the setting so clearly.

  11. Erco Travels

    I like your landscapes shots!

  12. Hildred

    The fields going are fascinating in their varied strips, – coming home not so much so, but I guess it’s the practical thing to do.

  13. Lady Fi

    Those farmlands in the first collage look beautiful!

  14. Pat

    The harvested fields look like they could have been in another part of the country. Great photos Sallie!

  15. Arti

    How beautiful, Sallie! I love those strip patterns and to burn off the fields is such an interesting thing to do (and see as well)!

  16. Denise

    Traveling at this time of year made me appreciate our farmers more, especially when we visited relatives in North Dakota. Miles upon miles of wheat fields is an awesome sight but the back-breaking work they put into these crops makes me realize they are unsung heroes. They feed all of America and some parts of the world.
    Thank you for visiting and leaving such interesting comments. I found the info from your husband especially interesting so please thank him for me.
    Have a great week Sallie.

  17. Arija

    I love the fields after harvest. The burning also fertilises the fields well as getting rid of the unwanted. Love all your pictures.
    Sallie, thank you so much for being such a good and understanding friend. You have helped me a great deal through these last months of rocky road. It is getting easier now and the beauty of the world is coming to the fore again. Hugs . . . Arija

  18. Gaelyn

    I loved the rolling hills of that part of WA. The stripes look very cool, but not so much the smoke.

  19. Sally in WA

    I love the stripe collection, Sallie. Burning the fields, well frankly, that scares me. I am so afraid of them becoming uncontrolled.

  20. joe

    While burning like this, doesn’t it go out of control?

  21. Barb

    I, too, love the pattern of the harvested fields. Fire makes me uneasy! Hope your family is safe. We’re fine (just wet) in Breckenridge.

  22. Bev

    I’ve never been to that part of the country before. These photos are lovely!

  23. Gail

    The strip cropping makes for some unique photos opportunities. Sorry to see the fields burning, but I can understand the process. So nice that you get to tour so much of the country. I tried to talk hubby into getting an RV or something! Sounds so fun.

  24. Ramblingwoods

    I hope the fires stay in control…. Pretty photos Sallie…. Michelle

  25. lindyloumacinitaly

    What fabulous patterns in the fields. I always enjoy calling by to see your lovely photos, promise I will try and update Travel Tales soon. 🙂

  26. Fun60

    Such interesting landscapes especially the photos of the controlled burning.

  27. Eileen

    I like the patterns on the field. And your photos and mosaics are wonderful. Glad to see the fire is a control burn. Have a happy week. Sallie!

  28. Penelope Puddlisms

    I am impressed by the steadiness of the people making the patterns. And so glad to learn that the fires are manmade for specific purposes and not the dangerous kind caused accidentally by humans or by nature.

  29. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti

    I never knew that farmers do this to their harvested fields! I hope to visit Washington state one day in the future.

  30. Photo Cache

    beautiful patterns.

  31. Rajesh

    Beautiful revisit to the farm land. I like that strip-cropping pattern.

  32. Joyful

    Beautiful scenes.

  33. Boom & Gary

    They burned in the farm country where I lived before. Numerous times the fires would get out of control. Great shots. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  34. Emille Jesh St G

    I don’t know if they do the fires to kill off weeds – there’s so much danger here for a fire to get out of control! Come back next week to find out what we decided in Corniglia, Cinque Terre.

  35. TexWisGirl

    love the rolling croplands of that area! the controlled burns, i know, are necessary and i’ve been told they burn off quickly with limited air pollution.

  36. Carver

    I love the way the fields look in these shot. Even the ones being burned have their own beauty although I like the top ones best.

  37. Nan

    I’ve never heard of strip-cropping so looked it up. Amazing photographs of a landscape I haven’t seen before even in pictures. Sad to see the power lines. I guess I didn’t imagine they would be in such a place, but of course they are. I learn so much from your travels! Thank you.
    Oh, and I can’t believe the clarity of those window shots. You’re a great photographer.

  38. Lavender Dreams

    I love seeing the rows….like a work of art! The fires are helpful. I remember burning the fence line when I lived in rural areas. Take care my friend!

  39. Penny

    How beautiful these photos are, Sallie. The first ones remind me of a patchwork quilt. It is amazing, isn’t it, how the terrain changes through the seasons?

  40. Hazel

    You have such a diversity of land and views, that it makes for really interesting viewing!

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