Before we get into all the fun activities going on in the Tri-Cities this coming Father's Day weekend, I wanted to share some funny one liners. You know, the ones that only Dad makes.
Me: "Dad, can I have 50 bucks?"
Dad: "Forty dollars? What do you need thirty dollars for?"
If you are anywhere with stuffed and mounted animal heads. Dad: "It must have been going pretty fast when it hit that wall!"
When rubbing your eye
Dad: "What's up?"
Me: "There's something in my eye"
Dad: "Yeah, it's your finger"
All joking aside, you and Dad can have a great time this Father's Day Weekend in the Tri-Cities. Here are a few ideas of things to do:
1. Take Dad to a professional baseball game. The Tri-City Dust Devils open up the season with games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at 7:15 P.M.
2. Have a golf outing. Whether it's playing 18 holes, a par 3, or just putting, grab the sticks and head out to the course.
3. Hike to the top of Badger Mountain with Dad. You can race him to the top or take your time and enjoy the view of the Tri-Cities.
4. Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard is having a special BBQ for Dads on Sunday.
5. Grab locally hand-crafter brew at Ice Harbor Brewery and listen to live music. Franco Paletta and The Stingers, a blues band from Portland, will be performing at 7:30 Saturday night.
6. Check out vintage cars at Howard Amon Park in Richland and as they will be on display during the Red, White, and Blue Car and Motorcycle Show from 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. Saturday.
7. If all else fails, take Dad out to a nice dinner at one of the Tri-Cities restaurants right on the banks of the Columbia River.
For more information on the events listed above, click here.
Happy Father's Day!
Any Dad one liners you can share?
The Tri-Cities enjoys a desert climate, dry and warm. However, we have almost all the same activities as a waterfront destination with the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers in our own backyard. The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and the 4th largest in the U.S. by volume.
Keep in mind, when we talk about the Columbia and Snake Rivers, we aren't talking about class five rapids or kayakers dodging jagged rocks as they forcefully navigate themselves down the river. The river current through the Tri-Cities is very peaceful and hardly noticeable.
Activities include kayaking, tubing, water skiing, wake boarding, swimming, boating, kite surfing, paddle boarding, and wading. Not to mention, you can now literally sleep on the river.
Imagine a floating hotel room equipped with beds, a full kitchen, a barbeque, a flat screen TV, and a water slide. You and a group of your friends and family can make this a reality with River Ranch Houseboats.
The houseboats can sleep up to 12 people in beds, but additional boaters can sleep on the top deck under the stars. Anyone who is 25 and older can rent a houseboat and there is no special license required. The boats travel up to 10mph and are meant to be anchored or beached at specific areas on the rivers.
For more information on the houseboats head to www.riverranchboats.com.
In order to make this claim, we need to first discuss what the definition of "Best Weather" actually is. There are some who enjoy gray and drizzly skies, people who like the cold and snowy scene, and those who prefer the extreme heat all the time. Without any hard scientific evidence I can say through my experience in Washington the majority prefers sunshine, dry, and warm weather with the occasional rainy/snowy day mixed in to break up the routine. More or less, a mix of all weather types with the bulk of days being sunny and mild.
As we get further and further into spring and eventually summer, let's break down the average temperature and precipitation month by month for various places throughout Washington. You'll see the Tri-Cities on average offers the warmest temperatures and the least amount of precipitation (with the exception of a couple tenths of an inch on a few months).
May:
|
City |
Average High Temperature(Fahrenheit) |
Average Precipitation |
|
Seattle |
64 |
1.8" |
|
Vancouver |
66 |
2.6" |
|
Spokane |
66 |
1.6" |
|
Yakima |
72 |
0.5" |
|
Tri-Cities |
75 |
0.7" |
June:
|
City |
Average High Temperature |
Average Precipitation |
|
Seattle |
70 |
1.5" |
|
Vancouver |
71 |
1.8" |
|
Spokane |
74 |
1.2" |
|
Yakima |
80 |
0.6 |
|
Tri-Cities |
82 |
0.4" |
July:
|
City |
Average High Temperature |
Average Precipitation |
|
Seattle |
75 |
0.8" |
|
Vancouver |
77 |
0.8" |
|
Spokane |
83 |
0.8" |
|
Yakima |
87 |
0.2" |
|
Tri-Cities |
90 |
0.3" |
August:
|
City |
Average High Temperature |
Average Precipitation |
|
Seattle |
76 |
1" |
|
Vancouver |
78 |
1.1" |
|
Spokane |
83 |
0.7" |
|
Yakima |
87 |
0.4" |
|
Tri-Cities |
90 |
0.4" |
September:
|
City |
Average High Temperature |
Average Precipitation |
|
Seattle |
70 |
1.6" |
|
Spokane |
73 |
0.8" |
|
Vancouver |
74 |
1.8" |
|
Yakima |
78 |
0.4" |
|
Tri-Cities |
80 |
0.4" |
Everyone likes different types of weather, but can we say the Tri-Cities has the best weather that appeals to the majority?
Source: National Weather Service
The Columbia River flows directly through the Tri-Cities. The river offers endless recreation to Tri-Cities locals and visitors. Everything from kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, sailing, wake boarding, inner tubing, wind surfing, parasailing, feet soaking, and now cruising.
Join the Portland Spirit as they bring the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler to the Tri-Cities area for a week of cruises starting Friday, April 15th - Sunday, April 24th. Riverboat dining experiences aboard the Portland Spirit vessels includes fresh Northwest cuisine prepared in their on board galleys, superb service, beautiful views of the Tri-Cities and live entertainment and narration. A lunch cruise, brunch cruise, dinner cruise, or a Snake River Locks cruise on their vessels is perfect for entertaining out-of-town guests or for celebrating your special occasions.
For more information and to schedule your cruise head to http://www.portlandspirit.com/ or call 800-224-3901.
Many of the Tri-Citie's attractions starts with the letter 'W'. In cases where it doesn't, there is a way to incorporate ‘W' somehow.
Water - With the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers running through the Tri-Cities, there are many recreational opportunities. These include: swimming, kayaking, power and pleasure boating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wind surfing, and watching the hydroplane races in the summer.
Weather - The Tri-Cities enjoys some of the best weather in the Northwest with 300 days of sunshine a year. We have a mild climate with less than seven inches of precipitation annually. Summer temperatures average a pleasant 88 degrees, with river breezes contributing to cool evenings and balmy days.
Wine - We welcome you to the Heart of Washington Wine County®. The Tri-Cities is within a one-hour drive of 160 wineries and is complete with hotels, restaurants, and cultural amenities. During the warm summer months, the Tri-Cities has more than 17 hours of sunshine each day, two more hours than Napa and Sonoma. These long mild days in September and October are perfect for ripening wine grapes.
Wildlife - The Tri-Cities is home to eight National Wildlife Refuges and Reserves which include nature trails and shoreline viewpoints. In April and May, native wildflowers begin their grand display. In June see flocks of American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Mule Deer, Coyotes, and Beavers. In late summer and early fall, watch the salmon run up the Columbia River.
Wedge - This will be your golf club of choice if you are within a few feet of a green at one of the Tri-Cities' ten beautiful golf courses. Beginner, intermediate and scratch golfers have their choice of gorgeous 18 hole, putting, and par 3 courses.
Walk - Enjoy this activity and others on 23-miles of contiguous riverfront trail. Weaving between the Tri-Cities, the Sacagawea Heritage Trail offers a view of nature's scenic beauty along the Columbia River.
Welcome Circle - One of the seven basalt story circles you will find at the Confluence Project at Sacajawea State Park. The story circles, created by famed artist Maya Lin, are just one of seven interpretations that make up the project. All seven projects are located at the confluence of rivers throughout the region and each of the seven locations was a stopping point for Lewis and Clark on their journey more than 200 years ago.
Watermelon - An amazing treat among other freshly picked produce and homemade goodies you will find at one of many farmers' markets throughout the Tri-Cities.
What kind of ‘W's can you use to describe the Tri-Cities?
Unless you are travelling at the speed of sound, the chances of you making it to the Tri-Cities from Seattle in 16 minutes is unlikely. However, the Tri-Cities of Washington State is centrally located in the Northwest and there are several different ways one can get here. Let's explore the practical methods with reasonable travel times and take a look at some of the more unconventional methods with absurd travel times.
First of all, there are several direct flights into the Tri-Cities on commercial airlines. These include flights from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix /Mesa, and Minneapolis.
Flight times:
Seattle to Tri-Cities: 50 minutes
Salt Lake City to Tri-Cities: 1 hour 30 minutes
San Francisco to Tri-Cities: 1 hour 40 minutes
Las Vegas to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 5 minutes
Denver to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 10 minutes
Los Angeles to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 20 minutes
Minneapolis to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 50 minutes
Mesa/Phoenix to Tri-Cities: 3 hours 30 minutes
If hopping on a plane isn't your thing, the Tri-Cities is just a drive away.
Drive times:
Walla Walla to Tri-Cities: 1 hour
Yakima to Tri-Cities: 1 hour 15 minutes
Spokane to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 15 minutes
Wenatchee to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 15 minutes
Lewiston, ID to Tri-Cities: 2 hours 15 minutes
Seattle to Tri-Cities: 3 hours 30 minutes
Portland to Tri-Cities: 3 hours 30 minutes
Vancouver, WA to Tri-Cities: 3 hours 30 minutes
These are the transportation methods most visitors use to get to the Tri-Cities, but let's take a look at some weird ways.
Walk time (3 mph):
Seattle to Tri-Cities: 2 days 18 hours 37 minutes approx.
Unicycle time (6 mph):
Portland to Tri-Cities: 1 day 11 hours 30 minutes approx.
A camel's sustained running speed (25 mph)
Spokane to Tri-Cities: 5 hours and 20 minutes approx.
Speed of sound time (750 mph):
Seattle to Tri-Cities: 16 minutes approx.
Regardless of your mode of transportation, come enjoy great wine, water recreation, golf, and weather in the Tri-Cities.
Can you think of any interesting ways to get to the Tri-Cities? Use some high school math and tell us how long it would take by commenting below. Don't forget to hit the share button too.
Some golfers in the Northwest may take the winter months off to sit by the fire place with some hot cocoa, reading up on their latest golf magazine and figuring out how they are going to solve their slice come springtime. In the Tri-Cities of southeastern Washington that's not the case. Golfers come from all over the Northwest and get out on the course all winter long to work on their game. "The only day we are scheduled to be closed is on Christmas Day and even then a lot of members will sneak out and play," says Mike Lundgren, President and General Manager of Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick.
The Tri-Cities is known for 300 days of sunshine a year and those sunny days keep on shining in the wintertime.
"Golfers from western Washington are pleasantly surprised with the amount of roll they experience on the Tri-Cities dry fairways." "On the west side they often run into the problem of balls falling short because of damp air and soggy landing areas, typical this time of year. And of course they love our blue skies and sun shine," says Nick Rodriguez of Horn Rapids Golf Course in Richland.
"One of the best things about winter golf at Canyon Lakes is that we are generally open year ‘round and ‘play summer rules.' Everything on the golf course is off grass. There are no mats and no reason to "bump the ball," explains Lundgren.
As an added bonus, the Tri-Cities is located in the Heart of Washington Wine Country. There are over 160 wineries for you to visit within an hour drive. Tasting rooms at area wineries remain open throughout the winter months.
Drive times to the Tri-Cities are convenient. If conditions are ideal across mountain passes in Washington and Oregon plan on a three and a half hour jaunt from both Seattle and Portland and just over two hours from Spokane. Direct daily flights are also available from Seattle.
Golf packages including green fees, carts, and hotel accommodations are being offered right now on http://www.visittri-cities.com/, so don't let old man winter keep you inside. Get out on the course in the Tri-Cities.
It was hard to give up the beautiful Tri-Cities summer as we slipped into October this year. During the first weekend of October Mother Nature brought us sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80's. Kids were still diving into the Columbia River, boats were still towing water skiers and people were still walking around in shorts and sandals. Now with only less than a week before Halloween, the winds have picked up slightly, temperatures have dropped into the 50's and the shorts have seen their last days of 2010. However, this is perfect weather to get out and enjoy the great harvest festivities with the family and even get a little scare in the process.
The first place I would recommend in the Tri-Cities is the Country Mercantile in Pasco. One of their main attractions is their giant corn maze. From past experiences I can tell you that you may be in the maze longer than you bargained for. Through every twist and turn you'll find yourself deeper in the maze, but with a little luck and a decent memory you'll find your way out ......eventually. After a stroll through the corn maze, you can climb their hay pyramid, head to the petting zoo, or go inside the store for hot chocolate and a treat. Let's not forget about their pumpkin patch. You'll take a hay ride out to the pumpkins where you can pick out the perfect one. Afterwards, you can take another ride on their mini-roller coaster, carousel, and other amusement rides. The Country Mercantile is located off of Hwy 395 just north of Pasco. The Harvest Festival is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m during October.
Now, if you are looking for more of a scare I recommend All Season Landscape and Design in Pasco. They have a regular corn maze, haunted maze and haunted house. Inside the haunted maze you'll be greeted by ghouls and goblins and enter different rooms that depict frightening scenes. You can also enjoy, a bounce house/obstacle course, hay pyramid and jousting. All Seasons Landscape and Design is located on Road 68 in Pasco, just north of the water towers. Their activities are open in October on Friday nights from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 a.m, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Of course, the haunted corn maze doesn't open till after dark.
The Tri-Cities offers fun for the whole family during October. Make sure to explore our website for hotel accommodations and other events to attend during fall.
What are some of your favorite things to do close to Halloween in the Tri-Cities?
Whether it's grape events, the delicous smell of wine grapes, the sight of lush wine grapes hanging off the wine, or the sweet taste of the wine grapes, the grapes rule the Tri-Cities in September. The grape harvest is upon us and it truly is one of the greatest times of year in our area.
If you have driven past a vineyard in the Tri-Cities recently or been around one during harvest time you know the incredile aroma that is present. The best way I can describe the scent is that it smells like the little grape Jolly Ranchers candies. When passing a vineyard I will make sure to roll down all the windows to get the full experience.
If you are into more than just smelling the grapes, this weekend (Sept 25 and 26) you can actually experience the wine grape harvest in the Tri-Cities through a couple great events. First of all, join us during the 24th annual Catch the Crush event. Many wineries in and around the Tri-Cities will give tours of their wineries and vineyards, explain the wine making process, and of course have wine to taste. Oh, lets not forget one of the more popular activities during this weekend, the grape stomps. This is where you can get down and dirty with the wine making process and stomp the grapes with your bare feet.
Some wineries do offer complimentary tasting and others charge a small fee, however, you can purchase a premiere Catch the Crush pass for $30 online at www.wineyakimavalley.org or for $35 at select wineries in the Tri-Cities area including Goose Ridge Estate Winery and Tapteil Vineyard Winery. As a premiere pass holder tasting fees will be waived and other discounts will be given at participating wineries.
This Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. you can also head over to Historic Downtown Kennewick for Grapefest 2010. Here you will also be able to stomp grapes, enjoy live music, BBQ, arts and crafts, and a fun run.
This is a great weekend for wine enthusiasts. Let the Tri-Cities be your central hub during this event, go to http://www.visittri-cities.com/ for hotel accommodations and for a list of local wineries.
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