It’s a place of bucolic beauty, and a photographer’s dream. But the big draw for us is family, and that’s why we once again found ourselves in Pullman in early June.
Visiting Family
Our daughter Amanda, her partner Armando, and our grandson Findlay have been living in Pullman for a year now. It was a big adjustment for them, coming from San Juan Island, off the coast of Washington. (And honestly, an adjustment for us, as well. We were accustomed to having them as our next-door-island neighbors during our summers on Lopez Island.)
Amanda is in her second year of graduate school in ethnobotany at Washington State University, and Armando is working on his PhD. Findlay just started first grade. As you can imagine, they are all very busy with their various educational endeavors. We planned our visit for a window of opportunity when they all had a bit of free time, and we spent a wonderful week hanging out together, catching up, sharing meals, and exploring the area.
Biking, Hiking, Farmers’ Market, And Art
We biked the wonderful trail between Pullman and Moscow a couple of times (an easy 14-mile round trip ride through rolling farmland), enjoyed a morning at the Moscow Farmers Market (with an essential side-trip to the toy store on the plaza), visited the botanical garden at the University of Idaho, and hiked up Kamiak Butte (the only real hike in the area, but a worthwhile one).
And for a bit of art and culture, we visited the Dahmen Barn, a 1935 dairy barn turned into artist studios, with a unique fence made of 1,000 antique rusted wheels. Viewing art from the perspective of a six-year old is always enlightening.
The Dahmen Barn
A Pair Of Art Critics
It was a wonderful week. The only problem is that it went by far too quickly.
About The RV Park
The only RV option in Pullman is the city park (Pullman RV Park). It’s not a resort by any means, but it’s a fine place to stay, and centrally located for walking to the beautiful Washington State University campus and pretty neighborhood parks. Full hook-ups, excellent Verizon coverage, and remarkably quiet at night (as long as you don’t plan your visit during a WSU home football game).
Pullman RV Park
Wonderful pictures of family and the whole area. We traveled through there in May 2014 after our Columbia River cruise and it is such beautiful country.
Thanks, Penny. :-) We had such a great visit with them. I would love to do that Columbia River cruise!
At first I started to sneeze at what I thought was endless grass, but when it turned out to be mustard fields, I stopped. The family moments were sweet, especially the art critics.
We had such a sweet time, Sheila. Findlay loved the sculptures at the art barn. :-) Glad the mustard didn’t get you.
I love your photographs of the scenery around Pullman, it is easy on the eyes and restful in this busy day and age. Great grandparent moments frozen in time.
Sue, we’ve been surprised at how much we like Pullman—you’re right, it’s a very restful landscape and a pretty town. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
I love seeing pictures of you with your family! Very sweet. An adjustment, indeed, to go from the San Juans to Pullman! Findlay is still adorable, and wow, a first grader?! We just dropped my older baby off for this third year at WWU in Bellingham. Yikes!
Aww, thanks, Janet! Time goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward to catching up with you in Ashland. :-)
Yay! Fun to reminisce on that week. Love the photos of the Palouse! Xoxoxo
It was such a fun week, and the photos of you guys remind us of the little moments that make us happy. Love you and miss you!
Looks like a wonderful time. Your pictures of the countryside are fantastic. So bucolic! Even that mustard field looks gorgeous. I’m envious that Armando and Amanda can both go to grad school at the same time. We had to take turns putting each other through in my day. Grad stipends must have improved. Tell Findlay I’m with him on that art.
Sherry, it’s a pretty intense life for them both being in graduate school (with a six-year old!) but they’re doing great. We’re very proud of all of them. :-)
I am sure you are proud of Amanda and Findlay is a looker. Love the farm country. We never made it that far south when I was working in Spokane. We just kept going to Idaho.
Thanks, Debbie. We think Findlay is pretty darned cute, too. He is so much fun to be around and keeps us all entertained. We’re very proud of Amanda. :-)
Hi!
Love those grandchildren! So glad you got to spend a week, heading to SanFran for Thanksgiving to give our girls hugs and kisses. Back from Ontario “near north” with Canadian road trippers in their airstreams. Had a blast…saw a bear…no Aurora Borealis…Ed now calls it the “Boring Alice”.
We miss you guys….east coast after Christmas?
Ed and Diana
Oh, it sounds like you guys are having a great time! Have a wonderful trip to SF to see your sweet family—and yes, we want to see you this winter (and spring in Ohio!).
What wonderful times with family:) Findlay is so cute:) Lots of memories to hold you until next time. I’m sure your time on San Juan Island was tough without them near by. The rolling hills are sooo green! Love that iron wheel fence…so clever!
Pam, we definitely missed them while we were on Lopez this year. But Findlay came and stayed with us for a week in our trailer while we were on the island. That was a fun adventure! And lots more memories stored up. :-)
How wonderful to spend time with family. Findlay is so expressive – what a cute young man! My favorite pic is the sprinkler!! Beautiful countryside and fun artsiness :-)))
Jodee, Findlay is a character—and very expressive! He is full of all kinds of ideas and more than happy when he has our undivided attention. :-)
Tender moments are cherished when they come far in between. Findlay is such a cute boy!
Pullman is perhaps one of the showcase for the evergreen state, for it is lush and green!
Beautiful captures of family bonding.
Thanks, MonaLiza. We definitely cherish those sweet moments of time with family. We think Findlay is pretty cute, too. :-))
We so want to visit the Palouse. I think a visit is in order both early summer and perhaps in the fall. Lovely photos of some quality family time. Laurel I love that photo of you with Findlay in your arms.
Thanks, LuAnn. :-) You would enjoy photographing the Palouse—fall is especially gorgeous when everything turns gold, but the lush green hills are lovely in the spring, too. I’d like to be there sometime in the spring to see the wildflowers on Kamiak Butte.
Love the family photos. Looks like a wonderful place to be.
It was a fun family visit, Brenda. And Pullman has turned out to be a very sweet place for them to be.