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Arts & Entertainment

Walla Walla Weekend Getaway

Once a sleepy college town, now a destination location!

As the summer progresses-and the drizzle continues-you may have heard questions such as "Did you enjoy the summer?" or "How was your summer? Looking forward to the fall?" And, while we might want to consider ourselves fortunate for living in an area where we aren't suffering from severe weather patterns, the gray sunless days seem to get to everyone-even the Seattle natives. If you want a nearby getaway with your significant other, girlfriend or family, you'll be able to find some sunshine-on most days-and some fun, in Walla Walla.

If you go, you might want to check out these local favorites:

For the foodie whose mouth waters at descriptions of: Waygu beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, mushrooms sauteed in foie gras butter, and french fries, or roasted Copper River salmon with soba noodles, red dragon sauce and tempura vegetables, call in your dinner reservations to the Whitehouse-Crawford Restaurant. Or, if you'd prefer to indulge your sweet tooth, forego dinner and go for dessert and an after dinner drink or coffee. Current menu options include: Vanilla bean creme brulee; twice baked chocolate cake and crepe filled with sweetened fromage blanc, topped with warmed cherries jubilee-to name a few.

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Wine tasting in Walla Walla is a favorite pastime and you'll have a chance to taste some world class wines, if you so choose. Some well-known names include: L'Ecole No 41, Waterbrook and Leonetti Cellars. Check out their websites-along with dozens of others-for tasting opportunities. Keep in mind that although not all of the wineries offer tastings, you may be able to purchase a bottle or two of your favorites to take home.

If golf is your game, Walla Walla's Wine Valley Golf Club is one of the newest championship courses in the state and the second best golf course in the state, according to Golf Week. A good nine hole course alternative-for the family or the less serious golfer-is Pheasant Creek Golf Course, in Touchet.

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Perhaps you've heard the saying "Walla Walla is so nice, they named it twice," or you've read about it being one of the best places to retire, (Money Magazine, 2006). However, if you haven't visited Walla Walla, you may not be able to understand why others find it such a charming and beautiful town. Did I mention the fact that Walla Walla has 35 more sunny days-on average, per year-and is 13.8 degrees hotter-on average, in July-than Mercer Island? That's enough to motivate me to get in my car and start driving. It's only a four to five hour drive, depending on traffic, so I'll be there in time for dinner.

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