If someone ever told me before 2008 that I would be living in Walla Walla, I would never in a million years have believed it then. This is exactly where I’m living right now, a cute little valley surrounded by blue mountains, four hours down southeast of Seattle, Washington very close to Oregon border.
The name of this town sounds soo bizarre that everyone end up in asking me “Where on the earth is that located? How on the earth did u end up in that place? What is the meaning of Walla Walla?” Where on the earth!! You got the answer already. How on the earth? I can only see it as a miracle. 'Walla Walla' is a name of Indian Origin which means 'many waters’.
I have always considered myself a girl who could only be living in cities of blinding lights and never imagined myself in a small town of 30000 odd people. I used to think that life is meant to be ‘happening’ all the time, not that I’m too much into night life, but always love the pace of life city has to offer in day to day lives.
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| en route from Seattle to Walla Walla, WA |
I have always considered myself a girl who could only be living in cities of blinding lights and never imagined myself in a small town of 30000 odd people. I used to think that life is meant to be ‘happening’ all the time, not that I’m too much into night life, but always love the pace of life city has to offer in day to day lives.
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| View of Blue Mountains |
Boarding the flight to Walla Walla from Seattle the first time, I was just praying to get out of that town as soon as possible at least to the nearest city, Seattle. A very short 35min flight from Seattle felt really long. I was waiting to get down and if there is any slightest possibility get on the same flight back to seattle again. I was scared, disappointed of starting my life there. Finally, I landed in Walla Walla Regional airport and whatever inhibitions and fears I had about living in a town were nowhere around me at the first sight of blue mountains, facing the airport. Every step I took towards the exit of airport made me realize, this is something.
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| On Scenic loop drive with Satya, Juhi, Shekar, Haritha |
The view of snow covered serene blue mountains was probably the best view I’ve seen then that gave me jitters all through. My concern again, ‘Where on the Earth? Why on the Earth?’, with an only difference that this time it was with an amazing feeling, happiness combined with a great surprise. Every misconception I had blew off, and instantly I started feeling at home. Now lets uncover in detail as to why/how/where/when's of this beautiful little town thats as cute as a button. Even before moving on to the actual details of the town, need to tell you guys that till date 20 and by that I mean twenty of my closest family and friends visited Walla Walla, to experience this unique feel besides spending quality time with us. You will find all of them coming up in one pic or another in this post.
Roughly 4.5hrs drive from all major cities of Washington(Seattle), Oregon(Portland) and Idaho(Boise), Walla Walla is a breath of fresh air, surprisingly unique for a small town, the history of which dates back to 1800's. Famously known for sweet onions, Walla Walla is one-of-a-kind for more than just that. This place is home to a fair blend of denizens. With beautiful blue mountains, breathtaking landscapes and wineries around, this valley is claimed to be one of the best places to retire besides being a home to three universities bringing in youth from all over United States. As much as I come across the elderly wise locales who have tales to share of their life and experiences, there is an equal possibility of finding students spread all over the coffee shops in downtown immersed in their homework assignments or hanging out with friends during their downtime.
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| Drive from Portland to Walla Walla(I84 & I82) |
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| Downtown Walla Walla - night view |
Downtown Walla Walla is the best part, especially in the evenings and weekends. There is always a flair of 'I know you' one on one smiles of the people besides being friendly to each and every one of the passersby walking leisurely down the main street, strolling their kids, or pet owners especially owning dogs of multifarious designer breeds I have never known of before. Main street is the chosen location for all the parades like thanksgiving, christmas, veterans day and ofcourse the hotspot for an eyecandy sight of little demons accompanied by parents on halloween, going store to store amassing candy from everyone. An annual vintage car show is a never to miss even featuring the best , oldest and the sexiest cars of yester years exhibited shutting down the main street for the day and occupied by veterans and fanatics of cars of medieval years.
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| Annual Vintage Car show |
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| a snapshot of Labor day parade, Main Street |
Friday/Saturday nights are the sights of locale concerts - pass by the downtown and you can hear those beautiful dreamy voices of singers doused in their guitar strings and giving their best performance winning many a hearts. The main finds of the main street are banks, restaurants, vintage collective stores, expensive designer wear, jem and jewellery stores and ofcourse the wine tasting rooms lineup which is unique and the most likeable feature of this town. My favorite is the Italian restaurant 'Olive' on main street. Their menu is a exceptional and ever consitent Italian with Meditteranean finds here and there.
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| Interiors of Olive Restaurant - a great place for lunch/dinner |
Best spot for Pizza, Cream of Mushroom soup - to die for, leaving the aftertaste so impactful that I just can't stop imagining myself stopping by to indulge in that everytime I pass by. Their pizzas with a thin Indian naan kind of crust topped with egg baked along with the crust, eggplant, spinach besides all the regular ones are totally gourmet unlike regular pizza hut/dominos etc. I took each and every one of my friends who visiting Walla Walla to this restaurant and they all left wanting only more of it. Starbucks in the downtown is a unique experience. Located on the intersection of Main and First, there is always a beeline for a hot/cold early morning retreat. The location is ideal for gazing the people around and conveniently with a wi-fi, its a place to hang aroung all day for people to work, browse.
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| Delectables at Colville Pattisserie |
Well now that we've covered our food and coffee, visiting an exclusive dessert corner is a must on list for all those sweet toothed people like me. The best place to visit for a yummy treat is Colville Patisserie, a french pastry shop on the corner of Alder and Colville street, just behind main street. This is a heavenly haven for desserts ranging from delectable vanilla creme brulee to tiramasu, from trio choclate cake to breads of all kinds. The speciality here again is range of coffee, tea, and a wireless connection avail. There is a diverse find of restaurants for a small town like walla walla.
There is a place from 6$ sandwich place to finish your lunch to a 200$ fine dining experience. White house crawford, Whitman Hotel, Creektown cafe are few of the most expensive restaurants. There are many other tasteful diversities like Saffron - a Mediterranean on Alder street, Thai Ploy - an excellent thai food place on 9th avenue, Ice Berg - a famous drive through burger joint on 9th avenue, a recently open Panda Express near Walmart on route 125, Starbucks at every corner of town, Pho-Sho - a vietnemese soup and noodles place on alder. Recently I've been to Basil Pizzeria in downtown - The best part with them besides their mouthwatering pizzas is a choice to go by slices. I just can't stop when its a pep talk about food. So let me stop here and I will leave the rest for you guys to explore and find and ofcourse you can suggest me the best ones you like and why!
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| Moonrise over the blue mountains |
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| Basel Cellars patio - overlooking blue mountains |
Walla Walla is a Wine Connoisseurs paradise. There are around 100 wineries located in and around the town exhibiting stunning architecture and magificent views of the mountains. They say the town is second to Napa Valley, California in wine production in USA. Basel Cellars is an exceptionally beautiful Winery. I learned that they rent out this wine yard for weddings. Most of the wine estates function as holiday destinations providing suites within to stay back and enjoy the lavish lifestyle. The suites and at times the estate as a whole can be rented out.
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| Satya with Hau - Wine Tasting Room, Basel Cellars |
Many couples entering wedlock chose these wineries as their wedding and reception destination. The typical costs of the suites within would be somewhere around 200-300$/night and
the complete estate can be rented for any occasion for around 2500$/week. It is quite a lot, but worth every penny. Oops did I forget to mention something here! Yes, one has to be a wine club member to get avail of the estate rental which has its own set of rules like buying 12 bottles of wine every year and so on. The tasting rooms offer wide range of wines right from Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merriment to Syrah. The wine tasting fee is usually 5$/person where you are given a pint of every vareity they are selling out that season. The 5$ is reimbursed towards your purchase of a bottle of wine. With a great company besides and bottle of wine, what more can anyone ask for!
Sometimes I feel like I might wake up one day and realize all this was just a dream. From being a little town unknown to me most of my life to now calling home, Walla Walla is simply beautiful, and my life here is an incredible mix and most memorable one for sure.
to be continued..
the complete estate can be rented for any occasion for around 2500$/week. It is quite a lot, but worth every penny. Oops did I forget to mention something here! Yes, one has to be a wine club member to get avail of the estate rental which has its own set of rules like buying 12 bottles of wine every year and so on. The tasting rooms offer wide range of wines right from Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merriment to Syrah. The wine tasting fee is usually 5$/person where you are given a pint of every vareity they are selling out that season. The 5$ is reimbursed towards your purchase of a bottle of wine. With a great company besides and bottle of wine, what more can anyone ask for!
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| Most beautiful sunsets.. |
to be continued..
