Balloons!

Touring the Past & Present

We had the opportunity to go on a Hanford Tour this past week. It was so interesting and so informative. I had no idea the scope or magnitude of the Hanford area on our region - not to mention it's actual size!

If you are unfamiliar with it, Hanford is where they manufactured plutonium for the atomic bomb during World War II. The government was frantically trying to stay ahead of the Germans - who they feared would make a bomb first - and scoped out possible locations to build nuclear reactors and start working on making plutonium. They flew over our area - with the Columbia River providing plenty of fresh water for the reactors and only three small towns in the area - Hanford, White Bluffs, and Richland - and decided it would be perfect. So they gave those people - plus the Native Amerians - 30 days to get out and got to working. Thousands of people were brought in from across the country to help without having any idea what they were building and what it was for. They built the B Reactor is 13 months! Amazing. No way is that possible now. Too much red tape. Within 18 months of construction the first load of plutonium was shipped to Los Alamos in New Mexico for construction of a bomb.

Well they did not know much about nuclear production at that time they did have a solid plan of what to do with all the waste of creating and processing plutonium. Most of the waste from the reactors was buried in single shell tanks on huge tank farms which some others was just pushed into tunnels and various underground holding areas.

After the war and into the 70s when plutonium production was halted and Americans decided they weren't focusing on that anymore and Hanford went silent. Enter the Department of Energy which is working with what seems to be a thousand different companies to clean it all up. And employing probably more then half of the people who live in this area.

Our tour took us through the area to see the history and the present task of safety disposing of nuclear waste. During the tour, I couldn't help but think of what our area would be like if it had not been chosen. I imagine I would be living in the middle of an orchard or farm instead of in a Hanford-era government built duplex in Richland.

I am so glad they are offering these tours to give the public knowledge and appreciation for the rich history of this area. No matter how destructive it was not only in the sense of making bombs but environmentally speaking as well it is still a rich and fascinating history.

Outdoorsy

Here are some more picture from our camping trip. Wallowa Lake was such an interesting place. Having never been there we expected the lake to be more in the middle of the mountains. But on one side you have the "Little Alps" and on the other it looks like the Palouse with farms stretching out to the horizon. Very interesting landscape and very beautiful. Can't wait until we can go back and explore it more.

AAaaahhhhh

Too bad we took this picture when we were leaving. I think I could enjoy this view all day.

Camping Weekend!

In two days we are heading out to go camping with our small group. Tonight my head is spinning as I try to think of everything we will need - having not been camping in 4 years - it's hard to remember!

But we have the essentials:
Hot Chocolate
Cougar Camp Chairs
and
Tinkerbell!

She is going with us on her first camping adventure. I hope she likes sleeping in a tent. We are headed down to Wallowa Lake Friday and coming back Sunday. The weather is supposed to be in the 60s (YAY). I am looking forward to chilly nights around the campfire.

I will be sure to take plenty of pictures to share our adventure!

Parade Pictures

Well Blogger is being stupid and did not let me add the photos I uploaded to my blog post. I kept clicking the Done button and nothing happened. Here is the second try.

Labor Day

Labor Day we headed to the States Day parade and carnival in Prosser. We got to hang out with the whole family and had a nice day. Tinkerbell enjoyed (well sort of) her first parade - especially the horses and 2 dogs that walked by.

States Day started when farmers would come into town for a big picnic to celebrate the end of harvest. Somehow they started registering where they came from (home state) which started the States Day name. Most people I saw who registered their home state were from the Midwest. Interesting to see what people make up my hometown.

We enjoyed lunch at the park and saw some local talent - they were performing for "Valley's Got Talent" our version of America's Got Talent. Let me tell you - some of these people should have been on that show. One girl in particular had an amazing voice and stage presence - and she was only 15!!!

All in all a nice way to spend our Labor Day.

First Thursday

Tonight I enjoyed going to the First Thursday Art Walk in downtown Kennewick with a couple of friends. The first Thursday of the month some vendors in downtown Kennewick will stay open later and feature artwork and artists that are local to the Tri-Cities. I had never been before and it was neat. Plus so cool to see people out and stores open past 7pm!!!! Doesn't happen often in this area of the country.

We ate dinner first and then walked around to a couple galleries and shops.

I find that I prefer photography or still life drawings/painting over sculpture and other artwork but it was neat to see what people came up with.

I enjoyed one artist in particular who takes aerial photographs. His work was just beautiful. So bright and vivid with all the colors of agriculture and wine in this area we live in. And he uses Nikon cameras - my personal fav!

Check out his work here. I might have to start saving to buy one, or several, of his pieces.