Lind, WA

Lind is one of seven towns I am documenting in the arid wheat country of central Washington state where there is only enough rain to plant a crop every two years. Lind is nestled in the bottom of Lind Coulee and is perhaps best known for its annual Combine Demolition Derby when the town of a 500 hundred swells to a few thousand for one weekend in June. Slim’s the only tavern in town is open of course; there is a picnic in the park and a beer garden at the derby. Many buildings in town are vacant but the grocery store and grain elevators and associated businesses are active. Lind and Ritzville 16 miles to the north share public education duties. Lind has the Junior High and Ritzville the Senior High. Sharing facilities or exporting students is not uncommon in wheat country.