Walla the what?

Tranche Vineyard, Walla Walla, WA

Multnomah Falls, OR

Thursday morning, we departed for Walla Walla, Washington. It was 8 hours either up to Portland and due east or to go diagonally across Oregon over mountains more apt to be snow-impassable.  Many passes stated a need for chains in order to traverse in a storm, but with our snow studded tires on the AWD CRV, we figured we were good to go. We went through Portland and took the northern-most road in Oregon headed east along the Columbia River Gorge. Just across the river is the southern-most road in Washington—also a scenic byway. We passed many waterfalls including the Multnomah Falls, ranked as fifth highest in the US, at 611 feet, and most iconic in Oregon.  Fires last summer destroyed some trees and undergrowth that keeps rocks from falling, so some parts of the trails were off limits. It was already a bit rainy and cold when we arrived but we got out for a stretch break and checked out the gift shop, free fudge samples and hot coffee. The roadside along the route is dotted with signs about the Lewis and Clark trail or historic sites of the Oregon Trail crossings. Along the massive river, we also passed three big dams which we had seen from the air last summer when we flew into Portland.

seen in downtown Walla Walla windowshop

Periodic table and "studying vessels" in the classroom

Dr. Whitman of the Oregon Trail

We arrived in WW in the rainy-, almost snowy-, dark. Although multiple restaurants abounded, it was too inclement to walk to them so we dined in the hotel restaurant. The Marcus Whitman hotel is named after one of the pioneer fathers in the area. Judd has been reading in The Oregon Trail, about Dr. Marcus Whitman who led the first large party of wagon trains to the west.  On the second floor of the hotel, a series of paintings depict Whitman’s life, and how he impacted the lives of the Native Americans. He and his wife set up medical care and a school for the Cayuse and Nez Perce tribes. However, when a measles outbreak killed more Cayuse children and adults than settlers, the Cayuse because suspicious and massacred the white settlers. The painting gallery gets a little gruesome.

On Friday, Judd dropped me at the VA for a day long visit. They did keep me busy every hour and I departed with a job offer to be Chief of Staff. Judd spent the day driving around the neighborhood and went to meet a principal at a nearby school in Oregon. We have some serious thinking to do about a second relocation in one year.

Walla Walla is known for growing wheat and wine. Also, sweet onions. On Saturday, we explored the area and explored possibilities.  Although there are about 36 wineries downtown within walking distance of the hotel, we looked for some out on the hillsides where the grapes are growing.  Tranche was in a bucolic setting, with sheep punctuating the hillside and a view of the snow covered Blue Mountains behind the already-greening grape vines. But the most fun had at a winery was at College Cellars, just 5 minutes out of town.

Walla Walla Community College has a two-year enology program.  The wine is made by students and the tasting room is staffed by students. Besides the MUCH more reasonable prices and MUCH friendlier reception, we also got a tour “downstairs.”  How funny to go into a classroom, with whiteboards and desks in rows, and see cases of wine glasses in the back instead of Erlenmeyer flasks or beakers. Could not have had a nicer tour guide than first year student Vann Rudolph who explained the difference between fermenting wine in concrete versus stainless steel versus oak, why you can make some wines in 17 days and some aren’t really palatable until they’re years old.  Out back, Judd was fascinated by the specialized machinery.  I was charmed by the wine “library” where they store bottles from favorite years/places. We stopped afterwards at The Green Lantern for a light lunch but really couldn’t hit any of the other tasting rooms recommended to us.  We did write them down for future reference. The hotel was the site of Walla Walla High School prom and it was fun to see everyone in their ball gowns and tuxes.  We saw a crowd snacking at the Sweet Basil Pizzeria where we had a late dinner, and this morning, we saw glitter and sequins all over the carpet. But our room was far enough removed that we did not hear any ruckus to disturb our slumber.

Sunday was the 8 hour commute back to Jacksonville to prepare to face work colleagues on Monday who knew I was traveling to look at a new job.  They’re not too happy with me.

Home without grocery shopping or laundry done but with some classy wines

and the prospect of a new adventure…..