BySherry Laskin River Cruises

UnCruise Adventures Cruises to Walla Walla Washington

Another amazingly still stretch of the Columbia River.
Another amazing stretch of the Columbia River.

Walla Walla means wineries, a Pioneer Village and a walk on the Oregon Trail.

Hello from Walla Walla, the desert city on the river. Five days of cruising the fast-flowing Columbia River aboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ S.S. Legacy carried us through three unique geographic zones: a temperate rain forest, Columbia River Gorge and now, a desert.

Unseasonably warm, dry, sunny autumn weather greeted us as the S.S. Legacy docked in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington. As always, there was a motor coach awaiting our 9am arrival.

Un-Cruise Adventures motor coach tour to Ft. Walla Walla
On the motor coach heading to Ft. Walla Walla as our guide explains about this unique area of Oregon.

Pioneer Village and Museum

Our day began with a visit to Fort Walla Walla and the Pioneer Village and Museum that showcased life and times in this area between the late 1800s and into the early 1900s.

Museum docents dressed as pioneers handed us a map and diagram of the outdoor “village” to wander through at our own pace. Fifteen original buildings from within a 30-mile radius have been carefully relocated to create this “living” museum.

Pretty interesting and a bit weird with all the carefully constructed plaster people and animals going about their daily business.

A little eerie, this is an example of a 33-mule team pulling a Harris combine.
A little eerie, this is an example of a 33-mule team pulling a Harris combine.
One of two living areas in the Ransom Clark house, built in 1859.
One of two living areas in the Ransom Clark house, built in 1859.

Wine time.

By noon we were getting hungry. Back on the bus to visit Dunham Cellars for a wine tasting and lunch. Washington wines were becoming one of my favorites.

A very nice box lunch and a wine presentation at Dunham Cellars.
A very nice box lunch and a wine presentation at Dunham Cellars.

The second winery was The Foundry and a look at the touring art exhibit of contemporary Chinese artist, A.I. Wei Wei.

Whitman Mission

The story of the Whitman family is filled with adventure and tragedy. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were missionaries that wanted to bring their religion to local Indian tribes. They set out to cross the plains and begin a new life in the wild west.

As a result of extreme cultural differences and the missionaries attempt to convert the Cayuse to Protestantism, the Cayuse tribe went on the attack and killed the Whitmans, seven young brothers who lost their parents en route, plus other settlers who were in the encampment at that time for a total of 16 people. The result of this massacre changed the military’s attitude towards that tribe and retribution was carried out in swift action.

The Great Grave at Whitman Mission. After the Cayuse massacre in 1847, 16 of the missionaries, including 7 children were buried together.
The Great Grave at Whitman Mission. After the Cayuse massacre in 1847, 16 of the missionaries, including 7 children were buried together.
Whitman Memorial high on a hill overlooking the Oregon Trail.
Whitman Memorial high on a hill overlooking the Oregon Trail.

The memorial is set just above the area where the Whitmans set up their home and established a way station for other pioneers to rest and recuperate before completing their journey across Oregon.

On the Oregon Trail.

Reconstructed covered wagon sits on the actual wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail.
Reconstructed covered wagon sits on the actual wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail.

Take a few minutes to listen to the movie in the museum for insight into the tragic events that took place there. Walk along the wagon wheel tracks, explore the foundation ruins of the Whitman’s home, and leave a few minutes to climb the hill to the towering Obelisk and evocative view of the surrounding countryside.

From the overlook at the Whitman Memorial, you can get a good idea of the site of the Whitman Mission.
From the overlook at the Whitman Memorial, you can get a good idea of the site of the Whitman Mission.

It’s Cocktail Time!

As always, we were back onboard by 5:30pm so as not to miss a moment of our cocktail hour.

Cocktail time appetizers on the SS Legacy
Cocktail time appetizers on the SS Legacy. They were different every evening and always a bit too good. Seriously.

But everyone attends the afternoon cocktail party up in the Main Salon.

Tired but looking forward to tomorrow’s day trip to the middle-of-nowhere Maryhill Museum and more, I took one more sunset photo.

Another beautiful sunset on the Columbia River from aboard Un-Cruise Adventures S.S. Legacy.
Another beautiful sunset on the Columbia River.

Day 1: Aboard the S.S. Legacy to cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers
Day 2: Bonneville Dam and towering Multnomah Falls
Day 3: A relaxing “sea” day on the river. 
Day 4: Jet Boating through Hell’s Canyon
Day 5: Walla Walla Wineries, the Whitmans and the Oregon Trail (That’s this one!)
Day 6: Maryhill Museum, The Dalles and a real Stonehenge
Day 7: Following Lewis and Clark to Fort Clatsop and a visit to Astoria, Oregon


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