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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Yakima Harvest Nits Are The Only Things You Can’t Pick In This Bountiful Valley

Larry W. Earl Correspondent

There’s magic in the air and ground: It’s harvest time. The aroma of ripening fruit, the sight of colorful vegetables and the buzz of bees visiting backyard gardens bring a mystical quality to these late summer days.

For many city folks who don’t, or can’t, have a garden or orchard of their own, visiting a rural farm can be a nostalgic experience.

There was a time when family members picked the produce, and grandma or mom canned it in glass jars. There was family unity and sharing; everyone got a little dirt under the fingernails.

If you long for the feel of dirt under your feet instead of concrete, late summer and early autumns are a good time to visit farms and orchards throughout the Inland Northwest.

One place where tourism and agriculture go hand-in-hand is the Yakima Valley.

There is a wide variety of agricultural experiences for visitors, ranging from u-pick vegetable farms and fruit orchards to roadside produce and fruit stands and herb and cactus farms.

Spring Creek Ranch (509-248-6621) in Union Gap is a fruit and vegetable farm and market that offers informative tours. You can pick (in season) many of your own berries, vegetables and flowers. The wild ducks along the creek rush to accept feed. The animals in the petting zoo welcome outstretched hands. The ranch has a gift shop, deli and espresso bar, and also hold, festivals. The fruit milkshakes are great.

The Darigold Dairy Fair (509-837-4321) in Sunnyside offers a family-fun park atmosphere. Its products are available for sampling, and there is a self-guided tour and tasting at the cheese production site.

The 3-year-old Apple Tree Golf Course (509-966-5877) in Yakima is partially situated on an old apple orchard. Guests can grab an apple as they move from hole 2 to hole 3.

The new Washington State Tree Fruit Interpretive Center at the Washington Fruit Commission (509-453-4837) is located near Sarge Hubbard Park on the Yakima River Greenway. It will open in late September. Displays will include varietal information, frost control, fruit maturity testing and marketing.

The American Hop Museum (509-865-4677) in Toppenish is an interesting and aromatic experience. The Yakima Valley, which raises 15 varieties of hops, is the second-largest hop-producing region in the world.

While in Toppenish, enjoy a horse-drawn trolley tour of the historically accurate agricultural murals. Conestoga Mural Tours (509-865-2898) offers a narrated tour of Toppenish’s 34 murals on a horse-drawn trolley. The 90-minute trip runs four times a day, seven days a week, and costs $7.50 for adults and $5 for children.

New wineries are cropping up each year. Wine touring is a popular year-round attraction in the valley. A free Yakima Valley Wine Tour Guide is available from the Visitor Bureau.

Space does not permit a mention of every farm and orchard in the valley. Here are some places where I have visited in past years and enjoyed the fruits of their labor:

Thompson’s Farm (509-653-2589) in Naches for tree-ripened fruit and superb apple cider; Donald Fruit & Mercantile (509-877-3115) in Wapato for freshly picked fruit and vegetables and great peach sundaes; Kruegar Family Peppers & Produce (509-877-3677) in Wapato for a huge selection of peppers and other vegetables you can pick yourself; Granger Berry Patch (509-854-1413) in Granger for a variety of fresh berries and berry products. Tucker’s (509-837-8701) in Sunnyside for fruits and vegetables and wine tasting; and the Ouch Cactus Greenhouse (509-877-4740) in Wapato for more than 300 species of cacti, succulent plants, bonsai, air plants and carnivorous plants.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: If you go Getting there: Yakima is a 196-mile drive from Spokane via Interstates 90 and 82. Best times to visit: From mid-June to the end of October, Yakima Valley visitors can buy fresh-picked fruits and vegetables at roadside stands or enjoy a family-fun outing at u-pick farms and orchards. A farm products guide is available from the Yakima Valley Visitors Bureau. The guide has a map and listing of farms and orchards, their phone numbers and the availability dates of their respective products. Call ahead to farms and orchards to check for availability, and bring plenty of containers. Suitability for children: Well-supervised children are welcomed on farm and orchard tours and at the u-pick businesses. The Grandview-Sunnyside pathway, Granger Dinosaur Park on Highway 223, Sarge Hubbard Park and Yakima River Greenway are some suggested locations where small children can run and play to burn off their excess energy in between farm visits. Where to stay: The Yakima Valley has some charming country inns and B&Bs located in agricultural settings. Here are some suggestions. The Von Hellstrum Inn, 51 Braden Road, in Sunnyside is a restored Victorian farmhouse. It was originally built in 1908 as a Sears packaged kit home for $1,395. Each room is individually decorated and has a private bath. Double occupancy rates range from $55 to $100. Dinners for guests are available with advance notice. (509) 839-2505. Meadowbrook B&B is a Dutch Colonial home nestled in cherry and apple orchards on Ahtanum Ridge, which overlooks Yakima. The rooms are individually decorated and have private baths. Double occupancy rates begin at $77. (509) 248-2387. The Birchfield Manor is a Victorian-styled mansion furnished with crystal chandeliers and antiques. It is located near hop fields about two miles east of Yakima. There are well-appointed rooms in the main house and deluxe suites in the new addition. Double occupancy rates begin at $70. (509) 452-1960 or (800) 375-3420. For a brochure listing other lodging in the Yakima Valley, call the Visitors Bureau. Where to eat: For a special dining experience, try the Vineyards Restaurant in the Yakima Valley Red Lion Inn, 1507 North First Street. This restaurant emphasizes Yakima Valley grown vegetables, herbs and fruits, and features wines from seven selected local vineyards. The vineyards’ medals and awards complement the winery decor of the restaurant. The Celebration of Spring special offers a selected wine with each course. (509) 248-7850. For high quality and large portions of Italian fare, try Deli de Pasta at 7 North Front Street in Yakima. It has a casual, cafe-style atmosphere. (509) 453-0571. A visit to Toppenish would not be complete without a stop at the Los Murales Restaurant, 202 W. First Avenue. The festive decor is complete with murals depicting the owner’s hometown in Mexico and Toppenish’s heritage. Family platters are popular at this Mexican and American steak and seafood restaurant. (509) 865-7555. For a brochure listing other restaurants in the Yakima Valley, call the Visitors Bureau. For more information: For pamphlets and brochures on recreation activities, points of interest and local arts and entertainment programs and a copy of the visitor’s guide: Yakima Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau, 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, WA 98901; (800) 221-0751 or (509) 575-1300; fax (509) 575-6252. For general visitor information to the Toppenish area: Toppenish Chamber of Commerce, P.O Box 28, Toppenish, WA 98948; (509) 865-3262. For free copies of the 1995 Washington State Lodging & Travel Guide and the seasonal Washington State Field Guides, call the Washington Tourism Division, (800) 544-1800 ext. 101.

This sidebar appeared with the story: If you go Getting there: Yakima is a 196-mile drive from Spokane via Interstates 90 and 82. Best times to visit: From mid-June to the end of October, Yakima Valley visitors can buy fresh-picked fruits and vegetables at roadside stands or enjoy a family-fun outing at u-pick farms and orchards. A farm products guide is available from the Yakima Valley Visitors Bureau. The guide has a map and listing of farms and orchards, their phone numbers and the availability dates of their respective products. Call ahead to farms and orchards to check for availability, and bring plenty of containers. Suitability for children: Well-supervised children are welcomed on farm and orchard tours and at the u-pick businesses. The Grandview-Sunnyside pathway, Granger Dinosaur Park on Highway 223, Sarge Hubbard Park and Yakima River Greenway are some suggested locations where small children can run and play to burn off their excess energy in between farm visits. Where to stay: The Yakima Valley has some charming country inns and B&Bs; located in agricultural settings. Here are some suggestions. The Von Hellstrum Inn, 51 Braden Road, in Sunnyside is a restored Victorian farmhouse. It was originally built in 1908 as a Sears packaged kit home for $1,395. Each room is individually decorated and has a private bath. Double occupancy rates range from $55 to $100. Dinners for guests are available with advance notice. (509) 839-2505. Meadowbrook B&B; is a Dutch Colonial home nestled in cherry and apple orchards on Ahtanum Ridge, which overlooks Yakima. The rooms are individually decorated and have private baths. Double occupancy rates begin at $77. (509) 248-2387. The Birchfield Manor is a Victorian-styled mansion furnished with crystal chandeliers and antiques. It is located near hop fields about two miles east of Yakima. There are well-appointed rooms in the main house and deluxe suites in the new addition. Double occupancy rates begin at $70. (509) 452-1960 or (800) 375-3420. For a brochure listing other lodging in the Yakima Valley, call the Visitors Bureau. Where to eat: For a special dining experience, try the Vineyards Restaurant in the Yakima Valley Red Lion Inn, 1507 North First Street. This restaurant emphasizes Yakima Valley grown vegetables, herbs and fruits, and features wines from seven selected local vineyards. The vineyards’ medals and awards complement the winery decor of the restaurant. The Celebration of Spring special offers a selected wine with each course. (509) 248-7850. For high quality and large portions of Italian fare, try Deli de Pasta at 7 North Front Street in Yakima. It has a casual, cafe-style atmosphere. (509) 453-0571. A visit to Toppenish would not be complete without a stop at the Los Murales Restaurant, 202 W. First Avenue. The festive decor is complete with murals depicting the owner’s hometown in Mexico and Toppenish’s heritage. Family platters are popular at this Mexican and American steak and seafood restaurant. (509) 865-7555. For a brochure listing other restaurants in the Yakima Valley, call the Visitors Bureau. For more information: For pamphlets and brochures on recreation activities, points of interest and local arts and entertainment programs and a copy of the visitor’s guide: Yakima Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau, 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, WA 98901; (800) 221-0751 or (509) 575-1300; fax (509) 575-6252. For general visitor information to the Toppenish area: Toppenish Chamber of Commerce, P.O Box 28, Toppenish, WA 98948; (509) 865-3262. For free copies of the 1995 Washington State Lodging & Travel Guide and the seasonal Washington State Field Guides, call the Washington Tourism Division, (800) 544-1800 ext. 101.