The Long Holiday Weekend

Our Memorial Day weekend started with a drive to Walla Walla, Washington from where Matt's family originally hails.  With four days off, we did something we rarely do which is stop along the way for lunch.  Anyone who knows my husband knows he is a fan of getting on the road early and maintaining top speed until the destination is reached.  Somehow, I convinced him to stop near Cascade Locks at the Char Burger.  I've heard of this place and always wanted to check it out.  I was hoping for a nice flame BBQ'd burger (as the name implies) but what I got was the "Chuck Wagon" of lunch joints.  And also, we were the youngest people there. Overall I'd rate it tacky and disappointing but hey, at least now we know, right? Just take a look at the hodge podge of offensive crap they brazenly call "decorating:"

 I'm not sure wagon wheels, long horns and  gas pumps really entice folks to stay for pie.

Seriously? The Native guy has a rope around his neck. 

Upon arriving in Walla Walla, our luck in cuisine changed and we were treated to a spectacular dinner at the Creek Town Cafe.  I'm pretty sure we were all in love with our meals.

 See that plate in front of me?  I licked it clean as soon as the camera went away.

We were befriended by Pam's dog, 'Mister'.

Growing up, Matt and his sister spent a few summers in Walla Walla with his grandma but I had never been there before.  Luckily we had a great tour guide in "Auntie Pam" who Matt jokingly referred to as the "mayor of Walla Walla."  She knew everybody and had a story to tell us about everywhere we went.  I REALLY wish I had thought to bust out the video feature on my camera sooner and capture a few of her hilarious tales.

The main reason for the trip was to pay respects in honor of Memorial Day. We visited the resting places of many family members at two different cemeteries before realizing we were losing the battle with gale force winds. I couldn't even tell you where one person in my family is buried so this was really interesting to me.  I like the idea of having a tradition to honor family after they're gone.

Dard at the cemetery.

 

 

 Narn keeps the tombstones tidy.

 

I never thought I'd say it but this is a cool headstone.  Check out the pictures.

 

 Walking to the Veterans section.

 

Dard tells the story about how his uncle Rueben was awarded a medal during WWII.

 

This is a great family photo despite being in a cemetery.  I tried to crop a little.

What I did not know is that Walla Walla has become quite the wine lover's destination of the Northwest.  Funny, considering the nearby towns like College Place are heavily Seventh Day Adventist and everything is closed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.  I'm not sure it is ever going to rival Napa Valley until this dichotomy is addressed and I'm not sure we need it to.  Especially as a novice wine enthusiast, it was nice to wander leisurely from tasting room to vineyard and not feel pressured by snobby crowds.  We got to talk to some of the vintners (courtesy of Pam's connections) and actually take the time to enjoy ourselves. Despite uncooperative weather, we had a great time. Our visit to a local fromagerie on Saturday afternoon was particularly excellent. 

You get a lot of bugs on the windshield while driving in the country.  Members of the local high school drama club cleaned us up before we got back on the road.

Sheep dog at the fromagerie.  Now that's a good dog.

So much good stuff here.

Everyone having a good time...

...until we ran out of cheese to sample.

Yep. I could live here.

 Browsing the shops and tasting rooms downtown.  

 I liked this one best.

The Marcus Whitman Hotel.  Matt's grandma worked there long ago.

The scenery really changes in Eastern Oregon and Washington.

Look at all the windmills!

On Monday, the weather turned out so nice that we gathered at the Bills' for a BBQ.  The story of this night will be told through photos since I don't remember much after dinner. 

MATT'S HERE!

 Let's just get this out of the way and...

Ta-da.  That wasn't so hard.

Then this bitch showed up with her tequila.

Herman has nuts on his shirt.

April, you make it look so easy.

Kissing my sobriety goodbye.

 Meanwhile, outside the kids make their own fun.

 

Come on Jason, you know you wanted to do it when you were their age!

It was totally worth it.

 This is how we roll at the Bills residence.

This is also how we roll.

Auntie April will help you, Darien.

Then the party moved inside...

...and I guess that's how the night ended, eh?

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend.  I sure did!