February 22, 2012

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The Meal Is the Deal at Cellarbration! for Education

The five-course menu for the May 21 scholarship fundraiser Cellarbration! for Education has been announced by the Big Bend Community College Foundation.

A committee that strives to produce the best dining experience in the Basin worked with Chef Dale Yates to pair each course with a Washington wine. The committee was led through a blind wine tasting/food pairing for the 10th consecutive year by wine educator John Allen of Vino! A WineShop.

Participants learned wine they liked best alone often didn’t go best with the food. Two seats at the wine and food pairing is sold to the highest bidder at the Cellarbration! auction in the Masto Conference Center.

Cellarbration! 2011 has a Fabulous ‘50s theme (50’s attire is optional), which is refl ected in the dessert selection—make-your-own spumoni sundaes with candied fruit, spiced nuts and hot fudge sauce.

“We have a wonderful menu for dinner, and a great auction is shaping up,” said Sherry Keeler-Hull, Chair of the Cellarbration! Committee. The Big Bend Bling raffl e of a one-carat diamond from Harrison’s Diamonds and Designs will be held again for $20 per ticket. Only 250 tickets will be sold, which increases your odds of winning a $5,200 rock.

Other auction items include a one-week stay in a Hawaii beachfront time share, a Felix Hernandez (Cy Young 2010) autographed baseball, and a getaway at Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

Cellarbration! bidders can invest in silver. The live auction includes a 100-troy-ounce silver ingot. Silver has been selling for record prices above $40 per ounce.

“We have some beautiful quilts, metal garden art and adventure packages,” Keeler-Hull said. “We like the one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items we’ve been receiving.”

Also returning to the auction is the Leonetti Cellars wine sale, with several Leonetti packages offered. Lots of premium wines will be auctioned, including the “CEO Collection” consisting of wines donated and signed by leaders in business and government.

The wine and food pairing committee selected Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry Champagne to go with the hors d’oeuvres to start the evening at the reception and silent auction bidding. The salad course of Heirloom pear tomatoes, spicy mixed greens and Maytag blue cheese with honey/dandelion vinaigrette is paired with a Bernard Griffi n 2008 Orange Muscat. The Intermezzo will clean you palate with an interesting cranberry and orange-thyme sorbet.

The main course includes a jumbo shrimp with red pepper aioli, fresh herbroasted tenderloin, truffl e-infused Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and lemon grilled asparagus. Two red wines will be served with the main course—Milbrandt Vineyards 2008 Malbec from the Wahluke Slope, and Kyra 2009 Dolcetto from the Wahluke Slope. The dessert wine is a 2005 Riesling from Fox Estate on the Wahluke Slope.

Cellarbration! makes it possible to award scholarships to graduates of 15 local high schools, and to provide scholarships for returning students who’ve been out of school for awhile.

“With tuition expected to increase more than 20 percent over the next two years, these scholarships have never been more important,” said Howard Skaug, chair of the Foundation Board.

The BBCC Foundation is still seeking unique auction items as well as cash sponsorships for Cellarbration.

To make reservations for Cellarbration! for Education, or to inquire about sponsorships and auction donations, contact the Foundation Office at 509.793.2006.

Cellarbration! for Education

2011 Menu
Chef Dale Yates

Appetizers and Welcome

Sparkling wine: Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry Champagne
(Washington Wine Quality Alliance release)

Salad Course

Heirloom Pear Tomatoes, Spicy Mixed Greens, & Maytag Blue Cheese with Honey-Dandelion Vinaigrette
Wine: Bernard Griffi n 2008 Orange Muscat Intermezzo
Cranberry & Orange-Thyme Sorbet

Main Course

Modern Surf & Turf
Fresh Herb Roasted Tenderloin, Jumbo Shrimp with Red Pepper Aioli, Truffle Infused Yukon Gold Mashed, & Lemon Grilled Asparagus
Wines: Milbrandt Vineyards The Estates 2008 Malbec Wahluke Slope
Kyra 2009 Dolcetto Wahluke Slope (Purple Sage Vineyard)

Dessert

Spumoni Sundaes with Candied Fruit, Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce, Spiced walnuts, Praline & Whipped Cream
Wine: Fox Estate 2005 Riesling Wahluke Slope

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Community

Local Signs Now Center Makes Sustainability a Priority

Company’s New HP Latex L225500 Printer Brings Green Sign Making Technology to Moses Lake

For the last decade, most individuals and companies have taken great strides to reduce their Eco-footprint. Going green is all the rage – and for good reason. The heightened awareness of environmental issues has inevitably led many consumers to more closely examine their suppliers’ stance on sustainability. Signs Now Moses Lake Owner Pat Simmons had this in mind when he purchased the HP Latex L22550 large format printing system.

“Center Manager, Wally Farris wanted to make the right product choice not only for our production needs, but for the regional environment and all of the businesses and consumers that will make sustainability an issue when choosing where to go for their sign and graphic needs,”

Signs Now, located at1626 W. Broadway Unit C, has been serving the region since 1993. Staff members are certified in large format installation, design and application techniques and together, have spent over 50 years in the sign industry.

And the new trends are not just Eco-friendly technology, they also double production capabilities. The HP L25500 produces precise indoor quality prints with state-of-the-art outdoor durability without producing any harmful levels of volatile organic compounds or any Hazardous Air Pollutants, providing Signs Now and their clients with odor free printing.

Significantly speeding up production time. Signs Now will be able to recycle 100 percent of the waste generated by the printer, from print heads to empty ink cartridges. In addition, Signs Now will now offer a 100 percent “green” solution recycling other medias.

The Signs Now service base includes business solutions and digital imaging for outdoor and indoor signage, exhibit and vehicle graphics, magnetic signs, banners, trade show displays, window graphics, ADA signage, dimensional letters, directional systems and many other visual communications tools to businesses across the region.

And although Signs Now Moses Lake is locally-owned and operated, the company has the support of parent company, Allegra Network LLC, a leader and top innovator in the signage and graphics industry. For more information on Signs Now, call (509) 765-8955, or visit the company’s website at www.signsnowmoseslake.com.

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Community

Keep on Running

Relay for Life continues to fight back

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fi ght back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fi ght cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.

Anyone can participate in Relay For Life. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.

The only requirement to participate is a $10 registration/commitment fee (per person) that is due upon registration. This covers the cost of the Relay t-shirt every participant receives.

If you want to be part of Relay, you can start a team or join an existing team online. You can also make an online donation.

Why Relay?

Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fi ght back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer.

Everyone’s reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can fi nd healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about fi nding an end to cancer in our lifetime. You can thank all the people who have done so much to support you through your personal cancer experience. And you can gather together with friends, family, and colleagues to laugh, cry, and create lasting memories.

No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. With your help, we aren’t just fi ghting one type of cancer we’re fi ghting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.

Relay For Life around the Globe

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an international movement to end cancer. Since 1996, the Society has partnered with multiple cancer organizations in countries outside the United States to license and support Relay For Life programs. Through Relay, these organizations bring together passionate volunteers, promote their mission-based activities, and mobilize community members to take action in the fi ght against cancer. Relay has proven especially important to countries at the beginning stages of educating both the public and health care communities about this deadly and often preventable disease.

International Relay For Life events are now held in communities spanning 19 countries outside of the United States.

Luminaria Ceremony

One important aspect of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle. One of the most moving parts of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony.

As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria, each bearing the name of someone who has battled cancer. Some celebrate cancer survivors, while others help us honor and remember those gone too soon. All represent someone special who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fi ght back in their honor.

Would you like to honor or remember someone with a luminaria during the Relay For Life Luminaria Ceremony? You can credit your luminaria donation to a certain team or participant by searching for their name, or credit it to the event!

If you have questions about your local American Cancer society, feel free to contact jeff Heimark, at jeff@danolawoffice.com.

To learn more about the American Cancer society and how you can help us to save lives, please visit cancer.org.

To learn more about relay For Life, or to connect with other relayers across the world, please visit relayForLife.org.

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Community

Moses Lake Alumni Scholarships

“Honor, Unite and Celebrate” has been the theme for the Moses Lake Alumni group since its beginning in 2006. On April 30th, the Scholarship Committee felt all 31 applicants were deserving but could award only 13 scholarships. Those chosen to receive $13,000 in scholarships were:

Matt Adame, son of April Cisneros
Josie Awbrey, daughter of Lisa Awbrey
Kelli Clark, daughter of Teressa Clark
Haliey Gilbert, daughter of Wendy Gilbert
Carlos Hernandez, son of Carlos & Rumi Hernandez
Cassandra Keller, daughter of Lance & Diane Keller
Shelby Kenner, daughter of Bob & Holly Kenner
Sydney Kimbro, daughter of Dan & Robin Kimbro
Colton Messer, son of Lori Messer
Daniel Noteboom, son of Rod & Lisa Noteboom
Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of Dianna Palmer
Cesar Sanabia, son of Ramona Sanabia
Precious Smith, daughter of Emma Hicks

A memorial scholarship on behalf of Scott Dean Owen was donated by his parents, Dean and Janet Owen, class of 1955, and was presented to Carlos Hernandez.

Two Memorial Scholarships were awarded along with monies from the association: one in remembrance of Duane Leitzke, former beloved teacher, coach, and principal at Frontier Junior High, was presented to Hailey Gilbert; and one to honor Merle Clemmo, former electrical contractor and valued association member, was presented to Colton Messer.

It was truly a celebration of school days in Moses Lake. Classmates from 1939 to 2011 united in honoring the scholarship recipients. Special recognition was given to Lorna Thomas, class of 1939, and Glenness Byam, class of 1944. The delicious luncheon was prepared by the Culinary Arts Students of Moses Lake High School.

The Association acknowledged all the supportive members who have made its continued growth possible, each year raising more money for scholarships. Says Association founder Lapriel McDowell, “It is amazing what we can do when we all work together to make Moses Lake great.”

Anyone who wants to help students pay for their college education is eligible to join. Yearly dues are $5. Membership dues and donations are accepted all year. All donations are tax deductible. To join the Alumni Association send your $5 dues to PO Box 1446, Moses Lake, WA. 98837. Contact the Association on Facebook or by email to mlalumni@gcpower.net or www.moseslakeschools.org under the Community tab.

All Moses Lake High School classes planning their reunions are encouraged to inform their class members of the advantages of membership in the association. The MLAA can publicize their reunions on Facebook and help with addresses.

High school seniors who join the association receive ten full years of membership for $5 to encourage becoming involved and keeping class records up-to-date.

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Community

The Doctor In Spite of Himself

Masquers serves up some deliciously funny classical fare

For anyone who thinks that plays written before the twentieth century might be boring — think again. The seventeenth century was a time when many artists were breaking out of the traditional molds, such as the artist, Quentin Massy III who painted the picture used on the poster on the facing page.

Playwright Moliere, a French contemporary of Shakespeare, was a very gutsy individual. He lived at a time when theatre itself was not accepted as an honorable thing for a gentleman of his position to be involved in, and certainly not the “no holds barred” type of comedy he is known for. But involved he was, all of his adult life. He wrote under a pen name
so as not to embarrass his noble family.

He even performed on the day he died, and his body was not allowed to be buried in the hallowed ground of his family’s plot. He was a prolific playwright, and an insightful observer of human nature.

The doctor played by Eric Suitter is not really a doctor at all, but is mistaken for one, and decides to go along with it. Director Peggy Dubey has a wonderful sense of humor herself, and also has an understanding of French culture. She is able to find the funny things and expand upon them.

Show Times

8pm, Friday & Saturday, June 4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25

3pm, Sunday Matinees, June 5, 12, 19, 26

Call for reservations: (509) 246-2611

Tickets

Regular: $12
Seniors & Students: $10
Opening Night Special: $9

322 Main AVE E
Soap Lake, WA

www.masquers.com

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Performaning Arts

Downtown Moses Lake Just Keeps Getting Better

VM wishes to elaborate on a few reasons why

MAC

The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center (MAC) is home to the Adam East collection of Native American artifacts from the Columbia Basin region, in addition the MAC features frequently changing visual art exhibits as well as historic and traveling exhibitions. (509) 764-3830

Synergy Wellness

Springtime energizes and gets us all thinking about running faster, jumping higher and feeling better. Welcome to Synergy Wellness…dedicated to helping people lose weig509ht and stay healthy. Have you ever known just how good an herbal tea loaded with energy and a soothing aloe shot can be? Yum! (509) 764-4550

Tree Café

A customer recently wrote in a Yelp review, “I love this place. They remember what I like and what I drink. The food is always good, and very large portions. Excellent Chinese food!” (509) 764-6609

imbibe

I have a special spot in my heart for stores with dark walls and dramatic lighting that expounds on creative artworks, all while tasting an amazing good wine. It feels good here. I think the sense of creativity has reached a peak and relaxes your day, all in one experience. Open most of the time… unless they are not. (509) 765-1119

Sue’s Gift Boutique

If you live in Eastern Washington, more than likely you know Sue. She is a true friend and passionately displays her understanding of what we look for to decorate our home and even quality clothes you can simply know you will be comfortable in. Giving a gift? Perfect place for any woman you are gifting to. If you are like me, you will get lost in the world of specialty candles, each with a fragrance you wish to have linger. (509) 765-8830

True Step

If you want your shoes or boots (or handbags) to be fixed right and know you don’t even have to think twice about it, you drop them off at True Step. Ken Greene is as skilled as any person on the planet in taking care of all things you wear on your feet. Heck, it is a known fact people from Michigan mail their boots to Ken for repair. True story. (509) 766-0222

Federick’s Jewelry

A jewelry store is one of the most happy stores on earth. Just think of all the most important moments of life, and how necessary an exquisite piece of jewelry seems to create the feeling of being a queen and king, as we all really are. (509) 765-6331

Firefly Café

Lighten up and enjoy a quiet, relaxing atmosphere for an afternoon break. I think there are three reasons to do this. 1) fresh-baked homemade bread and croissants. Oh, the aroma and taste of memories past. 2) home-made soups to warm you. 3) Cascade Glacier ice cream (20 varieties ,dare I say) to cool you. Oh, I have a number 4! There is a fun toy area for children. (509) 766-2927

Pinky’s Shop of Fashion

Do you have days where you walk down the street and see clothes that are in your closet walk by on other people? I offer up this remedy – go shop at Pinky’s, if you cherish your individuality and wish to be treated with the most caring service around. (509) 765-6784

Red Rock Creek Furniture Gallery

This store is an adventure, a gallery walk, an art museum, a selection of Western furniture and art that is an outing in of itself. You get lost in the well-designed layouts of rooms that come to life. You feel like you are in a western setting with smells of high quality leather and visuals of all things you would desire for a ranch style home. (509) 765-7521

Cobblestone Corner

The outside facade is so welcoming, you know the inside is going to be pure shopping enjoyment. Imagine you’re visiting a different village or crafter’s studio as you stroll through one store. That’s the feeling of shopping here, with so much variety of home décor, gifts and antiques, you will be delighted. (509) 766-9886

Downtown Loan Company

What can you find here? Hmmmmmm, just about anything. (509) 766-7678

Closet Space Clothing Boutique

Trust me, once you enter this store, you will need more closet space at home. Love, love, love the purses (for one) and everything else (for the rest). Just sayin’ (509) 855-4344

Art Garden

Did I tell you there is a NEW studio in town? A fun one. A PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY STUDIO! The shelves will be lined with bisque pottery ready for the painting. They offer Birthday Parties and theme nights…Date Night, Student Savings, and Midnight Margaritas! Laura Mayer offers art classes in clay, watercolor, soldering. All you have to do is discover your inner artist! (509) 750-4995

Andrew’s Hallmark

The feeling you get on the first warm days of spring, when you feel the kiss of sunshine for the first time in long winter months, you are ready to tell everyone you love, that you love them. At the largest Gold Crown Hallmark store in Eastern Washington, that can happen. (509) 765-8000

Youth Dynamics

“The Bridge” continues to be the main meeting place for students on Monday nights. To hang with friends, to play (pool, basketball, etc.), or to quench their need for something spiritual. What they get, no matter what they come for, is a safe place, people who truly care for them, and Good News of Jesus’ love for them. (509) 765-4184

Marita’s Oriental Foods

We have gone to a restaurant for Oriental cuisine up until now. Now, we can shop for our favorite Oriental foods, rice and spices at a new store in town. I am getting hungry, aren’t you? Other services I can not pronounce, but probably you can: Modificaciones, Tarjetas and Telefonicas. (509) 764-5045

Maggie’s Gift Shop

Where do chic girls in the Columbia Basin go to buy their very special occasion dresses, like Quinceanera, Baptism, First Communion, and/or Wedding…the answer is undeniably Maggies. Tuxedo rentals, too! (509) 765-4157

Pampered Day Spa and Lingerie Boutique

“Oh la la” is pretty much what you will say when you enter the door. Lingerie lusciousness. This is a wonderland for girly items to make you smile (and your man will be smiling, too). The list of spa treatments available are relaxing, rejuvenating and pampering. Oh, have you made your appointment yet? (509) 766-7779

Third and Alder Salon

Casual, fun, laid back, professional, caring…It’s about Tyler and the stylists he surrounds himself with. I’ve never been to a salon and had someone do my hair and teach me about my hair, how I should style it, how I should color it…how I should take care of it. It’s a learning experience when I’m there. He knows what he’s doing and loves what he’s doing and is beyond passionate about doing hair and owning his own business. (509) 350-5822

Sears

Yes, this store is everywhere…but did you know we have our very own right downtown, with the same products, same price, same quality and service as anywhere in the country? You did? Good for you, now tell all your friends to quit driving out of town. (509) 765-9141

Old World Trading

So, one minute you are in Africa buying a most unique mask, then you are on the train in Belgium to look a diamonds, then Frankfurt to pick up a doll, then you hop on a ferry over to London for a little antiquing. You get the idea? Only, they do the travel for you! All you do is collect the treasures they bring back for you…. (509) 765-2909

JJ’s Reef & Aquarium

We have spent a generation searching for Nemo and come to find out, this clown-fish is downtown Moses Lake, sharing 3500 gallons of fresh and salt-water tanks with other speciality or unusual fish. Who knew? Adding an exquisite tank to your home or business environment is an idea that captures mesmerizing moments of interesting viewing. (509) 764-1995

Tsunami Sushi

Finest steaks and seafood…East meets West…enough said. (509) 764-2040

Pho Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine

Wait! Did I say this is a great experience in cultural cuisine? I should have, so I will. (509) 765-1233

Emperador Azteca

Some will tell you the reason for dining here is the excellent Mexican cuisine. Others will tell you it is the best Margarita in town, amigos! (509) 765-4041

Third Avenue Barber Shop

Need to look at yourself in the mirror? Just do it! (509) 989-0231

Silver Sage Design Studio

I’d like you to meet Lenae Haugen, the woman who is the force behind the transformation of interior space, everywhere. Her shop has been an oasis of ravishing finds for your home, and her sense of design brings visually inspired custom thoughts and creations for your personal surroundings to be exactly how you wish. (509) 765-4334

Diva for a Day Spa

The name says it all. You are queen for a day, every day, and Julie knows just how special you are. Spa treatments to invigorate, repair, restore and products to heal and enhance your individual beauty, you have found a friend. (509) 766-3277

Third Thursday on Third Ave at Laketown Landing

Businesses stay open late, refreshments, sidewalk sales, live music, art exhibits, wine tastings, fun.

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011, Community

Day Trippin’

The Vantage Advantage

Spring; when finally winter starts to relax its icy grip on the Columbia Basin. Yes, it brings the inevitable winds that carry still the frosty tinge of melting snow from the Colockum, but when the sun peaks out from behind the clouds, Sol’s warm embrace can immediately be felt on your skin. Dull brown and gray fields of stubble and decayed vegetation suddenly sprout forth swaths of greens, velvety sage, and the colorful palette of the first wild flowers. Hardly a better time then to break away from those first yard chores of the season and make a circuitous trip through our unique area, perhaps one so close to your front door that you have not explored it before? You all know how to get to Vantage, right…I-90 West, can’t miss it!

“Vantage; A position giving a strategic advantage, commanding perspective, or comprehensive view”. The latter description is perhaps the most applicable as at Vantage WA one can literally stand on the edge of a sheer precipice and take in a display that has taken many millennia to forge. Still permeated with that prehistoric feeling while walking among the displays of massive trees turned to stone at Gingko Petrified Forest State Park, it is interesting to note that you are also only a few miles away from a glimpse into the future.

The architecture at the state park and Visitors Center would make the Flintstones feel right at home, and though myself having driven/ridden by this display hundreds of times, when I finally made the call to stop I found it most worthwhile. When the interpretive center is open, it is strongly suggested that you take a look at the film and displays, even crusty old biker types can walk away with that ‘Wow” feeling. Definitely take a stroll…carefully, down the path that leads along a spindly looking railing; all that separates you from a 200 foot drop, to take a look at some of the country’s oldest graffiti. ‘Petroglyphs’; so easy even a caveman can draw them. Leaving history in the past for a while it is time to put some petrified material under the tires and start exploring westward down The ‘Old Vantage Highway’. The pavement is coarse from recent chip sealing as you travel along with curves formed by solidified lava flows, and careen up a canyon covered in a pale green tapestry of Spring’s emergence. Each rise in elevation reveals a new layer of this lands ancient history through the multi-layered rock formations cut away for this road.

For miles glimpses of the stark white windmill tops play hide and seek through the terrain, until you finally reach the high point and see the expansive field of these twirling behemoths. Too many to count already thrust upward, while more are on the way…progress in the name of greener energy. On clear days the vista from the top of this hill provides a commanding view of the spectacular white crested domes of Mts. Rainier and Adams, as well as the void where the not so dormant St. Helens once rose. Sobering when you think about how violently Mother Nature ‘repaves’ her territory.

As the old highway wends its way down to the flat bottom of a velvety green valley, look for a turn that beckons south, onto Parke Creek Road. Allowing a short but scenic bypass around E-burg, this delightful romp follows a small stream as it hustles its way into an enormous earthen cleavage. The surrounding foliage sparkles in vivid red brambles and golden hued branches as trees with their clusters of budded branches seem only minutes shy of bursting forth to greet spring properly.

This P.C. Rd. straightens as it becomes the main street thorough tiny Kittitas, after which it leaves town as East Mountain Avenue until it shortly arrives at the tee of SR-281. Turn south here to explore now the Yakima River Canyon Road for just over 20 curvaceous miles of stunning scenery that also lays testament to the passage of much time and water. Adhering carefully to the posted speed limit will ensure that the only thing you get from the local constables is a glare. Strictly enforced and well patrolled for a reason, (too many vehicle/pedestrian encounters), the journey is made quite enjoyable by this slower pace allowing more time to take in the view as the road swings seductively through massive rocky cuts and past fields and farms. The river, a constant companion on one side, is very popular in season with anglers and in the heat of summer is home to many floating frolickers.

Sightsee with due caution as some of the drop offs are of the sheer variety, and the already bashed guardrails may not hold up to the next brush with a fender. Be mindful too, especially with spring’s drastic temperature fluctuations, of rocky debris that litters the roadway and can be very detrimental on two wheels… or even in four. With many turnouts provided to enjoy the changing views, you can spend an hour or two just to see it all before the canyon spats you out of its mouth back at the I-82 freeway. Requiring a short venture toward Yakima to continue your traveling pleasure, look for the well marked turn at the exit to SR-24 and the minute Moxee in all its glory.

As it rambles through some industrial park type businesses, SR-24 sets out on a straight, smooth sojourn eastward in the cool spring days grasp. Unhindered by a glass and metal cocoon, ones nostrils can take in the heady hint of…hops! Yes, even in the spring the pervasive tang of this regions raison d’être is still apparent. The pole and wire skeletons of the hop trellises line mile after mile of the road; devoid of greenery they resemble some vast tricky snare. The Yakima Valley it is said supplies 25% of the worlds hop supply; not a bad market share. Apparent too are the growing clusters of wineries and vineyards that are interspersed along the route…what next, a distillery?

Of note too is how this route encircles the vast Yakima military firing range, still home to war game training. While lost in the reverie of the miles of greenery, or views of the distant poplar windbreaks that seem to reach up to tickle the clouds bellies, one may be startled out of the clear blue sky by the thunderous roar and appearance of a fighter jet running low under the radar. Equally startling to the olfactory senses is the sudden change from vine crops to a different cash crop; huge cattle feedlots, you will sorely miss the hop aroma!

Another dramatic shift in terrain occurs, as if crossing some imaginary line drawn in the sand, when SR-24 jogs a bit to the north and reaches the edge of the large inland desert that is the Columbia Basin. Remaining still on very nice roadway, travelers will roll smoothly past fields of sagebrush interspersed with a variety of cultivated crops spawned by the life giving water pumped from the nearby Columbia. Crossing the latter via Vernita Bridge, the route segues onto the new leg of SR-243 and soon rejoins its traveling companion, the might Columbia.

On this north westward leg running up stream, a grand view of the widely spaced, sheer volcanic walls that form this immense gorge is solidly driven into your consciousness. With variegated texture and color, it offers a kaleidoscope of changes as the setting sun plays a light show along the faces of these cliffs as it has done for countless ages before us. With a start one is broken from this reverie by the staccato ‘pop- plops’ against the face shield/wind shield as you realize you have entered an area with well groomed orchards on each side. Swarms of pollinating bees have chosen to cross against the signals, and alas, the air is filled with their nectar like perfume.

Nestled along this corridor of natural beauty, agriculture and even more wineries, also lies the vacation/recreation oriented communities of Desert Aire and Mattawa; home to off-road and water based frivolity in the summer months. At just the right time during any spring, travelers may be honored with the bonus sight and sound of the transient Sandhill Crane population taking wing by the thousands with their impressive 6 foot spans and graceful carriages.

As if experiencing a type of terrestrial target fixation, the pavement draws ever closer to the very edge of the river while the jagged basalt outcroppings seem to tower over the opposite side. Hustling through the few remaining curves, the sensation is ethereal as you approach the Vantage Bridge crossing where the winds seem to whip the chilling moisture directly from the water itself. The intertwining cluster of roads, (SR243/SR-26/and I-90) are marked well enough that via a nicely paved and banked on-ramp sees you literally ‘blowing’ back into the town of Vantage. It may be time now to check your watch…or perhaps the calendar, to make certain of where you are in the stream of time; 2011, the Mesozoic Era, or some alternative fueled future…hard to tell from some vantage points.

Filed Under: 2011-05 May 2011