Sunday, October 10, 2010

Hanford Reach National Monument Tour

Saturday we went with my parents on a self-guided tour of the Hanford Reach. It's the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River and this was the tenth anniversary of it becoming a National Monument. The drive is about 35 miles north of where we live and the National Monument surrounds the restricted Hanford Area where they are cleaning up the production of uranium and plutonium that happened during World War II. It was so interesting getting to see more of our local history up close.

We got to drive to the top of the Saddle Mountains and what a view! I only wish it would have been a little more clear. It was cloudy and sprinkled rain most of our trip.

My favorite stop was our last. It was called the White Bluffs overlook probably about 400 feet above the Columbia River. Looking across the river you could see several of the older cocooned reactors. I didn't realize that they used to be double the size they are now. The only part left is the core. The rest was torn down. You could even see some of the current area where they are building the vitrification plant. It employs a lot of people in our community and many of our friends.

Next spring we hope to go on a Hanford tour before Chris gets super busy with his job. And I hope we can drive up Saddle Mountain again when the weather is much clearer and we can see Rattlesnake Mountain.

Here are a few pictures from our day:

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