Discover Walla Walla

I was early for a doctor's appointment one Monday morning. It was early, and Walla Walla hadn't quite finished stretching and yawning yet, so it was fairly quiet. Inspired by the rare winter sunshine, I parked at the west end of Main Street and grabbed my camera.

Zipping up my coat, I took a deep breath full of sunshiny air and headed east. Along the way, I snapped a few photos: a couple of the onions that decorate the sidewalks as a recent local art project, the façade of Macy's, which used to be a theatre, and the small park that breaks up the long line of shops and restaurants about halfway down on the south side of the street.

A glance at my watch told me I should probably head back to my car, so I crossed the street and headed back the opposite direction. Only two blocks left to go, I stopped at an intersection to wait for the light to change. As a couple of cars rolled by, I was joined at the corner by a man probably in his late 20s.

As we waited there together, listening to the "beep, beep, beep" of the newly installed crosswalk for the visually impaired, he glanced at me, smiled, and began talking.

For the remainder of the two blocks to my car, he chatted with me about the weather (he was never happy with it), his boots (they gave him blisters), and work (it wasn't his ideal job, but it was a job nonetheless). Meanwhile, I politely nodded, smiled, and interjected an, "uh-huh" when appropriate. He liked to talk, and I didn't mind listening.

When we reached my car, I wished him a wonderful day; he smiled, nodded, and said the same to me. Then he continued on down the street and I hopped into my car and drove, arriving right on time, to my doctor's office.

I love this about Walla Walla. Everyone is so friendly. Whether you ask directions or a recommendation for a good dinner, just about anyone will oblige. Or perhaps you want to ask them about their boots. I promise they'll answer with a smile.