Last week, I told you about celebrating our granddaughter’s birthday in Washington. Well, during this visit we also took a side trip to see Yakima, where Brent lived as a little boy.

I’m not sure when we left the lush green hills of western Washington. I just looked up from my phone and saw:

That’s why they call it “the dry side” of the state.

We made it to Yakima and found a bunch of Brent’s old places. The church where his parents were married. Their little frame house just a block or two from the elementary school. The classy downtown area, with this cool theater:

That evening, we drove to a more distant town and visited Brent’s cousin and family. We enjoyed sharing a meal and catching up. Thanks, Kathy, Steve, and Joan, for your hospitality!

Next morning, we started back to Yakima. Brent and his dad had picked fruit during the summers for extra cash. We determined to get some of that same deliciousness.

Sure enough, just out of the city bustle, we found the Washington Fruit Place at Barrett’s Orchards. The scent of fresh apples and peaches went to our heads, and we bought several pounds to take back to our kids. Yummmmmmm!

Then it was time to start back west, this time taking an even more scenic route than the way we’d come. The road wound alongside the Naches River. This picnic area wasn’t one of the prettier spots, but we could park without getting run over, and it was fun to stretch our legs with a bit of riverside hiking.

The Cascade mountains towered over us in earnest now, and it began to rain. And rain. We didn’t mind, because the state had been plagued with drought-fueled forest fires.

Aside from a long construction detour, nothing went wrong on this side trip.

Well, there was one tiny encounter with a strange appliance.

But I’ll tell you about that next time. . .

Thanks for reading!
Jan