A dam good time awaits at Lower Granite

The long-suffering, disenfranchised dam-loving community will finally have its day.

Trek geeks, Civil War re-enactment geeks and computer geeks all live in the open, accepted by society – even in full Klingon regalia.

But until now, dam enthusiasts had no access to the object of their affection.

Enter the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Make a pilgrimage to the Lower Granite Lock and Dam near Pomeroy, Wash., and you’ll find yourself in areas usually off limits to the public.

The behind-the-scenes tours – offered Friday through Sunday, and some Wednesdays and Thursdays – visit the powerhouse, navigation lock and fish passage facilities.

In a news release announcing this freethinking new policy, Lower Granite’s tour guide could hardly contain herself.

“These tours offer a phenomenal view of (one) of the highest navigation locks in the world, as well as the hydropower and fish passage systems and how they all work together,” Sheryl Grant said.

“A tour highlight is the Removable Spillway Weir – a 2 million pound ‘waterslide’ for fish which won a national engineering award in 2003.”

It’s enough to make a dam fan swoon.

In reality, all of us should probably pay homage. The facility provides clean power to humans of the region and safe passage to the endangered fish species in the neighborhood.

Dam tours start at the visitor center on the south side of the Snake River. The highway running across the dam – open daily until Sept. 1 – will get you there.

This being the U.S. government, restrictions for visitors are many and varied. Study up at www.nww.usace .army.mil/corpsoutdoors/ visctr.htm. Direct your questions to (509) 843-1493, ext. 211.

Abide and imbibe

Here at Here & There Central, we are nothing if not au courant.

So we’re here to tell you the latest thing in vacations: staycations.

Aren’t people clever, with their made-up words?

One brand of staycations constitutes holing up at home like you’re in the witness protection program. You can probably find enough episodes of “Law & Order” to keep you busy before you venture out to the corner grocery.

That won’t make anybody much money, though.

Knowing an opportunity when they see one, the Yakima and Columbia Valleys invite you to spend your staycation drowning your sorrows about not having a real vacation.

Citing the high cost of gasoline, Washington Wine Country urges you to consider budget-stretching “value getaways” to your choice of the state’s 550 wineries.

That ubiquity has earned Washington No. 2 honors among the nation’s wine-producing states.

The valleys say their particular wineries are “right in your backyard,” which is true if you call the Hanford Reservation home sweet home.

Learn more about Washington’s wines at www.winecountrywashington.org or call (206) 285-0514.

Regional events

“Bohemia Mining Days, July 17-20, Cottage Grove, Ore. They say they’re planning four days of “great family fun” along with food and “entertainment of all kinds” in celebration of Cottage Grove’s rich history, cultural diversity and exciting future. (www.visitlanecounty.org/541-942-2411)

“International Fly Fishing Show, July 22-26, Livingston, Mont. This is the world’s largest fly fishing educational event, complete with demonstrations, classes, seminars and more. (www.visitmt.com/406-222-9369)

“The Pacific Rim Summer Festival, through July 15, Tofino, B.C. Performances and showings in the Pacific Rim National Park brought to you by the Pacific Rim Arts Society. The festival coincides with the July 1 Canada Day celebration at the Tofino Village Green. (www.tofinotime.com/250-725-4468)