Our stay in Yakima and trip North to Osoyoos

The purpose for going to Yakima, Washington was to meet and get to know John's family. All three of his children and his two grandsons were there at the same time! John and I both look forward to building and growing our relationship with these delightful young people. Thanks to you all for your hospitality.

Four highlights:

1- Our first evening there we went for Japanese food at New York Teriyaki with Cathy + Jack, Don & Sora + Connor. The boys good behavior, the excellent food and good conversation made for precious memories. We even were escorted to Value Village where we found some dishes we needed. How's the new ramp working out for you Jack?

2- Our visit with Don & Sora,+ Connor + Jack to the Yakima museum. http://www.yakimavalleymuseum.org/  The guys seemed to enjoy the vehicles and antique gadgets, Sora definitely wanted to take the "old wood cook stove" home with her (I think she had an eye on some of that woman's shoe collection as well), the boys engaged in Rascally Wrestling with puppet raccoons in the young peoples section and I appreciated the Land of Joy and Sorrow: Japanese Pioneers in the Yakima Valley exhibit. We all relaxed and enjoyed the sun, a great 1930's style lunch and fellowship at the museum's Soda Fountain.

3- Grumpy's Outdoor Store: We stopped in here to satisfy the "testosterone" in our group! My new Sling Shot was an instant hit with Connor and Jack! I got my practice time with it later.

4- Friday evening we were honored to stop over to visit with Cathy at home. John recognized the house but it was all new to me. I was delighted to see that Cathy likes to garden, knows a whole lot about herbs and their uses and that they were planning on homeschooling Jack for a season. A woman after my own heart!

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At 07:00 August 11, 2012

John and Jackie left Yakima heading North toward Canada. We took the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway. It was eye boggling! Sorry! The car never stopped once for photo ops; All our photos of this drive have windshield reflections!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Route_821

A Wild Horse Wind Facility along the way caught our attention. http://www.solaripedia.com/214/2494/video-viewing.html  We wonder when/how they would do with Gene Kelley's WindWings on them instead of those propellers? http://www.w2energycorp.com/ 

John took me on a detour over to Leavenworth. Der Ritterhof's Mascot tried to catch me for dinner. (I presume! - Why else would I be running away?) http://www.leavenworth.org/modules/pages/index.php?pageid=1

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The main event in this drive was our walk-about tour of the Rocky Reach Dam. John was very impressed to find out that this Public Utility District Project was funded, built and is run without Federal government help. It came in $10 million under budget, was finished 6 months ahead of schedule, has award winning environmental components and generates a profit every year. Impressive!   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Reach_Dam

 Unknown Species of Fish as seen through the Fish Ladder Windows .

Over Shot Water Wheel

An Edison Dynamo

The Power on it's way to serve the People.

Entiat is a small town with a very friendly fruit stand. We stopped for a much needed lunch break!

American and Canadian Flags on Osoyoos Lake - We're almost there!