In the early 80s, the trains had long since quit coming through one line in Grandview, and the lovely old station was destined to be removed. An orthopedist purchased it and moved it to Sunnyside for his office. You can just barely notice a mock train track in the sidewalk around the building. *
I was going to use this one for Skywatch, but the helicopters just called out to me.
My husband came in and said, "get your camera, there are black helicopters flying over the house." So I did.
On our way back from Fort Simcoe, we found this old abandoned cattle loading chute. Cattle are still a big industry in the Valley, but apparently not on this spot.
The Commandant even had a rose garden. You can click this one to get a better look at the drawings of the landscape plan. (And a bigger glimpse of the blogger.)
Looking up into the sky from the canon wheel at Fort Simcoe.
Up to 70 soldiers would sleep in bunks stacked two to three high int he barracks. The last of the original barraks burned in 1949. This replica was constructed by the Job Corps.
This view across to the enlisted men's barracks was taken from the porch of one of the officers quarters.
The Blockhouse. Blockhouses were built at strategic spots for defense of the fort. This one is a reconstruction.
We decided on an excursion to Fort Simcoe one day last month. Fort Simcoe was established in 1856 as a presence to keep control of the Indians in the area. Things had been tense since the treaty in 1855. A history can be found here.
We are heading out today with our tiny teardrop trailer for an adventure on our way to Arizona to spend Thanksgiving with our kids there.
Just over two months ago I posted the Valley's summer patchwork here.
Isolated fog is fairly common in the Valley in October and November. You can click this one to enlarge.
The Heritage University Library. Clicking on the photo will give you a better view of the statue. I should go back some time to focus just on it. There were only remnants of a library when we attended.
When my husband and I both took classes at Heritage in the late 80s--he for his Masters and my for my Teaching Certification--it was a College, and this old elementary school building (It didn't have a spiffy new green roof then.) and a couple of portables was all there was to the campus. It is now Heritage University, and serves the diverse Yakima Valley population well, as well as programs extended throughout the state.
On the way home we also pass this collection that I call the "Graveyard of Rusted Automobiles." What classic might emerge if someone chose one to restore? I always want to get a chance to wander 
On the way back to the Valley from Maryhill, we could have stopped at the Toppenish Wildlife Refuge, where on one visit we saw this Long-Eared Owl. (This will enlarge if you click it.)
Just a hint of how isolated Maryhill is--my husband ponders one of the sculptures in the exhibit as a semi passes by on State Route 14. We will head up that road and find something closer to home in tomorrow's post.
There is a new outdoor sculpture exhibit each year on the grounds of Maryhill Museum.
The fascinating display of the Théâtre de la Mode features doll like figures clothed in the fashions of the post WWII couturiers. In the aftermath of the war, the French fashion industry wanted to regain its position and help to spur the nation's economy. Shortages, however, made it impossible to create the life sized models of the fashion designs. They creatively resorted to a custom of the middle ages--dolls.
Peacocks roam the grounds of Maryhill Museum. This is one who was hanging around outside the cafe--possibly hoping for a handout.
An interesting addition to the collection of sculptures by Rodin is this exhibit illustrating the steps in castin a bronze by the lost wax method.
Maryhill Museum is a short excursion from the Yakima Valley, and worth a visit. This view is from the outdoor sculpture exhibit.
