Spring Break 2011 - Wenatchee

We didn't have any plans for spring break but wanted to do something. We decided at the last minute to head to Wenatchee for spring break and stay with my dad. Without realizing it we ended up doing a childhood tour of sorts from when Eric and I were kids, taking the girls to all the places we remembered going with our parents or with school field trips. First stop: Rocky Reach Dam.

It was just the same as I remembered it with the exception of the security guard as you pull in, the metal detectors and the purse inspection as you enter. Just one more thing that has changed since 9/11. I also didn't see any bunnies, they used to be all over the grass area and lived under all the shrubs. I don't know if they were hiding or don't come out until summer.

The girls experiencing some of the hands on equipment. She is generating electricity!

Some info about Rocky Reach Dam:

Rocky Reach Dam spans the Columbia River just a few miles north of the city of Wenatchee, Washington. Construction of the dam began in 1956 and it has gone on to benefit millions of North Central Washington residents and visitors by providing affordable hydroelectric power as well as recreational and irrigation opportunities.

The section of the Columbia River where water is backed up behind Rocky Reach Dam is referred to as Lake Entiat. Boating and fishing are popular activities in the Lake Entiat area.

Construction started on the dam in 1956 and it went into commercial operation with seven generators in 1961 (six months ahead of schedule).

Four additional generators were installed in 1969.

The original site considered for the dam was about one mile upriver of where it currently sits.

Rocky Reach Dam was featured on an episode of ‘Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe’ on the Discovery Channel.

During the initial construction of the dam, 3.3 million cubic yards of dirt and rock were moved to make way for the structure.

The cost of the original project was over 270 million dollars and no tax money was used. Bonds were sold to fund the project with future energy sales going towards paying off the bonds.

Because of the raising of the water level behind the dam; rail tracks, a highway, and almost the entire town of Entiat had to be relocated.

Rocky Reach Dam is home to 11 generators with a peak generating capacity of 1,401,000 kilowatts.

There are 12 spillway gates.

Employment on the project peaked in July of 1961 with 2,184 employees.

A state-of-the-art juvenile fish bypass was built across the dam in 2003.

I remember doing this same thing as a kid.

I used to go to the Owl Soda Fountain with my grandma as a kid. Although it's no longer located in Owl Drug and it has moved down the block the milkshakes were enjoyed by my kids as much as I enjoyed them with my grandma.

She was having a ton of fun on here until they turned it on (hence the face). It was only on for a second (notice the closed garage door). This is my brothers motorcycle. We went there for dinner one night while there and the girls got to see their brand new puppy. I'm bummed I forgot to take a picture of Puppy Jake.

One morning in Wenatchee Kennedy woke up saying her ear hurt. I panicked that she was getting another ear infection (or just that her first one several weeks ago didn't fully go away). We took her to a walk in clinic. The doctor was quick to prescribe and encourage antibiotics even though she couldn't see an infection She assured us it would keep coming back without taking some. I reluctantly agreed and we filled the prescription. She was fine all day but I tried to give her a dose before bed that night against my better judgement and she spit half of it out. She was fine all night and I didn't give her anymore. I did call her doctor's office the next day to make sure that was okay since you are not supposed to stop antibiotics mid-course but since I had only given her 1/2 of a dose (out of 20) she said it was fine to stop. She has been fine ever since!

The next day we took the girls to Aplets and Cotlets in Cashmere for their tour (again, something Eric and I both did on field trips as kids). It was a very short tour but fun. Kennedy freaked out when they asked us to all put on hairnets before entering so Eric and her waited outside. It was neat to see how this candy is made. Aplets and Cotlets is an acquired taste and I never really acquired it. It's okay but the girls both spit theirs out.

Madison in her hair net.

After our stop in Cashmere we stopped at Smallwood's on the way to Leavenworth. We have gone here before with the girls, it's a fun place. It's a large farm stand with a petting zoo and lots of other fun stuff for kids to do.

Trying to rope the steer.

They LOVED these horse swings made from old tires.

When we got to Leavenworth we went for a walk. We headed to Blackbird Island.

Blackbird Island:

Just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of downtown Leavenworth lays a birdwatcher’s haven. Nestled along the Wenatchee River, Blackbird Island is home and refuge to an assortment of wildlife. The diverse habitat hosts seasonal favorites from Bald Eagles and Osprey fishing the rapids, to a large variety of warblers and other spring migrants. Flashes of color in the thickets could be a Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting or American Goldfinches. Secretive tree nesters such as Wood Ducks are common, as are a variety of other waterfowl.

The girls loved finding a few patches of snow. The weather was beautiful that day so the snow was that much more exciting!

We had an amazing Spring Break. We did many more things than I took pictures of. We went to my nephew's baseball game at Eric's and my old High School, we went and saw Eric's mom (Grandma Barb), we ate at our favorite place to eat in Wenatchee (Larry's Drive In) and much more. The girls loved playing with Grandpa's dog, Bella and that sparked a lot of talk about wanting a pet. It was great to get away from home, do some fun family things and just spend time together. I think we'll have memories of this trip for a lifetime.