Heading to Woodenville, WA

I spent the night at Camping World. Fortunately as a Good Sam member, they let you plug in and also allow use of the dump and water station. However, I was right next to the road, and in between the train rolling by, and the fireworks, it made for a loud night.

I had a low-key day as I headed towards Granite Falls Fish Ladder. A 240-foot tunnel was blasted out of the granite to allow the fish to access the fish ladder. Built in 1954, the Washington Department of Fisheries constructed what was at the time the world's longest vertical baffled fish ladder (580 feet) to provide salmon with an opportunity to reach the 30 miles of river above the falls. It was a pretty spot, and a nice walk.

After a Google search, I came across this:

Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America, also sometimes known as Tsubaki America Jinjaor in Japanese as amerika tsubaki ōkamiyashiro (アメリカ椿大神社), is the first Shinto shrine built in the mainland United States after World War II. It was erected in 1987 in Stockton, California, and moved to its current location in Granite Falls, Washington, in 2001.[1]

Who would have thought to find such a lovely Japanese influence in the middle of nowhere here in Washington? It was a lovely peaceful quiet walk with Jo Jo and I only wish I had written a wish or expressed gratitude on a note to hang from the tree, of what they call the Ema. This Japanese garden was right next to a trickling river. What a pleasant find! They have various classes and programs here as well.

http://www.tsubakishrine.org

Finally I made my way to Woodinville, where I met up with my high-school girlfriend Laurie, and her husband Todd. I was really excited and waiting to catch up with her over the last several weeks and finally made it!



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