Ellensburg Water Fitness, Memorial Pool…read more Having just turned 60, I decided to replace my existing strenuous exercise of "NONE" with three evening classes of water fitness a week. The teacher, Kim Grant, is the Real Deal. She is a Force of Nature. Her class is serious exercise expertly designed for the water. Call it "water aerobics" at your own peril: Kim's approach uses the resistance of water to build strength, endurance, and fitness. It's also part movement, muscle toning, exercise philosophy -- and music appreciation! With over 20+ years of experience Kim has developed hundreds of completely original and highly inventive methods of teaching water fitness that take full advantage of what the pool environment has to offer. When I say "hundreds" I'm not kidding: in the 20 classes since I began, there hasn't been one class that is a "repeat." Sure, there are a handful of basic routines that I'm only now getting somewhat proficient at, but each class integrates the familiar with novel moves that will leave you surprised you still have muscles that (apparently) have never been exercised. Often, the class has a "theme". For example, one recent class focused on lower body. Another was a "deep water" class, where we used water weights and the exercises required that our feet did not touch the bottom of the pool. The goal of one class was to not get any water on our face or hair -- we needed to keep our core tight and controlled. For many evening classes, the overhead lights are turned off, leaving the underwater lights to suffused the pool with a calming glow. Every class is a fresh experience -- NEVER boring! Every class has a new soundtrack. Kim teaches 4 daytime classes and 3 evening classes each week, and every one has a different playlist, usually crafted that day. I'm told she hasn't repeated a playlist in 20 years. Her taste in music is broad and encyclopedic, and I frequently discover new artists or remarkable covers of songs and request her playlist, which she is happy to provide. Every class ends with around 7 minutes of warm-down exercises and stretches that feel SO GOOD after going full tilt for 50+ minutes. The class is approximately 90% women and many of these ladies are older than me and have seriously toned muscles. Several have been in this class for 10+ years! All appear to be in excellent aerobic shape and easily outpace me -- I can barely keep up with them! Kim is a teacher with deep concern for her students. She somehow manages to guide not only the inexperienced students (like ME) but also the students with 10+ years that need a refresher on technique. Kim works hardest of all, always pushing her own limits and asking her students to challenge themselves and consider "what they need" from a particular exercise and "what they want to get out of each class." Above all, Kim genuinely has FUN teaching, and her attitude is infectious. If you have always thought about improving your health and (likely) extending your life, this is a great way to do that. Just come expecting to work!

Just reopened - great place to spend 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon. Free swim was from 1pm-3, not…read moretoo crowded. Diving board in the deep end (12' at its deepest) and 2 lanes for lap swimming. The free swim area is fun for kids and grown ups, and there's a separate 2'6" kiddie pool. They close the hot tub on Saturday for cleaning, so that's a bummer.

Professional atmosphere. Staff are pleasant and social. Instructors are thoughtful, skilled, and…read moreoffer different styles. Rooms are clean and well maintained. Most students are above-average skill level, but newbies like me are treated kindly. Folks usually chat a bit outside the classroom, especially after sessions. Prices are fair and specials are great. I've taken 6 classes now and will continue about 1-2 times a week.

This place is fantastic! I was able to take it advantage of their two-week introductory rate, which…read moreincludes unlimited use for two weeks for $25. You can't beat it! The only downside is, their prices are a little costly for individual sessions. If I did have the money to splurge I would definitely buy a package at this yoga studio. Their instructors are very kind and patient. The facility itself is also very clean which is very nice when you're taking a hot yoga class. I definitely recommend this studio to other individuals living and or visiting the area.

This business doesn't exist anymore. The two waitresses in the Pasta Co. next door don't recall a…read moretime when it did. It's now a meeting place for people who like Pokémon and Magic the Gathering.

The store is well supplied, and everyone is nice and helpful. I appreciate this resource in our…read moresmall town.

I don't write reviews. I have never felt so mistreated though, so I am now. I don't have the time…read moreor energy as I am very ill, and the last thing I want to do is cause negativity. However, this is wrong and needs to be shared. This clinic cancelled two appointments I had set up at the last minute. I had waited weeks for both of them. And then days before, they were cancelled. I became even more ill after they cancelled the second appointment, and so I did not reschedule for 2 weeks due to my condition. The lady answering the phone was rude the 3 times I spoke with her, and I have no idea why. When I tried to reschedule, just moments ago, they refused to see me. So now almost 2 months have gone by when I could have seen someone else. Typically I have always found physical therapists to be the kindest sort of people. I have no idea of the quality of their service. But in terms of warmth and care regarding humans and their health, they fail miserably. Perhaps a new front desk person is all that needs to change. I would have loved to go here, but when I just called, the woman refused to let me make an appointment for no reason at all. She did not explain why except to say. "We thought you went somewhere else." I explained that I had not gone somewhere else and that I wanted to set up a third appointment. She said no. I had to go somewhere else. I am going to contact one of the physical therapists there directly because they may be wonderful and not be aware of the impression they are giving off to potential patients as well as the poor management. Two appointments were caneceled, not by me, but by them after I had waited patiently for 2 weeks each time. Now my referral has lapsed. But that's not even why she wouldn't take me as a patient. I have no idea why she turned me away. When a person is very sick and seeking help, this kind of treatment actually makes you feel worse. I now am set back nearly two months. I can hardly move. And I have to start all over again. And I had to face a woman who basically gave me the idea that I am not worth their time. Does she understand that sick people need exactly the opposite? If they are actually a good physical therapy center, I would hope to get a call directly from their physician with an apology and an appointment. If I do, I will update this review to reflect that. I don't want the professionals to have their practice be seen as bad if they are in fact good. But my first, second and third impression is that they really don't care about you. Sincerely, Maryann

I personally had a horrible experience that felt unprofessional and uninformed. The receptionist…read morewas very rude and was openly mocking a patient who had called moments before while other patients were in the lobby.

Shihan Ian Quitadamo (owner) is one of the most serious and dedicated people I have met. Not only…read morein the dojo but also as a university professor and father. Very open, honest, and considerate. Loves to have fun. You will have occasion to run barefoot in the snow and break rocks along a river in summer. He provides a very traditional dojo placing high value on honor, respect, courtesy, and general discipline. At the same time he is not afraid to let students mix it up. This is not "slap and tickle" martial arts. If you want to go through the motions or buy a belt there places that cater to that. If you have the will, dedication, and spirit to earn a black belt through Shihan it will be one of your proudest accomplishments. As a college student you would do well to have him as a reference on your resume.

Shihan Quitadamo (owner/operator) runs excellent classes. His dedication to the improvement of his…read morestudents as martial artists and as people is obvious. I personally have trained here for 3 yrs, and not only have I grown, but I have also been given a great opportunity to help others grow as well. Here you will learn all the basics of karate (i.e. punching, kicking, throwing, etc), but beyond that you will learn how to transfer this knowledge to the real world should a situation arise that you would need to defend yourself. I have gained confidence in my ability to venture off the beaten path because of the skills that I have been taught here. IMPORTANT*: This IS a full contact class. You will actually hit people, and actually be hit in return. Be prepared. That being said, Shihan Quitadamo will not let you be destroyed. Communication is a key building block of any good relationship, including the one you have with your fellow students, and everyone is taught to watch, listen, and moderate their actions accordingly. You will be pushed, probably farther than you think you can go, but because of your own ability to preserver combined with Shihan's teaching, you will grow both mentally and physically. I encourage anyone who is even remotely interested to come down and try it out. You'll never know if it is for you if you don't. *There is also a kid's class offered separate from the adults class. See website for more details.

Fantastic recreation area. Well kept up by the staff and Rangers. Loved watching the occasional…read morefisherman's boat drift by. And as a very partime trainspotter, the few trains across the river added to the experience. Only (slight) drawn back were the noisy (and most definitely speeding) motorcycles and folks with more $ than brains racing down the road by Big Pines.

Even though it's not a five star campground...I have taken my husband and son here every year for…read morethe past five years. Why would we endure the heat, wind, no water, and sometimes site with no tree or shade? Because the canyon is gorgeous and the float is unbeatable in WA. Only go if you can get sites 1-5. The sun sets behind the hills earlier so you get some shade there. But God forbid you go on a 107F day like we did last August...after one dày of floating and sitting in our camp chairs in the river (our site had no trees and only our canopy) we gave up and drove home because the heat in the tent was unbearable. A couple years we only took one vehicle and managed to hitch hike from Big Pines back north to the vehicle to get it after floating (since the only road out goes along the river). Some years we take two vehicles, which is best. If you are up for an adventure or maybe you have an RV, you might try coming here to camp!

It's not the landscape, the wildlife, the trails or the views. It's the people. Most are…read moreperfectly fine and are out there to camp, hike, and fish for the sake of the activities. However, there is a percentage that is there because it's free and remote while still being accessible to a town where they can get their drug of choice. You'll recognize them by the ancient, filthy, motorhomes. My son was hiking with his girlfriend when they were approached by one of these "campers" who asked if they had any fentanyl to sell! Wow! Is there no where to escape this scrounge? Anywhere?

Mileage: estimated about 10 miles total (2 miles to where we set up our tents, then we hiked a loop…read moreof about 6 miles, then 2 miles back to the car the next day) Backpacked: April 16-17, 2016 This past weekend a group of us did an overnight backpack trek to Ancient Lakes. 3 first timers backpacking and it turned out to be an awesome trip! We had some problems trying to find directions out to the place, so here's directions from my personal experience. Directions: we stayed in Quincy the night before, so we took the 28 to Whitetail Road. Made a left on Whitetail from the 28, then a right on road 9 NW. follow road 9 NW and it turns into Ancient Lakes Rd NW. At the end of the road, you'll find the west parking lot. I am not sure how to get to the east parking lot. There's a lot of parking here, when we got there by 11 am, it was really crowded but we still found a spot. (When you are on Whitetail Rd, it might look like you are just driving through farms, but buried in there, there's Ancient Lakes!) There is a port-o-potty at the trail head on the west side. Trail head: is well marked, we hiked in about 2 miles and got to the lakes and the rolling grass area where you can set up tent where ever. There are some man made fire rings scattered through out the area. Hiking: After we picked a spot and set up camp, we hiked a loop around the lakes. We started towards the waterfall. It was a scramble up the side of the waterfall, like a class 4 rock scramble lol. Loose rocks, loose footing. From there, we went pass that waterfall and onto the backside where the east parking lot is. Which there's another waterfall there, and there's also camp spots there too. We looped around, it wasn't too hard. We estimated this part of the hike to be around 6 miles round trip back to our tents. Lots of people camping, we counted about 50 tents, then you estimate about 2/per tent, so like 100 people were out here! But you still are able to find solitude. We came across 3 snakes, an owl, and a marmot. Easy trek, not very hilly at all. Good for first time backpackers. The area can be explored in a day. I found this site useful: https://www.theoutbound.com/washington/backpacking/ancient-lakes-day-hike-or-backpack

I was with a large group, service was excellent, food was very good. The view is great and decor is…read moreappropriate for the setting. A unique location with great food.

Fabulous food here! Fish n chips and burger were AMAZING!!! Cocktails are out of this world as…read morewell. Service was fantastic, We will be back!