In 1922, the Sunset highway was improved, and the route changed. After reaching Cle Elum from Seattle, the new route went north over Blewett Pass (what today is known as Old Blewett Pass seen below) to Peshastin and then east to Wenatchee.
Eyewitnesses say the ensuing shockwave created a mushroom cloud. Debris of metal shot out in all directions from the Wenatchee Appleyard. Some of the shrapnel made the jump over the Columbia River - into East Wenatchee.