Sights around Pendleton

Scence of Chinese man sleeping in underground dwelling.
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As we now complete our 3rd full week in Pendleton, thought you'd enjoy some of the sights we've seen. Pendleton is rich in history, one area is their underground. At the turn of the century, underground tunnels spread beneath every sidewalk and street in town, harboring speakeasy's, bootlegging and prostitution. Portions of these historic glimpses of Pendleton's past have been preserved by a group known as Pendleton Underground Tours. Go to: http://www.nwsource.com/travel/oregon/eastern-oregon/pendleton/check-out-history-beneath-your-feet-pendleton and www.pendletonundergroundtours.org  for more information

Stained glass grate to street above enabling light to stream inward to underground tunnels.
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We enjoyed learning that the reason a speakeasy was called a speakeasy had to do with the fact that after drinking one's voice tends to elevate. The doormen at the speakeasy would advise departing customers to "speakeasy" so as to not alert the authorities that they had been drinking and/or alert them to the location of the speakeasy. (It was prohibition, after all)  Interesting also to learn that Pendleton was home to many Chinese, the sundowner's law prohibited them from coming above ground until after sundown. There were in fact Chinese jails beneath the city for those who disobeyed.

Golden eagle.
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Other interesting sights, Rich has been busy taking photos at the Mackay Resevoir where the dogs like to swim. He photographed a golden eagle who landed in a tree. Unfortunately, the light wasn't the best, but you can see that it is indeed a raptor, not a turkey vulture. What a beautiful creature.

Our other camera, the Cam-Trakker(motion sensor device that captures wildlife as they pass in front of the camera) took some nice photos of deer inhabiting the area. Check out the fawns and the monster buck in velvet, pretty cool.

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This past weekend, we drove south of here to a state forest (the closest we've come to the New England forest since we've been west). Driving through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest we only saw one deer, but soon the Elk will be bugling and running about, so we will come back. It's beautiful landscape, hopefully the photos help tell the story of yet another serene part of the country.

Weather here: BEAUTIFUL! Sunshine, blue skies and 70-80 degree days everyday. Hasn't rained in weeks! Fall is in the air though, nights have sunk down into 40's. Before long we'll be sporting coats. UGH!  I just love the summer, and hate to see it go. Oh well, nothin' I can do about it.

Underground tunnels beneath Pendleton, NOT for the claustrophobic.
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Not much to tell this entry, BUT just stay tuned. Coming soon.....The PENDLETON ROUND-UP. Surely, NOT to be missed.

Till then, as they say here in Pendleton, Let 'er buck,

Dee, Rich, Scooby and Bear.