Plymouth Park and Wine Tasting with Friends in Walla Walla, WA

My October was bracketed with travel, both trips borne of an unexpected opportunity. I rarely do something spontaneously, but in October 2024, two trips get that appellation. Our full-time RV friends texted with an invitation to join them at Plymouth Park on the Washington Side of Lake Umatilla. Umatilla is the location of one of the major bridges over the Columbia River, which are not close to each other on the east side of the Cascades. It's also quite close to Walla Walla; the small city is home to Whitman College and a thriving wine scene.

Mostly though, it's just wonderful to hang out and spend time with our friends. My theme for this year was connection, and it has been a good choice to focus on. Connecting with friends, however, was one motivation for saying yes to a last minute trip in the R-Pod before we packed it up for the winter. Our weather was lovely and the drive was too.

The I-90 Wildlife Overpass.

The dry side of the Cascades, complete with wind turbines.

Our campsite at Plymouth Park.

The park was full, but the sites were not too close together.

Lake Umatilla.

The train tracks along the Columbia move a lot of freight.

The Wallula Gap.

A grand Washington Winery.

Our friend M. with the old school bell. Ringing encouraged.

Seasonal decorations.

Wine tasting with olives and crackers.

L'Ecole No. 41 is a favorite label, and we rarely visit.

The building's original use as a school is preserved in it's furnishings.

The architecture is lovely.

Approaching Walla Walla.

The Maple Counter Cafe. All day brunch on Sunday.

Outdoor seating at the cafe. Some fall color just starting.

We parked at the library.

Public art is common in Washington, even in a small town.

The edge of the Whitman Campus.

Vines.

Wine tasting location number 2.

C. and M. check out the grounds.

Even clear glass makes a shadow.

Outdoor tasting at Walla Walla Vintners.

Well marked.

Nearing harvest and crush. The grapes were sweet.

Thorp Fruit is always a good stop on the way home.

The wildlife overpass in better conditions.

The entire trip only lasted three days and two nights, but we made the most of a short visit. We rarely go as far east as Walla Walla, and don't usually stop for the night there, even as we drive past it on our way to New Mexico over and over. The few times we have gone, I'm always glad, and I hope we will spend many more days exploring the area. There is so much to see here. I would definitely stay at Plymouth Park again; it is a much quieter location than the one we chose in town the last time we stayed here.