Waller is an unincorporated community on the eastern side of Tacoma, in Pierce County, a semi-rural area of small farms, woodlots and scattered homes between the city and the Puyallup River valley. It is not a famous place, but it is a good example of the green, rolling country that surrounds the Puget Sound cities.
The Puyallup Valley, just east, is rich farmland that has been cultivated for generations. Daffodils, tulips and berries were once major crops, and the Puyallup Fair, held each September, is one of the largest in the state. On clear days, Mount Rainier dominates the skyline to the south-east, an enormous glaciated volcano that seems to float above the landscape.
Riding through Waller, you will find a mix of roads. Waller Road itself is a pleasant, gently curving route with trees on both sides, while nearby arterials can be busy with traffic heading to and from Tacoma, Puyallup and the surrounding suburbs. Surfaces are generally good, but watch for gravel, wet leaves in autumn and the occasional deer.
Fuel, food and coffee are easy to find in Tacoma, Puyallup and the surrounding towns. From here, the routes towards Mount Rainier and the Cascades open up, offering some of the best riding in the Pacific Northwest. Treat Waller as a pleasant passage, a quiet country interlude before the mountains.