Pullin' Chocks

Back in Yakima, WA 

We recently completed our 2nd annual visit to Yakima, Washington where Gari's dad's family lives.  We always have a great time in Yakima and this year is no different.  This year was Gari's dad Jerry's 80th Birthday Party held over at Sam & Sandi's Ranch (sister).  It was a fantastic party with guests visiting from near and far.

We setup our new RV macerator during our month long stay and we were able to use our own commode, TMI, I know.  Last year we ran a 75' garden hose and drained the grey water continuously from the sinks and shower.  The macerator worked great, although it did take a couple attempts to get the configuration optimized for minimal leakage.   Ewwww, I know.

Other key events included a fishing trip to the Klickitat River, a hike at Chinook Pass, a VIP Tour at the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Dam on the Colombia River, rewired Ol’ Snort the 1942 Willy’s Jeep, and drove him around a bit, a little bike riding and even a little Geocaching!

Jerry's Birthday Cake featuring his 1942 Willy's Jeep

Jerry the Birthday Boy!

The Big Birthday Party!

Our RV pal Marilyn from Cle Elum, WA

 Everyone's here!

Granddaughter, Dad and Daughter

Jan and Marilyn catching up

 Dad & Daughter

 Some of Sam's nice horses.

The great fishing expedition to the Klickitat River in WA.  That's Jerry with a big Steelhead on. Gari Ready with the net.

 It's gettig close, ready the net!

Got it!

It's a male Native Steelhead, have to release it.

Jerry putting the specimen back.

Gari casting from the bank

Big cast!

Steve jigging in the shade, Jerry casting up stream.

Steve broke two fishing rods that day, yes, two!  That's one example below.

Hiking at Chinook Pass.  Gari on the hikers overpass looking east.

Steve's turn looking west.

Steve & Gari together up top of the overpass looking east.

Wandering Steve

 Pristine mountain lake.

Having fun riding in Ol' Snort!

 

The Banging VIP Tour of the Preist Rapids Hydro Electric Dam.  This was so awesome we have a number of geeky engineering pictures :-)  This facility is situated on the Mighty Colombia River.
Approaching the facility.

At the security gate as it magicly opens.

 

The fish ladder for the migrating Salmon.

The VIP Tour Group and Guide

Yvonne and Gari observe the facility model inside the entry door.

Gari infront of the Ten Humongous Generators.  See the American Flag at the back wall, American Engineering at its' finest!

Yvonne is an enthusiastic visitor!

The Control Room.  They were watching us as we pulled up to the gate.  This is a sensitive area that most do not get to visit, so we will say no more about it, other than it is awesome and Yvonne is in control below.

Gari at the Fish Ladder Controls.

Jerry and Yvonne going down into the Generator area.

Gari walking in front of the massive Hydraulic Tanks and Pumps that power the Wicket Gates.  The Wicket Gates determine the flow of water going past the Turbine Blades and hence the frequency of the electricity generated.  Of course we use 60 Hz here in the USA.

A Diagram for reference

Looking down into the Stator and Rotor of a generator

One of two hydraulic rams that actuate the Wicket Gates position.  That is the generator shaft at left.  These things are gigantic and heavy!

Jim showing us the Governor, which is the feed back control for the hydraulic positioning of the Wicket Gates.  Each generator has a Governor.  The Governor is critical in producing the proper frequency of the AC electric power.

Gari excited by a massive crane lifting hook. This stuff is humongous!

The VIP group walking past a crane lifting Spreader Bar.  Can you say Enormous?!  You can just see the giant lifting hook in the center of the spreader bar.

Fire suppression, one set for each generator.  WOW!

Yep, that there's some power!

The VIPs inspecting some generator hydrostatic bearings.  These are used to start a generator.  The hydrostatic force lifts the rotor so the force of the water can spin it.  Once the rotor is spinning it levitates by itself from the electric and magnetic fields generated.

Another rare view... walking underneath the river abut 65 ft. to observe the water turbine tubes.  It was creepy down there.  Jim leading the way.  This tunnel went almost all the way across the river.

 Lots of massive pipes and valves down here.  Don't touch anything!

A rare picture of the Wicket Gates.  I am standing in the tube where the river water enters!  When working on these generators, the workers drain these tubes for access, such as this shot,  Great big fish become trapped in here, Sturgeon and Salmon.  The workers carefully remove them and carry them back up to the surface where they are returned into the river!  Not one of the funnest jobs, but a huge reward for all.

Look at the contours in the Turbine Tube!  Water is normally rushing through here with tremendous force!

If you're still reading we leave you with a micro Geocache in Union Gap (Yakima) Washington.  We found it by the old Conestoga Wagon welcome site between Yakima and Union Gap, WA.  It was hidden in the iron fire pan with a magnet.  Steve points it out with stealth below.

We walked away from the hiding spot to sign the log.  Steve holds the Micro Cache below.

Whatever it is you're looking for, keep up the good search!