Jul 12, 2014

We headed off for a short day's travel today which was just as well as the temperature was supposed to be very high 90's and ended up reaching 103 F. Felt like we were in an oven by the time we got in.

 

Our first stop not far up the mountain was at the Hilgard Junction State Park not far out of La Grande which was on a spot the emigrants travelled through. This must have felt wonderful for them to be in a pine forrest with grass underneath for the livestock. 

 

It felt good to be amongst the tall trees but it wasn't without it's trials for the emigrants, see the board we saw on site.

 

We peeled off the Interstate again to find the 'Deadman Pass' and we had also previousy read that because of the height and weight of the wagons with the centre of gravity so high that the wagons used to go straight up and down hills so they wouldn't tip over, hence the combination in the previous board rather than tackle hills on an angle less steep. The hills they encountered to descend the Blue Mountains were massive so we can well understand the name given to this area. This is a view from a lookout before we began to descend.

 

A view from Emigrant Road, also called Poverty Flat Road to Interstate 84.

 

And continuing down again and you can see the Interstate as it descends into Pendleton, also a good looking biker on his way down the Pass. Once we were down on the flat we were literally surrounded by miles and miles of golden wheat fields ready for harvest for as far as we could see all around us up until the surrounding mountains which seemed to totally surround us.

 

We enjoyed the Museum in Pendleton, they had a good coverage of the Oregon Trail emigrants but aso the growth and change in the Pendeleton area itself. This is a shot of a log cabin (and barn) moved from out of town. We were blown away to hear that the cabin had been lived in by the owner and his family until 1960, and then used for another 30 years as stockmans quarters. The part we enjoyed the most was of the changes emigration brought to the area with increasing agriculture and use of water with irrigation which led to the demise of salmon populations with the destruction of the flow for salmon to return to spawn. Local efforts have now overcome this providing salmon ladders where there are dams and allocating more water to maintain flows and the salmon are returnng and increasing. Well done!

 

And finally, this is a Railway Express Agency exhibit but we loved the timber seat at the front. Beautifully built and the shape was magnificent.

Two 'Must Sees' the hotel told us about which sounded good were the Underground and the Woolen Mills. Unfortunately the Underground which was litrally underground was where Chinese immigrants operated providing food and entertainment for earlier settlers. Sounded good to me, would have been cooler down there than above ground today but all tours were booked today and none tomorrow. Then we went to the Woolen Mills but found they don't have tours on the weekend. Ah well, we checked out the shop and bought some belts (see below). The Mill has been operating since 1910 and continues today. They use mainly American Indian prints which are beautifully colourful and as well have lots of beautiful cotton towells and rugs and lots of clothing, homewares and all sorts of decorator items as well as an outlet shop.They have branched out well to stay relevant. Good to see. Obviously have their patterns patented.

 

Another thing Pendleton is famous for is their Rodo, which was established the same year as the Woolen Mill so the area must have been doing well. This is in front of the Rodeo Centre.

Bits and Bobs:

 

A shot for my haidresser Jenny S, found this in the Pendleton Museum. Electric hair rollers from the past. Imagine carrying all that around in your car!

 

A quirky stool we found in a little local display where we watched a video of some awesome saddle work by an old guy who was recognised by the Smithsonian Institute as an Artisan. Can't take a shot of the saddles but can of the stool.

 

And a souvenir purchase for us both from the Pendleton Woolen Mill.

Last Night's Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites, 1711 21st Street, La Grande OR

Good decor and reasonably well maintained building and surroundings. Comfortable bed. Good sized room and good amenities. AC, swimming pool, gym, included parking, wifi, hot breakfast. Walked a short distance for dinner. Staff very helpful. On the outskirts of town but handy to the interstate so suited us. No elevator so a lug up the stairs with cases.