June 25, 2017. Walla Walla....Land of Many Wineries

LOCATION:  Housesitting in Walla Walla, Washington  

WEATHER:  Hot and sunny.  High 98

 

We spent the morning watering the homeowners' yard.  The front yard is full of flowers and the backyard has flowers, fruit and vegetables.  Since it is supposed to be so hot today, we wanted to make sure they had a good drink first.  

We also moved the Airstream into the backyard so it will be safer while we are here.

 

Our charge is a Japanese dog called Genji.  He is a very good dog, and likes to follow us out into the backyard.  We take him for walks each morning and afternoon.  Otherwise, he likes to lounge around the backyard defending us from squirrels, or inside watching the people pass by on the sidewalk.  

When we asked what Walla Walla means, we learned that it is an Indian name for "land of many waters".  Now, the tourism office jokingly calls it "Walla Walla...land of many wineries".  There are about 30 wine tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla, a small city of about 40,000, and about 140 wineries in the surrounding countryside.  

We visited two wineries today.  Both were excellent.  It was fun talking with the knowledgeable owners and tasting their wine.  Much more friendly/intimate than wine tasting somewhere like Napa Valley.  We bought a bottle of Voignier and a Tempranillo Rose, wines that are more suited for this hot weather.

 

George picked some raspberries and blueberries in the backyard.

Later, we ate the berries for dessert.

 

 

DINNER:  Grilled chicken with a side dish of cauliflower gratin, a new recipe I tried.