Proud of FFOFC

Newly Adopted Highway-July 2010 Cleanup Crew [dh]

Check out Van Giesen Street between Richland and West Richland. All spiffed up by the efforts of 19 FFOFC members working 2 ½ hours in the morning sun. They walked 2 miles, collected 61 bags of litter, and 6 cubic feet of assorted pieces of wood, steel, cardboard and plastic. Four items were reported to the state for their pickup. Several interesting items were found, but not the cell phone that a driver stopped and asked if we had seen it. It was obvious that this stretch of road had not been cleaned for quite a while. Kudos to: Bruce and Eileen Nicoll, Bill and Laura Broderick, Diana Stevens, Dave Bechtold, Rudy Allemann, Margaret McCulloch, Jerry White, Kathy Walker, Cindy Mullins, Paul Schreiber, Verle Coleman, Jerry and Beccy Chiaramonte, Norbert and Annie Hoppe, and Pat and Dave Harris.

We will have another opportunity to do this again in November. You may be able to sign on to this special event if you are really good (the Tom Sawyer approach). It would be great to have a whole different crew. Get some exercise while doing something for the community.

Multi-day Event at Pearrygin Lake – Dick Jaquish

A lively group of 27 FFOF campers and friends (largest campout ever) gathered at Pearrygin Lake July 19-22. Nineteen of the group stayed at the State Park and 8 stayed in other facilities in the Winthrop area. On Tuesday our day began with a drive to Sun Mountain Lodge where the group went on a 4 mile hike on one of the many trails in the area. Ending the hike with an uphill march on an open hillside, we were ready for lunch at the Lodge. We ate on the deck with a beautiful view of the Methow Valley. After lunch we toured the Forest Service Smoke Jumpers base in Winthrop. On Wednesday morning we drove north on the Chewuch River to a falls called Falls Creek Falls. It was a short walk to a beautiful waterfall cascading down the mountain. In the evening we went to dinner at a restaurant on the Twisp River. After dinner, back at camp, Jim Crawford our cowboy poet and musician entertained us. A good time was had by all.

Hiking at Sun Mountain Potluck Dinner at Camp

The Whole Group (Minus Rich) Clarence Fishing at Pearrygin Lake

Walk up Badger Mountain – Beccy Chiaramonte

A total of 11 friendly and fit hikers enjoyed a warm summer morning scaling Badger Mountain from the Shockley Road access. Hikers: Carol Kerkow, Tom and Wilma Page, Dave Harris, Mary Cooke, Margaret McCulloch, John Roberts, Diana Stevens, Charles Rogers, Gretchen Makinson and Beccy Chiaramonte. See you next Monday 7/26 at the Dallas Trailhead -- evening 7 p.m. Sunset and Full Moon viewing. Then again, Tuesday 7/27 at Dallas Trailhead for the regular hike at 7:30 am

No Sweat on Badger [bc]

A Walk in the Shade – Wilma Page

Joanne Holloman, Margaret McCulloch, Dave Harris, Sue Crosser, Diana Stevens, Bev Hunter, Beccy Chiaramonte and Wilma Page walked about 4 miles in the cool shade of the Richland Shelterbelt. We agreed that it was probably about the only shady area to walk in the Tri-Cities, especially in the morning and at mid-day. Afterward we enjoyed assorted beverages at Barracuda Coffee.

Shady Characters [wp]

Yakima River Paddle Trip – Verle Coleman

As we paddled down the river at about 250 miles per hour slower than the hydroplanes, it was evident how quiet and pleasant this was. This Saturday event attracted 20 kayaks and 20 paddlers for about 4 hours on the water, navigating through some mild rapids, some shallow water and some just floating along. Luncheon was held on an island in the middle of the river. Much of the wildlife, except the dragon flies, was hiding in the shade. The kayakers were: Kathy Walker, Pat and Dave Harris, Pam and Scott Woodward, Bruce and Eileen Nicoll, Rudy Allemann, Ron Claghorn, Jay and Barbara Thomas, Max Vogel, Dennis Trimble, Joanne Holloman, Verle Coleman, and 5 guests.

Kayakers in Action [rl]

The Yakima Conquered

Tennis – Carol Kerkow

We had six enthusiastic tennis players come tonight - Dave Harris, Pam and Tom Conrads, Mary Thomas, Carol and Rick Kerkow. In spite of the wind, we managed many accurate, and sometimes (often?) LONG shots. Of course, there was the other side of the net, where all the shots were short! Anyway we managed tennis in the wind. We did adjourn a little early to our favorite watering hole - Three Margaritas to discuss the tennis, and the travels of some. A good time was had by all.

Remembering Only the Good Shots [ck]

--- About Us –

--- Zoe Quirk’s memorial service will be held on Friday July 30th, at the Richland Community Center starting at 2 pm. An invitation with the detail was emailed to members. If you need further information please contact Dave Harris.

--- Dave and Becky Bechtold started on a 300 mile bike ride in the mountains and Craters of the Moon area in central Idaho.

--- Check out Monday’s, July 29th, triple header - bike in the morning, free lunch and Ethiopia talk by Kent Richert at the Charbonneau, and the evening walk up Badger. Do one, two or all three.

--- The picture last week was that of a soft drink popular in Russia. It tastes like rye bread. Definitely an acquired taste! The flower remains a mystery.

--- This week’s picture was taken on the island in the Yakima River. What sort of geology is this?

Upcoming Events – Check the Website Calendar for the Details

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 in the twilight – 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)

July 28th – Hike up Thorp Mountain near Cle Elum – Contact Dave Harris

July 29th – Paddle the Little Spokane River – Contact Bill Kinner

August 2nd – Bike ride on a different part of the Sacagawea Trail – Contact Wilma Page

August 3rd – Badger Mountain Walk – Meet at the Shockley Road access at 7:30

August 4th – Fat tire bike ride on the John Wayne Trail near Easton – Contact Dennis Trimble

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.