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.
No, we aren't talking about the actual city of Kennewick here, but it was announced this month that a brand new Ferry named after ‘Kennewick' will be motoring through the sound in the future.
The Washington State Transportation Commission has been excepting proposals to name this new ferry, which is under construction now. The proposal, created by Kennewick city officials and greatly supported by the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, mentions that Kennewick refers to "grassy place" and that the community is known for mild winters and early nautical history when steamboats ran on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Not to mention that Kennewick is the home to both the 9,300-year-old Kennewick Man skeleton and the state fossil, the Columbia Mammoth.
Out of five other nominations the Transportation Commission voted 6 to 1 in favor of calling the new ferry ‘Kennewick'.
The City of Kennewick and the Visitor and Convention Bureau couldn't be more pleased about the Commission's decision and believes this will promote tourism throughout our region as passengers learn more about the name and where it comes from.
The new 64-car ferry, Kennewick, will start motoring through the Puget Sound in spring of 2012.
Stroll through the park and take a look at brilliant photography, jewelry, metal art, furniture, pottery, paintings, glass art, and much more. No need to worry about parking, a shuttle will be running to the park from nearby Fran Rish parking lot, the Federal Building, and Carmichael Middle School. Shuttle service is $1.25 per person; $3.50 for a family of three or more.
Art in the Park is the annual fundraiser for Allied Arts Association. The funds from this event support the operation of their gallery located at 89 Lee Boulevard and also scholarships for art students.
Washington State has endless experiences to offer visitors. Destinations across the state have created fantastic prizes to be given away during their current promotion, "Experience More Washington."
The promotion is running on www.ExperienceWA.com/more through Mid-April and offers visitors a variety of giveaways from weekend getaways to six-day vacations.
The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau has teamed up with the Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau and Tourism Walla Walla to create an attractive getaway package through the Heart of Washington Wine Country. The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau is offering winners of this prize giveaway a wine and chocolate basket upon arrival in the Tri-Cities, overnight accommodations along the Columbia River, a limousine tour through wine country - stopping at any of the 160 wineries located within an hour's drive, and dinner at Anthony's HomePort at Columbia Point.
Winning is simple! Log on to www.ExperienceWA.com/more, and after viewing the complete list of prizes and travel deals and discounts, be sure to register for your chance to win!
There are tons of opportunities for wildlife watching and birding in the Tri-Cities.
If you want to check out American White Pelicans, osprey, bald eagles, black-crowned night herons, great egrets, blue herons, red-tailed hawks, elk, mule deer, coyote, river otter, jack rabbits, tundra swans, and snow geese, you'll want to get to the Tri-Cities and check out our great wildlife viewing and birding areas including:
The Hanford Reach National Monument, Audubon Nature Trail, Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve, Bateman Island, Sacagawea Heritage Trail, Tapteal Greenway/Chamna Natural Preserve, and McNary National Wildlife Refuge. McNary National Wildlife Refuge just opened its new educational facility complete with a detailed taxidermy exhibit.
This is a friendly reminder to come out and explore the beautiful 23 miles of continuous riverfront trail during the second annual Sacagawea Heritage Trail Adventure Challenge taking place tomorrow, Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
You can start at any of the 18 checkpoints along the 23 mile trail, visit them in any order you choose, and check in at as many as you wish. At each checkpoint, you have a chance to enter drawings for more than 75 prizes including messenger bags, stowaway cube coolers, stainless steel sport bottles, and the grand prize...a Novara Mountain Bike!
Click here for complete rules and additional information.
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