Destinations
Looking for things to do outside? Here's our articles on destinations within the Columbia Basin to go explore.
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend
OTHELLO — Birds, lectures, birds, tours, birds, geology, birds, activities, birds and all things birding await bir…
Cleaning up history
HARTLINE — On a lonely gravel road somewhere between Hartline and Almira, there’s a small graveyard that is the only tangible evidence of a once-thriving commu…
Gamble Sands Golf Resort
BREWSTER — Gamble Sands Golf Resort is a direct descendant of golf courses of old - and a worth-the-trip destination for Columbia Basin golf enthusiasts. “I…
Deception Pass celebrates a century
OAK HARBOR - Deception Pass State Park turns 100 this year and in celebration, Washington State Parks will be holding free concerts and community events throughout the summer. “In honor of this momentous birthda…
An ‘ecstatic’ climb
QUINCY - Just off the Old Vantage Highway, between the Columbia River and Interstate-90 is Frenchman Coulee. It is a spot popular for rock climbers and hikers …
Erratics to host program on kayaking the Columbia
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Erratics of the Ice Age Floods Institute will host a Zoom program June 14 at 7 p.m. entitled “Kayaking down the Columbia River: Evidence of the Missoula Flood from the Perspective o…
Parks Service announces Mt. Rainier open attractions
ASHFORD — Officials with the National Park Service announced on Monday said some portions of Mt. Rainier National Park remain closed and asked visitors to chec…
Mt. Rainier Nat. Park partially open this weekend
ASHFORD – Many areas within Mount Rainier National Park will be accessible to visitors beginning Memorial Day weekend, despite 13 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise, according to a press release from the Nation…
Fish and Wildlife extends hours at most wildlife areas in eastern Washington
SPOKANE — Most wildlife areas managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in eastern Washington are open for extended day-use hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Retired Reclamation surveyor’s guide to recreation in the Basin
Dick Hemore, of the MarDon Resort area, a retired U.S. Bureau of Reclamation surveyor and hunting and fishing guide, has been exploring the Columbia Basin for …
Wanting to get outside: Discover Pass purchases, state parks reservations rise
Sales of Discover Passes are up since June and so are reservations at state parks, according to data from Washington State Parks.
Country Cousins Fall Festival begins in Othello
OTHELLO — Five-year-old Josie Johnson was emphatic about what she enjoyed at the first day of the Country Cousins Fall Festival. “Everything!” she said as she …
Invasive vs. native: Pigeon
Sometimes in the depth of sleep, my mind will wander through the previous day’s activities. More often than not, those activities will cause me a warm feeling,…
Final thoughts about backyard education
This week has been a welcome chance to reflect on the backyard, as in everyone’s backyard. We have discussed how anyone’s backyard is a place to teach a youth …
Backyard and beyond
Many an outdoor education began in the backyard. How to build a fire, how to tie knots, how to properly use a knife, survival skills, how to erect a tent were …
Backyards can offer a glimpse into the Great Outdoors
The backyard, every backyard, can be the entrance to the outdoors for everyone. Yesterday we discussed my participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count with e…