Pendleton Round Up: Let 'er Buck!!

As Todd and I are on a mission to explore everything Pacific Northwest we couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in one of the most famous Oregon traditions this side of the Mississippi- the Pendleton Round-Up!  While many of you (boozers) may recognize the trusted brand of spiced Whiskey, Pendleton is also well known for the very warm (but overpriced) blankets, clothing and home accessories.  Since we weren't going to spend $300 on a blanket, we decided to make the three hour drive east and check the festivities in Pendleton firsthand!  Overall it was a true old west cultural experience- everything from whiskey shots, bucking bulls, cowboys and a sprinkling of Native American oppression!  

Let 'er Buck Pendleton!!!

The first round-up in 1910 was to be “a frontier exhibition of picturesque pastimes, Indian and military spectacles, cowboy racing and bronco busting for the championship of the Northwest.” 

Nestled inside the quaint downtown area of Pendleton, the stadium is extremely accessible making it easy to walk around and see the town after the rodeo.  Although you can't tell from the outside, there are thousands of people inside that stadium!  And later in the evening there are thousands of drunkards on the outside.

We arrived (for FREE, since it was after 4pm) right on time for the much anticipated event- the BULL RIDING!  Traditionally riders are awarded when a rider can stay on for 8 seconds (see odd explanation here).  The best cowboys were able to do a number of tricks including crocheting, handstands and juggling during their 8 seconds, while the not-so-talented cowboys experienced more of the near-death riding where they were caught on the bull and whipped around like rag dolls.  Thankfully no one was injured as it appears the human body can really take a hoof beating before any permanent damage 

gets done.

The showmanship was incredible with events that included barrel racing, bull milking and calf round-ups!  Thankfully only one calf neck had been broken earlier that day, but no one seemed worried since they keep a vet on site to clarify the animal died of other causes.  Medically speaking, it is hard to diagnose a snapped neck on a calf with a lasso rope hung around it. 

 

One of the most honored, famous traditions of the Pendleton Roundup is the Happy Canyon Indian Pageant.  Named as being one of the oldest running, staged, historical productions (not sure what any of that means)  in the country the Pageant seeks to show the relationship between the Indians and the cowboys who changed history building a Wild West empire.  While the Roundup has historically been rooted in partnerships between the nearby Umatilla Indian tribe and Pendleton natives, it seemed the Pageant showed a more accurate, but creepy portrayal of the history of the wild west.  In case you don't make it out to the Round-Up, here is what happens- the Indians are living on the land, the cowboys show up, the Indians all die and then the Wild West is rolled out in a wooden stage complete with flappers, drunks and wagons.  Soon after, the Pageant ends abruptly and they open up the arena into a bar and band for the remainder of the night!  YEE HAW!!

Adding to the frontier vibe- the local Umatilla tribe is welcomed to stay right on site in town!  Apparently to make them feel "more at home" they are offered these wonderful sleeping arrangements.  

TRUE STORY.

This is where all the Indians who visit the Round-Up stay...

Overall, we had an amazing time in Pendleton!  We ended up living like real cowboys that weekend!  We bought me a new cowboy hat, danced to the country music, drank whiskey, chopped it up with locals, saw how the West was won and even camped in our truck!  

We recommend this cultural experience to any visiting Oregon.

Goat Rocks Rocks!

Backpacking is one of my very favorite ways to get outdoors.You get the peace and solitude of the high mountains, the adventure of charting new routes, the thrill of being cut off from the real world for days on end, and the ability to hone your wilderness skills (for when the zombie apocalypse happens...) I found out that May had never been backpacking before so I insisted that we plan a little trip into the Cascade mountains of Central Washington. To a place called, the Goat Rocks Wilderness! 

Preparing to go into the wilderness is very important. If you forget something it could be a matter of life and death (seriously!) so we made a list and checked it twice. Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tent, stove, pots, water purifier, food, whiskey, and ibuprofen. It doesn't sound like a lot, but you try carrying it on your back for awhile.

The Goat Rocks Wilderness is located in the Gilford-Pinochet National Forest. Goat Rocks Wilderness is so named because of the many goats found in the mountains there (duh!) Wilderness areas are designated as special places that have no permanent human impact (aside from trails and signs) and do not allow motorized vehicles. Because of this they are typically very remote and very unspoiled (We had to drive for about 15 miles off road to get to the trail head.)


Our friend Chris and his pooch Alberto joined us and we planned to hike about 10 miles total over two and a half days (Not very many miles, but I knew from experience to not take a significant other on too strenuous a trip for their first time out...). Our ultimate destination was going to be a loop trail to Goat Lake (Full disclaimer: we never made it to Goat Lake).

The trail was a really mellow ascent up a river canyon. It crossed the raging river several times and the cool breeze flowing along with the river was refreshing during the hottest part of the day. We had a late start on the first day so we decided to camp next to the river for the first night (about 2.5 miles). It was a nice location with easy access to refill our water bottles. We were able to have a small fire and the sounds of the river lulled us to sleep.

The second day we got an early start and continued up the canyon to the higher elevations. As we got higher we were afforded awesome views of the surrounding mountains including the dramatic ice capped face of Mt. Adams (which I had climbed the summer before).







We encountered several people on the trail that day (it was labor day weekend) as well as a train of horses headed up to the high mountain meadows to restock a trail crew. They were a ornery bunch of horses and they seemed a little green on the trail. We tried to give them plenty of room as they passed. May whispered something to them and they seemed to calm down (she used to be an equestrian after all and I hear she learned from the best!)


We reached a really beautiful meadow overlooking a canyon and a waterfall and decided to make camp. We had plenty of time to relax in the still warm afternoon so May took advantage and knit some wool socks. I gathered wood for a fire, while Chris made some candy treats out of tree sap. We had a big "little house on the prairie" thing going on and it was fun. Despite a small fire the weather turned cool and there was a little bit of shivering that night. Luckily, Chris has Berto to snuggle with.






The next morning, we got on the trail pretty early and made it back to the trailhead before noon. It was a long dusty ride back to Portland and we were dog tired but it was a great trip and I was really stoked to see how good a backpacker May is. Next time Ill be putting a little more weight in her backpack!

McMenamins Weekend

As new residents to Oregon, Todd and I have had the pleasure of visiting several of the McMenamins establishments around Oregon.  Through renovations and refurbishing, McMenamins seeks to find old run-down businesses, schools and even farms and tranforms them into creative bars, hotels and music venues all over the Pacific Northwest.  Although McMenamins is a corporate empire- much of their aesthetic and style seems to be consistent across each location.  Each establishment has its own theme and as an independent brewery and winery, so you can expect what you're going to get.  Steeped in Portlandian controversy, there are many locals who don't agree with the corporate sponsorship and creation of vintage-ness, however Todd and I are among the Portlanders who think they are no more annoying than any other stylistic establishment here in Portland- so why not enjoy them.  

Recently we had to the pleasure of spending a whole weekend listening to music at a couple of McMenamin venues.  

Our first visit to Edgefield was unexpected as Todd won tickets for free to the My Morning Jacket show.  Edgefield was very kid friendly with a large grass ampitheater which enabled up to lay under the stars for the show.

Being an old, haunted farm manor, Edgefield had a lot of places to explore outside of the amphitheater.  There are several restaurants, bars and even a golf course on the property.   

Prior to Edgefield, we made it to the Crystal Ballroom where I got to see one of my favorite bands, Passion Pit.  

Crystal Ballroom was a little too hip and hot for us that night, but it was a thumping show where we enjoyed the Crystal Ballroom perk of having spring boards in the dance floor while we were jumping up and down.