Training and Burgers in Yakima

The Training

A week ago I left to go to Yakima to attend a 4 day intensive introductory training in Theraplay^®. It's a three hour ride on Highway 12 to Yakima that travels through the wildnerness of Lewis County and into the Cascades. Once I crossed White Pass and descended into Yakima Valley, the terrain because the classic desert landscape of Eastern Washington.

As I made my way through the mountains I encountered a very beautiful and inspiring rainbow that appeared to be a hologram. The clouds that were releasing their rain were behind the rainbow making it appear as if the rainbow manifested by a magical source. The photo looks as if the sky is completely sunny and clear. I was awe-struck by the transparency of the rainbow. It looked too surreal for it to be of this earthly plane.

The training was held at the local Catholic Community Services building. It was a large campus. The agency has been using Theraplay^® for decades now to help children with attachment and bonding disorders. If you are wondering what Theraplay^® consistitutes, take a moment to check out their informative website. The attendees came from all over: the farthest came from Virgina. There was one from Colorado. Most were from the region. I made friends with a gal from Portland. She was wearing Salt-Water Sandals. I knew we had to connect because I was wearing them, too!

The Burgers

Before arriving in Yakima I did some research about where to eat, and I decided to go on a cheeseburger quest to see what yumminess I could find in Yakima. I had located Miner's and Major's.

I arrived on a Sunday evening and Yakima to find what seemed like a ghost town. No one was to be seen. At 8 o'clock I decided to head on over to Miner's. Everyone in the town was there! It was apparently the spot where people gather.

I ordered the basic cheeseburger to be overwhelmed by the size! It was fairly large and intimidating. The regular order of fries was a huge basket full. My appetite was small, so most of my food was left un-enjoyed!


My next stop the following day was at Major's. They have a French fry specialty called Spuds McVayes. The fries are dipped in a beer batter. OMG! This is greasy goodness heaven! I was fearful they wouldn't be crisp, but they are! And the potato inside is cooked tender and flavorful. I could die from a heart attack eating them! As for the burgers, I preferred the Major's just a little more than the Miner's. At Miner's they had more sauce choices for their fries which could also be used on their burgers. The Miner's burger came with mayo and relish--which turned out to be a red relish that tasted all right. If I were to get a Miner burger again, I'd leave off the condiments and add the tartar sauce meant for the fries.

The Major's burger tasted good with just the mayo. It came with sauteed onions, but I got them raw. It had a nice, salty flavor to it which I enjoyed. The Major junior burger was ample-sized. I didn't get the standard size burger as I feared another monster burger.

I didn't take any pictures of the attempts at Mexican food that I suffered through. Yakima has a very large Mexican population, so I thought there would be good Mexican food. I was wrong! I went to one place that had no idea how to make a mole sauce!

I returned from my Yakima adventure feeling educated and ready to try out the Theraplay^® activities that I had learned. Now I just need to see some clients to test out my new learning!