Postings Becoming Slightly More Random

Sojourner has truly enjoyed sharing our adventures with all of you and we look forward to telling new stories as they develop.

Unfortunately, on a recent return from Europe, Sojourner caught both Covid-19 and Influenza A.  This has slowed us down and caused us to cancel the next few month’s trips.

We’ll publish more randomly for a while as we have new content to share. 

We truly appreciate your interest in the blog and look forward to bringing you tales of new journeys as we can.

We hope you have a happy, healthy, and (above all) fun holiday season!

Sojourner

Walla Walla, Washington

Walla Walla is located in southeastern Washington about 6 miles north of the Oregon border. Famous for its wine heritage, sweet onions, and thriving agricultural industry,  Walla Walla is often considered the unofficial capital of Washington’s wine industry with over 120 vineyards and dozens of downtown tasting rooms spread over several blocks.

Walla Walla featured the largest Chinese community in eastern Washington, arriving after the Idaho gold rush and staying to work on the railroads.

Chinese heritage

Downtown dining

We stop at one tasting room:  Browne Family Vineyards, taste some great wines, then head over to Hattaway’s on Alder for dinner.

Browne Family Vineyards 

Hattaway’s on Alder 

Amuse-bouche, pimento appetizer

Swordfish

Red crab pasta

Accompanied by Colter Bourbon crafted by Grand Teton Distillery in Driggs, Idaho.

What a great little town!

Boise, Idaho

We're heading back home from Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park and the next stop is Boise, Idaho.  We've always wanted to visit Boise and now we're passing by and take the opportunity.  Downtown Boise is fairly new, with lots of great art scattered around town.  As we approach the city center, C.W. Moore Park features salvaged arcitectural artifacts from demolished historic Boise buildings, incluing the 1903 W.E. Pierce Building turret, the 1909 Bush Building entrance arch, cast-iron columns, and a historic canal waterwheel.

C. W. Moore Park

Preserving much of the old

Reaching the center of town we spot the state capitol building, which overlooks the downtown area.

Idaho state capital

We note the the utility cabinets are all painted and provide great color to the street.

Utility cabinets

Looking out from the capital

A  few blocks further, located between 8th and 9th streets is Freak Alley Gallery, the northwest's largest open-air, multi-artist, mural gallery.  The first drawing was created in 2002 by Colby Akers on the back doorway of Moon's Cafe.  Now, the murals and graffitti-inspired artwork extend across many buildings and alleys. 

Freak Alley

We wander a few streets through Boise, taking the in people just out enjoying themselves, arriving at the Basque Mural

Wandering through downtown

The mural is located on the Basque Block in Boise, celebrating centuries of Basque heritage in the city.  Boise is home to the largest concentration of Basque people outside of Europe.  The Basque first arrived during the mid-to-late 1800s, drawn by the gold and silver rushes in California, Nevada, and Idaho.  Many later transitioned to ranching and sheepherding and encouraged family and friends from the Pyrenees region between France and Spain to join them.

The Basque Mural

The Basque Block

And, today we dine Basque in Boise!

Amuse Bouche

Cod stuffed peppers, potatas bravas

Paella mixta

What a geat town!