Ivi’s here, so we decide to take a day (Monday) with a relatively low probability of tourist congestion. Wallowa Lake is the destination, and the whole family — including His Barkness, Prince Charles — set off early and secure a prime spot for viewing and picniking and swimming at the non-commercial end of the lake. The water was clear, the mountains (the “Alps of Oregon“) were still there and the heat (90 plus) could be readily offset by the icemelt-fed waters.
WALLOWA LAKE
JOSEPH
After a session of tubing and swimming, Nik elects to join Dad in a quick tour of nearby Joseph, a small town known for its bronze foundries, art galleries and eateries. Life-size and larger sculptures appear at every corner, and alongside businesses and government offices.
IWETEMLAYKIN
The Wallowa Lake area is Nez Perce territory, so we take a fairly short but hot hike to one of the tribe’s sacred sites, known as Iwetemlaykin.
