To escape the current stretch of damp days around North Bend, I decided to make a one-day voyage to Gamble Sands north of Chelan. I was quite surprised by the snowy conditions through Snoqualmie Pass and began to question the forecast I had seen for central Washington. But once over the mountains, it was, as predicted, sunny and mild. Arriving around noon I was the only golfer at the really spectacular Gamble Sands course. Best of all, I played well, garnering nine pars on the way to a very satisfying 81, my best score there by six shots. I was particularly pleased with a birdie on the final hole. After slicing my tee shot well into the desert, I managed to locate the ball and hit a spectacular escape well down the middle of the fairway. I followed that with a beautiful wedge to five feet and made the putt for 4. By the time I settled in the car for the ride home it was a sizzling 65 degrees.  Well worth the three-hour drive.