Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 686

Oohing and aahing at the fantastic colors and rock formations of John Day Fossil
Beds ( Click here ).
Being amazed by the glacier-scoured valleys in the majestic Steens Mountain
( Click here ) region.
Cruising the amazing rock formations at Succor Creek and Leslie Gulch ( Click
here ) .
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pendleton
POP 17,000
Eastern Oregon's largest city, 'wild and woolly' Pendleton is a handsome old town fam-
ous for its wool shirts and big-name rodeo. It has managed to retain a glint of its old-time
atmosphere and cow-poking past, and nestles between steep hills along the Umatilla
River.
All around are farms and ranchlands, though in the last few years a microbrewery has
popped up as a sign of the times, along with a million-dollar steakhouse complex. With
its art galleries, antique shops, fancy Western-wares stores and budding music scene,
Pendleton has become one of eastern Oregon's most popular destinations.
Sights
The paved River Walk, atop a levee, follows the Umatilla for 2.8 miles and is a great
place for a stroll; keep an eye out for herons and other water birds.
Umatilla County Historical Museum MUSEUM
( 541-276-0012; www.heritagestationmuseum.org ; 108 SW Frazer Ave; adult/family $5/10;
10am-4pm Tue-Sat) The worthwhile Umatilla County Historical Museum is in Pendleton's
old railroad station. There are pioneer exhibits and Native American artifacts; check out
the caboose and one-room schoolhouse.
Tamástslikt Cultural Institute MUSEUM
( 541-996-9748; www.tamastslikt.org ; 47106 Wild Horse Blvd; adult/child $8/6; 9am-5pm,
closed Sun Oct-Mar) Witness Oregon's past from a Native American perspective at the spa-
cious Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, east of Pendleton off I-84 exit 216. State-of-the-art