Lester, Washington

This weekend Cheba and I journeyed to the town of Lester, WA.  I get in the vehicle; music, Cheba, and the road.  It is a place where I am happy to be.  I have always loved driving. Getting everything ready, not missing a beat.  Hitting cruise control and going.
We exited at Stampede and headed up the dirt road.  Another place I love to be.  Driving down a dirt road.  Music going, Cheba hanging out the window.  I go into a calm state with this scenario.  Driving is something I have done since I was thirteen.  
Had a friend who used to let me steer from the passenger seat of his Audi.  Cool days indeed for a thirteen year old.  Distinctly remember the day I passed the drivers test.  The day I turned sixteen!  I was a happy young man. Been driving, mostly legal, ever since.  Went in the military and was given the opportunity to drive a variety of different vehicles in many different situations.  I'd like to thing I got skills!
So, here we are, having made it to Stampede Pass, not sure of where Lester is, and out of range of the response to a text sent for a confirmation, we head down a trail on foot.  We see a family doing the same and ask them about Lester.  Not sure, haven't heard of it.  
About a mile up the trail we meet a guy breaking for a snack.  Low and behold he knows the way!  First, we find out we are currently on the Pacific Crest Trail, and could go forever if we wanted.  Then, he says "yes" Lester is in the area, just keep going on the road you were on to get here.  He says Lester's last inhabitant was an old woman and has been abandoned since.  He thinks it is fenced off now. I am excited and thank him for the info.  Off we go to Lester!
After a few more miles down the road we hit a closed gate.  Yes! This is what I was told I would find.  We head down the straight, tree lined, dirt road on foot; camera in hand.  
Cheba finds a couple in the trees bout' a half mile down the road.  Not sure what they were doing, but the lady hidden from view knows about Lester, says it is 1.3 miles down the road.  We continue down the road. We run into an old part of the road that is no more.  Now washed out by the river running through.  Little bit past that, we see it!  Lester is in our sights.  
It's a cool little spot.  Two houses, a shop with the roof partially collapsed, and an awesome little sitting area in between the two houses.  Not sure why they put one house right in front of the other, but how it is none the less.  The houses really aren't to dilapidated.  If I had to guess, I would say someone lived there in the last twenty years.  The shop is a different story.  We take a bunch of pictures of the area, and take time to enjoy the peacefulness of Lester.  
There are still signs of life at Lester.  Railroad and utilities run through the area and there are shops and equipment across the tracks.  
Lester is situated in a valley on the west side of Stampede Pass.  A nice respite from life.