Part
2 - the races - Part 3 - Awards
Part 1 - the Yakima Valley
Like many, we think of the Pacific Northwest as damp and wet for most
of the year. But, we quickly learned otherwise.We flew from Baltimore
to Seattle; landed into a cloudy, cool airport area; rented a car and
headed into the Cascade Mountains for Yakima on I-90. Once we reached
the crest of the mountains, we had sunshine and temperature in the 80's.
It lifted our spirits.
East of the Cascades is desert country |
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About Yakima
Developed around the Northern Pacific Railroad depot established in 1884,
Yakima today is a city with approximately 80,000 population. The area
boasts 300 days of sunshine and only 7" of rain. In fact it rains
less in the Yakima Valley than in Phoenix Arizona! Consider that Seattle
and Portland get more than 40" of rain. So there goes our stereotype
of the Pacific Northwest. The summers are hot and dry , the winters cool
with light snowfall. The area has more than 17.4 hours a day of sunshine
during the summer with cool desert nights. Add irrigation to this weather
and you have perfect growing conditions, and agriculture as the major
element of the Yakima Valley economy.
The area is known for apples, dairy, hops, grapes and cherries. After
that, there is some manufacturing. The crops have generated other industires,
in particular, wineries and micro breweries. Yakima is the start of the
Yakima Valley wine country that stretches southeast toward the Columbia
River. Along the way are at least 35 wineries where you can taste and
buy. The area is known for it's red wines, in particular Merlots.
There are lots of things to do in the area including water recreation,
fly fishing, white water rafting, bird watching. You can also follow the
American Heritage Trail and visit the Central Washington Agricultural
Museum. A trip to Topenish brings you to "Where the West Still Lives!"
Around Yakima
Yakima Visitor Center |
Yakima Train Depot |
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Dozen of shops in railroad cars with store fronts |
Back end of track Track 29 shops |
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Tequila's Family Restaurant |
The Box Car Diner |
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Eisenhower High School--Meet Host
Part 2 - the races - Part
3 - Awards
Sunfair Invitational
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