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Sunday, August 31, 2014

WAWeekend: What's New in The Yakima Valley

The Yakima Valley – where I was born and raised – is in the center of Washington State’s agricultural lands.  Once it’s only claim to tourist fame was its more than 300 days of sunshine each year.

WARoadTrip2012 226

These days  the sunshine is just an added benefit. It has become a place where wine roads, ale trails and hiking/biking paths intersect.

ChelanToppPort2010 105
Hop yards - hops are used in the valley's ales
We returned to Yakima a couple months ago because I was researching an article for The Seattle Times.  I was in search of ‘what’s new?’.  Let me tell you I found plenty. 

If you’ve not had Yakima on your travel radar it is time to adjust your compass and head out for some incredible hiking and biking and then hit either the ale trail to local craft breweries and distilleries or set out to sample wine at the dozens of wineries that are scattered throughout the area.

Where to Go and What to Do in the Yakima Valley?
Just click this link to my article in The Seattle Times for my recommendations!

Map picture
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8 comments:

  1. Jane and Lance HattattAugust 31, 2014 at 10:37 PM

    Hello Jackie and Joel,

    It is interesting how some areas of the country, in England too, can reinvent themselves to match the times whereas others simply cannot. From what you write, thus us a most enterprising region which really has so much to offer the tourist from both near and far.

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    1. Jackie and Joel SmithSeptember 1, 2014 at 2:14 PM

      I was working for the newspaper in Yakima in the early 80's when the visionaries saw the potential for the wine industry there. We laughed in the newsroom. . .vineyards? And now it is a wine destination in the U.S. (shows how much cub reporters know, right?)

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  2. Rambling TartAugust 31, 2014 at 11:03 PM

    Hooray for being published in the Seattle Times!! You're a rock star! :-) Yakima Valley is so beautiful. I miss the sight of hops growing beside the road. :-)

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    1. Jackie and Joel SmithSeptember 1, 2014 at 2:15 PM

      Joel just asked where you would have lived that you'd have seen hops growing. . .Washington State! was my reply. Thanks for stopping by today - always appreciated!

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  3. RajeshSeptember 1, 2014 at 10:41 AM

    Beautiful shots from the valley.

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  4. John CooperSeptember 2, 2014 at 3:03 PM

    Nice write up Jackie, always great to work with you. Until next time, cheers!

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