Pendleton Roundup Fun

Mark, Laurel, and Emmett arrived on Wednesday the 12th, and we enjoyed a few days of absolute relaxation away from the phones and business of life at home. The BBQ dinner on Wednesday was tasty; afterwards, we enjoyed walking around and taking in some carnival rides. On Thursday, we visited the nearby Union Pacific locomotive repair yard (great trains) and the McNary Dam (outstanding salmon exhibits). As the freeway to Wenatchee goes north right by this facility, make a mental note to check this out - especially during the actual salmon runs. They collect all the salmon smolt (as well as many other types of minnows) at McNary to transport them in barges around the large downstream dams (The Dalles, Bonneville, etc.) and the way they collect and tag them here is fascinating. We had a very friendly worker that gave us a "hands on" tour and showed how the various types of fish (sculpin, pike, trout, crayfish, bass, etc. in the aquarium went after the shad minnows (as he dumped a bucket of them in the tank). Friday was spent watching the western-style parade (no motorized vehicles allowed) and then the Roundup Rodeo in the afternoon. It was HOT in those grandstands. One almost was induced to go out and buy some cowboy boots. Almost. We returned home on Saturday morning.
(September 12-15)