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Southeast Washington, including Yakima and
Ellensburg, is its own melting pot, with strong influences from Mexican
and Native American cultures. Residents are farmers, nuclear scientists,
cowboys, college students, entrepreneurs, and good ol' boys. They enjoy
a slower, more casual pace than in urban areas. People look at you funny
if you carry an umbrella, and it's a rare restaurant that requires a
jacket and tie. Of course, each City has its
bragging points. Ellensburg is famous for its lamb, chimpanzee
linguistic research, and Labor Day rodeo; Yakima is known for outdoor
activities, wineries, and fruit trees. In fact, the Yakima Valley has
more fruit trees than any other county in the United States and is first
in production of apples, mint, winter pears, and hops. Not surprisingly,
the importance of agriculture overflows into area tourist attractions,
including the American Hop Museum in Toppenish and the Central
Washington Agricultural Museum in Union Gap.
The Yakima Valley's agricultural industry has drawn
migrant workers from Mexico, Texas, and California, resulting in a large
Hispanic population and a culturally rich community. Over the years,
many migrant families have settled in the area, bringing their native
culture-and cuisine-with them. Be sure to visit a couple of Yakima's
authentic Mexican restaurants to taste for yourself.
At first glance Yakima seems a city of freeway
exits and strip malls. A closer look, however, reveals places like the
North Front Street Historical District, where a 22-car train now
houses shops selling everything from women's clothing to stationery and
children's toys, and restaurants. There's also the Yakima Valley
Museum, which appeals to all ages with exhibits of pioneer
equipment, a children's "underground" museum, a thorough display on
Yakima native Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, and an
old-fashioned soda fountain.
The Greenway is a 10-mile-long path along the
Yakima and Naches Rivers for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and
in-line skaters. The paved path has nature trail offshoots that
sometimes allow a view of bald eagles or blue herons. Spend any time
outdoors here and you'll see that spaces are wide-open, the clouds-if
there are any-are high above your head, and you feel like you can see a
million miles in the clear, dry air. |
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