04/27/06 Winthrop Mother`s Day

Winthrop Mother's Day If you're looking for a new activity for Mother's Day weekend I have a suggestion. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some details. If your mother is the outdoor type or a little adventuresome then you might want to look toward Winthrop, Washington for Mother's Day weekend. The Washington Outfitters and Guides Association is providing lots of entertainment and food for this special weekend. The official name for the event is the 49er's Day Packer Rendezvous. Weekend events start with the Friday high noon arrival of the "ride to Rendezvous" wagon train that has been traveling the scenic Methow valley old stage routes for the previous three days. Saturday kicks off with a packer parade. I'm told you'll see some of the longest pack string of horses and mules in the state of Washington. The afternoon has a full slate including Outfitter's display camps, cowboy songs and poetry, kids activities and crafts. Now around evening is when you can make points with mom by taking her to the Outfitter's dinner which includes steak and just about anything else you can cook in cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens. After dinner you can relax around the campfire with more western music, cowboy poetry and almost true stories. Mother's Day Sunday starts with a cowboy breakfast, continues with a timed and judged packer competition displaying the outfitters fantastic packing techniques then finishes with a live auction including various pack trips, artwork and tack. Now that's a full weekend. I'm Jeff Keane.