Palouse

Methods of transportation along the Snake and Columbia Rivers have changed along with all technologies. The first form of transport was by foot, either human or horse, and from there to boat, then train and finally on to road. The river valleys were the obvious choice for transport whether by water or along the trails that then became paths, roads, and tracks. The development of new technologies pitted one form against the other. Boat vs. train, buggy vs. automobile.

On our excursion up the Palouse River we stopped at a small beach to ride up to the Palouse Falls. The point where we transferred from one conveyance to another had yet a third type. It was the old ferry that was used to cross the river before the bridges were built. Lyons Ferry was named for the Lyon family who owned and operated the ferry for many years. Once the demand for quicker transport existed, bridges were built to accommodate the greater volume of traffic.

We had the opportunity to see the juxtaposition of the old and the new as we explored the Palouse River country.