McHop Adventures: 30 Years and Still Going Strong!

Once upon a time, Warren helped start the Mid-Columbia Brass Quintet. Amazingly, they are still playing together! We decided to venture over to the Tri-Cities to attend their 30th Anniversary Concert. Of course, we had to make the trip fun! So, we visited wineries; touched base with a dear pal, Jo, and her beau George; visited wineries; and then attended the concert. We got home last night around 10 p.m. with some re-wine-ders of our trip (4 cases).

First, we had to set Greta Garmin because Warren always likes to know when he'll get somewhere - even though he's made the trip about 40 billion times.

Then, find Prosser and Desert Wind winery...

Call our long lost friend to make arrangements to meet for dinner. She told us about Terra Blanca - on the way...

Then, we checked into our hotel - room 234 - and got ready for dinner at Cedars. We were later reminded by Katharine that it is the restaurant where Brian proposed. I remembered it as the place where Jo and I, plus another friend, went to spend our moolah when we won the Trifecta at a horse race about 25 years ago! We both remembered being positively giggly over our treasure - and spending it ALL on one fantastic meal. Anyway, Jo and George met us for a delicious dinner and review of all that's happened over the past two years. The last time we'd talked with them was at Arianna & Tim's wedding on 8/8/08!

After a wonderful evening, we went back to the hotel to rest up for the next day. We slept in, had a nice breakfast, and then headed off for more wineries - the Tri-Cities is full of them now. Where were they 30 years ago? I do believe they've improved the atmosphere over there.

After a late lunch at Tagaris (yummy), we headed off for the church where the Mid-Columbia Brass Quintet concert was being held. Warren & I attended it in the 70's & 80's and Katharine & Brian attended in the '00's. If you look at the top picture in the program, Warren is on the far right. The Quintet had him stand to be recognized as the original tuba player. It was so nice of them to acknowledge him! They were quite surprised we showed up. It was a delightful concert.