Hanford Reach National Monument is a beautiful area abundant with distinguishing natural landmarks…read more The monument is broken up into a number of different sections, termed units, with different access availabilities. Something to check out in advance if you are thinking of going. Highway 24 (WA-24) makes its way through some of the monument and there are occasional informational/interpretive signs alongside the highway in pullouts. The monument forms a roughly horseshoe shape around the Hanford Nuclear Site a Department of Energy (DOE) site. The importance of the Hanford Reach National Monument is highlighted through the signs providing integrated background of the area and the nuclear site utility locally and in human history. Provides a sobering reminder that the manufacturing and building of man-made structures and technologies, including nuclear reactors, need to be offset with the preservation of areas of pure nature to sustain life on Earth. If the prospect of high radiation doses makes you faint just thinking about it, then it may be best you don't come to a place like this. My work has brought me into the world of nuclear physics more than once and for me fear mongering tactics have long since worn off. Some things aren't so scary when you get to know it/them. I chose to drive out to the White Bluffs Lookout area and the road to the area was gravel and several miles long. The turn-off to this road is located near milepost 63.2 on Highway 24. My car ended up getting rather dusty by the time we made it to the parking lot. I saw only one other car while I was there, a maintenance vehicle. The interpretive signs help provide social and historical context for the monument and are worth a read no matter how familiar you are with the topics presented. A closed road, which one can walk, runs along some spectacular rock outcrops. I chose to eat my packed lunch along the side of this road after walking a little ways. After lunch I did a little bird watching and returned to my car. Very windy on my visit on the 12th of August 2020.

an affront to the senses since 1978 the Ed Hendler Bridge connects Kennewick to Pasco in the worst…read morepossible way. when it was dedicated it was the first major cable stayed bridge in the United States and the second longest in the world coming in at just over 2500 feet long and carrying Washington 379 some 50 feet above the Columbia River. adding insult to injury the last bit of the way cooler looking cantilevered Green Bridge (officially: the Pasco-Kennewick Bridge) that it "replaced" sits as a viewing platform beside. it's not too horrible for a cable stayed bridge but I wouldn't want it in my backyard...

The Cable Bridge, officially called the Ed Hendler Bridge and sometimes the Intercity Bridge, spans…read morethe Columbia River between Pasco and Kennewick as State Route 397. It was constructed in 1978 and replaced the Pasco-Kennewick Bridge, an earlier span built in 1922 and demolished in 1990. I not only crossed this bridge, but got to see it up close from a boat on the Columbia River (in and out from Clover Island). The "cable stayed" design is quite a sight to see and admire. The Cable Bridge, from the time of its opening, has proved to be a popular landmark in the Tri-City area, so much so it has become an unofficial symbol of the area. The Bridge is lit up at night, and there's an annual Cable Bridge Run across the span. At the foot of the Kennewick end is the Tri-Cities Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The remaining pier of the old Pasco-Kennewick bridge now serves as a scenic lookout, from which one can view its successor bridge.

it's a bridge! and it's blue! and the official name 'Pioneer Memorial Bridge' never had a chance…read more it's not really a bad bridge but it's not really noteworthy either except that it was originally green like the Green Bridge that it replaced and now it's blue. and now the Blue Bridge is about gonna get a fresh coat of blue! the project started some six years ago and work just recently resumed after a years-long hiatus just in time to spoil the commute for thousands of people in the tri-cities area for about fifteen more months. yea!? clocking in a little over 2500 feet from the tips the Blue Bridge caries Route 395 and a much maligned pedestrian way across the Columbia River from Kennewick to Pasco and back. like almost every bridge in the world it is not up to handling the amount of traffic it sees but if y'all drive nice, move over early, and learn to zipper-merge it should work okay for a while longer :-)

A bridge builder once told my uncle and I in Idaho the taller you build it the more likely people…read morewill commit suicide on it (it was a lot dirtier than that but I cleaned it up for Yelp). Now this bridge isn't tall like the one's those peeps are looking for but the jump still isn't pain free unless the dive is perfect. However with that said if you're a good climber you can reach that sexy red/white/blue USA flag on top before plummeting towards the frigid Columbia Blue. Finally, the bridge is like a D- for safety so make sure you don't fall through like the bridge on I-5 in Western WA.

I love lighthouses and feel that they are a still a novelty to me after living in the Pacific…read moreNorthwest for over ten years and the fact of being born and raised in landlocked states prior to moving to the West Coast. Normally they are along the coast that we go to see and visit but the Clover Island Lighthouse is a river light house for the Columbia River. There used to be quite a few river lights along the Columbia but if memory serves most of them fell into disrepair or torn down. The Clover Island Lighthouse is quite new by lighthouse standards as it was built in 2010 on Clover Island where events are held as well as river views. It also serves a landmark for the island. Being such a new lighthouse I suspect it's used more for tourism rather than for practical purposes but I wouldn't rule that out either as the Columbia River is a very busy river for boat traffic. It's a little bit of a surprise to me that there was even a lighthouse in Tri-Cities as they are definitely situated in the desert but that makes it ironical in a fun way as well. Quite a few of the lighthouses on the coast have similar paint jobs and some are built similarly as well. I know there is a vast array of different lighthouses in all shapes and sizes but those seem to be more common in Michigan from what I gather. So it was quite refreshing to see a lighthouse that was not only new but also has a stucco look to it which is very appropriate for the arid environment and other housing in areas like this. The island is pretty small and there is a restaurant there and Ice Harbor Brewing has a location on the island as well so you can eat and drink along with taking a gander at this cute little lighthouse as well and any marina activities that are available for those with boats.

We stopped here for about 10 minutes to check out the lighthouse when we were in the area. It's a…read morenice quick little stop with some history. There are great views of the water and bridge and there is plenty of parking. It's definitely worth a stop if you have a few minutes. The sunset here was lovely and we were entertained by some jet skiiers on the water. There was also an ice cream vendor but he was closing up when we arrived.

This is the first major cable stayed bridge in the US. It is a very cool looking bridge. There is…read morea small parking area on the N side that provides access to the paved trail that runs along the river. This also provides excellent views of the bridge and the barges running the river.

I'm surprised no one is ever there. Great place in the winter to walk your dog. Today, I only saw a…read moretour bus.

Outdoor adventures, and interactive museum!! This place is definitely well managed and ready for…read morepeople to explore. DISCOVERY PASS is required to gain entry; or 10 dollar day pass. This park is at the confluence of the Snake River and Columbia River. In addition, great information about Sacajawea and how she helped Lewis and Clark navigate along the rivers starting in 1805. Plenty of trees to keep cool during summer months.

Roundabouts scare me. When I was in Scotland and England a few years ago, I popped out a few…read morethousand gray hairs whenever I twirled around their crazy roundies! And now the Kennewick, has started to employ roundabouts within its city limits. I know there are nice reasons for having these roadway features, but they still creep me out. But the one, which takes the cake is the "double roundabout" at the 395/240 interchange! It looks nice and interesting from above....from a satellite. But from behind a wheel...it can be hair-raising! I guess I don't mind driving them that much. My biggest fear are the other drivers. I get cut off countless times. I swear I get nearly nipped on every entry. If you'd like some entertainment. I'd say grab a patch of ground above this engineering feat, and then watch the madness! Surely with the Blue Bridge nearby (notorious for being cause of the most accidents in the Tri-Cities) & this roundabout, auto insurance people will have their work cut out for them with these two scary driving attractions!

My first experiences with roundabouts were in England, luckily in the passenger side of the car…read more(that's the left side). The person driving grew up in England and had roundabouts down to an art, easily cruising through, not braking, not slowing down (I swear he always accelerated), and on the other side of the road. So, when roundabouts came to this country, my mind was conditioned to driving through a roundabout on the English side. This roundabout really is not the mother of all roundabouts, but it is unique for two reasons: it's a double and you can check in on Yelp! I'm not sure why it doesn't merit a 5 star rating from everyone? It keeps the traffic flowing. Perhaps, it's the ability to check into Yelp while driving. Warning: don't try this on your own.

I took the train from Washington to Oregon that should have been on time and it wasn't. It was…read moredelayed twice for an hour both times. The train was so dirty I couldn't see out the windows! Even though the Steward swept the floor when we got close to Portland he only swept the aisles. The seats were filthy. When I had to take the train back to Washington, with my granddaughter, we were then told the train wasn't coming at all and we had to ride a bus back. Not a normal Greyhound bus but a small party bus jammed packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, a sack lunch from Subway, that I couldn't eat, no bathroom and the seats were ridiculously hard and had to sit straight up! I'm almost 70yrs old and that was very painful on a 4 hour ride! For the money I paid, and no reduced charges it was HELL! I'll not take the train ever again and I'm telling everyone I know across the country not to either!!!

Thursday, 07/12/2024,…read more Up since 4:30am, Three weary travelers from Pasco, WA to Portland, OR, with a change of trains from Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA -arrived early for their 6:40am departure on The Empire Builder. Only to find out our train had been delayed by 4 hours and was now departing at 10:35am. We checked our 2 largest pieces of luggage and decided to just wait at the station, as our family friend DR had already dropped us off & gone on to work. Well about 7:30am the Amtrak employee who works the desk came by and gave us a 5.11 oz. Snack box filled with: Hummus, Cheese Spread, Almonds, Brownie Crisps, Crackers, Beef Stick & Dried Apples! FREE! WOW, what a wonderful service and it saved us from having to buy snacks with our own $! I'm highly recommend taking this train. Thanks Amtrak!

We had such a blast the other day that we decided to come back and bring the whole family and some…read morefriends too! The tulips had fully bloomed by now and the pictures were absolutely beautiful. We had to wonder if we were in Pasco or in Holland.

First time here with the grand children. They had a blast, restrooms super clean, food was good,…read morelots of activities to do with the little ones. Over all service was great, free rides, great value for the family.

I have been to this place a couple times and always enjoy the experience. The views, the wine, and…read morethe service are all great. They have some great Tuscan style wines if you are into those. Outside of Tuscany this is the only other winery I have been to that is close to what I tried in Italy. Must check out!

Excellent wine and friendly people. Relaxed old world feel with an expansive view (even on a Smokey…read moreSaturday).