Joseph and Wallowa

We finally made it to Wallowa gateway to the Wallowa Lake and almost to our destination and I stopped to get a library picture for our friend Carol.



On the way to Joseph I stopped for this barn photograph.





Stopped for a picture of the mountains...


... and this historic marker that explains how the town of Joseph got it's name.

Our first stop was the Mountain View Motel & RV Park and it did have a great view of the mountains...


... and a small pond...


...with a very nice bench.


The Musemobile looked great in this setting.


As the sun was setting it sent some rays across the foothills of the mountains.


The sunset and dark clouds told us rain was on the way and weather.com verified out inclination.

We got up the next day to beautiful weather and drove to Wallowa Lake set in the Swiss Alps of Oregon. Wallowa lake is four miles long and about one mile wide. It’s waters are very clear and very cold.

In the center the lake is about two hundred and eighty feet deep. The name, Wallowa is of Indian origin. It is said that the Indians used to fish here with traps. Instead of removing the traps from the water on leaving the valley for their winter camps, it was their custom to weight them down with upright poles on which they fixed crosspieces.

In Indian tongue," Wallowa " means fish-trap, and was applied to the lake by the Indians because of their custom of leaving these traps in its waters.

The mountains reminded me of the Tetons and are absolutely worth the trip.


Near the North end of the lake is a cemetery that includes Chief Joseph's Grave Site...


at the grave site people have left mementos of all kinds...


...from Sock monkeys to Star trek ships...


...to lavender sunglasses...


and a button that reads...


"Will work for World Peace", which reminded me of Chief Joseph's often repeated quote "I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. "

We parked next to the Wallowa County Museum and walked in to discover the true pronunciation of Wallowa. It sounds like will-low-ah. The journals of Lewis and Clark Expedition record the name of the Wallowa River as Wil-le-wah. An alternative explanation is that Wallowa is derived from a Nez Perce word for "winding water".

The downtown is a tourist Nirvana of murals and...


... some great bronze statues like this one titled Garden Walk by Ramon Parmenter.


Then there is this great horse sculpture...


...with the horse looking toward the mountains.


I think the cowgirls favorite is either this one titled Attitude Adjustment by Austin Barton ...


... but I'm putting my money on this one.


This "Little Store" sells Premium cigars and Night Crawlers.


Was I thinking about coffee when Sharyn shot this one, or maybe a shave.


Most shops had cute names and western themes...


... like Gobblers Knob...


... the Hydrant Bar & Grill which includes ...


... a Deer Garden (play on Beer Garden) too cute.



My favorite establishment names were Shady Lady Jewelry and Naughty Cowgirl Apparel


Some places had courtyard areas like this one that had three or four beautiful statues.


We liked this poster for Rodeo Queen Candidate Sierra Hopkins, because she reminded us of our grand daughter Sierra.


I really thought this cafe was staying traditional with Old Town Cafe until I noticed the side banner talking about the "Chuckwagon Sisters."


Every western town needs a stage stop and Joseph, Oregon is no exception.



I just love old cars. I did find out the planters along the street have been adopted by townspeople who maintain their own raised bed flower box. What a great idea.


I really liked the view of the mountains behind the town like this shot over the top of the First Baptist Church.


The city hall looked prim and proper and efficient sitting at 201 Main Street.


No picture shows Joseph, Oregon as it is better than this one of the mountains, the flowers in a raised flower bed and a camper truck with a canoe on board. Majesty, Beauty and Adventure all in one place.

Scrabble Score - Scrabble Queen couldn't quite overcome an early bingo but made it close by the end of the game losing to The Contender by 14.

Quote of the Day ~

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet" ~ William Blake, (1757-1827) English visionary Mystic, Poet, Painter and Engraver.