Editorials - Washington State Hotels, Lodging Accommodations, Attractions, Events, Tourism

Photo courtesy National Lentil Festival

KNOWN FOR its fertile rolling hills and land-grant universities, the southeastern region has more to offer than just amber waves of grain.

In 2009 Tyler Bradt set the world record for the highest waterfall run, diving a daring 189 feet down Palouse Falls. Washington State University in Pullman is home to a sloth of grizzly bears, living in a roomy 2.2-acre research enclosure. In August, Pullman also hosts the annual National Lentil Festival (lentilfest.com), a great legume-centered celebration involving lots and lots of lentil chili.

Colfax, population 2,000, is home to the Codger Pole, the tallest chainsaw carving in the world. There are six little stone houses in LaCrosse, built more than 70 years ago and still standing—one of them is even occupied.

Erected in 1904, Uniontown’s St. Boniface Catholic Church was the first consecrated church in the state, and it still holds all the original stainedglass windows, altars, paintings, and pews.

The 25-foot tall Steptoe Battlefield Monument, set on a hill overlooking Rosalia, marks the location of the last Indian victory over the U.S. Army, in 1858.

Just north of Uniontown is Dahmen Barn (artisanbarn.org), a dairy barn transformed into studio and performing space for local artists, surrounded by a 1,000-wagon-wheel fence. —ANNE LARKIN

From our Archives

Palouse Thrills

EVER SINCE LEWIS AND CLARK paddled down the Snake River back in 1805, word has been getting out about Southeast Washingtons splashy outdoor scene.

Down South

Natural and man-made wonders in the Palouse

Day Pass

Dabble in Daytons diversions.

Great Lengths

KNOWN FOR its fertile rolling hills and land-grant universities, the southeastern region has more to offer than just amber waves of grain.

A Thousand Words

Touring the Palouse with camera in hand.

Hells Yes

PUNCTUATED BY ANCIENT rock formations, roaming wildlife, and reminders of days gone by, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is deeper than the Grand Canyon, and nearly as remote.

Scenic Byway

Water, 200 vertical feet of it, shoots down a sheer rock face andcrash-lands in a fury of splashes. This is breathtaking Palouse Falls,made all the more dramatic by the fact that its tucked away in thishilly agricultural region.

Wheyside Attractions

Although best known for waves of grain, the Palouse has fostered other edible delights, too, including baked goods, fine cheeses, and even lentil ice cream.

Hells Bent

THERES NO CONTEST when it comes to the depths of Hells Canyons black-and-buff walls.

Picturesque Palouse

Tucked in the heart of the rolling Palouse hills is Pullman, home to nearly 30,000 residents; Washington State University; a 4,500-pound bronze cougar; and, once a year, a very large bowl of chili.