Fourth of July in Walla Walla, Washington

The last time I was in Walla Walla in the summer was six years ago, when Nick and I got married. Going back to Walla Walla for the Fourth of July this year was a long trip, but it was well worth the effort.

Instead of driving directly to Walla Walla, Laurie, Nick and I went on a little adventure first. Over the Snoqualmie Pass, through Vantage, and over the Columbia River we went towards a little town, called Othello, on our way to the Drumheller Channels.

Named after Nick’s great-great-great-uncle who owned the land, the Drumheller Channels are scab lands, cut by floods from the glacial lake, Lake Missoula, during the last ice age. “Potholes” of water still remain, deep and clear, between the rising ridges. This beautiful area, home to over 200 bird species, is a “natural national landmark” and is collocated with the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.
Laurie knew exactly where to look for a Great Horned Owl, and we saw one! We also walked around a few “potholes” in hopes of seeing beavers, but none graced us with their presence.

We reached Walla Walla in the late afternoon and discovered the house porch already overflowing with fireworks. (It is a 4th of July family tradition to set off fireworks in the front yard.) As more people arrived later in the evening and the next morning, the number of fireworks only grew. The young and the young at heart grew restless, and the fireworks display started a day early, on Saturday night, to the great distress of Reggie the basset hound.

Kate, Nick and I kicked off the Independence Day festivities by going for a drive into the fields.

Nick and I love driving out to Nick’s grandparents farm via the Scenic Loop and stopping at the top.
From here you can see the town below on one side, and the foothills of the Blue Mountains on the other. You can touch the wheat. It is beautiful.

In the evening, we had a huge feast at the house. The abundance of burgers, hot dogs, condiments, salads and chips could only be surpassed by the abundance of cake and ice cream.

As darkness fell and eating slowed, people sat around watching the fireworks display on the lawn.
Before I knew it, the holiday was over, and I had to start my return journey, leaving Nick back in Walla Walla. Marit and Lexi graciously gave me a ride back to Seattle. (Thank you!) After stowing my luggage in a ZipCar (how convenient!), I spent several hours nostalgically wandering around downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill, before heading off to the airport for my red-eye flight back to Boston.