Notes From Heather: What’s so “great” about the great outdoors?

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan

Ah, the great outdoors.  There’s nothing like leaving climate-controlled comfort and sleeping out in the underbrush.  In a tent.  With a 4-year-old who even while in a sleeping bag can somehow wiggle around to put his toes in my ear.

And yet, summer would just not be the same without a camping trip.

My own childhood memories of camping — midnight Uno games under a moldy tent canvas, death-march hikes, tick searches (and unfortunate finds) and bacon and egg breakfasts mixed with the tang of mosquito repellant —  are synonymous with summer.

And family. And really all that is great about the great outdoors.

This is why, for each summer in the last nine years, my husband and I have loaded up the kids – along with an obscene amount of gear (all completely necessary to surviving the weekend) and made the four-hour journey to our favorite campsite.  And although it takes a week to get through the laundry once we return home, it’s worth it.  Someday I hope our children will be able to share their memories of camping: of roasting starburst candies or the time Mommy tried to ward off an otter with a canoe paddle.  And when they look back at our summers together in the great outdoors, I hope they smile.

We hope our outdoors edition of Yakima magazine inspires you to take an outdoor excursion of your own.   Whether going for a jog or taking a much-needed vacation, we offer ideas to fill your summer days right here in the Yakima Valley.  From gardening to barbecue, fly-fishing to salsa dancing – we’ve got an issue packed with fun activities for the season.

Whatever your adventure this summer, we hope you bring us along for the ride.  Be sure to stop by our website (yakimamagazine.com) to find recipes, photos and archive issues of the magazine.  Or continue the conversation on our Facebook site.  We love to hear from you – so keep those questions and comments coming.  Until next time, Yakima – may your tick searches always leave you empty handed!

Heather Caro

From Facebook:

Yakima magazine wants to hear your stories of outdoor woe. Any “colossal fail” camping trips or hikes gone awry you’d like to share?

Felicity P. We checked the burn regulations before we left for a trip last year only to find out that they were updated during our 45min drive. We arrived without a camp stove and were unable to make a fire. I sat at our campsite with 4 hungry kids under the age of 6 while my husband ran back to Yakima to get a stove.

Caroline F.B.

For my first (and only) camping trip since moving to Washington, I was reassured several times by my friends that they have not ever encountered a bear during their camping trips. With this reassurance we camped for three glorious days at Clear Lake when lo and behold a black bear came into our campsite on the final morning during breakfast preparations! My friends got some great pictures while I was huddled with all 7 kids in hand ready to jump into the van at any sign of danger! After it was all over, it was actually a great experience and years of stories and jokes at my expense.

Nicki Jennings My mom talked me into tent camping on the Oregon coast one time… I cancelled the reservations I’d made for the Yurts. The first day was beautiful and sunny. The next morning we woke up in 5 inches of water and it didn’t quit raining for the next four days. Never again.

Notes from Heather: Open Windows

by Heather Caro on May 6, 2011

Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan

Anyone lucky enough to live somewhere with four seasons must eventually come to grips with a simple fact: The weather will not dramatically change once the calendar announces the “first day of (insert longed-for season here).”

Especially spring.
I can’t count how many times I’ve been fooled by this fickle time of year.  In anticipation of warmer weather I’ve packed away heavy coats and sweaters, folded up flannel sheets and extra blankets – only to have to drag them all out again after a cold snap.  Deceptive sunny mornings have led me to plant the garden too early, send my daughter to school in flip flops or attend an outdoor wedding wearing a sundress – each leading to various degrees of guilt, regret or wardrobe change once a frigid wind whips up.
This is why I’m trying to show some level of restraint as I gaze at my favorite sign of impending warmer weather – an open window just beyond my paperwork-laden desk.
There is something deliciously indulgent about the scent of blossoms and fresh-cut grass wafting through an open window – hinting at all the produce, barbecues and camping trips that are just around the bend.   This is the weather I’ve wanted for the nearly two months since my calendar officially declared the first day of spring.  In fact, that open window is almost enough to make a girl slip into a sundress and go dig in the garden for a while.
Well, almost – but not quite.
But no matter what the weather brings this season, the Art Issue of Yakima magazine gives readers enough eye candy to warm even the chilliest spring day.  From body art to a downtown tasting room with an eye on the past – we scoured the town to find talented locals who just might surprise you. Tag along on a scrumptious Cle Elum day trip  – worth every calorie – or head to the hills with us on a camp-inspired photo shoot that could have readers breaking out their marshmallow sticks as well as much, much more.
So find a sunbeam and open your windows, Yakima.  Warm spring weather is just around the corner.  We hope you enjoy the Art Issue of Yakima magazine as much as we have bringing it to you.

Cheers,

Heather Caro

Notes from Heather: Love at First Bite

by Heather Caro on Mar 4, 2011

Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan

When I was 15, I fell in love for the first time.

And no, I’m not talking about the romantic variety – though the experience was nearly as swoon-worthy. Rather, it was the first time I made tamales. I was invited by a friend to help make — and more importantly to sample — the delicacies straight from the steamer.

There were six or seven of us who had gathered that weekend to begin wedding preparations for my friend’s sister. And though I don’t recall just how many dozen tamales we made — or exactly which steps I assisted with, I will never forget the first melt-in-your-mouth bite of the finished product.

It was perfection. It was love at first bite. I devoured seven in one sitting and only stopped because I had to come up for air. Also, it wasn’t humanly possible to fit another into my digestive tract.

They were that good.

Thus began a love affair that has stuck with me over the years. And though I’d like to report that I’ve become an expert at making tamales, my culinary skills are limited to meals requiring a maximum of two steps and that may also require the addition of a “seasoning packet.” So, I prefer to admire the work of more talented professionals. As often as possible.

Lucky for me, the Yakima Valley is home to some talented tamale makers who keep a steady supply of the savory treat for whenever I need a “fix.” In this “Food and Wine” edition of Yakima magazine, we invite readers to visit some of our favorite tamale hotspots — and let you in on a few of the secrets to their success. We also introduce readers to some passionate foodies joining the locavore movement, as we taste-test our way through the Valley.

And, in the spirit of Earth Day on April 22, we give readers a glimpse into a close-at-hand rainforest, some tips for “spring green” entertaining that won’t break the bank, local home construction that may inspire an eco-makeover, as well as much more.

We love to hear about your corner of the Valley, so stop by our website at yakimamagazine.com, peek in on Facebook or send us an e-mail with your comments, questions and story ideas. We hope you enjoy our Food and Wine “Green” edition as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

So cheers to you, Yakima — or as my late grandmother, Virginia Hanson, would have said, “Here’s looking up your kilt.”

Heather Caro

Letters from Heather — The Midwinter Blues

by Heather Caro on Jan 7, 2011

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Photo by Jenny Dagdagan

Despite what they teach at my son’s preschool, I firmly believe that the Yakima Valley has five seasons. Spring, summer, winter, fall … and January.

Maybe it stems from too many holiday parties, but January can feel a little like the “hangover” month to me. And its gray skies, cold days and long nights do little to change this perspective.

I tend to take a Pollyanna outlook on life – sometimes even pushing “happy” onto unsuspecting coworkers and family members (this “aggressive optimism” is something my husband finds especially annoying in the morning). And yet, year after year I find myself pining for spring during the entire January “season.”

Thankfully, long nights also provide ample time to do things like put together useless lists. Thus, I decided to compile one to help make January a little more tolerable for those who, like myself, find the month less than ideal.

Notes from Heather: Print is not dead

by Heather Caro on Nov 5, 2010

Photo by Robin Beckett

It’s not that I’m a technophobe. In fact, far from it.

I’ve come to rely on a gadgety phone, complete with GPS, e-mail and a camera. A Facebook “like” makes me happier than I care to admit. And in order to meet a deadline, my laptop has made guest appearances at more than a few family camping trips.

But for every convenience technology brings, it hasn’t replaced print. And I’m not alone.

Perhaps it’s the comfort of holding something tangible — something that can’t “crash.” Or maybe it’s the way flipping through a newspaper or opening a novel involves all your senses — from the smell of the ink to the sound of rustling pages. Whatever it is, shelves filled with books, and magazines on a side table suggest a sense of connection and shared history that no Kindle could. At least for me.

On our first anniversary of Yakima magazine, this has never been more apparent. In spite of a tough economy and an audience that media tells us has no patience for unplugging, no time to slow down, we’ve managed to thrive. And it’s because of you.

The Yakima Valley is filled with extraordinary people, innovative businesses and a lively arts community. With a growing downtown, a flourishing wine industry and some of the best locally grown produce in the country – Yakima has so much to be proud of. It is your stories that have filled our pages, and together we have begun a positive conversation within our diverse community.

In our Entertainment edition of Yakima magazine we bring you ideas to jump-start the holiday season. From stunning tablescapes to chic fashion trends, our goal is to inspire readers to glam-it-up this year. Readers will find entertaining tips, an international adventure story — and in case you need a little zen between shopping sprees — relaxing yoga studios worth looking into, as well as much more.

Bookmark us on your browser at yakimamagazine.com, join in the conversation on our Facebook page, or send a letter via snail mail. But whatever your preference, drop us a line. We love to hear how we’re doing as well as stories from your corner of the Valley.

It’s been an amazing year, Yakima.  We look forward to many more to come — filled with stories of the Valley and our own unique way of life.

Happy holidays,

Heather Caro

What not to wear on a ghost hunt

by Heather Caro on Sep 10, 2010

Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan

What Not to Wear on a Ghost Hunt

There is something almost magical about meeting people who love what they do. When people believe in their pursuits, it shows. Lucky for me a big part of the job here at Yakima magazine is to search out people in our community who do just that.

From Bavarian chocolate-makers to artisan communities, organic oenophiles to master gardeners, we’ve discovered plenty of passionate people since starting the publication last year — and in some surprising places, too. Memorable among these is my interview with an ice climber, which took place on a hike now affectionately dubbed “The Death March.” In fact, a typical day at our office can often be summed up with “and hilarious antics ensue.”

This Home and Garden edition of Yakima magazine has proven to be no exception, which is how I found myself on a midnight ghost hunt (“What does that have to do with home and garden?” you might ask), 70 feet above a blackened Capitol Theatre stage, wearing heels.