We arrived at Wallowa Lake on the 8th after traveling to La Grande, OR and spending the night. It was warm when we got here but when the rain and thunder showers started it cooled down quickly. There weren't lightning strikes nearby but the thunder sounded like it wasn't far away. We've had showers off and on since then but not enough to affect what we wanted to do.
Friday, Linda and Pauline attended and enjoyed the Wallowa Mountain Quilt Show. They mentioned that it gets better each year. Saturday was the Oregon Mountain Car Cruise show in Joseph. Due to the weather there were a lot of cancellations. We estimated that there were a third to a half fewer cars this year than last. Still, even with a few rain drops, Kevin and I enjoyed checking out all the cars.
This year the site we normally reserve was taken so we were in 33 instead of 29 with Kevin and Pauline in 31, their normal spot. Linda likes 33 better so we have already reserved it for next year. You really need to reserve way ahead due to the quilt and car shows. It may be a little quieter this coming week.
Our site 33
K & P's site 31 and note the satellite dish Kevin set up so Linda wouldn't miss the NBA playoffs. (Woohoo! Thanks, Kev)
Between our sites
View of the river from our site
The event cabin which is now better known as the Quilting Cabin as Linda and Pauline have taken it over to work on their quilts. Last year there were three of them quilting.
The Wallowa River is flowing high and fast behind the park,
The river looking downstream from our site.
Saturday night we attended the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers show at the local Grange Hall. The Grange ladies put on a chicken dinner for $8 and pie was $3 or $4 with ice cream. The show was $5 each unless you performed, which then was free. We couldn't get Linda to perform.
The show included performers from around the region with a wide range of talent and ages. Some were very good and some were beginners and you really had to admire some for getting up in front of an audience and performing. There were some ladies that were in their mid 80s that performed and were very good!
There were two women that stood out, one a violinist and the other a fiddler, Linda explained that just from the way they played, the tuning and how they held their bows you could tell the difference in their training.
The Grange Hall was nearly filled for the performance. It felt good that they began the evening with all attendees facing the Flag and playing the Star Spangled Banner. During the anthem everyone had their hand placed over their hearts. Those things are still very important in this part of the country.
Video of one of the groups featuring the banjo player.
Video of the violinist.
The video of the fiddler didn't come out very well.
This morning (Sunday) we went to Vali's for blueberry cinnamon rolls and coffee/tea. The restaurant only serves dinner Wednesday thru Sunday and each night they feature a single item on the menu. Saturday and Sunday mornings they make all kinds of fantastic pastries and each time the offerings are different. So if you ever make it to Joseph and Wallowa Lake make a reservation at Vali's. It is located just past the Y at the end of the lake.
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