Wrap up to the Walla Walla Valley stay…

Got here to Milton Freewater, Oregon in May, and have already headed south as of this article, so here is a wrap up of the few things I did in the valley other than day to day living…

Most Tuesdays were shopping days and I often drive the 8 miles to Walla Walla to shop. On the way back, I’d stop at this and another farm to pick up veggies. Can’t get any fresher, but even with these people you gotta be careful. Like if they have Kiwi fruit, you know they didn’t grow it here. Or if they have baskets of strawberries but never did before. But as with all of life in this country, you have to be constantly on your guard as ‘buyer beware’ is the watchword.

Anyway, this particular farm hasn’t failed me yet when I need fresh veggies and I enjoy coming here though it is way out in the boonies.

What I’ve done is try to convince these people that radishes are the ‘next big gourmet thing’ and encouraged them to start planting them. I know they grow well in this valley as I used to grow several varieties myself as a kid. Though I love the red radish freely available here nearly everywhere, there are something like 37 varieties, I’ve eaten many of them, and they are delicious. Here’s a sample, and a link.

5 Types of radish link:

Watermelon Radish. I’ve never seen this type anywhere I’ve traveled to my knowledge. Not even in Europe.
French Breakfast Radish. …Red skin, white inside. I used to grow these and when fully grown, I’d peel off the red with my teeth, munch it all down, then enjoy the white interior which has a milder flavor. I’d also slice these and put them between two pieces of white bread and take them to school as my lunch. No one wanted to trade with me. And one time a bully tried to steal my lunch, than took a look and handed it back to me. I didn’t even have to kick him in the nuts. No one ever asked to trade with me and not bully tried to steal my lunch for some reason. This is the type most often seen in this valley. Good, but common.
Daikon White Radish. …Large tasty yet mild radish. All white. Goes well in radish soup or on any salad. These are also widely available in this valley.
Malaga Radish. …Purple radish that I’ve never found here. Would be interesting to try this one.
White Hailstone Radish. …is a round white radish with a very crisp flesh. I’ve never seen one in this valley however I have found them in other places.

So when I come back next year, I’m hoping they took my advice and started a row of radishes. I may send them a selection of heirloom seeds.

I’ve been considering suing Tracfone in small claims court for their screw up that bricked my last phone, if I do, I’ll send them this picture and tell them they can stay here while they are in town for the case…

And one day, had nothing better to do so drove over to Touche, Washington. People here call it Two-she, outsiders call it Two-chay. Google maps voice recognition doesn’t have a clue with either pronunciation. Have to type it in. Anyway, drove over there just to look around to see how much it’s changed as I haven’t been in the town proper for 40 years or so. I just drive through it on the main road between Walla Walla 18 miles to the east, and 18 miles to Pasco, where I usually head to Spokane and points north.

And I was disappointed to find that it’s pretty much the same. One or two new buildings but for the most part, just as ramshackled as you’d expect from an old farm town well past it’s prime. Did find an interesting bar in old town and since it was after 4 pm, stopped in for a cold one. First a look at the countryside outside of Touche.

Then a bit of the town.

Oh, hey, a saloon!

And the lovely owner/bartender…
The back room is quite large compared to the bar proper. Just right for parties. Even has a very out-of-tune piano.

Enjoyed my visit there. Beer on tap was an IPA plus I had her make me a chicken strip salad. Usually it’s a beef salad, but I talking her into the chicken strips instead. Very good.

Came back several days later and she was out of chicken strips. I went ahead and ordered the beef salad called ‘taco salad’ and saw her in the kitchen cutting up old, over cooked beef patties after sprinkling them with a hot mix powder of some kind. Gah! Not good. And I was one of three that had that ghastly meal, not suited for dogs. Oh, well, anything to make a buck.

And here’s the main street of the town just outside the saloon.

I was starting to get itchy feet in early October and would often just drive around aimlessly. Here’s some pics of the countryside of Walla Walla Valley…

Finally couldn’t stand being still any longer and headed south in early November instead of early December like last year. That trip was 1,000 miles long, I stopped and stayed a few places I’ve never been before or re-visited old haunts that I haven’t been to in years so stay tuned for that. I’m settled here in Tucson, AZ for a while. Maybe a week or two or perhaps a month or two. I’ll decide later. Mexico isn’t off the table either. Might head down to Mazatlan again. My favorite winter Mexican town.

Thanks for reading, hope to see you again! Drive safe!