Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing a cleverlylaid-out history section documenting the backgrounds of Croatian, Arabic
and Welsh immigrants. Equally intriguing are the paintings of native son John Clymer at
the Clymer Museum ( www.clymermuseum.com ; 416 N Pearl St; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri,
10am-4pm Sat, noon-4pm Sun) , whose all-American subjects graced Saturday Even-
ing Post covers in the 1950s and '60s.
For kids try the Children's Activity Museum ( www.childrensactivitymuseum.org ; 118 E 4th
Ave; admission $4.25; 10am-5pm Wed-Sat; ) , which has a miniature cowboy ranch, a
science lab and other engaging hands-on exhibits.
Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute WORKSHOPS
( 509-963-2244; www.cwu.edu / ~cwuchci; cnr Nicholson Blvd & D St; adult/student $11/8.50;
9:15am & 10.45am Sat, 12:30pm & 2pm Sun Mar-Nov) As well as having a rather pictur-
esque campus, Central Washington University has gained some renown for its studies of
communication between humans and chimpanzees. Several of its chimps have learned to
communicate using American Sign Language. On weekends the institute presents an in-
formative, hour-long 'Chimposium' workshop that includes an audience with the chimps.
Reservations are required.
Olmstead Place State Park Heritage Area HISTORIC PARK
(921 N Ferguson Rd; 8am-5pm) Four-and-a-half miles southeast of Ellensburg off
I-90, the historical theme continues with log cabins, pioneer barns and other farm build-
ings dating from 1875 to 1890. They depict early homestead life in the Kittitas Valley.
Thorp Grist Mill HISTORIC SITE
( www.thorp.org ; 11am-3pm Thu-Sat, noon-4pm Sun Jun-Sep) Another view of fronti-
er agriculture is on display in the small town of Thorp, 8 miles northwest of Ellensburg at
what was once a de facto meeting place for local farmers. The mill, now a rural museum,
dates from 1873.
Activities
South of Ellensburg, Hwy 821 through the Yakima Canyon offers a scenic alternative to
busy I-82. Rafting on the Yakima River is a popular activity here, with Rill Adventures
( www.rillsonline.com ; Thorp Hwy) offering raft and kayak hire. Catch-and-release fishing is
another drawcard.
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