Lonely and hopeful. Sounds like a country music song. It is country all right, just not a song. It’s the wintry scene spilling out in all directions from the backcountry of agriculture right here in the Yakima Valley. On a recent meander through some open space on the Yakama Reservation, I had the chance to have a look at the beauty of slumbering farmland. While certainly there is nothing that compares to the dark soils and colorful bounty in growth and harvest, there’s something to the slow-still of a frozen whitescape. Pushing out to meet the sky at the horizon under a big dome of clear blue in near zero temperatures is a winter pearl in the yearly routine. Hopping out of my car to shoot pictures, the cold and quiet land has a patient presence to it that feels holy-like in its acceptance of the unmoving now and certainty of the changes to come. Both bleak and beautiful, I hope you are struck just as I was by the allure of an introverted seasonal moment.
All photos were taken by Andreana Gamache on the Yakama Reservation, from Toppenish heading west through Harrah and into White Swan.
Beautiful!!! In pictures and prose. You put my thoughts into words today after driving back roads from Wapato to Sunnyside at 7:30 this morning. -5 degrees, bye the way, but the beauty was worth it and I felt as if I had been transported to a foreign country in my own back yard! Thank you for you for continuing to provide fresh and inspirational perspectives on our valley, and all that we might otherwise take for granted.
Beautiful – some times we take our fine Valley for granted. Love your articles and thank you for sharing! Loved the apple pie recipe from Grandma – baking in a brown paper bag
brought back childhood memories.
Keep those recipes coming!
Happy New Year
Beautiful photos of the Valley.
I love the valley pictures you so lovingly shared to catch glimpse in remembrances of my Homeland’s countryside. Being that I’ve spent 40 years in the city of Seattle now..my heart was reminded of the fresh beauty of winters in the Yakima vallry with bright sunny days even in winters. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful pictures andreana! Very well done!
Lovely photos of a land I love. While working at the Toppenish Review ten years ago I roamed the valley taking photos. You captured it so beautifully in your photos and in your writing.
Just absolutely gorgeous photos!
Thanks for publishing these pix. It reminds all of us why we love living in the countryside of the Yakima Valley. I especially love the hillside picture with the little chapel in the upper right hand corner. That one could win a photo contest somewhere. Thanks again, Andreana!
The Medicine Valley area, and the entire lower valley, is beautiful. Looking at your pictures, I remember how quiet it is out there, and how fresh is the air. This is a beautiful description of our valley.
Great photos. I so appreciate this area of the country. I love to show my family in the south what a beautiful place that I live. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing our valley with us.