There's no place like home in the Columbia Basin

It’s been said home is where the heart is. And there is a real truth to that. I’ve lived in several places throughout the Pacific Northwest in my 60 years on this earth — in big cities and small towns — and for me there’s no place like the rich agricultural region of the Columbia Basin.

I‘ve had the good fortune of working in the media industry in Moses Lake and the surrounding areas as an editor of a couple of newspapers the past 10 years or so, and even spent a stint as a sports anchor on a local startup TV station.

A year ago, my career path took an unexpected turn as I found myself a casualty of downsizing. Never one to embrace idle time, I immediately began the search for gainful employment. Shortly thereafter I accepted an offer as city editor of The Daily World in Aberdeen, Wash., which it turns out, averages 79 inches of annual rainfall.

In early February of this year, an old friend and colleague of mine called and asked if I might be interested in the editor position at The Sun Tribune and Basin Business Journal. A month later I was offered the job.

Thrilled with the excitement of returning to familiar territory, I said goodbye to good friends I made in Aberdeen…and the unrelenting rain.

Ahead was a five and a half hour drive, but the closer I got the more excited I became. Passing through Ellensburg I got my first whiff of good old country air. Descending down Rye Grass hill with the magnificent Columbia River in full view, I envisioned the plateau on the other side where cattle graze and farmers planted their crops.

With a lump in my throat, I drove the last few miles like a stallion racing with the wind. I was back where I belonged. A place like no other. Home!