Jack's Journal: Fun Fourth & Fifth
CBS News producer and Winnebago driver Jack Halsbond shares his adventures as he travels the country as part of The Early Show's "Great American Vacation" giveaway.
What a grand time we had in Yakima, Wash. The Early Show was welcomed by the good folks of city hall. Scott Steinloski, director of tourism, and TJ Mullinax, assistant director, of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau made sure that we were as high profile as possible over the Fourth of July weekend.
Through their tireless efforts, we joined in the Valley's Fourth of July celebrations. First, we were off to the fairgrounds in Toppenish, Wash., where we were assigned No. 32 as we were staged with many others before taking part in their annual parade. We met many people, including Arnulfo and Maria Gonzalez, the directors of the fantastic dancing troupe, Bailadores Aztlan. Dressed in original costumes made in Mexico City, these youngsters led Winny's way down the main streets of Toppenish. They perform authentic Mexican dances all over the valley and the region.
View my photosWe were assisted, as always, by a group of great volunteers, rounded up by Early Show producer Steve Cohen, in handing out flyers and making the good folks aware of out live broadcast the following morning. Thanks, Jordash Dailey, Aly Cote, Kelly Messner, Jimmy Moore, Andrew Schwartzenbergger and Dave Perrault for all your help.
Scott and TJ made sure that after the parade, we visited a few of the many vineyards and wineries that the Yakima Valley is known for. In addition to leading the nation in the production of apples, mint and winter pears, the Yakima Valley produces 80 percent of all the grapes used to make Washington wines. Washington is second only to California in wine production in the United States. Thank you to the wonderful people at the Bonair and Silver Lake wineries for giving us an education in the proper way to taste some of the very best American-made wines.
From our trip to the vineyard, we headed back to Yakima to take part in the fair and fireworks celebration. The sights and sounds of music and celebration filled the night air as we all joined together to celebrate the birthday of our great nation.
Then it was on to Millennium Arts Plaza and our "Great American Vacation" giveaway.
The Early Show's Dave Price surprised Sgt. Joe Salinas with a trip to Hawaii.Johnson Orchards made sure that our display on Wednesday morning from Millennium Plaza was spectacular. Their crates full with apricots, cherries and nectarines were overflowing. Johnson Orchards is celebrating more than 100 years being owned by the same family on the same locations. It is also cherry season in Washington, and Winny left stocked with oodles of Bing and Rainier cherries. Also on hand to help demonstrate the diversity of area were the folks of CubCrafters. Their roots are in the 50-year history of classic taildragger aviation. CubCrafters is the recognized authority for rebuilding and modifying PA-18 Super Cubs and similar models. Their highly specialized veteran craftsmen are experts in rebuilding this legendary aircraft. CubCrafters' headquarters and manufacturing facility is located at Yakima Air Terminal — McAllister Field Airport (YKM) in Yakima.
A special thank you goes out to the eighth-grade students of
eCYBERMISSION — an Internet-based science competition group that's sponsored by the U.S. Army. Each group is charged with using science and the Internet to solve community-based problems. Using their logon name, Beatles, each member of this remarkable group of young men from Selah, Wash., was awarded a $6,500 college scholarship for their team's creative work in solving their community's problem of polluted water where salmon spawn.
Lead by team adviser Michael Brown, the group consists of Joel Freeborn, Kevin Bertelsen, Brad White and Jimmy Wood. Joel's dad, Steve Freeborn, accompanied the group to Yakima.
The good people of Yakima did themselves proud in helping to ensure that The Early Show giveaway was the special event that it turned out to be.
Now it's on to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the "Great American Vacation" giveaway on Wednesday, July 12.