Activities and Events

Annual Picnic at Ryderwood: Wednesday August 4th, 2010 through Sunday August 8th, 2010

Mark your calendars for the 2010 Northwest Country Cousins annual picnic and campout at Ryderwood (see map below). You can plan to camp out in your tent or RV, stay in a local motel (see list below), or visit for a single day (Saturday is the big day). The Ryderwood camp and picnic area is located in Ryderwood Washington. Ryderwood is a dry camping facility at $10 per night, and a $100 pre-paid deposit. No hookups so you are on your own for water and power. There is a covered kitchen area that can be used. It includes sinks, refrigerator, stove, and maybe even an oven, and lots of tables and chairs.

Schedule of Events:

  • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday arrivals by those who are RV'ing or Camp'ing -- it is first come first served but usually there is enough room for all and even some trees for stringing up your dipole.
  • Friday night is the famous chili hot-dog cookout.
  • Saturday at Noon is the potluck dinner, Please bring a main dish plus a desert or salad so that there will be enough food to go around.
  • Saturday is also the awards ceremony and the raffle for prized mystery gifts.

Map and Directions

From Seattle/Tacoma Area head south on I-5, if from Oregon, head north on I-5, if from anywhere else, get onto I-5 and do the right thing.

  • Take Exit 59 (Vader and Ryderwood Exit)
  • Follow road west through Vader (go slow over the rail-road tracks)
  • Continue until the end of the road. When you can't drive no more, you are there at the park.

List of Suggested Motels At Castle Rock, Washington:

Castle Rock is about 10 miles south of Exit 59 (shown on the map) for Vader/Ryderwood. Motels available at Castle Rock include:

  • Mt. St. Helens, 360-274-7721
  • Motel 7 West, 360-274-7526
  • Timberlane Motel, 360-274-6002

Hamfests and Amateur Radio Conventions in the Northwest for 2010

The following is the known list of hamfests and other amateur radio conventions or meetings known to me. If you know of any that I do not have below, please let me know.

February 20th, 2010

Salem Hamfair and Computer/Electronics Swapmeet, Rickreall, Oregon

http://www.w7sra.com

Location: Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall, Oregon. Rickreall is 10 miles due west from Salem, Oregon.

March 7th, 2010

Mike and Key ARC Swapmeet, Puyallup, Washington

http://www.mikeandkey.org/flea.htm

Location: Western Washington Fairgrounds, Puyallup, Washington. Pavilion Exhibition Hall, Meridian Street South and 9th Avenue SE.

April 17th, 2010

Yakima Hamfest, Yakima, Washington

http://w7aq.org

Location:Selah Civic Center, 216 South 1st Street, Selah, Washington.

May 8th, 2010

Stanwood-Camano Island ARC Hamfest

http://www.scarcwa.org

Location: Stanwood Middle School, 9405 271st Street NW, Stanwood, Washington.

June 4th - 6th, 2010

SeaPac Amateur Radio Convention and Hamfest

http://www.seapac.org

Location: Seaside Convention Center, 415 1st Avenue, Seaside, Oregon. Note: fleamarket is all day Saturday and Sunday Morning.

June 11th - 13th, 2010

Wenatchee Hamfest -- Apple City ARC

http://www.qsl.net/w7td

Location: Dryden Gun Club, Saunders Road, Dryden, Washington.

July ??, 2010

Coos County Radio Club and Swapmeet, North Bend, Oregon

http://www.coosradioclub.net

Location: North Bend Middle School, contact: Marilyn Mansker, KE7OAM or Dave Granicy, K7NBO

August 14th, 2010

Hamfest and Electronics Fleamarket -- Radio Club of Tacoma

http://www.w7dk.org

Location: Bethel Junior High School, 22001 38th Avenue East, Spanaway, Washington.

September 25th, 2010

Spokane Hamfest -- Spokane Washington

http://www.kbara.org

Location: University High School, 12420 East 32nd Avenue, Spokane Valley, Washington.

October 24rd, 2010

Swaptoberfest, Mid Valley ARES -- Rickreall, Oregon

http://www.swaptoberfest.net

Location: Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall, Oregon (10 miles west of Salem, Oregon).