I loved my two months in Walla Walla. I found the area to be filled with history and lots to do. The RV Park where I stayed was next to the recreation park so I only had to step out of my door to find the best dog walks. The recreation area was huge and included an 18-hole disc golf course, a planetary walk, picnic area, a skateboard park, playground and a dog park. And on the day of the big snow, the rolling hills seemed to call to the entire town’s children to come out to sled.
For all intents and purposes, this was my first stop as a full-time RVer. I ended up in Walla Walla, interestingly enough, not by proactively choosing the location. You might remember, in the first days and weeks as an RVer, I struggled so scrapping my plans to go to Walla Walla to be with friends was my solution.
In other words: I just got lucky. I got to Walla Walla without looking at a map, without consideration of the temperature and without researching what I might do when I got there. It turned out to be a fantastic initial stop in my new RV life.
During the first couple weeks of my stay, I got orientated to the area. But mostly I was getting oriented to RV living and settling into the trailer. Then it was time to explore.
Because I’m a natural homebody and introvert, it’s super easy for me to work on my computer all day long, then read and watch movies in the evening. If I didn’t have a dog, I could go days without ever opening the front door. Therefore, I made a commitment to myself that I would have a minimum of one adventure per week.
My definition of adventure is loose, and it certainly might not be someone else’s. Basically, it is me doing or seeing something new. Going to a museum or to a nature center would count, going to a coffee shop (even one I’d never been to before) wouldn’t. If I can pick up a brochure about it, it’s probably an adventure.
For me adventure doesn’t have to be some big grand thing like zip lining (though I will be riding zip lines and walking suspension bridges in May with other Oliver Trailer owners) or a hike to the top of a mountain. Adventure is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. It’s about opening my mind and heart, learning, experiencing and enjoying. Adventure is anything that meets my mission to strive to live a SupersizeLIFE.
Because there is a lot to share about my time in Walla Walla, this is going to be a two-part post. Today will be a shorter post to include information and history of the area. Then next week, I’ll get into the adventures themselves which will be a longer post (because there was so much to see and do).
Walla Walla History
You can’t go very far in Walla Walla without running into the name Whitman. Hotel. Street. College. Many businesses. That is because Marcus and Narcissa Whitman came to the area in 1836. An interesting factoid: it is believed that Narcissa Whitman was the first white woman to cross the continental overland. They established the Mission at Waiilatpu among the Cayuse Indians. Waiilatpu is Cayuse meaning place of the people of the rye grass.
Ultimately, their attempt to convert the Indians to Christianity failed. Additionally, the Cayuse began to believe Marcus Whitman, who was a doctor by trade, was poisoning them when the measles epidemic spread through the area. Indians were dying from the disease with more frequency than their Caucasian counterparts. All the Cayuse children died and about half of the adults.
On November 27, 1847, 11 years after the establishment of the mission and school, the Cayuse attacked the mission, killing the Whitmans and 11 other people. The event is referred to as the Whitman Massacre. In response, a voluntary militia went to war against the Indians, nearly wiping out the rest of the Cayuse people.
Military in the Area
The US Army established Fort Walla Walla in 1856. Over the years, the Fort was in three different locations. There is no longer an active Fort in Walla Walla, but the strong sense of military pride is evident throughout the town. They have a particularly strong tie to World War I.
Near the RV Park, in the recreation park, I found four World War I cannons. The cannons deployed to Europe in 1917, returned to the US in 1919 and returned to Walla Walla in 1920. They have the distinction of being the only cannons to be returned to the US troops who had fought with them during the war.
Other Notes of Interest
Locals enjoyed telling me their town holds the honor of being the site where Washington’s first State Constitutional Convention was held in 1878. In fact, the convention building stands today and a plaque on the downtown location commemorates the event.
Locals informed me the State’s first bank was in Walla Walla, that they have been named the “friendliest town” and that their downtown area has also won awards. Also, many of the state’s largest trees reside in Pioneer Park. Interestingly, none of the varieties of these record-holding trees are native to the area.
One fact I found particularly intriguing about Walla Walla was, that in a town of 41,000 people, there are three colleges. Three. That such a small community supports three institutes of higher education fascinates me. There is Whitman College, Walla Walla University and Walla Walla Community College. That’s impressive.
The rich soil of the Walla Walla Valley makes it prime real estate for growers. No doubt, you’ve heard of the Walla Walla Sweet Onion? But it is the plethora of wineries that is most notable. On some downtown blocks, you’ll find three or four tasting rooms. They say Walla Walla is the Napa Valley of the North. The internet says there are more than 100 wineries in Walla Walla.
I was in Walla Walla between November 11, 2017 and January 10, 2018. Being there over the holidays offered seasonal-specific adventures. But that’s probably true no matter where I would’ve been. The ideal time to visit the area is in the fall with the pleasant temperatures and the beautiful fall colors. Summers, I learned are extreme with weeks at a time staying at over 100 degrees.
I would love return to the area, especially during the fall. It’s on the list. But I kind of have a feeling I’m going to be saying that about every place I visit.
A Side Story
Since this post doesn’t include any of the Walla Walla adventures, let me share a little story from one adventure that followed my time in Washington. After Walla Walla, I spent three weeks in Auburn, California.
Auburn was at the heart of the California Gold Rush and the town came into existence to service miners in the hills. I went to two museums and on a guided walking tour. On the guided walking tour, the docent asked if we knew of the cafe called Awful Annie’s. As it happened, I remembered driving by it and thinking what a terrible name for a place that serves food. The restaurant moved recently but its original location was on my tour. The upper rooms served as a brothel. There was one prostitute, Annie who dubbed herself Awful Annie because she was “awfully good.” That story tickled my funny bone and thought it might tickle yours.
Come back next week and I’ll share what fun and new discoveries I made during my two months in Walla Walla.
Debbie, great story, look forward to visiting Walla Walla!
Thanks, Trish. I know that it’s clear across the country for you guys. But if your travels take you that way, it’s worth the stop.
You take some great photos and I really love the history. There is a store/restaurant in Greybull called “Dirty Annie’s” but I am not sure where it got it’s name. Looking forward to Part II. Love, Marie
Thanks. So far all of my photos have been taken with my phone but I just bought a higher quality real camera. I’m hoping will get even better. Then I need to learn about photo editing software. No matter how much gets checked off, the list is always long.
You keep writing about me and we’ve never met! I too am a loner and can stay in my house for days at a time and never open the door. People even knock on the door and if they haven’t called to tell me they are coming, I don’t even look out to see who’s there! Spring break begins next Friday and I have rented a log cabin in Gatlinburg to spend a week with no one and no distractions. I too, have set a goal of adventuring out once a day. Included in the rent is one tix each day to go to an attraction. If I stay home for Spring Break, i will just sit and do nothing. I’m looking forward to the 7 hour drive. I’m really looking forward to just rocking on the porch and sitting in the hottub on the porch and looking for bears. lol. I have a real camera i’m taking too. I need to practice! HAPPY EASTER!
Becky in INDY.
That sounds like a great Spring Break. It’ll be practice for when you get on the road. Once you do the adventure, you’ll ask yourself “why did I think it was a good idea to stay home and miss this?” but still I have to go through it every time. Staying in just comes so much more naturally. I cannot wait until we get to meet! I hope you’ll share some of your adventures. I have heard from several people that Gatlinburg is a “must see” area. Lots to see and do. Have the best, most relaxing time! And drive safe.