October 7 - Pendleton, Oregon

Our first day on the road was overcast, with light rain beginning late in the day.  We drove north to Portland, then took I-84 east along the Columbia Gorge.  The drive is absolutely gorgeous, until you get to Hood River.  Suddenly things turn desolate and boring.  We arrived in Pendleton late in the afternoon.  Pendleton is a "cowboy" town (the Pendleton Roundup had just ended the previous weekend).  It's also the home of the original Pendleton Woolen Mill.