Watching Our Valley Bloom

Every time Waitsburg and Dayton are highlighted in magazines, on TV and on the radio, we feel a sense of pride here at the Times.

We love driving down the road and hearing a commercial suggesting we "Discover Dayton" on the radio. Waitsburg had been featured in Sunset Magazine a couple of months ago, and was highlighted again in its May issue. A mention of Waitsburg also just popped up in Seattle Magazine as a great place to get away from it all.

This publicity really makes us happy. Of course that small selfish part of us wishes and hopes other people don't find our little gems here in the Touchet Valley and do anything to harm our favorite towns.

But mostly, we are thrilled to see new faces walking down our sidewalks, stopping by for coffee or shopping for local cheese and wine.

In addition to the recent publicity, the very recent change in weather from wintry 50s and 60s into summery 70s and 80s seems to bring more people to our towns. And I'm learning how to enjoy the season change for the first time.

When I arrived in Waitsburg as the new managing editor last August, it was hot and delightful. Spring is certainly different and special. The tulips and daffodils add vibrant colors to homes and businesses. Tawnya and I can finally turn off our space heaters under our desks. Kids are out later swinging and playing in the school yard.

At nighttime, we have had some wonderful lightning shows in the sky. The flashes of light aren't accompanied by loud, rumbling thunder that shakes the house as on the West side of the mountains. The thunder rumbled far in the distance, sounding more like growl than a boom. This is much preferable to myself and the cat.

If it's lovely and sunny in the afternoon, I'll walk home for a lunch break. This was something I never got to do while living in Aberdeen and it rained more than 100 inches each year. I really enjoy getting up out of my chair and moving on my lunch hour.

I'll see Pastor Mike Ferrians driving by and wave, feel the sun shine on my skin, turning it to warm brown and I will simply enjoy the heat. Some days the siren will go off at the fire department just as the church bells are striking the noon hour. That is a truly favorite sound of mine.

While walking home for lunch, I will always see at least three people I know in town and we'll say hello to one another. What a special joy it is to see friendly neighbors' faces.

No wonder town gets so busy in the spring and summer. With all of these delightful sights and sounds, not to mention all of the friendly folks, it's hard to believe I didn't know this little gem, the Touchet Valley and its people, existed until about 1.5 years ago.

I have been eating and drinking my way through the valley, enjoying Jim German's best drinks and tasting the new catering services at the Weinhard Café and I'm delighted with our options. I still have many more places to eat on my list.

And because I moved much farther from my parents, it has been such fun for my family members to come visit. There's always something new to show them, new wine to taste and new food to eat. My mother and sister visited two weekends ago and we made our first trip to Patit Creek Restaurant in Dayton. We were delighted by the service and the food and I know living in such a place that boasts activities, food and wine, my family will continue to visit me here.

And along with my family this summer will be plenty of tourists. I expect we're just seeing the start of them now! The Boss' guest house is all filled up thanks to the Tour of Walla Walla bike race and the beautiful weather.

It is so wonderful seeing the valley bloom in the sun for the first time. We will continue to capture moments in our special valley in the pages of the Times so when winter comes again, we can remember the bustle of town and the warmth of the sun to get us through.

Happy reading, Jillian Beaudry Managing Editor