Up here, it's like the land before time, rough, wind blown, a little barren. Tumble weeds bumbling along the dry landscape. However, there is life, at least evidence of it, as the graffiti suggests. I like this drive, heading south along the Canyon Road out of Ellensburg, where the landscape morphs and the horizon shortens to meet the plateau. I watch the jagged cliffs closely, for any movement reveals goats or deer who seem to find their way, miraculously. We stop to stretch our legs at Red's Fly Shop and enjoy the river view from the back deck. Fishing rafts drift past across the gliding rippling water. Not being much of a camper, we stay in the "walled tents," a glamper's answer to comfortably staying the night in the wild. The fact that breakfast and espresso await me in the morning is fodder for sweet dreams. But don't be fooled, these rugged hills give way to wine country. Prepared with my vintage picnic basket, something I inherited from my grandmother, stocked with savory treats, we spend the following afternoon lounging, day dreaming and scheming about our next adventure.