Discover Walla Walla

So the groundhog saw his shadow this year, huh?  Six more weeks of winter.  Everyone cringes to hear it.  Even here in Walla Walla, where we’ve had one of the most mild winters since I’ve been here (which has now been nearly a decade; I can’t believe it!).  Lots of fog, yes.  A little rain, sure.  And even a bit of snow, albeit a tad less than usual.  But nothing hardcore; not even the temperatures gave us much to complain about this year. 

Me?  I don’t buy it.  First of all, we had several 60-degree days in mid-January.  I strode down the sidewalks without a jacket on and was comfortably warm, soaking up the sun. 

Secondly, I hear birds.  In the morning when I get up, there’s chirping.  The kingfisher is back, hunting for meals around the branch of the Little Walla Walla River that runs in front of my house.  Granted, I haven’t yet seen my first robin of the year, but I’m prepared to welcome her any day now. 

Thirdly, my bulbs are coming up.  The daffodils are frighteningly close to blooming, and I’m already greeted by deep purple crocuses every morning as I climb the steps to my office.

Really, what does a groundhog know, anyway?