A couple days in Pendleton, OR.

During the 49 mile drive on Hwy 84 from Irrigon to Pendleton we passed this Pendleton Grain Growers storage building. You see a lot of the grain storage buildings because it's mostly wheat grown here.

This is a cool, old wooden building right in the middle of Pendleton. The trains run through the center of town.

Talk about "truth in advertising"!

Everyone says Pendleton is famous for the "Pendleton Woolen Mills" but I was disappointed by the mill. I had wanted to get a Pendleton shirt after last wearing one in the early sixties. I knew it would be expensive...but had no idea they were all made in China. FAGITABOUTIT!

Here I am in the back room of Hamley & Co. looking at some of their old leather cutting machines. Hamley is the "other" famous landmark in Pendleton. We were allowed to go into the back room some saddles and leather goods are still made...IN AMERICA!

Hamley is the "other" famous landmark in Pendleton. There wasn't much I could afford in the store but at least most of it was American or cowboy born. Ted was busy making a saddle but was very patient in explaining to this greenhorn all the aspects of saddle building.

Ted is helping another employee rebuild an older saddle. On the sales floor of Hamley's were about 70 saddles for sale, least expensive was $1200 and the most that I saw was $5900...ouch!

While I was watching the saddle builders, Donna talks to a very friendly lady making women's leather chaps.

After Hamley we headed to the Great Pacific Wine and Coffee bar for a real treat.

Every Saturday afternoon a group of local cowboys, farmers and townsfolk meet to jam for hours. They played whatever they wanted as their turn came around the table and everyone else chimed in with an assortment of musical instruments.

DJ invited Donna and I to his front row table and gave us the lowdown on the local musicians. DJ also gave us the history the Saturday group and some Pendleton local lore. Thanks DJ!