Sun - Day Two

On Tuesday Lindsey and I arrived in Yakima. Yesterday we spent most of the day in sessions at the conference. It is a conference for the WA state community college student service employees. It happens every three years and not always in the same city, of course.

Yakima is on the east side of the mountains and therefore doesn't have the clouds and rain as the west side does. The Cascade Mountains keep the clouds over us. It is much like the higher desert in So. Cali where it does get snow in the winter. There is a sign that says "Welcome to Yakima, The Palm Springs of Washington". It is more like the Apple Valley of Washington but it has sunshine at this time of year which is a Godsend to those from the west side. There are many wineries to explore like there were in California before the houses and malls went up in the Inland Empire and other places.

On one of our breaks yesterday, Lindsey and I explored some downtown shops and bought some wine. I bought a white wine from Waterbrook. Since I am writing this from my blackberry I can't refer you to the website. But all the wines in the shop were from Washington. I am not a big wine drinker but I love the vineyards and learning. I will drink small amounts but will let Dave or my company have most of it. I decided long ago with my family's history to be very modest in drinking so I am a lightweight. For others, it's ok. It's like sugar for diabetics. I am not but I have a history of that too in my family,so again, being careful is wise. I'll eat the small half of a slice of cake and not the rest. I don't feel left out from anything that way.

The coordinator's of the conference felt we all needed to laugh so the hired a comedian and for an hour we really laughed hard. He was great!

Lindsey is taking her shower while I type this out on my phone. She is impressed that I can do this. She is 24 and to impress a young person with my knowledge of technology is high praise.

Talk to you when I get back on the west side. Have a good day!