Exploring Grant County

I would like to begin this edition of our blog by expressing my sadness at losing our good friend, chaperone, parent, and treasurer Cynthia Milligan. I will cherish forever the time we spent together last summer in Korea and touring the county. Rest in peace dear friend... On Sunday, we began early in the day by visiting Dry Falls. The kids enjoyed learning about the geological history of our county. And the view is spectacular!
After visiting Dry Falls, we got settled in at Camp Delany, which is located at the very bottom of Dry Falls. Commissioner Allison and his wife, Benaya, served as our hosts and tour guide. Commissioner Allison took us on a nature walk.
We spent the rest of the day at Camp Delany doing crafts, boating, and square dancing. After a wonderful night's sleep, we drove to the Grand Coulee Dam for a tour. It was a beautiful day to see the sights. The Grant County Museum was next on our agenda. Here, the kids were able to get a first hand look at pioneer life in Grant County. We ended the day with a visit to a fish hatchery located outside Ephrata. We learned all about the process of raising fish from beginning to end. We learned that this facility provides fish for countries all over the world.
Tuesday was our day to tour around Moses Lake. We began with a trip to Dominos Pizza where the kids all made a pizza of their own. YUM!!
After our pizza making experience, we visited the Columbia Basin Herald. Editor Bill Stevenson gave us a look at the daily happenings at our local newspaper. Reporter Chrystal Doucette interviewed several of the students. A highpoint of our day was a couple of hours of bowling where we celebrated Cody, Sae-rom, and Jae-up's birthdays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of you!

On Wednesday, we left town early at headed to Wenatchee and Leavenworth. The kids were able to have a real American mall experience in Wenatchee, and they also had a lot of fun visiting all the shops in Leavenworth. After a DELICIOUS German dinner at King Ludwig's, we drove to Plain, which is about 30 minutes away from Leavenworth. Here, the kids were treated to an overnight stay in a mountain cabin. We played games, went on leisurely walks, and everyone enjoyed the campfire.

These girls aren't' sure what to think about the big grasshopper that one of the parents was showing them. YUCK!

After leaving Plain early on Thursday morning, we made a stop in Quincy to visit their city offices. City Administrator Tim Snead gifted our Korean friends with t-shirts from a local basketball tournament. We were then treated to a delicious pizza lunch.Mr. Snead was kind enough to take us to the Yahoo data center, and then to Lamb-Weston where we ate the most delicious french fries. Late Thursday, we headed to Royal City where we first visited Royal Ridge fruits and learned about their process for drying cherries. Next, we went to the home of Commissioner Cindy Carter and were treated to a very nice barbecued dinner, swimming and smores. Great time!Today, Friday, we visited National Frozen foods where our good friend Gary Ash gave us a tour of the facility. Currently, they are freezing corn. The Warden Heutterites warmly welcomed us to their home and showed us around. The kids asked a lot of good questions about the colony and what they do there. Our guide, Jake, shared a lot about his family background and the roots of the colony during our very tasty lunch.

Under a scorching 100 degree sun, the group visited the Grant County Fair. Spirits were high as they were welcomed by the fair director. Later, they visited the animal barns and other displays and ended the evening by being special guests at the rodeo.

Saturday will bring a visit to Mattawa to immerse ourselves in Grant County's Hispanic culture and then a visit with the Wanapum Indians. Our time together as a whole group will end Saturday evening with a FIESTA at the home of Commissioner Allison and his wife Benaya.

Welcome Gunpo Ambassadors

It was a sea of pink and white as we welcomed our good friends from Gunpo to Seatac Airport. Everyone was very happy to see each other.
The drive to Grant County, which takes about three hours, was filled with laughter, napping, and a little card game. On our way home, we made a quick stop in North Bend to celebrate Iesha's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IESHA!!On Friday, we began our official schedule with a trip to the historic Grant County Courthouse and a meeting with the County Commissioners. Gifts were exchanged, the students from Gunpo each receiving their own cowboy hat, and the county received the gift of a beautiful picture from the City of Gunpo. After our meeting the commissioners, we had a tour of the county jail and a very good lesson about the American judicial system from Judge Sperline. The kids had a lot of good questions for the judge. After a very tasty lunch of cheeseburgers and french fries, we were hosted by Ephrata City Administrator Wes Crago. Wes took us to the Ephrata Police Department, and to a park in the center of town which has a monument honoring Ephrata's connection to Gunpo City.

We were later treated to a tour of the Ephrata Fire Department. The kids were able to get into the trucks and try out some of the equipment.

The City of Ephrata was so generous to allow us to swim in their beautiful water park-Splash Zone. The kids had a great time!