chapman
family
reunion
2024
In Pullman. In person. | June 28-29, 2024
Introducing you to Pullman!
This video gives a simply overview of why we love Pullman so much. It’s an amazing place to live and we hope that after a few days (or more… you’re invited!), you’ll find it a great place to visit.
Lodging
We have a group rate with the Holiday Inn Express which is only four-tenths of a mile from Brandon and Sarah’s house and less than a mile to Walmart. They’ve been a good community partner for Pullman and they’re the hotel we support!
- Free hot breakfast buffet
- Free parking
- Indoor pool & hot tub
- Complimentary shuttle service (within Pullman city limits)
Travel tips
A few things that may be helpful:
- Pullman does have an airport… and indoor plumbing! Because it’s a small regional airport, there are only a limited number of flights in and out, mostly by Alaska Airlines. Thus, it is more expensive than flying in and out of Spokane.
- Spokane Airport is an hour-and-a-half from Pullman.
- Car rentals are expensive everywhere nowadays. We’ve found much greater success on Turo, which is a car version of, say, Airbnb or VRBO. We used it in San Diego and had a Tahoe for the whole week for $400, whereas the rental agencies wanted about $1,200 for the same time.
You won’t want to miss out
There are several reasons you’ll want to make sure you come to Pullman this summer. Here are a few ‘hype videos’ we’re sharing to help motivate you and make your decision a little easier :).
2 days
+ extra events
event schedule
friday
28
5:00 p.m.
Mix-and-Mingle
As in year's past, we'll have an antipasto... probably a charcuterie akin to what we did in July 2019. We'll have a selection of deliciously cold (non-alcoholic) beverages but if you have a specific kind of (alcoholic) beverage that you like, you may want to bring that.
1110 SE Sunnymead Way, Pullman, WA 99163
9:00 p.m.
Outdoor movie
We have an outdoor theater and by golly we intend to use it. By this time of night, it probably won't be a kid movie. Norman will probably be asking for a high-body-count movie. Maybe we'll do something like Top Gun: Maverick.
saturday
29
12.00 p.m.
Lunch in the Park
We'll be renting the Sunnyside Park pavilion and having a nice picnic lunch… we’ll provide all the sandwich stuff you could want, as well as throw-away plates and plasticware. We ask others to bring sides: chips, fruit, pasta salad, etc. Just grab something from the store! Sunnyside Park has a duck pond, playground equipment, pickleball courts, a disc golf course… something for everyone!
147 SW Cedar St, Pullman, WA 99163
6:00 p.m.
Taco Fest
The best tacos in all the land are NOT found in any Mexican restaurant on the Palouse. Nope, they’re Brandini’s tacos adobada. He smokes the pork for 24 hours, then rests the meat for about three hours to seal in the juices before charring it on the griddle with his secret taco seasoning. Add onion, cilantro, queso fresco, and una salsa roja and you’ll find these may be the best tacos you’ve ever had. The elote (Mexican street corn) is top notch, as well.
1110 SE Sunnymead Way, Pullman, WA 99163
7:00 p.m. until…
… the cows come home!
This is our chance to continue visiting, playing card games, swapping family history, and, of course, hear from the Jim Chapman for President Committee. As Barbara said last year, we'll just have fun and visit until the cows come home... or the neighbors call the cops.
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Other sponsored and on-your-own events
Feel free to come to Pullman early… or stay late.
Campus Tour
Friday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Brandon gives the best driving tours of the Washington State University campus. There will be a few stops along the way (art museum, taxidermy museum, football stadium, baseball stadium, Brandon’s office, and Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe) but almost no walking. Learn the history and see the sites!
Cheesemaking Demo
Friday at 1:00 p.m. — RSVP to Brandon
This is a group exclusive! A chance to view the cheesemaking process and have it explained to us. Ferdinand’s makes the famed Cougar Gold, as well as a variety of other cheeses and ice creams. After viewing this process, we will visit the ice cream shop and folks can buy cheese to take with them or some ice cream to eat!
Art Museum
Tour Time TBD. Or go on your own.
New to the WSU campus is the Museum of Art. Unlike any other building on campus, this one stands out due to its unique mirrored glass exterior. Inside the Crimson Cube, as it is affectionately called, are six galleries featuring visiting exhibitions, featured artists, and the museum’s permanent collection.
Kamiak Butte
Listed as a National Natural Landmark,the elevation reaches 3,641 feet, the second highest in Whitman County, and offers a panoramic view of the Palouse region. This one is a moderate hike to the top and gives the chance to view more than 150 known birds, mannals, and vegetation species.
Steptoe Butte
Out of the silty loess of the Palouse hills sits Steptoe Butte, a 3,612-foot that has tremendous 360-degree views of the rolling hills. Even better for all the non-hikers out there, you can drive right to the top, park, and just look around. On a non-clear day you can see for miles. On a clear day, much farther.
Spokane
The Lilac City is just a little more than an hour north of Pullman. As the second largest city in Washington, Spokane has a lot to offer: the beauty of the river with its canyons and waterfalls. Plus, Sterling’s favorite restaurant, Atilano’s, is right off the freeway in Spokane.
Snake River
At 1,078 miles long, the Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. It’s great for fishing large steelhead salmon and bass. It’s amazingly calm above the Lower Granite Dam (we call it Snake Lake) and the kids love to be pulled around on a tube. Lots of people paddleboard and kayak on the Snake, as well.
Palouse Falls
The official waterfalls of Washington state, this is about two-and-a-half-hours west of Pullman so it’s a bit of a haul but for those who love waterfalls, this is a must-see. All official vantage points are from above the falls; nothing official from below. There is a short hike to get to some swim areas above the falls. Ran by State Parks.
Elk River Falls
For those who love waterfalls but don’t want to drive as far as it takes to see Palouse Falls, Elk River Falls is fun option. There is a small hike in to see the falls, but the added bonus is you can swim in these falls. These are about an hour-and-15 minutes from Brandon and Sarah’s house. Bring a bathing suit and get in!
Pedal the Palouse
Pullman has some fantastic trails in and around town, nothing more notable than the Chipman Trail (which would be an even better name if it were the Chapman Trail). The Chipman Trail goes all the way to Moscow, Idaho (8 miles), goes through Moscow, and all the way to Troy, Idaho (11 more miles). All of it is paved.
Palouse Scenice Byway
Affectionately called the Tuscany of America, the Palouse Scenic Byway is 208 miles of scenic roadways and charming communities. In late June, most of the wheat fields are still green, mixed with bright yellow canola fields.While it’s a favorite of landscape photographers and hardcore cyclists, it’s a nice vehicle trip!
Lewiston valley
Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, Lewiston is known as the “Banana Belt of the Pacific Northwest.” The views from the top of valley are incredible; the slope down the grade fairly steep. It’s connected across the river to Clarkston, WA, home of the best pizza ever: Fazarri’s Shotsy!
