Alex Z. and I are at the 101st annual Pendleton Round-Up, the historic rodeo that feels like Oregon’s Mardi Grad. The small town is overrun with tight-Wranglered cowboys and friendly strangers who will give you and five friends lift to the bar in the back of their pickup truck.
After pulling in last night, I haven’t actually made it to the rodeo itself yet—the finals are today. But there’s already been plenty to see. Here are some things that made me laugh.
1. The Eagles Club, where you can get a drink with grandmas who talk a blue streak and purchase this pin:
2. The Dalles, where the road signs read, “West The Dalles” and “East The Dalles.”
3. “You better get frisky or get nice.” — Which is what a new friend said to me at the Rainbow Room when I got too argumentative.
4. A bar named Crabby’s.
One can easily get the full flavor of the event without actually attending the Round-Up itself. Do you have tickets?
And did you attend the Cowboy Breakfast in Stillman Park? You must. Do it tomorrow. Y’go to the Rainbow yet? You must. Do it today. And if you don’t make it to the rodeo proper, that’s not the worst thing. It’s kind of depressing.
Whoops. Says right there you went to the Rainbow. Pardon me.
WELL… Which did you do? Frisky, or nice?
I am dying to go to this thing, but hotel rooms are impossible to find. What’s your secret Smirk?
She wears wranglers and finds a cowboy to bed down with.
Buckle-bunny Sarah!