Wild horses charge across a ridge high above the Columbia River in central Washington – a dramatic sculpture that has caught the eye of travelers heading along I-90 for the past 25 years.
The 200-foot-line of weathered metal stands in silhouette against the sapphire skies of this inland region, reminding us that wild horses once roamed the area. Commissioned for Washington State’s Centennial in 1989, artist David Govedare, from Chewelah, Washington, titled his creation “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies” in honor of the legend of the Great Spirit who released the wild horses into this stark, sage-scented landscape above the Columbia’s Wanapum Lake.
A quarter-mile exit (eastbound) leads to a plaque and a great vantage point for photos, as well as excellent hiking trails and sweeping views of the mighty Columbia below. If you’re heading west, it’s a 10-mile loop to turn around at the east end of the Vantage Bridge.
CAMPING: We highly recommend Gingko Petrified Forest State Park, a fascinating fossil-discovery area with fantastic views. There are 50 utility sites with full hook-ups and a dump station. For reservations between May 15 and September 15, call 888-226-7688.
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