Grandfather Cut's Loose the Ponies

Quincy Valley Tourism - Bountiful Basin

Sep 14

Grandfather Cut's Loose the Ponies

Vantage, Washington and bordering the Columbia River Gorge sits a very peculiar art installation: Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. Created by David Govedare as an homage to an ancient Native legend about how horses first roamed the earth, the exhibit is awesome though surprisingly incomplete. Originally planned as a series of horses emerging from a man holding a basket the funds ran out sometime during the process. The result: 15 horses and no man with a basket. No matter, with horses this strikingly beautiful what we do have in Vantage is breathtaking and awe inspiring in spite of its incomplete status.

Billed from Interstate-90 as "Wild Horses" it is easy to see why: this pack of steel horses look real. With each bearing its own unique pose getting wrapped up in this strange occurance of art in an otherwise serene and barren area is par for the course. Surrounded by a gorgeous vista it isn't beyond the imagination to spend an hour merely ascending horse hill, inspecting the broncs, and staring into the distance at the stunning gorge.

Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies, though hardly well known outside the Central Washington area, is nonetheless one of my favorite art pieces ever. The fact that there is more work to be done (which may or may not ever happen) only adds mystique to its legendary status.

The horses can be appreciated by pulling over at designated view points on the east and west sides of the freeway. The eastbound view point provides an access point to hike up to the sculpture. It's a short hike, about 200 yards, but very vertical. Seeing the horses at eye level, as well as the breathtaking view of the Columbia River Gorge, especially at dawn or dusk, is well worth the climb.

If you're ever in the Central Washington area, Grandfather is a must. You won't be disappointed.

View the photos here: http://undependentmedia.com/TravelsGrandfather.htm

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Quincy Aquatic Center » VIEW MORE PHOTOS HERE! (about-us/gallery/category/8-quincy-community-pool.html) First Day of Open Swimming will be the Last Day of School in 2012, June 8th. Please view the updated Fee Schedule listed below. You can also Purchase your Early Bird Passes online at www.qtownrec.us (http://www.qtownrec.us) THE AQUATIC CENTER IS AVAILABLE FOR POOL PARTIES. CALL 787-4158 OR STOP BY THE POOL OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION. And For Group Rates and our Official Rental Formhttp://www.quincywashington.us (http://www.quincywashington.us) Saturday, 28 April 2012 14:07

Balloon Festival » Quincy Hot Air Balloon Festival 2nd Weekend in September The Quincy Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival started in 2008 and is the best small town hot air balloon event in the Pacific Northwest. The pilots that have participated since our first festival have commented on what a beautiful area this is. Not only is Quincy a great town but the beauty and the open space makes this area a great place to fly. This event will continue to grow in popularity and this is great for business and tourism. Sunrise Launches are Saturday and Sunday, September 8th 9th at sunrise (this is an amazing photo opportunity) All launches are from Twin Firs Turf and are weather permitting. Sunrise launches are free to the public. At dusk, the Balloons will light up for a tethered Night glow to illuminate the nighttime sky. The evening will end with a fireworks display from http://www.partiesonthegreen.com (http://www.partiesonthegreen.com/)Kent or Kim Bacon(509) 787-3795Email: info at partiesonthegreen dot com Saturday, 28 April 2012 11:33

Crescent Bar Spring Festival »1st Annual Crescent Bar Spring Festival Friday April 27th 7pm - 10pm Wine Tasting at the Sunfire Grill Cost: Free - 21 and over only - For questions contact Karl at the Sunfire Grill at 509-787-1524 Events: Beaumont Cellars will be offering wine tasting, unopened bottles will be available for purchase so come find a new favorite wine from one of our best wineries and listen to light music by a local musician. We also have Beer and Wine Garden, Sunserra Golf Tournament, Softball and much, much more! To view more events download the flyer here.....CrescentBarSpringFestival.pdf (http://crescentbarvacationrentals.com/images/CrescentBarSpringFestival.pdf) Tuesday, 17 April 2012 12:43

Kites & Chutes Festival at Parties on the Green »KITES AND CHUTES FESTIVAL FRIDAY, MAY 25TH - SATURDAY, MAY 26TH Parties on the Green once again invites you to join them for the Kites and Chutes Festival. This Memorial Weekend Fly In is brought to you by Six Chuter West Powered Parachute Association. The skies over the Quincy Valley will be filled with powered parachutes over this three day week-end. This event offers education, training classes and flying. Six Chuter offers Discovery Flights during the week-end and are all on a first-come first-serve basis (weather permitting). We have open skies and plenty of room. Bring a picnic and spend the day with the family flying kites. There is no charge unless purchases are made. For the safety of everyone, we ask that you watch your children and abide by all safety rules and boundaries. If you don’t have a kite, you may purchase them on site from Big Kid Kites. The Quincy skies are filled with Powered Parachutes over this three day week-end. This event offers education, training classes, and flying. Six Chuter offers Discovery Flights during the week-end and are all first come first serve weather permitting. For a full schedule of the week-end events, visit http://www.partiesonthegreen.com/ (http://www.partiesonthegreen.com/).. What do you do when the wind blows? You go flight a Kite! This is something for everyone to enjoy! This is also a great way to meet people that share a common interest. We have open skies and plenty of room. Bring a picnic and spend the day with the family flying kites. There is no charge unless purchases are made. For the saftey of everyone we ask that you watch your children and abide by all safety rules and boundaries.If you don't have a kite you may purchase them on site from Big Kid Kites. Tuesday, 17 April 2012 12:06

White Trail Produce Farm Market » White Trail Farm Market offers up the bounty of the Quincy Valley. Daina Toevs, manager of White Trail Farm Market (originally called White Trail Produce), makes it her goal to showcase local produce and products at the store four miles west of Quincy on Highway 28 at the intersection of Road U NW (White Trail Roda). The bounty of the Quincy Valley can be found in the store as local produce and products arrive freshly picked at their peak. "We believe in buying local produce from local people," said Toevs. The store opens in April to coincide with the beginning the local asparagus harvest and closes in October at the end of the pumpkin and apple harvest. In between, the store offers a cornucopia of produce, including tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, cherries, peaches, plums, onions, corn, potatoes, carrots, beans, peas, squash, cantalopes, watermelon and more. The store opened as White Trail Produce in 2001, when Toevs and her husband, Ken, entered into a partnership with his uncle, Jack Toevs. Much of teh produce is raised by the Toevs themselves, while the rest is purchased from other growers in the region. "We really try to keep everything local as much as possible," she said. Even the packaged foods, drinks, crafts and gifts are mostly from Northwest vendors, said Toevs. Prior to opening the store, the Toevs owned a restuarant in the Spokane area. "We've been in the people business for a long time," said Toevs. "We enjoy serving our customers and providing good quality products for them." Those products often include organic fruits and vegetables, which have become more plenitful as local growers are now seeing a stronger market for their organic offerings. "It's huge now," Toevs said. "More local farmers are seeing the value of organic farming. There has been a big change from just six or seven years ago. There are more farmers than ever going over to organic." That fits well with the Toevs philosophy. "We believe in products that are grown through sustainable agricultural practices and in selling organic products as much as possible," Toevs said. As a farm market, the store also offers local fruits and vegetables that are as fresh as possible. "We sell produce that is usually picked that morning," she said. "It hasn't been trucked in form some other part of the country. That makes a huge difference in quality and taste." This emphasis on selling local crops means the store's customers likely drove past the very fields and orchards that yielded the fruits and vegetables they will find once they reach White Trail Farm Market. "There is a real connection here in our store and also in the Quincy area people, between the food they are buying and where it is grown." she said. "We, as a community, live in a food area. We're down to the basics of where food comes from." Along with the produce and food items, the store sells espresso, smoothies, shakes, art, crafts, jewelry and decorations. "We try to have fun and interesting things here," Toevs said. "We want people to come here, ask questions and have a good time. We are located 4 miles west of Quincy on Hwy 28, 10024 Road U NW, Quincy. Call us at (509) 787-1543 Owner: Daina Toevs Monday, 04 April 2011 09:56

Wineries » ANCIENT LAKES WINE COUNTRY The Columbia River gathers melt water from the Canadian Rockies and crosses the border into the United States without a passport or bothering to stop at customs. Once in Washington this mighty river curves to the west until it is forced southward by the Cascade Mountains. It parallels the mountains for awhile before turning again to the east on its way to the Tri-Cities. This section of the river along the Cascades forms a unique micro-climate. Here the weather is dry yet the river provides abundant water for irrigation. As the river makes its way through canyons and coulees carved by massive ice age floods one can admire snow covered hills and mountains, thousands of feet higher in elevation. Thus the climate is affected by air movement through these abrupt elevation changes. Currently the federal government is considering a petition by local wine grape growers to create an American Viticultural Area to be known as Ancient Lakes of the Columbia. The name refers both to the Ice Age floods that had such a dramatic effect in forming the region and to a group of lakes in Potholes Coulee. Wineries and vineyards have been developing in what might be called some of the most spectacular landscape of Washington. Vineyards are literally planted on the edges of basalt cliffs and flood carved bluffs dropping hundreds of feet away from the vines. The two oldest wineries in the area trace their roots back to the 1980’s but in the last ten years three more wineries have opened up and are welcoming visitors to their tasting rooms. Wine and food events are occurring with increasing regularity. Below is just a sampling of annual activities. One winery, Cave B has a spectacular restaurant and hotel. In addition wineries have events with live music and outstanding food at their facilities, many with beautiful views. For more information on these events visit the individual winery websites. WINE EVENT SCHEDULE JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE President's Day weekend, Red Wine and Chocolate at various wineries Wine Beer Gardens, April 28th at Crescent Bar from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Third weekend in May, Spring Barrel Tasting at various wineries Wine Beer Gardens, June 16th at Parties on the Green from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Fourth weekend in August, Wine Fest at Reiman Simmons House Wine Beer Gardens, Sept. 8th at Parties on the Green – time TBA Thanksgiving Weekend, 2007 Fall Barrel Tasting at various wineries CAVE B WINERY Website: www.caveb.com (http://www.caveb.com/) 348 Silica Rd. NWQuincy, Wa. 98848888.785.2283 - 509.785.3600 www.jonesofwashington.com (http://www.jonesofwashington.com) 2101 F Street SWQuincy, Wa. 98848509-787-8108www.beaumontcellars.com (http://www.beaumontcellars.com) E-mail: 8634 Road U NWQuincy Wa 98848509-509-787-5586 Description: For the past 33 years, the fertile and abundant Columbia Valley has provided our family with a living. We've raised fruit trees, cattle, and four strong boys — truly the good life. Deeply familiar with our rich soil and unique climate, we knew the next chapter of our life had to be wine.Our winemaking philosophy is simple — let it be. We start with the very best grapes and gently encourage them to express their character. Distinctive, and never overworked, our wines reflect the complex full-bodied richness of the renowned Columbia Valley terroir. We proudly present our second vintage for your consideration. We had a lot of fun making it and hope that you, our friends, will enjoy it. WHITE HERON WINERY Website: www.whiteheronwine.com E-mail: info@whiteheronwine.com 10035 Stuhlmiller Rd. Quincy, Wa. 98848 Decription: In the spring of 1990 we began to remove sagebrush from a south-facing slope overlooking the Columbia River, basalt cliffs, and the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. All our friends and family came together to assist in the difficult transformation from unirrigated sagebrush to long rows of green vines. Without the hard labor of our friends and family White Heron Cellars would not exist today. Our primary investment in this winery has not been the money we did not have but instead the work of shovel and hoe. Our vines are planted at 2200 vines to the acre, two meters between the rows and one meter between vines in the row. The altitude of our slope climbs from 900 feet to 1200 feet and turns from a straight south slope on the west side to a southeast slope on the east side. Every vine planted on our property has a clear view of the Columbia River and thus excellent protection from cold air. Since 1990 we have experienced neither frost nor winter kill. During the ice age large floods formed the topography of Central Washington. These floods carved a large canyon known as Moses Coulee. The debris that came from the canyon filled the Columbia River channel for many years. Our vineyard is planted on the southern end of this debris field and our soils thus vary from deep sand with a covering of sandy loam on the top of our hillside to river rocks (some quite large) mixed with sand and clay on the lower slopes. Between the vines we have left native vegetation that include grasses, wildflowers, and small shrubs. Even though our grapes are not organic they are grown with every attempt to respect the eco system surrounding the vineyard. We are currently growing Roussanne, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. From the beginning we have searched for the best available clonal material for these varieties. Our wine making style is very fruit driven with every attempt made to respect the terroir. Thus our wines are made either in neutral oak or stainless steel, fermented dry and put through malolactic fermentation. This reflects the style of winemaking that owners Phyllis and Cameron Fries learned during a five-year stay in Switzerland. After graduating from viticulture and enology school in Switzerland the Washington State natives returned to the state and began the search that culminated in the vineyard on the site of the ghost town of Trinidad. White Heron’s first wine was made from purchased grapes in 1986 which thus makes this winery the oldest in North Central Washington. The husband and wife team of Linda and Dave Ayriss designed the White Heron label. Our tasting room is open 11 to 6, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. Limo rentals for Winery tours in the area.for more information www.crescentbarresorts.com Tuesday, 01 June 2010 00:00

Rock and Ride Bike Tour »Rock and Ride Bike Tour Through George 10 Mile - 30 Mile - 70 Mile - 100 Mile Rock and Ride Bike Tour DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION / BROCHURE HERE Another fun thing to do in Quincy includes our Rock and Ride Bike Tour, held annually and is sponsored by the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Quincy Valley Medical Center, National Frozen Foods, Quincy Foods LLC, the Wenatchee World and the Washington State Potato Commission. Bring your friends and family for a day of exercise, fun and touring. Rock and Ride offers a variety of rides for riders of all ages and abilities. Our Sponsors will help us get out on the road with mechanical support, water bottles and some other fun stuff. Ride Information: Rest Stops are throughout the course and Ride maps will be provided. 10 Mile Ride: Generally very flat and perfect for the entire family and all ages. 30 Mile Ride: Starts off the same as the 10 mile. Midway through the ride are slight rolling hills and the slope down to the river can be skipped. This part is a 4 mile (8 miles round trip) section that goes down to the river and then back up the hill. 70 Mile RIde: Same as the 30 mile with the exception that the hill to the river is mandatory. Ride Start Times: Check In: Starts at 5:30 AM at the George Community Hall. 10 Mile Ride: 9:00 AM * 30 Mile Ride: 8:00 AM 70 Mile Ride: 6:00 AM * 100 Mile Ride: 6:00 AM "After Ride Feed" At the George Community Center starting at 10:30 AM For more information and ride routes please visit the Quincy Valley of Chamber site at www.quincyvalley.org or call 509-787-2140. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Rock Climbing » Quincy native Russ Harrington needed to move away from the Quincy Valley so he could learn about the awesome rock climbing in the area. "Growing up here I never heard about the rock climbing here," said Harrington, who works as the head of the City of Quincy's Recreation Department. "It wasn't until I went to college in Ellensburg that I heard from my buddies about how much they liked climbing in Quincy." He soon decided that he wanted to try his hand at climbing the basalt formations in the southwestern part of the Quincy Valley in what is called the Frenchman Coulee. Climbing the formations with names like The Feathers and Sunshine Wall, which were created first by huge rivers of lava and then carved out by titanic glacial floods, was exhilarating for Harrington. "I got hooked almost immediately," Harrington said. "I liked hanging out on the rock and hanging by a thread, so to speak." Soon he and his buddies and eventually his wife would spend many of thier free hours climbing in the area. "It's a great area to climb because there are so many routes," he said. "You can have a beginner's route and an expert's route on the same fromation just a few feet away." Harrington has even gotten his children involved. When his son, Hunter, turned 3, Harrington bought him a climbing harness and took him on one of the easy beginner's courses. "He loved it," Harrington said. The Frenchman Coulee is an attractive place to climb because it is different than other climbing areas in the Northwest. "The basalt is different," Harrington said. "It's more smooth than granite or sandstone and it can move more than those other surfaces. But it's usually wide-open and it's year-round climbing. There's about 300 days of sunshine there and even in winter you can climb a south-facing wall and the surface will be warm. Plus, you can drive your car in and park it and you can literally start climbing 30 feet from where you parked." Aside from all of the usual safety precautions one should take when planning a climbing outing, Harrington said it's important for new climbers in the area to remember to stay hydrated, especially on hot days, and to watch for rattlesnakes and ticks. Harrington, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter with Grant County Fire District No. 3, also offered this word of advice. "Just remember, if there is an emergency, ou are about 30 miles away from an ambulance and EMTs," he said. Climbers who are prepared, well equipped and know thier limits should have and enjoyable time climbing the area, he said." "It's an amazing place," he said. "One of my favorite things to do is go up on the rock when the sun is setting over the hills above the Gorge. It's so peaceful and serene. There's nothing else like it." DIRECTIONS From Seattle Area: Hit I-90 East-Drive over Mts past Ellensburg (Stay on I-90). Get off I-90 at Exit 149 (sign says George, Quincy, Wenatchee). Go to end of Exit ramp, turn left and go over the overpass, now you are heading to Quincy. Drive 10 Miles till you get to town. Come into town and drive about 5 blocks (find J St) and turn left. Go thru 2 stop signs, as you start up the 3rd block, our house is on the left hand side...420 is the number, we are about 8 houses from the begining of the block. From Spokane Area: From whereever you are (Spokane, Pullman, Cd'A) Jump on I-90 West. Stay on I-90, headed to Seattle until you get to Exit 149 (George, Quincy, Wenatchee). Get off there and go to end of Exit Ramp, from there turn right go 10 miles to Quincy and follow same directions as above. From Wenatchee: From Wenatchee area, head East toward Quincy on Hwy 28. As you come into town, turn right on the road just after Zack's Pizza (7th Ave I think). Drive down 3 blocks till you get to Rd J and then turn left. You will be looking for house number 420, we will be on the right hand side and better than half-way thru the block coming from this direction. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Wild Life »THE QUINCY VALLEY IS A GREAT PLACE TO WATCH WILDLIFE Nature lovers don't have to go far in the Quincy Valley to see all the manner of wildlife. Those who drive through the country are bound to see red-tail hawks, owls, ducks, geese, pheasants, killdeer, chukar, grouse, quail and partridges from their car windows, with the occasional sigthing of mammals including mule deer, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, badgers, marmots and coyotes. There have been recent sightings of cougars in the nothern part of the Quincy Valley, and bald eagles along the Columbia River Gorge and even miles inland. Some of the prime wildlife watching areas in the Quincy Valley are the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area and the Winchester Lake Wildlife Area. The Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area is one of the most important waterfowl breeding grounds in Washington. Along with the ducks and other species who stay year-round in the area, millions of other birds use the area for resting and feeding as they make their annual migrations across the Pacific Flyway. The Winchester Lake Wildlife Area is also another important breeding ground and stopover on the Pacific Flyway. Both locations offer public hunting for gamebirds, including ducks, geese, chukar, partridge, quail and grouse. Before hunting, be sure to check with the Department of Fish and Wildlife at www.wdfw.wa.gov to learn all the regulations and restrictions and please follow all posted sings adn notices. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Dru Gimlin 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament » The Annual Dru Gimlin 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament in downtown Quincy. Started as a senior project by some of Dru's classmates, the event brings players and supporters from around the State. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Dru Gimlin Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarships, sponsors the "Jackrabbit Gold" free basketball camp for 3rd - 8th graders, purchases equipment and sponsors other activities. Last year the board used funds to pay for ASB cards for student athletes who couldn't afford them. For more information contact the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce at 787-2140 or at qvcc@quincyvalley.org. Dru Gimlin was a joy to watch play basketball. Dru at 6'9" and other center Anton Neff at 6'10" gave Quincy domination at the net. Not only was Dru a large factor at the net but he was also consistent outside the key and in the 3 point range. Dru was killed in a car accident his junior year and is missed by many but his memory and love for basketball will live on through the Dru Gimlin 3 on 3 Tournament. In 2003, tragedy struck our small quiet community when local athlete Dru Gimlin was killed in a car accident. A true athlete and lover of all sports, Dru had always wondered why all kids couldn’t participate. He was told that not all kids had the opportunities that were available to him and that many families struggle to make ends meet and so extra-curricular activities are often limited for them. So as tragic and unexpected as his death was; something good has arisen out of sorrow. April of that year, Jerry Morris and Kelly Range, two close friends of Dru’s organized a golf tournament to raise money to start a foundation in memory of Dru. They wanted the money to go to sports programs for kids and to help those athletes who struggle financially to play sports so they wouldn’t have the worries about the cost of equipment or the fees involved in playing. So thus, the Dru Gimlin Foundation was formed. In the spring of 2004, classmates Drew Ferguson, Joel Omlin and Kim Schorno carried on the funding of the foundation by organizing the first 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the streets of Quincy. Since then it’s become a tradition in the Quincy Valley for a few high school seniors to carry on the fundraising efforts and keep the original dream alive. The foundation has funded over 165 individual high school athletes for such things as: ASB cards, shoes, uniforms, gloves, tennis racquets, etc.) The foundation has also worked to maximize it’s donations by partnering with the Haas Foundation where each dollar from the DGF is matched to utilize the money more efficiently. The DGF also gives out yearly scholarships to both a male and female athlete in the value of $1,000. The DGF has given to Grid Kid Football, Quincy Youth Soccer, Jack Rabbit Basketball Camp (450 kids over 4 years), and has helped with funding many other sports organizations. Download the REGISTRATION FORM here Annually In June 8 A.M. to Dusk Boys Girls Divisions Grades 3-12 18 - Open Adult Divisions Dru Gimlin 3-On-3 Tournament Downtown Quincy, WA This tournament is to Benefit the Dru Gimlin Foundation and is held annually on a Saturday. To view more information about this tournament please visit the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce site http://www.quincyvalley.org/. You can also download the forms there and sign-up! Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Take a Hike or Bike »Take a Hike or Bike... The Quincy Valley is an outdoor enthousiast's mecca with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking or biking. Many trails are open year-round. Some of the best hiking trails are found at the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area, where trails cut through the same landscape that was formed by ancient floodwaters, which carved breathtaking vistas and valleys through basalt formations. Another prime hiking place is on The Nature Conservancy's property nother of Quincy on Monument Hill. The Frenchman Coulee near the Columbia River Gorge also offers picturesque hiking as well as rock climbing. Many of the trails are suitable for offroad bicycles. Road racers can enjoy cycling through the Quincy Valley's variable farmland on the many paved county roads, or participate in the Chamber of Commerce's annual Rock and Ride event through George, held each year in late June. See www.quincyvalley.org for an event schedule. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Boating » A RIVER OF FUN Columbia River is boating paradise.... Along with providing life-giving water to the crops of the Quincy Valley, the Columbia River, which forms the western border of the valley, provides residents and visitors alike with bounteous recreation opportunties. From boating, to jet-skiing, to swimming, fishing and exploring along the shoreline, there is something for everyone to do at the river. Access points to the river in the Quincy Valley include Crescent Bar, which is seven miles west of Quincy. Crescent Bar features several shops, restaurants, two golf courses, campgrounds and rental units. Sunland Estates, about 14 miles southwest of Quincy, also has a store, a public access beach and a boat launch. Other nearby public access points and boat launches are at Vantage and Wanapum State Park, about 20 miles southwest of Quincy off Interstate 90. Growing Up On Local Water Family fun on the Columbia River.... As a youth, Brock Laughlin spent many hours competing on the wather of the Columbia River At Crescent Bar. Laughlin, who now works for the City of Quincy and is married with two daughters, began as a competition water-skier when he was a teenager. Back then, the Crescent Bar area was home to serveral water-skiing meets, so Laughlin became familiar with the quality of skiing offered in the area. "Some of the best ski tournaments were down at Crescent Bar," Laughlin said. Even now, the Crescent Bar stretch of the river, which runs from Spanish Castle to Sunland, is one of his favorite places to go boating. "It's really a great place for all activities on the water," he said. "There is a great variety in the consistency of he water. There are great areas for competition-level slalom skiing and for boarding, tubing and recreational boating, and there are great secluded areas to moor a boat and set up camp for the day." Even on busy weekends, it can get pretty crowded and wild in some areas, but there are plenty of other places that are more mellow," he said. Boating is one of Laughlin's favorite family time activities. "We have a lot of fun and I like that we're all together in the boat enjoying our time together in the outdoors having fun," he said. "It really keeps the family tight and close." Along with the water conditions, the Columbia River Gorge offers an amazing backdrop for boating enthusiats. There's always something to see at every turn, with rolling hills on one side and towering basalt cliffs on the other and a variety of wildlife, birds and fish. And then there's the main attraction, the yellow sun that seems to perpetually shine in the summertime. "It's an amazing place to have fun on a boat," Laughlin said. Conditions on the river seem to change almost every time he takes the boat out. "Since the river level is constantly changing because of he dams, ou can sometimes find these amazing beach areas when the river level is low," he said. "That's a lot of fun for the kids." As an experienced Crescent Bar boater, Laughlin offers this tip for those who want to avoid the crowds. "Weekdays are always a good time to go down to Crescent Bar and we've found that Sunday afternoons are a good time, too, because people often will be leaving then," he said. "There have been some Sunday afternoons when we've almost had the river to ourselves. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Taste of Harvest »A TASTE OF HARVEST... Grapes and winemaking have been in the Quincy area longer than people realize. In Malaga, a few miles north of Quincy on the west side of the river, there was a vineyard and winery in the late 1800s which made, according to contemporary accounts, a sour white wine. Old pictures of eh brick house standing next to Chet's Honda in Quincy show a small vineyard out front, although the grapes were probably Concords and used for jelly and juice. There were pre-prohibition vineyards scattered throughout the state of Washington, but a failure to understand the unique needs of wine grapes adn prohibition itself caused these to be abandoned. Dr. Water Clore began experimenting with wine grapes at the Prosser research station in teh late 1960s and the modern era of winemaking began. Most people thought that grapes should not be grown nothe of I-90, but in teh late 1970s, Dr. Vince Bryan began looking for a cooler spot to plant Pinot Noir. His search brought him to the Ancient Lakes Basin in 1980, he and his wife, Carol, began planting what would become Champs de Brionne Winery, now near the Gorge at George. At the same time, Hunter Hill Winery planted near Othello and Wenatchee Valley Vintners planted in East Wenatchee. These early wineries were not necessarily successful, as they are now gone. But they showed the viability fo grape growing in the Quincy area. The Champs de Brionne Winery closed, but the Bryans continued cultivating vineyards. Over the years, their focus moved away from Pinot Noir and they planted in warmer spots, growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon, as well as other varieties. In 2000, the Bryons opened a new winery and tasting room called Cave B, which is located in the midst of their vineyard along Silica Road. In addition, they have constructed a destination resort adn restaurant in their vineyards. In 1990, White Heron Cellars, owned and operated by Cameron and Phyllis Fries, planted their vineyard above Crescent Bar. They grow Syrah, Roussanne, Malbec, and various other varieties that can be tasted at the winery in their vineyard above Crescent Bar. They also host a variety of chef nights, concerts, and other events throughout the year. In 1996, Ryan Patrick Vineyards began planting their vineyards in several locations around the western half of the Quincy Basin. Local vineyardist Butch Millbrandt is a large grower of wine grapes in teh Ancient Lakes Basin. Milbrandt Farms has several hundred acres of grapes overlooking Evergreen Lake and a new vineyard planted in the spring of 2007 overlooking Ancient Lakes, whose grapes he sells to various wineries throughout the state. Saint Laurent Estate Winery, owned by Michael and Laura Laurent Mrachek, was established in 2001. It has vineyards on the Wahluke Slope and at Malaga in the Wenatchee Valley. This family-operated winery creates wines under both the Saint Laurent Estate Winery labels and the "Lucky" blend labels. They have tasting rooms just outside of Quincy and in Malaga. Jone of Washington Winery has vineyards on the Wahluke Slope, but the center of their farming operation is in Quincy. They have planted extensive vineyards near Adams Road on the northeast side of the Basin. Their tasting room is on the western edge of Quincy on Highway 28. They were recently selected as Washington Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest. Beaumont Cellars, owned by Pete and Katie Beaumont, is the newest jewel in the crown fo Ancient Lakes wineries, hand crafting sumptuous award-winning wines in the midst of their orchards on the western edge of the Basin. Their tasting room is located on Road U NW, about 6 miles west of Quincy. There are currently well over 1000 acres of wine grapes in the Quincy Basin. In recognition of the unique qualities of this growing region, the qunicy Valley growers have banded together and are applying for an American Viticultural Area (AVA), which is awarded by the federal government. The name Ancient Lakes refers to the geological forces that shaped the region and will in the future be proudly displayed on our wine labels as a badge of quality and our own AVA. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Helicopter Wine Tours » Come Enjoy Helicopter or Limousine Wine Tours Via Limousine:Saint Laurent Winery (http://www.saintlaurent.net/) l Cave B Estate Winery (caveb.com) Horan Estates Winery (http://www.horanestateswinery.com/) l Martin-Scott Winery (http://www.martinscottwinery.com/) l Jones of Washington (http://www.jonesofwashington.com/) Beaumont Cellars (http://www.beaumontcellars.com/) Via Helicopter: Beaumont Cellars (http://www.beaumontcellars.com/) l Cave B Estate Winery (caveb.com) l Marin-Scott Winery (http://www.martinscottwinery.com/) l Malaga Springs Winery (http://www.malagaspringswinery.com/) Visit Flying M Air @ http://www.flyingmair.com/tours/central-washington (http://www.flyingmair.com/tours/central-washington) and see what they have to offer! By Reservation Only - Contact our Sales Office for Details The wineries we will visit will include Cave B, White Heron, Horan Estates, Martin-Scott Winery, and St.Laurent Winery. These are for the Quincy/Wenatchee wine tour. 509.787.BOOK (2665) | info@crescentbarresorts.com (> Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

Places to Stay! » Quincy, Washington has a number of places to stay to suit the needs of any traveler. Come stay with us in the Quincy Experience ! It's the perfect place to visit with our culinary delights, our ancient lakes, water sports, gorge concerts, fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, and much, much more. We have Restaurants with a clean and modern feel. In addition to the local businesses, Quincy is packed with exciting things to do! Hotels/Motels (Bed Breakfast): Country Cabin Motel Phone: (509) 787-0000 Website: Sundowner Inn Suites Phone: (509) 787-0000 Website: Cave B Inn (Sagecliffe Resort) Phone: (509) 785-2283 Website: www.cavebinn.com (http://www.cavebinn.com/) Crescent Bar Resorts, Inc. Phone: (206) 243-7979 or (509) 787-2665 Website: www.crescentbarresorts.com (http://www.crescentbarresorts.com/) The Crescent Hotel Phone: (509) 797-7001 Website: www.thecrescent-hotel.com (http://www.thecrescent-hotel.com/) The Ivy Chapel Inn Phone: (866) 991-4815 Website: www.theivychapelinn.net (http://www.theivychapelinn.net) Select Rentals at Crescent Bar and Sunserra Phone: (509) 787-1496 Website: www.selectrentals.com (http://www.selectrentals.com/) Suites at Crescent Bay Phone: (509) 787-1800 or (877) 787-5888 Website: www.suitesatcrescentbayresort.com/ (http://www.suitesatcrescentbayresort.com/) Quincy Inn Suites Phone: (509) 787-1919 Website: www.quincyinnandsuites.com (http://www.quincyinnandsuites.com) Campgrounds: Gorge Campground Phone: (509) 785-6262 Website: www.gorgecamping.com (http://www.gorgecamping.com/) Wildhorse Campground Phone: (509) 398-0543 Website: www.wildhorsecampground.com (http://www.wildhorsecampground.com) Resorts/RV Parks: Crescent Bar Resorts, Inc. Phone: (206) 243-7979 or (509) 787-2665 Website: www.crescentbarresorts.com (http://www.crescentbarresorts.com/) Crescent Bar, Inc. Phone: (509) 787-1511 x21 Website: www.crescentbarresort.com (http://www.crescentbarresort.com) Sun Basin RV Phone: (509) 787-0105 Website: www.sunbasinrvpark.com (http://www.sunbasinrvpark.com/) Stars and Stripes RV Park Phone: (509) 787-1062 Website: www.starsandstripesrvresort.com (http://www.starsandstripesrvresort.com) Monday, 14 September 2009 16:53

Fishing » Pikeminnow Fishing Derby Plan now to attend the Pikeminnow Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 18th-20th, 2012. CLICK HERE for DERBY RULES CLICK HERE to print REGISTRATION FORM Prizes include TWO fishing boats, motors and trailers! Additionally, we will be awarding 9,000.00 in total cash prizes!! One 12' Colville Model 12V Fishing Boat, Yamaha Motor and Boat Trailer One 16' Colville Model 1510V Fishing Boat, Yamaha Motor and Boat Trailer (The winners of the boats will be responsible for the tax and license of the boat and trailer.) /boats/ Online registration form: payment online incurs a $1.50 processing fee (included). src="http://www.quincyvalleytourism.org/Pikeminnow_Derby_Registration_Form.html",width="680",height="710" ENTRY FORM / WAIVER Sponsors, nor their agents, the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce, nor it's members, the City of Quincy or its employees, Grant County, Grant County PUD, Washington State, nor any of the Sponsors accepts any responsibility for loss, damage or injury to any vehicle, vessel, boat, equipment, contestant, passengers, guests, or observers during this event. By purchase of a Derby ticket or volunteering in any capacity, you release and discharge the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce and it's members, the Sponsors and all their associated affiliates and employees, for any and all judgements and/or claims from any cause whatsoever that may be suffered by an entrant to his/her person and/or property. The signature on this entry form denotes the agreement with all rules and waivers of liability by the above mentioned. Any entrant under 18 years of age requires the signature of a parent on the application. There’s Something Special About Evergreen Reservoir By Dave Graybill /fishing/ Whenever I suggest a trip to Evergreen Reservoir, my wife Eileen’s eyes light up. She knows were bound to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass. We’ve had our best day of bass fishing ever at Evergreen. There’s always chance, a slim one to be sure, that we’ll even tangle with a tiger muskie. These tigers add a touch of anticipation to Evergreen that most other bass waters don’t offer: great smallmouth and largemouth bass with tiger musky thrown in—that’s Evergreen. My wife Eileen and I made our first trip to Evergreen eight years ago. We motored all over the lake and eventually found a bunch of eager largemouth that couldn’t resist the Kiwi leech that she dug out of the tackle box. We’ve been hooked ever since. We have found that we can find largemouth and smallmouth bass from one end of the lake to the other. Sometimes the fishing has been slow, but when Evergreen is on, it is really on and the bass action can be fantastic. Evergreen is just built for it. The long shorelines offer a variety of bass-holding water, with steep basalt walls that have broken rock piles at their base, and there are some shallow bays surrounded by weed lines and brush. There are enough likely looking hiding places for bass to keep an angler busy all day. Since the 1.5 mile-long lake has 235 acres to explore. I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to bass fishing, but my wife and I have found a couple of methods that have proven successful. We started here as rookies and have learned some simple ways to catch fish. It doesn’t take complicated gear or techniques for the two of us to have a lot of fun catching bass at Evergreen. The first method we came up eight years ago was just casting a leech on a worm hook with a split shot about 18 inches up the line. This seems to work best when we cast these along weed beds in the bays. We just toss them close to shore and work them back to the boat. We also tend to do better on the smallmouth when we are using this method. Our best largemouth bass catches were made with a similar method. The difference was we used a plastic worm instead of a leech. We eased ourselves along the south shore. I kept the boat in 16 to 20 feet of water and cast close to shore. In most places we would be bouncing the worm down the slope of broken rock. In others there would be a shale slide that sloped into the depths. Every once in a while, when we lifted our rods to move the worm, it would seem heavy. That meant that a big largemouth had inhaled the worm. We would set the hook and the battle would begin! Another good method while fishing the same kind of structure is to fish stick baits. These don’t require a split shot and don’t hang up at all. These plastic baits can be cast, allowed to sink and then twitched. I have found that the slower I fish these baits the better success I have. It is important to watch your line when fishing with these baits. When the line moves, twitches or bounces—set the hook. To fish a leech, worm or stick bait, it is best to use a hook that is designed to be used with them. Most manufacturers will recommend a hook style and size to use with their baits. If you use a line test of 10-pound or even heavier, you will get your hook back more often if you get hung up. I have fished all three of these different baits with the same rod and reel; an 8 ½-foot spinning rod and spinning reel. It does the job. There are a lot of anglers who fish Evergreen who favor top water lures, crank baits or jerk baits. There are times when these are very effective. They can also increase your odds of doing business with a tiger muskie. Most of the tiger muskie at Evergreen are hooked when people are fishing for something else. That’s what happened to me. I had just finished fishing the south shore for bass and had worked my way to the west end of the lake. I had launched at the east end, and so I decided to troll a couple of crank baits over some water that could possibly hold some walleye. I pointed the boat up lake, set the trolling motor and cast one line out with a medium diving lure and put it in the rod holder. While I was rigging the second rod for us I heard a funny noise. It was the line peeling off the reel! I threw the rod I was rigging down and grabbed the rod that was bouncing in the rod holder. I thought I’d hooked a big walleye, but this fish just wasn’t coming in. It circled the boat twice before I got a look at it. All I could see was a big, brown shape at first, and then I could see those tiger musky stripes and that big toothy head. I was thinking I needed to get the tiger a little closer to the boat when out of the corner of my eye I saw a net shoot out and under the fish! Eileen had the net and somehow managed to get that overlarge fish into it and into the boat. Wow. The fish turned out to be 33 inches long. It was just three inches short of being a keeper. No matter. We let it swim away and celebrated. It was a great way to end the day. Not every day at Evergreen is going to turn out this way, but the possibility is always there. This is what keeps us looking forward to our next trip to the reservoir. From spring through fall the bass are waiting, and the tiger musky, well, you never know. Evergreen is one of the lakes in the Quincy Wildlife Area, and that’s means it’s a quick trip from Wenatchee. There are two improved launches at the lake. One launch is at the west end that is accessed from the main road to the Quincy lakes off White Trail Road. The other is reached from Highway 281, the main highway from Quincy to George. Both are served by good gravel roads and the parking areas include pit toilets. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for wind when planning a trip to Evergreen. High winds can really spoil your day here. Monday, 14 September 2009 16:50

Ginkgo Petrified Forest »Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park/Wanapum Recreational Area is a 7,470-acre (3,023 ha) state park at Vantage, Washington including 27,000 feet (8.2 kilometers) of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. It contains many examples of petrified wood found in the area. There is a museum center at the site, and an interpretive trail. Over 50 species are found petrified at the site, including ginkgo, sweetgum, redwood, Douglas fir, walnut, spruce, elm, maple, horse chestnut, cottonwood, magnolia, madrone, sassafras, yew, and witch hazel. The museum also includes many Wanapum petroglyphs. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:25

Grandfather Cut's Loose the Ponies » Vantage, Washington and bordering the Columbia River Gorge sits a very peculiar art installation: Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. Created by David Govedare as an homage to an ancient Native legend about how horses first roamed the earth, the exhibit is awesome though surprisingly incomplete. Originally planned as a series of horses emerging from a man holding a basket the funds ran out sometime during the process. The result: 15 horses and no man with a basket. No matter, with horses this strikingly beautiful what we do have in Vantage is breathtaking and awe inspiring in spite of its incomplete status. Billed from Interstate-90 as "Wild Horses" it is easy to see why: this pack of steel horses look real. With each bearing its own unique pose getting wrapped up in this strange occurance of art in an otherwise serene and barren area is par for the course. Surrounded by a gorgeous vista it isn't beyond the imagination to spend an hour merely ascending horse hill, inspecting the broncs, and staring into the distance at the stunning gorge. Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies, though hardly well known outside the Central Washington area, is nonetheless one of my favorite art pieces ever. The fact that there is more work to be done (which may or may not ever happen) only adds mystique to its legendary status. The horses can be appreciated by pulling over at designated view points on the east and west sides of the freeway. The eastbound view point provides an access point to hike up to the sculpture. It's a short hike, about 200 yards, but very vertical. Seeing the horses at eye level, as well as the breathtaking view of the Columbia River Gorge, especially at dawn or dusk, is well worth the climb. If you're ever in the Central Washington area, Grandfather is a must. You won't be disappointed. View the photos here: http://undependentmedia.com/TravelsGrandfather.htm (http://undependentmedia.com/TravelsGrandfather.htm) Monday, 14 September 2009 14:26

Sun Lakes State Park »Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is a 4,027-acre camping park with 73,640 feet of freshwater shoreline at the foot of Dry Falls. Dry Falls is one of the great geological wonders of North America. Carved by Ice Age floods that long ago disappeared, the former waterfall is now a stark cliff, 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide. In its heyday, the waterfall was four times the size of Niagara Falls. Today it overlooks a desert oasis filled with lakes and abundant wildlife. The park's dramatic landscape was formed by Ice Age floods that swept through the area 15,000 years ago. The park and the interesting exhibits at Dry Falls Visitor Center offer many opportunities for people to learn about this unusual landscape. Special programs, hikes, talks and classroom visits are available by appointment, through the visitor center, (509) 632-5214. Other park features, available seasonally, include boat rentals, a nine-hole golf course and a miniature golf course. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:26

Reiman-Simmons House »A 1904 historic farmhouse listed on the Washington Heritage Register THE PIONEER DREAM The story of the family who built the Reiman-Simmons House is the story of many immigrants to America at the turn of the 20th century. With the offer of free land, they came here to seek a better life. From German Russians, to Japanese and Ukranians who settled here in the early years, to the more recent arrivals from Mexico, South America and even Iran, the Quincy Valley is a melting pot of people in the sagebrush desert. This story, this dream, diverse, yet so similar for all who came, is a story that we want to tell through the restoration of this home. Call 509.787.3757 if you desire more information. You may also mail to QVHSM (Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum), P.O. Box 1003, Quincy, WA 98848 or at the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce office. Monday, 14 September 2009 14:27

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05.26.2012 - 05.27.2012 Kites & Chutes Festival @ Parties on the Green
06.09.2012 Dru Gimlin 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
06.09.2012 CoffeeHouse @ George
06.15.2012 Spring Swing Golf Tournament @ Colockum Ridge
06.16.2012 QVTA Wine & Beer Garden

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