Growing Up Yakima

The eruption of Mt. St. Helens on May 18, 1980 is a vivid memory that will stay with me forever. We could see the mountain from our home and the plume of ash quickly rising and enveloping the valley as day turned to night, the sky so thick with ash that a streetlight could not be seen across the street. We don't face the same natural disaters found in other parts of the country, gratefully. When W...

My mother is one of 18 Gamache family kids growing up on a hop and apple farm east of Yakima in Moxee. Growing up a Gamache meant the we learned how to do just about anything. From yardwork, to sewing, to creative projects, my mom always taught us how to or encourgage us to jump in and get the hard work done. Family reunions and easter gatherings were an amazing time to connect with so many aunts...

We have all done it. Woke up early to catch the 5:00 am flight out of Yakima. It's dark and cold and hard to get going so earlyin the morning. I was rewarded for my effort as we took off at dawn. The reminders of how gorgeous our vallen and as we approached Seattle how incredible our state's landscape is. The Cascade and Olympic Mountains, the Puget Sound, the rolling hills found in our own valley...

As kids we explored so many of the unique areas our state has to offer. From camping on the sand dunes at Potholes Reservoir, water skiing on chilly Hood Canal, to Skiing at White Pass, our summer and winter memories are filled with incredible adventures.  

My son is now a middle schooler at Marquette, the same middle school I attended, and the school my father attended high school. It's been great to recall the years I spent playing, studying and getting in trouble on the playground, while empathizing with my son in his new surrounidngs While our routine has changed, we are now exploring Yakima icons to pick up a sweet treat or two on the way home f...

In this episode I introduce my freind Chris who grew up in Los Angeles, California. While he may not have earned money shoveling snow from neighbors driveways like we did, he always hustled to find a way to scrape together a few extra bucks to pursue his passions in the city of angels. 

Family time in the 70's and 80's was different than it is now. TV was great! M*A*S*H* and Happy Days, Gilligan's Island and so many others, inspiring laughter and serious conversation. Family night was enjoying our favorite shows without the distractions of our iPhones. Cable TV changed the game, and new shows served as inspiration to DYI fixer uppers. Big payoffs in real estate could be found at...

From driving my family's delivery trucks with three on the tree, to vintiques, to family reunions and potato sheds, to developing deep lasting relationships though Young Life, we cover a lot of ground in this episode of Growing Up Yakima. Since high school, Young Life has played a huge role in my life, leading me develop a deeper relationship with Christ and to the team I work with now at Wilkinso...

The people of Yakima are remarkably generous. Giving back was a huge part of the values instilled in me and my siblings by our parents. Getting engaged and involved in our community is an incredible gift we teach our own kids today.  

From wacky hairstyles to a wide varity of music genres—growin' up Yakima in the 80's was a unique experience.

As a boy I relive marching up and down the yard in front of our home holding the candidate's sign knowing little about the nature of the issues or the candidate themselves. As my wife began pursuing her role in county leadership as Comissioner, I have learned much more about how layered and complicated most issues really are. 

For many years I spent four days each December living in a cardboard box to raise awareness for those among us on the verge of and experiencing homelessness. The efforts generated over $100,000 in gifts and countless tons of food, clothing and toys all benefitting the Yakima Union Gospel MIssion and the Salvation Army.

Gilbert Park was just across the street and we spent countless hours there. My Dad won auction that granted us a day to hang with the Mahres, olympic skiers, which reminded me of other local athletes who made it big.       Wilkinson's promotional ad does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Securities may be sold only to accredited investors and only t...

Featuring David McKinney as he recounts the tails of why Yakima, Washington is home after leaving briefly after high school and then returning with children to the Valley he loves.     Wilkinson's promotional ad does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Securities may be sold only to accredited investors and only through an offering memorandum. No pers...