Next Stop the Super 8 in Pendleton, Oregon

Scooby, AKA Michael Phelps swimming with his partner Dara Torres(that "geriatric" US women's swimmer @ 41!)
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So back to Pendleton we went, after a wonderful week in Southwestern Washington. Our house would not be available until Aug. 11th so once again it was back to the Super 8 for a week. The weather up in Toutle, Washington and the Toutle Valley was definitely cooler than Pendleton. (Wetter too). Along the way back to Pendleton we drove past a wildfire alongside the highway. Nothing serious, but reminded us of the great fire danger in this part of the country. The ground is DRY, any spark from whatever source (train, campfire, cig. butts) instantly lights up the straw that lines the roadways. We were not experiencing any smoke from the devastating California wildfires, but heard of many different wildfires in Oregon, Washington and even Montana (near the Red Lodge Ski area).

Wildfires along the highway
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Back in Pendleton, we quickly found our way around town and ventured outside of town to explore swimming holes for "the kids". Pendleton is shaped like a 'V' with hills on either side of main downtown. A river runs through the town helping to divide the town into North and South. The roads downtown are easy to remember: the east-west Aves. are alphabetized starting at the river and working back from that either North or south. The north-south streets are numerical working east and west from Main st. which divides the town also.  Known for the Pendleton Mills, the town also is home of underground tours of brothels of the old west, and the world famous Pendleton Roundup. Go to: http://pendleton.thechamber.net/ The theme of the roundup, a week long celebration, is "Let 'er Buck". (said affectionately in my best Larry the Cable Guy voice). Mostly rodeo events, the history can be found at http://www.pendletonroundup.com/, but continues to this day to be a big celebration. The children of Pendleton start school , then get the week of roundup off, as it was found they were skipping school anyway. The PBR (Professional Bull Riding) will hold 2 events that week, amidst other rodeo events, and Joe Nichols will be performing. Once again, we pull into a town that has a large rodeo that is "world famous".

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We quickly found the Mackay Resevoir and for the first time in many weeks, Bear and Scooby were able to swim! It really is the best form of exercise for their weary joints!

The people in town are very friendly, it looks like it will be a nice place to be for 3 months.