Escapees May June 2015 Demo

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| May/June 2015 |ESCAPEES .77
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of ice from Silver Lake to store for summer use. Winters in
Island Park were, and still are, severe with six to 10 feet of
snow accumulating and staying over a seven-month period.
Making a profit was not the major concern in manag-
ing the Railroad Ranch. Managers spent time preserving
the prime wildlife habitat and well-built ranch cabins and
barns. Consideration for wildlife was the primary reason
for the Harriman family’s decision to donate the ranch
to the State of Idaho. Roland Harriman set the transfer
process in motion in 1955, and in 1961, Idaho’s governor
signed the historic agreement which led to public own-
ership and responsibility for the Railroad Ranch and its
natural resources. Originally, the transfer was to take place
after all the Harriman shareholders were deceased. Howev-
er, as the three children grew older, they decided to transfer
the 15,000 acres of ranch property to the state prior to their
deaths. On April 1, 1977, the Railroad Ranch became Har-
riman State Park of Idaho.
Beyond the stillness of the historic neighborhood, a trail
past the old barns leads through the woods to Silver Lake.
The Harriman Wildlife Refuge, a part of the park, provides
a safe haven for Idaho wildlife, including moose, elk, deer
and numerous species of birds. Squirming squirrels racing
in circles around tree trunks and a flock of pelicans floating
on the lake provide typical photo opportunities. Along a
narrow trail through the wildlife refuge, wind in the aspens
rustles like tissue paper.
Although Harriman State Park offers no camping
facilities, the historic park is a perfect day trip for RVers
who travel through the area. Overnight accommodations
for large and small groups are available in the restored
historic buildings and in trailside yurts. Rest rooms, picnic
tables in a natural forest setting and 20 miles of trails wind
through both forest and meadows. The trails are available
for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking and Nordic
skiing. Guided horseback tours are available during the
summer and fall months.
Arline Chandler, Guest Contributor
Treasures of Western Washington
Sometimes heading to the “far corners” can provide unique
views unseen anywhere else, and Western Washington
state proves that concept. This area has a unique variety of
micro climates that create some amazing natural wonders,
a rich history and exciting activities.
Both my husband, Dennis, and I were born and raised
in Washington’s Puget Sound area and spent our vacations
enjoying Pacific Northwest parks in trailers, campers and
vans. But we had itchy feet to see the country, so when we
retired, we headed out in our 34-foot Winnebago. Yet after
traveling across the U.S. and enjoying numerous sights,
we realized that, for the highest variation of natural and
cultural wonders packed in a single tight geographic area,
it’s hard to beat our own backyard.
• Cruising Puget Sound
Washington State’s ferries are an integral part of our
Western state’s transportation system. But it is also a fun
picture-taking way to see the Puget Sound islands, Seattle’s
skyline and waterfront and the only way to get to the San
Juan Islands. (Note: The fares for taking large rigs can be
costly and may not be the best choice if you are just getting
from here to there.) Use your tow vehicle for any of several
day-trip routes, with cameras in hand. Or, one of our favor-
ite methods is to park your vehicle at either the Winslow or
Bremerton ferry dock, walk on the ferry to Seattle, explore
the recently updated waterfront on foot and ride the ferry
back. If you come back just before sunset, you’ll get some
great pictures.
• Deception Pass State Park
This is Washington State’s most used park and for good
reason. It offers spectacular views, a marvelous beach and
an inner lagoon for swimming. It is a waypoint for migra-
tory birds as well. It is on Whidbey Island, with a ferry on
one end and Deception Pass Bridge on the other, which
flanks one of the state’s most treacherous waterways for
Rail Road Ranch, Harriman State Park.
Photo by Arline Chandler.
SKP Stops