A Day in Pendleton

Rose Court, Happy Canyon Court and Pendleton Round-Up Court at Pendleton Museum

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
6:30am	7:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:00am		Portland Marriott Hotel	Pick up Pendleton Court and drive to Pendleton
11:30am	1:45pm	Tamastslikt Cultural Institute at Wildhorse Casino, Pendleton	Hosted Lunch and Tour
2:15pm	2:45pm	Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton	Check-in
3:00pm	3:45pm	Pendleton Underground	Tour
4:15pm	7:00pm	Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion	Museum, Horseback Riding, Roping, Wagon rides
7:00pm	9:30pm	Let'er Buck Room, Pendleton	Dinner/Music/Western Dancing
10:30pm		Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton	Sleep Over

Tabitha Ivan visits Tamastslikt Museum with the 3 Courts

Story of the Day

We picked up the Pendleton Courts early and took the Royal Coach out the I-84, through the awesome Columbia River Gorge, and up to Pendleton at the foot of the incredible Blue Mountains.  Nestled in ranch country, this western town has an almost spiritual energy that welcomes us with a sense of comfort and home.  It is a small town with simple wholesome philosophies, permeated with the wisdom and common sense of good, hard working people.

At the Tamastslikt Museum we furthered our curriculum on the Native Nations of the region.  I am surprised by the rich cultural heritage of our state, and I wish every Oregonian would learn about these things before leaving school.  Although they did not choose to become part of our great melting pot, the Native American contribution to our country is brilliant and should be a proud part of our story.

Pendleton Round-Up President Bill Quesenberry pets a Belgian draft horse named K.C. with Portland Rose Festival Court Princess Tabitha Ivan from Lincoln High School on Tuesday during a social event at the Round-Up Pavilion in Pendleton. The Pendleton Round-Up Court and the Rose Festival Court have spent the last two days together hosting tours of their respective cities.

We are staying at the Wildhorse Resort, which is also a Spa, Casino, and Nightclub.  Whatever you want to do, you can do it here.  So we checked in and changed into our cowgirl duds.  10 gallon Hat, Stuff Kicker Boots, Belt Buckle the size of Texas?  Check,check, check.  This gear gives me serious country attitude!

Off to the Pendleton Underground for a tour of the 1890's in the wild, wild West.  I love city tours.  My all time favorites include Pendleton, Philadelphia bus tour, Paris Seine boat tour, and the Portland Walking Tour. 

In the afternoon, we headed over to the Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion and Hall of Fame.  I had ridden out to Pendleton next to chaperone Bill Quesenberry, but was surprised to see him in the showcases!  This quiet, unassuming man was a freaking cowboy rock star and is now in charge of the entire Round-Up.  We hung out most of the day while the courts went horseback riding, wagon riding, and learned some roping techniques.

Bill Quesenberry and I made the front page of the local paper, the Eastern Oregonian!!!

At the Let 'er Buck Room, we had dinner and danced into the evening.  Of course, being official cowgirls now, it was Swing dancing and Line dancing for us!!!!

Lights out at 10:30.  Another 16 hour day goes into the blog...

Pendleton Wagon Ride in Reality

Pendleton Wagon Ride I was expecting in my head

...seconds later

Our Room at Check-In