So how has your summer been going?

Although I was warned the day I arrived that summer was über busy, I didn’t really catch the meaning until this week. It seems like this week’s edition is special edition for all of the events about to hit.

Several things stand out for me regarding summer in Wallowa County.

The number of people who flock to our door is amazing. I haven’t found a handy number, but somewhere between a half-million visitors and a million has been quoted to me, and that seems plausible.

From my window on the world here on First Street, I am amazed at the number of vehicles that pass through Enterprise, some of them on their way north to Lewiston and some on their way south to Joseph and Wallowa Lake State Park.

It would be interesting to spend a Friday sitting at the intersection of Hwy. 81 and Hwy. 3 and take account of the number of vehicles and which ones go which directions.

And these people come from all across the country. Again, it would be interesting to stop each one and ask them how they heard about Wallowa County. A cursory track of license plates is also revealing. We have a lot of visitors from California, in addition to Washington and Idaho, not to mention Oregon.

The other item of note is the number and quality of events that are produced here to attract folks to come and spend their money. Last week, both Fishtrap and Wallowa Valley Music Alliance produced events that from all reports were tremendous in scope and participation.

I didn’t get nearly as much time to hang out with fellow writers at the Summer Fishtrap as I would have liked. Carla Arnold invited me out to Wallowa for the final performance of the Wallowa Fiddle Camp Tunes Camp Friday. The auditorium was alive with excited children and adults making music and having a ton of fun. If you missed the concert by the camp faculty Thursday night on the courthouse lawn, you missed a great event.

Another aspect of life in Wallowa County that can hardly be described is the vast natural beauty that surrounds us. Whether it’s the view from the top of Mt. Howard or the deep blue of Wallowa Lake, the babbling brooks or the rushing Wallowa River, bountiful vistas await.

My wife and I have found ourselves taking refuge at Wallowa Lake State Park as often as time will permit. Strolling or taking a leisurely bike ride through the park has rapidly become our favorite summer pastime. Well, eating ice cream from one of the many wonderful vendors in the area is near the top, as well.

Next up its the Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa and then what is shaping up to be the largest event of the summer, Chief Joseph Days the week after that.

Don’t miss the Chautauqua coming to Enterprise. It’s a day full of fun and activities.

The early portion of August brings us the Back Country Bash, the Sunrise Iron Antique Tractor Show and of course the Wallowa County Fair.

We are all going to be exhausted by Alpenfest.