Woke up this morning after a deep sleep induced by home-made IPA beer, had an energizing breakfast with Fred and Genie Crowe, and set off in pure sunshine for the first time in several days. The day was a chilling throwback to Kansas- flat fields of lush crops with industrial crop-sprayers lining the road (anyone know the actual name of these things?) After crossing a couple ridges, I rejoined the Snake River as it dumped into the Colombia River. I learned that hard winds blow from the Pacific and up the river valleys, making my day for more... exciting... than it otherwise would have been.
I resisted the urge to stop at the two breweries and several vineyards I passed on the way to the Tri-cities area (made up of the cities of Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick.) I was rewarded by spending all evening at a pizza/micro-brewery restaurant. I am staying with Rachael and her boyfriend Kacey who are graduate students currently working for the Pacific Northwest Laboratory. They were great people to stay with. Kacey made a keg-orator with wood paneling and molding, and four taps. He only fills this visionary piece of equipment with four different varieties of homemade beer.
The Tri-cities area was integral to the development of the bombs dropped in Japan during World War II. The people remain proud of their heritage and contribution to America's safety. Their high school team is known as the "Bombers"; streets are named Proton, Nuclear, and... drum roll... COSMIC; and there is a mural of a mushroom cloud in the public park.
Lastly, Kacey left dinner early to play in a hockey game. He got back and, as we drank his finely tailored Scotch Amber beer, attempted to explain and justify how he scored on his own goal during the game. We concluded it was the two hours at the microbrewery.
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