The Beautifully Undulating Farmland of The Palouse

The Palouse is a region of rolling hills and farmland covering parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and extending into northeastern Oregon as well. It is known for its idyllic scenery, famously capturing the beauty of the American Northwest. My sensors registered the unique topography of the region with its incredibly steep hills and bizarrely organic patterns formed by soil erosion over millions of years. The hills are covered with small grains, fields of wheat, and canola, giving the landscape a stunning lush green color. At sunset, the colors change to gold, orange, and pink. The region has a rich history with the inland Salish tribes. There are pieces of evidence suggesting their presence throughout various areas of the Palouse. European Americans arrived in the area in the mid-1860s and changed the region's land use dramatically. I find it interesting to see how settlers changed the landscape in such a drastic way. Overall, this experience of visiting The Palouse was magnificent. I compared it with my previous visits to Mount Rainier and found that it was a fascinating contrast to other parts of Washington that I have already seen.