A Favorite ‘Wide Spot In The Road’

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One of my very favorite drives is to a “wide spot in the road” and the little unpretentious Cafe at Dusty, Washington.

On some maps you won’t even see Dusty (pop. 13). It has never had a post office, but Dusty is the hub of a farming community that dates back to the turn of the century. Today, these farms are being worked by fourth and fifth generations.

The cafe has been a store, a cold locker plant, an antique shop and - today - a place to eat the most delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The friendly cook/maitre’d is herself a descendant of one of these German families. You order your meal from a menu posted on the blackboard.

The homemade soups and specialty sandwiches are super tasty. (Homemade pies top off any meal - favorite varieties disappear quickly.)

As you look out the window, wheat fields thrive according to the season.

The walls are adorned with lovely oil paintings by a local artist. His paintings reflect life in the area and are priced very modestly.

If you’re inclined to visit, introduce yourself to anyone at the surrounding tables.

Very likely, he’s a local who can give you a complete rundown on who lives where and how many of the pioneers still call this “God’s Country.

MEMO: The Dusty Cafe is located on SR 26, 17 miles west of Colfax. It’s open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sunday. Call (509) 549-3528.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha (Scheidenian) Hibbard Spokane