Day 21-Walla Walla, WA to Hat Rock RV Park, OR-50.15 miles

We left the campsite early, but stopped at Tommy’s Dutch Lunch for breakfast. It was recommended by the host at Fairway where we stayed last night. She was right, lots of food and delicious. We boxed the hashbrowns from Tai’s plate for later consumption.

We had calm winds and cools temps today, so biking wasn’t too difficult. The terrain was up and down, but again not too challenging. We were told by the camp host that Walla Walla is famous for a certain vegetable. (See student question). Seed for this vegetable was brought here by the early pioneers and 2 families still have some of the original seed. These are produced here by the trucks-full and shipped all over this part of the country (and maybe nationwide). This is harvest time for this product. We saw many fields being harvested. Anyhow I decided to look for 1 or 2 of this vegetable to cook with the leftover hashbrowns we brought along. Sure enough, just outside of Walla Walla, we found a farmer selling them. We stopped and inquired about buying 2. The smallest package we could see looked to be 10 lbs. The lady said she would give me 2. I tried to pay, but she said, “No, just enjoy them!” Enjoy them we did that evening at Hat Rock RV Park. I used 1 sliced, along with the hashbrowns and a can of dried beef. I stir-fried them together in olive oil. It was a tasty dish, if I do say so myself.

Today we moved on down into the beginnings of the Columbia gorge. We passed some huge basalt cliffs on either side of the river. We moved along as the land became more and more like desert. There is sagebrush only growing in most places. It is amazing that even along the Columbia River, which must be ¾ of a mile wide here, there is almost no green except what is irrigated. We arrived at Hat Rock RV Park hot and dusty, but took time to walk around the basalt dome that William Clark named Hat Rock (see photo) and to have a burger at the camp store, then it was into the pool for most of the remaining afternoon. Sure did feel good!

-clarkwheel

Student question: What is the vegetable that I referred to in the narrative as famous in Walla Walla?