Grab binoculars, head for Othello
Like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano—the Sandhill Cranes are gathering at Othello, Wash.
Grab your binoculars, pack your RV for a quick overnight trip and head this weekend to the eighth annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival.
That’s exactly what Georgia and Stan Miller of Spokane are doing in their 1999 Volkswagen EuroVan camper.
They plan to camp at Potholes State Park, about 10 miles north of Othello.
“There are lots of campsites,” says Georgia. “Last year we stayed there during the festival along with two other couples with VW camper vans.”
Potholes State Park has 126 campsites available on a first come-first served basis. The Millers were the first to arrive at the park last year and staked out the three spaces they wanted.
“The night sky was so clear,” says Georgia. “There were lots and lots of stars sparkling in the sky.”
During the day the Millers and their friends attended festival activities at the Othello High School.
“The Raptor Club from WSU was there with several birds,” says Georgia, “and we were able to enjoy them up close.”
Today’s schedule
Beginning at 10 a.m. today there will be a number of lectures that will be repeated throughout the day.
Presentations cover such topics as Missoula Floods and the Channeled Scablands; Songbirds of Eastern Washington; Wildlife Discovered by Lewis and Clark in the Pacific Northwest, Then and Now; Butterflies of the Basin; and Beginning Bird Identification.
Of course the highlights of the festival are the guided tours into the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding area to view migrating cranes and other birds.
The festival, normally held on the last weekend of March, is a week early this year because Easter falls on the last Sunday.
“We were a little concerned that the Sandhill Cranes wouldn’t be arriving in time,” says Kris Robertson of the festival committee, “but we’ve had sightings in the wildlife refuge and I’ve just talked with a farmer that has spotted several in his field.”
Last year when the Millers took their tour they saw a few of the illusive cranes.
“But the most awesome sight was when several hundred Canadian Geese coming in for a landing on a roadside pond,” says Georgia. “They all circled, just like planes at an airport, and all flew into the pond facing the same direction. It took several minutes for all of them to land. It was an entertaining and enjoyable event to watch.”
Festival information
General admission to festival activities is $7; or $5 for those 65 and older. Children under 12 are free. Box lunches are $6. Costs of viewing tours vary and many are full, so call toll-free (866) 726-3445 to check on what’s available or go to www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org.
Othello is about a two-hour drive from Spokane – take I-90 to exit 220, take US 395 south to Highway 26 west. Follow Highway 26 to Othello. Turn right onto First Avenue. Follow First Avenue to Main Street to Seventh Avenue. Turn right on Seventh Avenue. Othello High School, headquarters of the festival, is located on the right in the second block.
Post-festival tours
There are morning and late afternoon tours next Saturday and April 2, leaving from 735 E. Main St. in Othello.
Crane viewing trips go from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to dusk on both Saturdays. Next Saturday there is a Burrowing Owl tour from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Each of these tours cost $15 per person, or $10 for folks 65 and older or youngsters under 12. Call toll-free (866) 726-3445 to secure your place.
Nearby camping
Potholes State Park is a 640-acre camping park with 6,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Potholes Reservoir (also known as O’Sullivan Reservoir).
Basic camping fees are $15 for a standard campsite served by nearby domestic water, sink waste, garbage disposal and flush comfort station; and $21 for a utility campsite which includes electrical hookup and possibly one or more of the other amenities.
The park is located 17 miles southwest of Moses Lake. From I-90 take exit 179 and follow signs to park.
Additional information about Potholes State Park is available through the Washington State Parks Web site at www.parks.wa.gov or by calling (360) 902-8844 weekdays.
Wheel question
With fuel prices increasing, more and more RVers are looking for great getaways that are closer to home. What state campground or public lands’ boondock campsite would you recommend in Eastern Washington or North Idaho? Call (509) 459-5435 or write to juliannec@spokesman.com.