A Great Week for FFOFC

The week just past exemplified the charter of our group. We had 6 activities participated in by 98 people. A walk, a hike, a paddle trip, a bike ride, a dinner-show outing, and a social-bocce ball/blongo ball game. The hike, led by Mary Cooke, provided a magnificent venue for an activity that matched the capabilities of us all. The hikers stopped for lunch at Burnt Mountain with stunning views of Washington’s mountain ranges. Some persons continued hiking. Two of those reached the summit of Shellrock Peak. All met back at the vehicles, scaled Snipes Mountain (a brew pub in Sunnyside) and return home with a real feeling of well being. If you see an Activity Committee Chair or an event leader, say a word of thanks for their efforts.

Badger Mountain Walk – Beccy Chiaramonte

Perfect summer weather greeted fourteen climbers. John Roberts, Edie and Tom Weltey (John’s sister and brother-in-law), Mary and George Cooke, Gretchen Makinson, Gay Fitzgibbon, Charles Rogers, Wilma Page, Margaret McCulloch, Sharon Grant, Ilene Hogaboam, Mary Wolfe and Beccy Chiaramonte. Come join us next time at the Shockley Rd. Trailhead.

Badger Mountain Group [bc]

William Douglas Wilderness Hike – Mary Cooke

Nineteen people enjoyed a beautiful day hiking in the William Douglas Wilderness on a trail from Cash Prairie to various points along the way to Shellrock Peak. The flowers were in full bloom and the views were wonderful. At 6500 feet we were staring at Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, the Goat Rocks and to the north the Stuart range and beyond. We had lunch at Burnt Mountain, 2.4 miles into the hike. Many stayed there to enjoy the views and take their time coming back. Others went on to try and find the trail to Shellrock Peak for a total return trip of 8.2 miles. Only Pam and Kent, starting out early, made the trip to the top finding their own trail up the peak. Although the trail was along a ridge, there were many ups and downs resulting in cumulative elevation gains of between 1400 ft (Burnt Mtn) to around 3400 (top of Shellrock). We all paid for the downhill stretches on our way back. Tired, hungry and thirsty, we stopped at Snipes Mountain Brewery to revive ourselves. The hikers were: Joe Pavlinac, Susan Kayser, Andrew and Diana Stephens, Bev and Jim Hunter, Pam Woodward, Gwen Rawlings, Max Vogel, Jane Giardino, Leigh Williams, Becky and Dave Bechtold, Kent Richert, Bruce and Eileen Nicoll, Dave Harris, Dennis Trimble, and Mary Cooke.

Meerkats at the Burnt Mountain Summit [dh]

Walla Walla Bike Ride – Dave Harris

The trip started in a strong wind and a cloud of dust over the Tri-Cities exceeded by the brown atmosphere as we neared Walla Walla. After a short consultation, 10 riders decided to give it a try and were amply rewarded by a slight breeze and a sunny trip. The ride toured the almost vacant Whitman College campus, Pioneer Park (which is a huge expanse of grass, trees, garden and picnic areas), through the historic, well kept houses (from the late 1800’s) and on to very nice lunch at Olives. On the trip were: Bruce and Eileen Nicoll, Margery Runyon, Harold and Barb Whitney, Jerry and Beccy Chiramonte, Pat and Dave Harris, and Kathy Walker.

At the Whitman College Campus [kw]

Evening Paddle to Anthony’s – Don Hogaboam

Row, row, rowed our boats gently down the mighty Columbia. In the setting sun, 13 kayaks and 2 canoes left North Richland arriving at the Richland boat launch area just as darkness approached. This was an easy trip under the guidance of Larry Thomas and Dennis Trimble. It followed the water side of the bike path that we have toured many times. At Anthony’s Restaurant, we were welcomed in our boating attire and spent another hour on the deck enjoying the warm evening and the good company. The boaters were: Larry and Mary Thomas, Rich and Darlene Nelson, Tania Ignatova, Ilene Hogaboam, Pat and Dave Harris, Leslie O’Neil, Dennis Trimble, Max Vogel, Rudy Allemann, Barb LaPrath, Margie Runyon, Rick and Carol Kerkow and Mary Peters. Mary Ann Allemann and Don Hogaboam (recovering from a broken hand) join the celebration at Anthony’s.

FFOFC Flotilla Leaving North Richland [dh]

Bocce and Blongo Ball Outing – Carol Kerkow

Ten people enjoyed this Saturday outing at Kerkow’s house. Two were smart enough to bring their swim suits and cooled off in the pool. Although no champions evolved, everyone had a good time trying, and in partaking of the potluck dishes. All members and guests are invited to attend the next games event in August. Remember to bring your swim suits.

Thinking About Playing Bocce Ball [ck]

--- About Us –

--- The picture last week was of the swallow nests in the basalt columns of Deep Lake. This week you may be able to guess what this is, but can you describe the taste? Or for the flower people, What is this plant found at about 6500 feet?

Upcoming Events – Check the Website Calendar for the Details

July 19th – Start of the multi-day outing at Pearrygin Lake – Contact Dick Jaquish

July 20th – Badger Mountain walk – Meet at the Shockley Road access at 7:30am

July 22nd – Community service highway pickup – Meet at the Brick House Pizza, 8:30am

July 22nd – Tennis social – all levels of ability welcome – Lawrence Scott Park at 5pm

July 23rd – Walk along the Richland Shelterbelt –Meet at the Westgate parking lot at 8am

July 24th – Paddle the Yakima River from Benton City – Contact Verle Coleman

July 26th – Bike ride on the Sacagawea Trail – Contact Wilma Page

July 26th – Lecture on Ethiopia by Kent Richert – Contact Margery Runyon

July 26th – Walk up Badger Mountain under the full moon –

Meet at the Dalles Road access at 7pm

July 27th – Badger Mountain walk – Meet at the Dalles Road access at 7:30am

(unless you slept overnight on the mountain)

Please share this update with persons who might enjoy participating in any of the activities we offer. New members bring new ideas, new places to go, and interesting fellow travelers.