I have been to La Grande, Oregon almost ten times, but never past the Flying J truck stop immediately off of the highway. It was always one of my many stops driving between Portland and Montana, though I knew nothing of the city itself until I spoke to Bill Rautenstrauch from the La Grande Observer. Bill has been living for over thirty years among the 12,000 other residents of La Grande long enough to appreciate more than the view from the highway (although that in itself is something worth writing home about). Surrounding La Grand proper is the immense Wallowia-Whitman National Forest, which makes hiking and camping available all year-long. According to Bill, it is a great place to “just get outside,” while the Mont Emily Recreation Area is where the more adventurous can partake in hunting, ATV trails, mountain biking, and once completed, a new motorcycle track.
Venture into La Grande itself, and one will find small town vibes and a friendly community atmosphere. Eastern Oregon University is located in La Grande, which Bill believes is a testament to its cosmopolitan character. Despite being small, La Grande has amenities and plenty to do. Some of Bill’s favorite things to do include taking in theatre performances at the University, the Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and getting his fix for down home cooking at the Smokehouse on Adam’s Avenue. Adam’s Avenue is also where one would go to find the core business section of La Grande, which Bill claims people are currently doing a lot to revive and make a bit more vibrant. Just southeast of La Grande the Hot Lake Spring Sanatorium, a historic landmark, has been restored with art galleries, and hot springs for visitors to enjoy.
If one were to get a hankering for some big city lights, Portland and Boise are only a couple hours in either direction on the highway. Nonetheless, Bill prefers the smaller town community vibes and is adamant that La Grande is no backwoods small town. The July 4 celebration is his favorite yearly event, complete with fireworks, live bands, and a jovial picnic type atmosphere. Another popular summer even is called Crazy Days, which is a merchant fair, with sidewalk sales all along Adam’s Avenue, live bands, and a fountain courtesy of the local fire department. Bill described the vibe as being that as a community festival, drawing huge crowds and facilitating family fun.
With long, gorgeous summers, and cooler, wet winters, La Grande has great weather and in Bill’s opinion, a “quite, good atmosphere.” The good weather, and gorgeous landscape (French settler Charles Dause chose the phrase “La Grande” to describe the area’s splendor) may explain why so many people are moving to La Grande to retire. Bill believes that although the city could (and arguably should) be growing, a less progressive populace wants to keep things just as they are. As long as the Blue Mountains and the Grande Ronde Valley remain unchanged, I have a feeling tourists and locals alike will be pretty happy. I at least know that next time I am driving through Oregon, along the Interstate 84, I will be sure to take my time and not pass La Grande by.
Venture into La Grande itself, and one will find small town vibes and a friendly community atmosphere. Eastern Oregon University is located in La Grande, which Bill believes is a testament to its cosmopolitan character. Despite being small, La Grande has amenities and plenty to do. Some of Bill’s favorite things to do include taking in theatre performances at the University, the Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and getting his fix for down home cooking at the Smokehouse on Adam’s Avenue. Adam’s Avenue is also where one would go to find the core business section of La Grande, which Bill claims people are currently doing a lot to revive and make a bit more vibrant. Just southeast of La Grande the Hot Lake Spring Sanatorium, a historic landmark, has been restored with art galleries, and hot springs for visitors to enjoy.
If one were to get a hankering for some big city lights, Portland and Boise are only a couple hours in either direction on the highway. Nonetheless, Bill prefers the smaller town community vibes and is adamant that La Grande is no backwoods small town. The July 4 celebration is his favorite yearly event, complete with fireworks, live bands, and a jovial picnic type atmosphere. Another popular summer even is called Crazy Days, which is a merchant fair, with sidewalk sales all along Adam’s Avenue, live bands, and a fountain courtesy of the local fire department. Bill described the vibe as being that as a community festival, drawing huge crowds and facilitating family fun.
With long, gorgeous summers, and cooler, wet winters, La Grande has great weather and in Bill’s opinion, a “quite, good atmosphere.” The good weather, and gorgeous landscape (French settler Charles Dause chose the phrase “La Grande” to describe the area’s splendor) may explain why so many people are moving to La Grande to retire. Bill believes that although the city could (and arguably should) be growing, a less progressive populace wants to keep things just as they are. As long as the Blue Mountains and the Grande Ronde Valley remain unchanged, I have a feeling tourists and locals alike will be pretty happy. I at least know that next time I am driving through Oregon, along the Interstate 84, I will be sure to take my time and not pass La Grande by.
Kiran is a third culture kid, whose love of maps was cultivated from a very young age. Having been raised the daughter of two diplomats, she had visited thirty-six countries by her twenty-first birthday. She has driven across the United States five times, and in light of all her travels, is adamant that America is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
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