Let'er Buck!
Pendleton, Oregon: Yes, we are still in Pendleton. Too hot to
move. Nearly hotter than Ghana and we all know - that's hot. Not to mention, we
only have 30 amp service and even using one air conditioner occasionally pops
the breaker. Fun times!
We were up at an early hour, but it was still too hot for our runs. The heat
didn't stop us from running, but it did stop us from being very productive the
rest of the day. We revisited the
Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute on-site here at Wildhorse Resort & Casino & RV Park. Pronounced
Tah-musk-tah-lick, the museum is having a special exhibit honoring the
100th anniversary of the
Pendleton Round-Up, one of the largest rodeos in the world and one of
Oregon's most famous events. The slogan of the Pendleton Round-Up is
Let'er Buck and this phrase is all over town - on tee-shirts, posters,
Pendleton blankets and souvenirs of all sort.
We visited the Tamastslikt museum just after it opened several years ago and were a bit
disappointed as they had so much on display, but there was little
signage - looking at an old photo of a group of Indians with US
soldiers, but no "caption" to tell about the event or the participants.
What? I am happy to report the Pendleton Round-Up 100th Anniversary
display is heavily captioned! Fascinating rodeo and interesting history.
(Sorry, no photos allowed inside.)
After naps (seriously), we drove into Pendleton to visit the
Pendleton Woolen
Mills - home of the famous Pendleton Blankets. The mill offers
guided tours through the blanket-weaving process and has a great shop
on-site where you can purchase the famed blankets, jackets and other
items of (really expensive) apparel.
Next, we had a stroll through the historical downtown district before
touring through another ancient (for Oregon) institution -
Hamley's
Saddle Shop. DT thinks this shop must be for real cowboys, as the
cowboy hats go for about $400. The store itself is a treasure - stamped
copper ceilings! Ornate chandeliers, carved oak and brick walls. Stunning.
You are not going to find artwork like this in The Wal-Mart.
This bronze statue is Attitude Adjustment by Oregonian Austin
Barton.
Hamley is a western outfitter and saddle shop. Most saddles seemed to be around $4,000. I
have never shopped for a saddle, so I can't tell you if this is a good
deal or not. I can tell you there is no sales tax in Oregon... if this
helps at all in your decision.
The saddles are made on-site, in a small back-room, by a real live
Oregonian.
Next door to the saddle shop is
Hamley's
Steakhouse. DT had been here before for lunch (in the bar) and thought we
should give it a try. I was so excited! The restaurant is just stunning
- again stamped metal ceilings, ornate carved oak larger-than-life bar -
so we settled ourselves up to the bar and ordered a drink.
This guy was staring at us during our cocktail time. I couldn't decide
if he was wanting a martini or was begging us to please order
chicken, please order chicken. Who knows? I wasn't dining at
Hamley's Steakhouse to eat chicken.
We moved into the dining room and were seated at a nice booth. We
ordered salads and steaks. Our salads came on such teeny plates that
were piled to the brim with greens. One move of the fork and the entire
thing went flying off the plate. This stuff really upsets me, Dear
Reader. Could they please serve less food or use a larger plate?
And look at the gorgeous 12 oz. New York strip steak.
Look at it closely, as it only looks good. It did not taste good. It did
not taste bad. It just had no flavor. The menu reads "USDA Prime Graded
Steaks - Hamley Prime Steaks, custom prepared for a taste experience you
won't soon forget & worth every penny. Treat yourself today."
Wrong.
Forgotten.
I was so disappointed. $34 and they served me frozen green
beans (in Oregon, in August?) and food-service roasted potatoes. There
is simply no excuse for this. I think we were ripped-off in a tourist
trap and though I do not do this very often, this website (and I may go
to hell for saying something derogatory about anything-Oregon) cannot recommend Hamley's Steakhouse in Pendleton. Forgive.
And while I am on a bitch fest rant, when did it become
socially-acceptable for men to wear hats - including baseball caps -
inside restaurants, shops and businesses? Man-up and remove your hats
indoors, gentlemen!
Okay. I'm all better now.
Until my next update, I remain, your hungry correspondent.
RV Park: Wildhorse
Resort Casino RV Park. Long pull-through sites.
Pool. Hot tub (in season). Laundry. 30 & 50 amp, but
make reservations if you need 50 amp. Walk to casino
or take the shuttle. The tribe has a nice museum on
the property also. About eight miles east of
downtown Pendleton.