These marigolds and petunias were just begging to be photographed. Their vibrant colours caught my eye immediately when I pulled into a favourite local park. My husband and I were there to find a geocache (he's really into it, and I sometimes tag along), but I ended up lagging behind to take pictures. I carry my camera everywhere now, which is fun and fortunate! These flowers line the main entrance to Pioneer Park, a popular, tree-filled park not too far from downtown Walla Walla.
I love how every aspect of this building is square. Even the designs in the upper part of the windows are straight lines. This building sits on the old Main Street of Old Town Freewater, now part of Milton-Freewater on the Oregon side of the border. It's a beautiful old building that is currently being used for what appears to be a home furnishings store. What caught my eye was the men holding up the stair-steps of the building's facade. They don't appear to be too happy about their duties, but they've been doing this for probably quite some time. This photo was taken on the side of the building. The front would be around to the left of the shot.
It almost looks as though the cows in the background are looking on in envy, since it would appear they aren't going to get a snack today. Mama tried to make sure I wasn't doing anything questionable, but couldn't quite peek around her huge belly. Baby = oblivious. Farming towns are fun to take pictures in - fields, animals, and barns are all quite photogenic! This field full of cows was just a mile or so from the university located in College Place.
What this building used to be I never could figure out. It sat empty for several years, and then suddenly last year (I think) it turned into something called "Luscious by Nature." To the left of the covered part of the patio dining area is a door marked, "An Urban Market." Although I still haven't figured out what either of those two names mean, I have eaten here twice, and enjoyed it both times. I didn't necessarily enjoy the bill, but their veggie wrap was simply amazing. Avocado makes anything better. Except maybe ice cream. Correct me if I'm wrong here... At any rate, the building has stood on this spot since the very early 20th century, though what it was originally built for I can't say. Maybe this is a research project for me. Anyone from the area know anything about the history of this building?
I find it fascinating how many more things you notice around you when you're taking a photo a day. At least, I do. I notice colour combinations, people doing interesting things, unique building features, and a photographic moment in even the simplest, everyday things. Life is a lot richer when you're looking for moments to capture in time. For instance, I pulled off the road to take a photo of Peopeomoxmox and as I turned my head to check behind me before opening my door, I noticed a silent movement above the building in front of me. I'm not sure what this comes from, but the building is our local branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I've had a couple of friends either work or intern for them, and my husband has visited their library, but I've never been inside the building myself. I just loved the silent ghosts of machinery slipping out through this vent in the roof. If the sun hadn't been just there, I never would have noticed.
In spite of urban growth and cities growing ever more upwards as much or moreso than they grow outwards, Christian churches are still very recognizable and sometimes (as in this picture) quite noticeable as well. I heard several times during my college career that churches originally had steeples to make them the tallest buildings in any city, village, or shire, drawing people toward them and allowing them to stand out from the rest of the area's constructed edifices. This is because back in the day, travelers would not usually go from place to place for leisure. Pilgrimages were probably the most common reason for the "everyman" of the day to travel (though an actual historian would be able to confirm or correct that). This meant heading to a particular city/village/shire in order to visit the local church; nothing more, nothing less. Today, they still stand for the same thing, and they're still just as recognizable...though unfortunately much less noticeable.
The Whitehouse Crawford is a schnazzy restaurant located in an old building that rather resembles a warehouse. I've never actually dined here as you need to be prepared to really make a dent in your monthly income at this locally famous restaurant, but I've heard nothing but good things about its food, service, and selection. If you're a vegetarian (like me) your selection as I hear it is significantly smaller, but there are still delicious dishes to choose from. If you're one who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner, there are plenty of local wines to choose from here, too. If you're interested in a night of fine dining, Whitehouse Crawford is the place to go.
Peopeomoxmox means Yellow Bird in the Walla Walla tribe tongue. He was a tribal chief during the Battle of Walla Walla in 1855 and was taken hostage while negotiating peace under a flag of truce. He was subsequently killed and his body mutilated by Oregon Volunteers. His burial site is still unknown. This statue in his honour stands near the heart of Walla Walla's beautiful historic downtown.
