February 28, 2021

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…

December 1, 2019

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…

September 17, 2019

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…

August 4, 2019

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…

July 7, 2019

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…

May 21, 2019

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…

April 15, 2019

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…

April 8, 2019

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,…

November 16, 2023

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…

October 18, 2023

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…

September 8, 2023

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?…

August 24, 2023

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…

May 24, 2023

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…

November 10, 2022

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…

January 27, 2022

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…

October 10, 2021

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…

June 1, 2021

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…

April 25, 2021

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…

March 21, 2021

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…

February 28, 2021

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…

December 23, 2020

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…

December 12, 2020

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…

October 5, 2020

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…

September 22, 2020

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…

August 13, 2020

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…

May 4, 2020

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…

April 17, 2020

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…

March 14, 2020

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…

December 30, 2019

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…

November 20, 2019

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…

September 28, 2019

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…

September 5, 2019

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,…

June 26, 2019

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…

December 1, 2019

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…

September 17, 2019

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…

August 14, 2019

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…

July 17, 2019

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…

July 7, 2019

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…

May 21, 2019

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…

May 4, 2019

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…

April 20, 2019

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…

April 15, 2019

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…

April 8, 2019

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,…

April 1, 2019

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…

March 14, 2019

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…

March 1, 2019

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…

November 10, 2022

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…

June 1, 2021

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…

September 5, 2019

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,…

June 26, 2019

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…

July 17, 2019

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…

March 14, 2019

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…

March 13, 2019

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…