[This appeared in the Spokane Chronicle in 1933 or 1934, exact date missing from clipping.]
A trip that takes one through the green wheat fields of the Big Bend country and into one of the northwest's scenic wonderlands is that to the Grand Coulee.
As logged by David C. Guilbert, assistant manager of the Inland Automobile association, for this week's Chronicle travelogue the distance going by way of Sunset highway [now U. S. Highway 2] and returning by the North Central highway [now state highway 28] is 257 miles, although by using the Sunset highway both ways the distance is somewhat less. Going three miles off this circle tour, Dry Falls state park, another scenic spot, is reached.
Country Now Green.
"The motor trip to the coulee is best made at this time of year when the countryside is green and the weather is cool," Mr. Guilbert said. "I have been in the coulee when the temperature ranged up altogether too many degrees above the hundred and I can testify that it is not at its most pleasant, though even then it was interesting. So plan to make the trip within the next few weeks to get the fullest enjoyment.
"In making the trip to the coulee, travel west on the Sunset highway, U. S Highway 10 [now 2], through Davenport and Wilbur to Almira. At Almira turn north and run across the prairie toward the north end of the coulee. Be sure to take the side trip into the Almira rim of the coulee and look down on Northrup canyon and the famous Steamboat rock. Then continue to the head of the coulee, where a view of the Columbia river and the coulee is to be had.
Think of "Wild Goose" Bill.
"Here it is easy to visualize the dammed Columbia spilling over its banks and running down the coulee to form this great rock-walled canyon and the gigantic dry falls. Then drive carefully down the crooked grade to the coulee bottom--the old bed of the mighty Columbia river--and follow its course over a good gravel highway by Steamboat rock. Examine Steamboat rock and think of 'Wild Goose' Bill who, legend has it, homesteaded the top of the rock.
"Continue to Coulee City and to the Dry Falls state park. See the fossil waterfall which, when filled with water, equaled many Niagaras. Sign your name in the register, if you like, and run back to Coulee City.
Have Choice of Routes.
"Here you have the choice of returning the way you came or of turning south across the country to join the North Central highway near Stratford. This will lead to Spokane through a different country, touching Odessa, Harrington and Davenport."
The Sunset highway is paved and oiled most of the way excepting where realignment work is being done between Wilbur and Almira. Going through the construction work is not difficult, although slow driving is recommended. All of the route is now in good condition, latest reports show.
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