"Often referred to as the Tuscany of America, the Palouse region of Washington State offers one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the United States. The seemingly endless rolling fields of wheat, lentils and canola offer year-round beauty."
The origin of the name "Palouse" is unclear. One theory is that the name of the Palus tribe (spelled in early accounts variously as Palus, Palloatpallah, Pelusha, etc.) was converted by French-Canadian fur traders to the more familiar French word pelouse, meaning "land with short and thick grass" or "lawn." Over time, the spelling changed to Palouse. Another theory is that the region's name came from the French word and was later applied to its indigenous inhabitants.
Photo © Hamish Mitchell, via Smithsonian.
What a beautiful landscape. It looks almost too lush to be real. Thanks for featuring another aspect of our diverse country.
ReplyDeleteThat is early spring when the winter wheat is still growing. We get about 25 inches of rain and maybe 30 inches of snow per year. Zane Grey wrote a novel set in the region, aptly titled "Desert of Wheat."
DeleteI have lived in the Palouse for 30 years and have never heard it referred to as "Tuscany of America." Who called it that?
ReplyDeletegentrification! :-)
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Literally no one calls it that. Anyone who has actually been to the Palouse would know how utterly ridiculous that comparison is. The landscape here is hideous and dry for the vast majority of the year, and the air reeks of cow poop. Hardly comparable to "Tuscany."
DeleteThat is absolutely stunning. It's unreal.
ReplyDeleteIt's best when the wind is gently blowing and the wheat flows back and forth like waves running across the surface of the green ocean surrounding you. If you spot deer traveling through they appear to be swimming. Absolutely mesmerizing. BTW, that's the town of Steptoe, WA.
DeleteIntrigued by Bill's comment, I found this:
Deletehttps://youtu.be/V5UbKI-iEU4
i see similar rippling through the hayfields - mesmerizing. even better if you can get some clouds blowing across the sky, casting fast moving shadows across the fields.
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btw, the photo you posted is not too far from being a freighter at sea - the rolling hills are the waves, and the grain towers and trees are the superstructure of a ship.
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Must be lovely when the canola is in bloom.
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