This is the letter I sent to Paul. -----Original Message----- From: Michael Santangelo [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 11:38 AM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: Fly Rod & Reel - Rocky Ford Creek
Dear Paul, I couldn't help but notice you article about Rocky Ford Creek near Ephrata Washington. While I currently live in the Netherlands, my home until two years ago, was the Seattle area. My in-laws live in two and half hours away from Seattle in Soap Lake, a community adjacent to Ephrata. Frequent trips to the in-laws accompanied with mandatory excursions to the Ford make me somewhat familiar with the area. I think the last paragraph of your article indicates a real misunderstanding of Ephrata and its surrounding community. Ephrata isn't exactly what you would call a bell weather city. It is a farm community that is going though its own tribulations like most any farm community in America today. A big event in Ephrata was the opening of the local Wal Mart. That saved folks having to make the trip to the Wal Mart in the larger nearby community of Moses Lake. So, your sentence that "Ephrata does have other thing on its mind rather than fly fishing" is accurate. However, please consider what else may be on their mind. Did you know that Ephrata bases the longest serving Army National Guard unit in Iraq. This unit is on the longest deployment of any Guard unit since WWII. This burden has made a major financial and emotional impact on the community. While I'm sure your statements are accurate in your perspective, I think your opinion gives the community a kick while they are already down. Rather than make my own argument concerning the costs of this type of burden, I will refer you to the August 2004 "Money" magazine article titled, "Ephrata Pays for the War". For future reference, here are a couple of suggestions in case you wish to reconsider you opinions on restaurants and lodging. For an outstanding burger, check out DK's on the north edge of Ephrata. For one of the best steaks ever, go to Don's in Soap Lake. I use their steaks as a basis by which to judge other steaks. Fine and interesting lodging can be found in Soap Lake at either the Inn at Soap Lake or the Notaras Lodge. Check them out and let me know what you think. Best Regards, Michael Santangelo
