Outwardly Thankful
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
It happened again. Another year is on the verge of over. There were peaks; there were valleys. There were losses, and there were wins. I remain thankful. Outdoor recreation offers varied experiences dependent on the season, weather conditions, and…
Read More
Between a Rock and a Wine Place | A Collaboration with Winemaker Josh McDaniels
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Last blog I popped the question: are you ready to go outside Walla Walla? Guess I better show you the rock I have in mind. How do you feel about basalt? The same geologic events that shaped the landscape…
Read More
Fall in Love with Walla Walla
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Wine, Wheat, Onions & Outdoor Recreation Outdoor recreation is not confined to a season. Does a hike on a snow-dusted trail sound refreshing? Would an evening ride chasing shadows and racing the sunset illustrate the cycle of the seasons?…
Read More
Reflections from the River
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The Trip of a Lifetime Twenty-eight years ago, a young gal from Texas had a life-changing opportunity to raft the Snake River. This experience resulted in a 2,000 mile move to the northwest. Of course, this young gal was…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla | Spring Forward
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
New Kid on the Block, Outdoor Recreation Spring is the season that invigorates my sense of adventure. I haven’t met a New Year’s resolution that lasted until Ground Hog’s Day, but spring in the Walla Walla Valley feels like…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
REPOST from 2019 but still so applicable, enjoy! Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns…
Read More
A Memorable Walk
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Sometimes I wonder about the impact of being outside. There are countless studies affirming any number of benefits from health boosts to economic boom. There are even more articles suggesting how to maximize those benefits with the latest camping…
Read More
Meet the Team | Steve Dildine
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
Greetings everyone. My name is Steve Dildine, and I am Outside Walla Walla’s President of Research & Discovery. Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to learn more about me and what I do for…
Read More
The Struggle is Real
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Steve has a shirt that says, “the struggle is real,” in reference to a Tyrannosaurus Rex trying to do a push-up, pull-up, and bench press. I gave it to him for Christmas as a funny nod to his profession…
Read More
Happy Tails, Until We Meet Again
By Gwen Dildine
2 Comments
This Earth Day, we lost a part of our world, our beloved German Shepherd, Seren. Reflecting on over eleven years wandering the Pacific Northwest with her, I realized that she and her brother, Micah, were likely the reason I…
Read More
Meet the Team | Gwen Dildine
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The Walla Walla Union Bulletin recently featured 39 Under 39 highlighting young professionals who are energizing the Walla Walla Valley. I am honored that I was included in this recent feature. Reading about all the wonderful people doing great…
Read More
Way Outside Walla Walla | A Rocky (Mountain) Adventure
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
In 2018, our annual trip included some new adventures mixed with some old favorites. The kids are old enough to both travel greater distances and remember the adventure, at least some of the highlights. Yellowstone National Park was picked…
Read More
Common Ground
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The new year always feels like an opportunity to start fresh, to make different choices, to try something new. I am going to assume that you too have embarked on a fair amount of soul searching this year trying…
Read More
Outdoor REC: Winter Edition
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Bluewood opened this weekend! The Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area is freshly groomed! The forecast calls for snow! The Blues are a winter wonderland of outdoor recreation possibilities. Because of our diverse geology and perfect position at the base…
Read More
Recreation Therapy
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
I doubt anyone needs a reminder that 2020 is bursting with stress: natural disaster, pandemic, and humanity doing ourselves no favors for too many reasons to list. I’m amazed that we all haven’t headed for the hills! Actually, that…
Read More
REPOST 48 Hours in Walla Walla: Fall in Love
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The world could use a little more love. One of the ways we share the love is through this site. As we continue to work on adding more activities and embark on our biannual review of the site, we…
Read More
Into the WILD-erness
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
Grab your pack, load it with the essentials (navigation, shelter, clothing, water, and food), and venture out into the wild for a weekend trip. Seems simple, right, but it’s not always easy. I’ve gone camping for 30 years–tent and…
Read More
Just for fun (and a sweatshirt)!
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Can you believe it is May? I’m not in touch with my feelings enough to really analyze how I am doing. I seem to find deeper meaning in movie quotes that provide sanity and a sense of calm. I…
Read More
A Wild Time
By Gwen Dildine
7 Comments
By now I’m sure everyone is royally unimpressed with 2020, and I really hope it rallies and we can all make “in hindsight” jokes on the flip side of all this. After sitting around the fire pit and listening…
Read More
Social Distancing with a View
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
There is no doubt we are all a little stressed right now. One can only take so much uncertainty. The Outside Walla Walla crew think we have a good suggestion–try a dose of social distancing with a view! As…
Read More
Outdoor REC: Winter Edition
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
After sleeping with the windows open for a second night, I decided I better not wait for the weather to act its season and go ahead and write about a few of the outdoor recreation, winter edition, activities that…
Read More
Wild Mystery: A Day in Dayton
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Most of the time we have a plan. We’ve researched, studied maps, and have an itinerary. That is definitely one way to learn about our area. Much can be gained, however, by not having the foggiest idea what to…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: Fall in Love
By Gwen Dildine
2 Comments
The best time of the year has arrived. I feel strongly about that despite the fact that I age on the spookiest day of the year. I love fall–the changing colors, the justification of my love of all things…
Read More
School and Soccer and Sun, Oh My!
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
It is a busy time of year. I get that. I’m currently writing this on the second night of school realizing I forgot bath time. I love late summer, early fall. Every morning you can feel incremental change–the light,…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns about dropped Pirate Booty, and fatigue can make…
Read More
Be Camper Prepared
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
We would like to echo the Scout motto and suggest that being prepared is a wise investment of time and money. With the purchase of our camper, a few accessories were included in the sale. The dealer offered a…
Read More
The Camper Learning Curve
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
There we were, sitting in the office of the dealership signing all the paperwork. As we took care of the particulars, our camper was prepped and loaded onto our truck. After planning adventures for weeks, we were ready to…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: River, River
By wonderboy
0 Comments
The summer months have flown by and before you know it school will be starting. We hope you’ve been spending all the time that you can in the outdoors, exploring with friends and family. With August here, all of…
Read More
Every Camper Needs a Truck
By Steve Dildine
1 Comments
We haul our camper atop a 2015 Ford F-350 4×4, crew cab, single rear wheel, long bed with the camper package and a 6.2 liter gas engine. That was a heck of a sentence, and, yes, you read that…
Read More
48 Hours in the Blue Mountains: Many Waters
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
You might not think about eastern Washington or Oregon as a go-to destination for water sports, but the land of many waters certainly has some unique opportunities to satisfy your inner rafter, kayaker, or paddleboarder. Bordered by two iconic…
Read More
Deciding to Camper
By Steve Dildine
1 Comments
We literally spent years debating about whether or not we should jump on the Go RVing bandwagon. Considering everything from a giant fifth wheel to pop up tents, we have seen it all. In an effort to save you…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: Spring Into June
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Almost time to tear another page off the family calendar, June is right around the corner. We get it–you are busy. School is ending, it’s time to close second quarter at work, and all your vacation plans are likely…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: May Flowers
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The sun is shining; the Dogwoods are blooming; and the flood warnings have finally subsided. Winter hasn’t quite relinquished to spring at higher elevations. Trust us, we miscalculated conditions at the end of April and tried to camp perched…
Read More
10 Things To Do Outside Right Now
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Spring is here, and we have budding trees and flowers to prove it! We finally put up our snowshoes, and Ski Bluewood went out with a bash. It was a great year for winter sports, but alas it is…
Read More
Outdoor Rec Meets In-Town Fun
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
For locals and visitors alike, Lewis & Clark Trail State Park is a great way to spend a night out of town. Just 30 minutes northeast of downtown Walla Walla along Highway 12, this 36-acre park is bordered by…
Read More
Why a camper?
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Before I profess my love and borderline obsession with our Lance 850 camper, it is important to reflect on our decision making journey. I call it a journey because it spanned almost five years, involved multiple emotional roller coasters,…
Read More
Fun at the Base of the Blues
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The West Tiger Creek Trail checks off many appealing qualities of a leisurely few hours outdoors, such as proximity and accessibility. Follow Mill Creek Road east toward the watershed entrance and enjoy iconic views of the Blue Mountains kissed…
Read More
Into the Wilderness
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
In the blink of an hour, it is amazing just how different the terrain can look. Starting in Walla Walla, surrounded by rolling wheat fields, the drive south offers some of my favorite views paralleling the Blue Mountains. Passing…
Read More
Create Lasting Memories
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Whenever Steve and I share stories with our kids about our childhoods, we tend to reflect on moments playing outside. For me, growing up on a small farm in Texas offered a heck of a playground–a small pond to…
Read More
Oklahomans Meet Oregon
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The South Fork of the Walla Walla Trail and Harris Park will always top my list of recommended areas to explore. The word iconic comes to mind. We always take family who visit from the south here because it…
Read More
Way Outside Walla Walla | A Rocky (Mountain) Adventure
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
In 2018, our annual trip included some new adventures mixed with some old favorites. The kids are old enough to both travel greater distances and remember the adventure, at least some of the highlights. Yellowstone National Park was picked…
Read More
Be Camper Prepared
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
We would like to echo the Scout motto and suggest that being prepared is a wise investment of time and money. With the purchase of our camper, a few accessories were included in the sale. The dealer offered a…
Read More
The Camper Learning Curve
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
There we were, sitting in the office of the dealership signing all the paperwork. As we took care of the particulars, our camper was prepped and loaded onto our truck. After planning adventures for weeks, we were ready to…
Read More
Every Camper Needs a Truck
By Steve Dildine
1 Comments
We haul our camper atop a 2015 Ford F-350 4×4, crew cab, single rear wheel, long bed with the camper package and a 6.2 liter gas engine. That was a heck of a sentence, and, yes, you read that…
Read More
Deciding to Camper
By Steve Dildine
1 Comments
We literally spent years debating about whether or not we should jump on the Go RVing bandwagon. Considering everything from a giant fifth wheel to pop up tents, we have seen it all. In an effort to save you…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: Spring Into June
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Almost time to tear another page off the family calendar, June is right around the corner. We get it–you are busy. School is ending, it’s time to close second quarter at work, and all your vacation plans are likely…
Read More
Outdoor Rec Meets In-Town Fun
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
For locals and visitors alike, Lewis & Clark Trail State Park is a great way to spend a night out of town. Just 30 minutes northeast of downtown Walla Walla along Highway 12, this 36-acre park is bordered by…
Read More
Why a camper?
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Before I profess my love and borderline obsession with our Lance 850 camper, it is important to reflect on our decision making journey. I call it a journey because it spanned almost five years, involved multiple emotional roller coasters,…
Read More
Outwardly Thankful
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
It happened again. Another year is on the verge of over. There were peaks; there were valleys. There were losses, and there were wins. I remain thankful. Outdoor recreation offers varied experiences dependent on the season, weather conditions, and…
Read More
Between a Rock and a Wine Place | A Collaboration with Winemaker Josh McDaniels
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Last blog I popped the question: are you ready to go outside Walla Walla? Guess I better show you the rock I have in mind. How do you feel about basalt? The same geologic events that shaped the landscape…
Read More
Fall in Love with Walla Walla
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Wine, Wheat, Onions & Outdoor Recreation Outdoor recreation is not confined to a season. Does a hike on a snow-dusted trail sound refreshing? Would an evening ride chasing shadows and racing the sunset illustrate the cycle of the seasons?…
Read More
Reflections from the River
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The Trip of a Lifetime Twenty-eight years ago, a young gal from Texas had a life-changing opportunity to raft the Snake River. This experience resulted in a 2,000 mile move to the northwest. Of course, this young gal was…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla | Spring Forward
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
New Kid on the Block, Outdoor Recreation Spring is the season that invigorates my sense of adventure. I haven’t met a New Year’s resolution that lasted until Ground Hog’s Day, but spring in the Walla Walla Valley feels like…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
REPOST from 2019 but still so applicable, enjoy! Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns…
Read More
A Memorable Walk
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Sometimes I wonder about the impact of being outside. There are countless studies affirming any number of benefits from health boosts to economic boom. There are even more articles suggesting how to maximize those benefits with the latest camping…
Read More
Meet the Team | Steve Dildine
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
Greetings everyone. My name is Steve Dildine, and I am Outside Walla Walla’s President of Research & Discovery. Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to learn more about me and what I do for…
Read More
The Struggle is Real
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Steve has a shirt that says, “the struggle is real,” in reference to a Tyrannosaurus Rex trying to do a push-up, pull-up, and bench press. I gave it to him for Christmas as a funny nod to his profession…
Read More
Happy Tails, Until We Meet Again
By Gwen Dildine
2 Comments
This Earth Day, we lost a part of our world, our beloved German Shepherd, Seren. Reflecting on over eleven years wandering the Pacific Northwest with her, I realized that she and her brother, Micah, were likely the reason I…
Read More
Meet the Team | Gwen Dildine
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The Walla Walla Union Bulletin recently featured 39 Under 39 highlighting young professionals who are energizing the Walla Walla Valley. I am honored that I was included in this recent feature. Reading about all the wonderful people doing great…
Read More
Way Outside Walla Walla | A Rocky (Mountain) Adventure
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
In 2018, our annual trip included some new adventures mixed with some old favorites. The kids are old enough to both travel greater distances and remember the adventure, at least some of the highlights. Yellowstone National Park was picked…
Read More
Common Ground
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The new year always feels like an opportunity to start fresh, to make different choices, to try something new. I am going to assume that you too have embarked on a fair amount of soul searching this year trying…
Read More
Outdoor REC: Winter Edition
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Bluewood opened this weekend! The Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area is freshly groomed! The forecast calls for snow! The Blues are a winter wonderland of outdoor recreation possibilities. Because of our diverse geology and perfect position at the base…
Read More
Recreation Therapy
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
I doubt anyone needs a reminder that 2020 is bursting with stress: natural disaster, pandemic, and humanity doing ourselves no favors for too many reasons to list. I’m amazed that we all haven’t headed for the hills! Actually, that…
Read More
REPOST 48 Hours in Walla Walla: Fall in Love
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The world could use a little more love. One of the ways we share the love is through this site. As we continue to work on adding more activities and embark on our biannual review of the site, we…
Read More
Into the WILD-erness
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
Grab your pack, load it with the essentials (navigation, shelter, clothing, water, and food), and venture out into the wild for a weekend trip. Seems simple, right, but it’s not always easy. I’ve gone camping for 30 years–tent and…
Read More
Just for fun (and a sweatshirt)!
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Can you believe it is May? I’m not in touch with my feelings enough to really analyze how I am doing. I seem to find deeper meaning in movie quotes that provide sanity and a sense of calm. I…
Read More
A Wild Time
By Gwen Dildine
7 Comments
By now I’m sure everyone is royally unimpressed with 2020, and I really hope it rallies and we can all make “in hindsight” jokes on the flip side of all this. After sitting around the fire pit and listening…
Read More
Social Distancing with a View
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
There is no doubt we are all a little stressed right now. One can only take so much uncertainty. The Outside Walla Walla crew think we have a good suggestion–try a dose of social distancing with a view! As…
Read More
Outdoor REC: Winter Edition
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
After sleeping with the windows open for a second night, I decided I better not wait for the weather to act its season and go ahead and write about a few of the outdoor recreation, winter edition, activities that…
Read More
Wild Mystery: A Day in Dayton
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Most of the time we have a plan. We’ve researched, studied maps, and have an itinerary. That is definitely one way to learn about our area. Much can be gained, however, by not having the foggiest idea what to…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: Fall in Love
By Gwen Dildine
2 Comments
The best time of the year has arrived. I feel strongly about that despite the fact that I age on the spookiest day of the year. I love fall–the changing colors, the justification of my love of all things…
Read More
School and Soccer and Sun, Oh My!
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
It is a busy time of year. I get that. I’m currently writing this on the second night of school realizing I forgot bath time. I love late summer, early fall. Every morning you can feel incremental change–the light,…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns about dropped Pirate Booty, and fatigue can make…
Read More
Be Camper Prepared
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
We would like to echo the Scout motto and suggest that being prepared is a wise investment of time and money. With the purchase of our camper, a few accessories were included in the sale. The dealer offered a…
Read More
The Camper Learning Curve
By Steve Dildine
0 Comments
There we were, sitting in the office of the dealership signing all the paperwork. As we took care of the particulars, our camper was prepped and loaded onto our truck. After planning adventures for weeks, we were ready to…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: River, River
By wonderboy
0 Comments
The summer months have flown by and before you know it school will be starting. We hope you’ve been spending all the time that you can in the outdoors, exploring with friends and family. With August here, all of…
Read More
48 Hours in the Blue Mountains: Many Waters
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
You might not think about eastern Washington or Oregon as a go-to destination for water sports, but the land of many waters certainly has some unique opportunities to satisfy your inner rafter, kayaker, or paddleboarder. Bordered by two iconic…
Read More
Deciding to Camper
By Steve Dildine
1 Comments
We literally spent years debating about whether or not we should jump on the Go RVing bandwagon. Considering everything from a giant fifth wheel to pop up tents, we have seen it all. In an effort to save you…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: Spring Into June
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Almost time to tear another page off the family calendar, June is right around the corner. We get it–you are busy. School is ending, it’s time to close second quarter at work, and all your vacation plans are likely…
Read More
48 Hours in Walla Walla: May Flowers
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The sun is shining; the Dogwoods are blooming; and the flood warnings have finally subsided. Winter hasn’t quite relinquished to spring at higher elevations. Trust us, we miscalculated conditions at the end of April and tried to camp perched…
Read More
10 Things To Do Outside Right Now
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Spring is here, and we have budding trees and flowers to prove it! We finally put up our snowshoes, and Ski Bluewood went out with a bash. It was a great year for winter sports, but alas it is…
Read More
Outdoor Rec Meets In-Town Fun
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
For locals and visitors alike, Lewis & Clark Trail State Park is a great way to spend a night out of town. Just 30 minutes northeast of downtown Walla Walla along Highway 12, this 36-acre park is bordered by…
Read More
Why a camper?
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Before I profess my love and borderline obsession with our Lance 850 camper, it is important to reflect on our decision making journey. I call it a journey because it spanned almost five years, involved multiple emotional roller coasters,…
Read More
Fun at the Base of the Blues
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The West Tiger Creek Trail checks off many appealing qualities of a leisurely few hours outdoors, such as proximity and accessibility. Follow Mill Creek Road east toward the watershed entrance and enjoy iconic views of the Blue Mountains kissed…
Read More
Into the Wilderness
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
In the blink of an hour, it is amazing just how different the terrain can look. Starting in Walla Walla, surrounded by rolling wheat fields, the drive south offers some of my favorite views paralleling the Blue Mountains. Passing…
Read More
Oklahomans Meet Oregon
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
The South Fork of the Walla Walla Trail and Harris Park will always top my list of recommended areas to explore. The word iconic comes to mind. We always take family who visit from the south here because it…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
REPOST from 2019 but still so applicable, enjoy! Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns…
Read More
The Struggle is Real
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
Steve has a shirt that says, “the struggle is real,” in reference to a Tyrannosaurus Rex trying to do a push-up, pull-up, and bench press. I gave it to him for Christmas as a funny nod to his profession…
Read More
School and Soccer and Sun, Oh My!
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
It is a busy time of year. I get that. I’m currently writing this on the second night of school realizing I forgot bath time. I love late summer, early fall. Every morning you can feel incremental change–the light,…
Read More
Unplug & Connect
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Traveling with small children is challenging. You would think there is enough Pirate Booty in the world to get you to your desired destination in peace, but often bathroom breaks, meltdowns about dropped Pirate Booty, and fatigue can make…
Read More
48 Hours in the Blue Mountains: Many Waters
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
You might not think about eastern Washington or Oregon as a go-to destination for water sports, but the land of many waters certainly has some unique opportunities to satisfy your inner rafter, kayaker, or paddleboarder. Bordered by two iconic…
Read More
Into the Wilderness
By Gwen Dildine
0 Comments
In the blink of an hour, it is amazing just how different the terrain can look. Starting in Walla Walla, surrounded by rolling wheat fields, the drive south offers some of my favorite views paralleling the Blue Mountains. Passing…
Read More
Create Lasting Memories
By Gwen Dildine
1 Comments
Whenever Steve and I share stories with our kids about our childhoods, we tend to reflect on moments playing outside. For me, growing up on a small farm in Texas offered a heck of a playground–a small pond to…
Read More