Wallowa is the first populated area you come into as you begin your tour of Wallowa Valley.

A few more miles down the road you’ll drive into the little hamlet of Lostine.

he name comes from the Nez Perce ‘Wa-Lc-Wah,’ the name of the tripod used to support fishing nets. Needless to say, you’re entering fishing territory of the highest magnitude.

The tiny community of Wallowa sits 45 miles out of La Grande on Highway 82 and is often called the ‘gateway to the valley.’

Wallowa is also famous for its Old Time American Fourth of July celebration, complete with parade, barbecue and all the usual Independence Day traditions.

Modern Wallowa County is proud of its multi-cultural beginnings and the tiny town of Wallowa is host to two important cultural experiences. The annual Tamkaliks Celebration is held each July at the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretative Center along the Wallowa River on Whiskey Creek Road. It features Native American dancers, vendors of art and cultural products, and an annual friendship feast. Another cultural treasure that is being showcased more each year is the remote town of Maxville, the site of an African American logging town. An information center directing people to original site should be ready by Spring 2010. And re-enactments are planned for Saturday afternoons in Wallowa from June 12 through September. Find out more at www.maxvilleheritage.org.

The Wallowa History Center, which houses historical artifacts from nearby Lostine, Promise, Maxville, Troy, Flora and Bartlett in addition to Wallowa, is on East First Street. Although it is only open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays in the summer, volunteers will be glad to open the center for tours on request. (Call (541) 886-9695 or email mburrows@eoni.com).

The road up to Little Bear Creek Campground, which features a trailhead for both hiking and horseback riding, begins in Wallowa.

Wallowa can offer travelers several places to eat including Plush West, Little Bear Drive-In, the Cougars Den, the Blonde Strawberry and more. One of the more unusual dining experiences people can enjoy – with a little advance preparation – is a real English tea or luncheon at Cup of Blessings, 101 2nd Street. Owner Judi Taylor operates the teashop as a ‘ministry service’ and donates her profits to local charities. Cup of Blessing enjoys a garden setting, the food is freshly made in Judi’s kitchen, and dozens of gourmet teas are featured. Call ahead for times and reservations, (541) 886-4832.

Just a few more miles down the road you’ll drive into the little hamlet of Lostine.

The tiny city booms once a year, in conjunction with the Wallowa Fourth of July celebrations, when their famous Flea Market opens with vendors from as far away as Florida and Arizona arriving to fill the highway with booths.

The tiny city is home to one of the oldest buildings in the county, the Lostine Tavern, which was built in the late 1800s and served variously as a creamery, drug store and tavern. The Lostine United Presbyterian Church has been serving its congregation a long time as well, more than 120 years. Another Bowlby stone (volcanic tuff) building, Providence Academy in the historic Lostine Schoolhouse, is nearby. And right there on Highway 82, you’ll see M. Crow General Store. The historic business has been in operation since 1906. It’s still owned by the Crow family, still has the same wood floors, conversation pit around the pot bellied stove, high ceilings and collection of every thing folks needed for the last 100 years.

Newer businesses include The Station, which sells local produce, crafts and baked goods, and the Blue Banana coffee shop. You can’t miss the Blue Banana, which sports a crashed plane through the roof, a Volkswagen through the side of the building, and a big blue banana out front.

South Fork River Canyon, just six miles up Lostine River Road, will give you access to those high lakes and trout fishing anglers crave. You might also see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep – this area is home to the largest herd in Oregon.

There are numerous Forest Service roads and several campgrounds in the area.