PATAHA, Garfield County — Wednesday, Oct. 5 — There IS such a thing as a free lunch in this little wheat-country town. But only if you eat at the cafe at the old Pataha Flour Mill and choose not to donate. Which wouldn't be very nice.
But there are no prices on the menu. The cafe, and the historic attraction that is the mill itself, operate as a nonprofit corporation. Lunch, as well as a self-guided tour of the mill, is by "free-will donation" to the ministry — the Christian ministry of Jon Van Vogt, along with his wife and six kids, who run the place.
The Pataha Flour Mill is unlike any other blue-signed roadside attraction I've seen. You can attend services there on Sundays. At the bottom of every historical placard inside, there's a Bible verse — not necessarily related. For example:
"This bagging machine was used for bagging bran that was drawn out of the bin overhead on the third floor," is paired with "For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet" — 1 Corinthians 15:25.
Gas and mileage
In 132.5 miles of driving between Clarkston and Walla Walla, the Car of Discovery got 47.7 mpg.
From 1878 until 1943, the mill produced flour that owners marketed all over the world. The wooden machinery and elevators are well preserved. Wooden ramps lead visitors throughout the mill to inspect the workings, from the 6-foot-high water-powered wooden flywheel in the cellar to wooden sifters high in the tower.
Cinnamon Roll Roundup, Entry 3
OK, if you want to be technical, what I got was a caramel nut roll, at Country Cupboard Bakery in Dayton, Columbia County. But their cinnamon rolls were iced, and that's just not right. The caramel nut roll was swirled like a cinnamon roll, it certainly had cinnamon in it, and it was pleasingly pecan-ed without being icky sticky. Light and puffy dough, at $1.45 it was a bakery bargain. Lots of good-looking pastries here, and deli food, too.
There's also a pretty amazing collection of branding irons and antique cameras, and a nifty Lionel railroad setup. Just because.
Van Vogt and his family offer a friendly welcome to all visitors. Most pay if they order lunch. But not all.
"Sometimes our faith is tested," Van Vogt confided to me.
Passed a Prius
First litter-mate of the Car of Discovery I've noticed since leaving I-5; Milepost 372 on Highway 12 north of Dayton.
Onion Ring Odyssey, Entry 4
Had dinner at Walla Walla's highly recommended Ice-Burg drive-in. And what can I say? The $2.50 order of onion rings was on the pricey side, and the friendly fellow who rang up my order acknowledged they'd come frozen. Breaded like school-cafeteria fish sticks (gulp) and no flavor to spare. Does Walla Walla's fast-food legend fry up Walla Walla onions? Nope.
The burger came close to saving the day. It was comparable to a Dick's Special, the tasty mid-priced, single-patty entry from Seattle's hometown burger wonder. Ice-Burg's delivered beefy flavor and sauce that was special. But $2.75 was a big price for relatively few bites.
Walla Walla welcome (woops)
The Chamber of Commerce can't be happy with the big detour that is routing traffic from the east off Highway 12 between Waitsburg and Walla Walla.
After many miles of diversion, the detour route brought me down out of the wheaty hills … smack dab to the front door of the state penitentiary.
The wine crowd, foodies and civic promoters would probably just as soon not have visitors reminded that our state's Death Row is just up the road.
It's hard to ignore, though, once you know where to look. Those guard towers and the giant floodlights have a way of looming on the horizon.
"Best breakfast So Far" award
Snake River Eggs at the Asotin Cafe in downtown Asotin. A scramble of eggs, sausage, peppers, mushrooms and spices in a flour tortilla, with sour cream and salsa toppers, next to a bargeload of crispy hash browns. $7 and some change.
Number of roadside heritage markers stopped at between Clarkston and Walla Walla: Seven
Tomorrow: A wander or two around Walla x 2.
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