Central & Eastern Washington - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 392

(23 E Main St; 11am-5pm Thu-Mon) One of the better tasting rooms in the downtown area:
the decor isn't special, but the quirky story behind the label and the earthy syrah certainly
are.
L'Ecole No 41 WINE TASTING
(41 Lowden School Rd; 10am-5pm) Eleven miles west of Walla Walla just off W US 12,
take a wine lesson at the bar of this hip, early-1900s schoolhouse (if only school was al-
ways this fun). The syrah and bordeaux earn easy As.
Canoe Ridge WINE TASTING
( www.canoeridgevineyard.com ; 1102 W Cherry St; 11am-5pm) One of town's most interesting
tasting rooms is situated in a newly restored 1905 streetcar engine house. Try the merlot
and the cabernet sauvignon.
Umatilla National Forest HIKING
( www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma ) Three-quarters of this Blue Mountains protected area lies across
the state border in Oregon. The Washington section contains plenty of hiking trails. Con-
sult the Ranger Station (1415 W Rose St) in Walla Walla.
Ski Bluewood SKIING
( www.bluewood.com ; day pass adult/child $42/33; ) Situated 52 miles northeast of Walla
Walla near the town of Dayton, Bluewood is something of a revelation to most visitors,
who (wrongly) assume that southeast Washington is flat and not particularly snowy. The
ski area is small, with 20 runs, but has a high base elevation of 4545ft.
Festivals & Events
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Blues Fest FOOD, MUSIC
( 509-525-1031; www.sweetonions.org ; mid-Jul) The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Blues
Fest, held at Fort Walla Walla, celebrates the valley's renowned crop (now upstaged by
the region's wine). There are food booths and recipe contests, as well as live music
provided by touring blues acts.
Balloon Stampede HOT-AIR BALLOONS
( mid-May) The Balloon Stampede sees competitors launch dozens of hot air-filled
craft at 6am.