Richland, WA July 3- August 2

We enjoyed a wonderful month in Bend, OR but its time to move on.  When we hit the Columbia River we knew Richland, WA couldn't be too far away.

We arrived in time to enjoy the fourth of July fireworks displays on the Columbia River.  We sat just outside the Park and watched multiple fireworks displays.  It was a beautiful night with  a full moon.  Not the best shot but I was too busy watching the fireworks go off up and down the river.

Before we arrived Mark found Columbia Basin Racquet Club.  We bought a month membership and enjoyed tennis clinics, cardio tennis and Mark had fun at Men's Night every Wednesday.  I also enjoyed Aqua Zumba which provides muscle toning as you work against the resistence of the water.  The yoga room was the best I have ever seen with muted lights, all the props you could want and all around the club are stacks and stacks of towels.  We are really going to miss Columbia Basin!

Our first golf outing was in Walla Walla.  We were having second thoughts on the ride out to the Friday Wine and Nine at Wine Valley Golf Club.  Turned out, it was, without a doubt, the best golf course of the 175 courses we have played in our RV journey!  In addition, we somehow managed to win $20 taking second place net!!!  We had a such a great time with Bev and Bill (see golf cart photo) from Spokane that we just had to go back. The second time we played with Machelle and Darel from Walla Walla.   But, I forgot to take their photos :(

Mark found some great access points to the bike trail along the Columbia river.  But the best part was the wild blackberry bushes he found along the trail.  Mark took lots of 15-20 mile bike rides and we now have tons of delicous blackberries - YUM!

I had a wonderful birthday in Richland.  We played a great round of golf at Columbia Pointe. Later that day we went to a wonderful fresh seafood restaurant, Anthony's,  overlooking the river.  The berry shortcake was the perfect "birthday cake."  Thank goodness it was too small to hold 63 candles!!!

One of the wonderful benefits of Richland is the hundreds of great wineries.  Here are some photos from Brookwater winery and the Tagris winery with the beautiful Patio Koiuzina.  At Brookwater we loved the bacon covered dates stuffed with almonds and feta.  We enjoyed Mark's pre-Birthday dinner on the patio at Tagris with some delicous tapas (greek salad, spanikopita, tortilla espanola, spendini) followed by a Seasonal Fruit Flatbread "birthday cake."

We played lots of golf.  I found a great golf deal in the local newspaper.  It cost $37 for the card and at 10 golf courses you use the card and you get two tee times for the price of one.  We really enjoyed Canyon Lakes with some huge greens and some beautiful views.

Our month in Richland went too fast and even with a month we are not ready to leave.  We are just going to have to come back and do it all over again!!  Now, its off to Clarkston, Washington.