radicallibrarygirl

B-Reactor was the first full-scale nuclear reactor in the world. Built in a period of 13 months, and finished in September of 1944, the reactor started production of plutonium around Christmas that year. A rich and very important part of not only American history, but world history, this reactor is under an ominous cloud that is threatening to cocoon it, if the B-Reactor Museum Association cannot find funding to turn this regal part of our history into a museum. Part of the 4-hour Hanford Nuclear Reservation tour includes a walkthrough tour of B-Reactor. A definate must-see for any WWII, history or science buff!

Rich with history, educational and quite entertaining, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and public tours thereof was incredible!

The 4-hour public tour features a walkthrough of B-Reactor, the very first full-scale nuclear reactor in the world! You learn about the processes uranium ore goes through to become plutonium, in addition to learning about a very important part of American history. Also, they go into detail on their clean-up efforts around the Columbia basin.

The tours are free, but you have to register online through the Department of Energy’s Hanford web site. Educationally, it was well worth it!

I’m not a beer drinker, so I didn’t try their home brewed beers (they have a half-life hefe, an atomic amber, and a plutonium porter that are all brewed there), however their Atomic Ale’d red potato soup with bacon was TO DIE FOR! A bowl was GIGANTIC!! The pizza was also very very good. If you’re ever in Richland, swing by and grab a bite to eat. Wonderful place!

Possibly the most beautiful park in Spokane, Manito has it all. From the Duncan Garden fountain, to the duck pond (sadly, the last two swans were killed, and Spokane Parks and Recreation will not be replacing them with new sygnets.), the Japanese gardens, Rose hill, or the lilac gardens in mid-spring.

They used to have a big toy on the south end of the park that was built to look like a giant ship, but unfortunately it has since been removed.

Honolulu is quite touristy, but has the great flavor of a huge metropolis in paradise.

The first time I ever went snowboarding was here. It’s an awesome ski resort with a couple high-speed chairlifts.

Definatly worth a go.

I kayaked out to these islands (1 1/4 miles) from Kailua beach, and back again. Only the north island is accessable to people, as both islands are bird sanctuaries. It was quite a fantastic experience.

I was in Hawaii during Christmas 2005 and New Years 2006, and during that time, my father and I swung by the Dole plantation.

Inside they have the largest hedge maze in the world (see additional places within the Dole Plantation), a koi pond with rabid koi (you ought to see these things much up fish food…talk about feeding frenzy!!!), and the best soft-serve pineapple flavored ice cream in the world!

Def. a 2 thumbs up if you’re on Oahu. The plantation is free to get into, however if you want to ride on the train there is an admission fee.

I’ve only been here once, a stop on the way to Seattle. However, they had the best nachos that I’ve ever eaten.

Yum!

When I was a child, my dad worked at the Arbor Crest winery during crush season. When it wasn’t crush season he was doing woodworking, and ended up making a set of checkerboard pieces for the gigantic checkerboard that is at the Cliff House. The pieces are probably not there anymore, but a neat piece of history anyway!

Radicallibrarygirl