Southeast
Educational Service District 123
The rolling grasslands of the Palouse are guaranteed to take your breath away, as will a trip through Hells Canyon on the Snake River. The region is also home to Pullman, location of Washington State University, the second largest educational institution in Washington (WSU). WSU offers an array of public cultural and intellectual opportunities and Pullman continues to develop as a foodie town.
What Makes This Region Great?
A perfectly crisp fall day watching a WSU Cougars football game is about as good as it gets anywhere. Of course, you might choose to spend that gorgeous autumn afternoon on a cycling trail, at one of many small town farmer’s markets or just on a leisurely drive through the rolling hills.
Outdoors
Quick, what’s the deepest river gorge in North America? If you guessed Hells Canyon on the Snake River you’d be right, as its half a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon. Jet boats carry you into the canyon and out again.
Walla Walla
The “town so nice they named it twice” is near tremendous fishing, biking and hiking. Residents of Walla Walla enjoy the walkable town and small town charm, while also taking full advantage of Whitman College, one the nation’s best small colleges.
Affordability
Being a university town, Pullman offers many of the amenities you would find in Seattle at a fraction of the price. Whether dining downtown among numerous independent restaurants or taking in a chamber music festival on campus, there’s quality living to be had.
Steptoe Butte
Steptoe Butte rises 3,612 feet above the plateau, affording expansive views of the agricultural landscape and the Blue Mountains.
Palouse Scenic Byway
The route seems to go forever, past well-worn barns, horse herds and of course undulating hills of golden grasses. At 218-miles, this is one of the longest scenic byways in America.
Palouse Falls State Park
This 198-foot cataract was made famous when an extreme kayaker made the first descent, one the first viral videos. The cascade is also Washington’s “State Waterfall.”
Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival
The Chamber Music Festival has become such an institution it actually takes place in January and June.
The Snake River
The mighty Snake is one of the best whitewater rafting and fishing rivers in the west. The American Empress sternwheeler is the romantic way to course along the Snake.
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region and runs throughout the state of Washington. Along nearly every bend of the river, you’ll be sure to find someone boating, swimming, or kayaking.
“Washington has an ocean, desert, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, rainforest and all these amazing things. The people are like that too – the diversity is so great and awe-inspiring. Why would you want to teach anywhere else?”
Alfredo Arroyo
Kennewick School District