Lone Rider Pedals: Umatilla, OR to Walla Walla, WA -- 55 miles

Today was a relatively short day; only 55 miles on one road with a significant tailwind. The scenery was wonderful as the route folllowed the river for more than half of the ride before turning inland toward Walla Walla, Washington. We have finished riding through Oregon -- so it is one state done and only 16 more to go.

There was only one assistance request today...Jeff and Sue M blew out a tire and needed a replacement tire which was located in the support trailer. Once help arrived Jeff and Sue were on their way. Jeff and Sue were so appreciative they brought me a 6 pack of Coors Light Torpedoes...Thanks but you didn't have to do that. :-)

I stopped at the Frenchtown Historic Site, which includes the St. Rose Cemetery and Mission and also encompasses the Battle of Walla Walla.

This is what I learned:
On December 7, 1855, a four-day battle began between Oregon volunteers and the Walla Wallas and other native american tribes. That year, many of the Native American tribes of the interior Pacific Northwest were restive. Some had been coerced into signing treaties that granted most of their ancestral lands to the United States, whose citizens were beginning to crowd into the area. The Yakamas, under the leadership of Kamiakin (ca. 1800-1877) and others of his family, were in open defiance of the encroaching whites and battled with volunteer territorial militias. When their resistance was reduced, the territorial volunteers turned to other tribes that had been asserting themselves, including the Walla Wallas under their chief, Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox. Marching into their stronghold in the Walla Walla River Valley, the First Oregon Mounted Volunteers defeated the Walla Wallas and their allies in a four day running battle. Before the fight, Chief Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox had been taken hostage and, during the first day of the battle, he and other hostages were killed. The Walla Wallas never fully recovered from the campaign. The next year, federal troops took over the fighting and, following a series of battles during 1858, most Indian military resistance in the interior Pacific Northwest was broken.
The view from the high point makes one ponder the tactical finesse of the Indians and the Oregon Volunteers

Also located at Frenchtown was a St. Rose Mission Memorial. I have included several photos of the area and the informational signs.

I have included several other Frenchtown Historical Site Signs which tells the rest of the history of this area:

The Ground Speaks

The Lower Frenchtown Site

Landscape and Wildlife

St. Rose Mission

Frenchtown

Local Tribes

After arriving at the Best Western, Walla Walla, Washington, Marnie R, Vicki L and Frank H rode to The Green Lantern, an establishment which was recommended by the bicycle shop. They were right on the money with their recommendation..