Never let anyone say that we can not adapt to any situation. When Judy and I arrived in Pendleton, OR, as representatives from Chapter "A" Southern, Oregon, we found out that our camping facilities were in the Convention Center parking lot. Due to the big rodeo coming up the following weekend there was a little mix-up but nothing we couldn’t overcome. We had clean bathroom and shower facilities, electrical hook-up and water was available so all that we were missing was grass.

When you have a good group of people who live up to the GWTA motto "Having Fun" then nothing can interfere. DQ was right next door and we had FREE tickets, now I ask you, what more could you ask for?

Thursday was spent just learning where everything was, getting set up and then enjoying a great Mexican dinner right across the street.

Friday was Biscuit & gravy breakfast served at the Convention Center by Patty’s restaurant from downtown and then Judy and I went downtown to tour the underground Chinese town where Chinese laborers lived, gambled and smoked opium. We also visited one of the last downtown Bordello’s (now closed). We had to be back by 3 P.M. for registration and opening ceremonies where a great skit was put on buy a couple of local people plus a country western singer and now I know where the term "Lock, Stock & Barrel" came from. I also took lessons on how they treated the women of the old west.

Medals were awarded from National and Chapter A took a gold medal for Chapter Olympics, which we accepted and will give to Ken and Betty as soon as we see them.

Judy had pre-cooked some meals so we had dinner in the camper and then suffered through part of the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks game on a 10 X 10 foot screen. I did take some abuse because Judy is from Oakland and for the sanctity of our marriage I had to verbally root for Oakland. Lots of snacks were available and ice cream was served before the game. At halftime was the 50-50 drawing and after that I couldn't take anymore abuse so I went to bed.

On Saturday morning Judy and I got up early and drove to Roosters restaurant for breakfast and then over to the Pendleton factory for a tour. Well, I didn’t read ALL of the brochure and we found out that although the store was open they do not give tours of the factory on Saturday, Sunday or holidays. Oh well, something about the best laid plans and all that kind of stuff.

Saturday afternoon was scheduled a chili cook off and grilled hot dog lunch but, for some unknown reason, my legs have been bothering me so we decided to call it early and head home. I’m sure we missed even more fun at the chili and hot dog lunch.

All in all it was a fun time and I’m sure that next year will probably be bigger and better yet. I’m only sorry that we had to leave early and I’ll make an appointment with my Doctor Tuesday to find out just what the heck is spoiling my fun. I shouldn’t say that because NOTHING spoil’s our fun and in spite of the aching we had a great time. Thank you to the region A Staff for all the effort to create a fun time for all. Don and Judy Coons

Just received one more article about the Rally by Nic/Phyllis Nicholas of Chapter V, GWTA-WA. Thank you.

The original plan was for the Bartleys, Funderburks and Nicholas’ to head for Pendleton Friday morning, August 29^th; but that dreaded 4-lettter word – work – got in Terry’s way, so he and Cheryl weren’t able to ride with us. MapQuest said the fastest way from Chehalis to Pendleton was down I-5 to 205 then head east on 84, so off we went. The day was spectacular, but we decided to make this a bomber run directly to Pendleton cuz there was a bunch of stuff we wanted to do when we got there. We especially wanted to make sure we had time to do a scenic ride in the area.

Our trip was uneventful, just like we like them to be. Riding along the Columbia River and feeling it get warmer and warmer as we headed east was wonderful. We made an expresso stop in Cascade Locks and were able to shed some of our gear. We stopped again for a short butt break near Boardman then continued on. We were surprised to see everyone "camped" on the blacktop outside the Convention Center upon our arrival. Seems there was some kind of snafu and the original camping area was being used by folks preparing for the annual Pendleton Roundup/Rodeo (the longest running 4-day rodeo in the country) which would start the next week. Never say that GWTA members are not adaptable.

We called Ron Smith (who had arrived Thursday) to say we’d arrived and headed for registration where we found Jimmy Townsend (Director of Craziness, who arrived Wednesday as part of the Region A staff), JR/Lindy and Frank/Sue. After all the hugs and getting updates on the action, we headed for a late lunch at Patty’s (which had been recommended by JR and Lindy). Umm, Umm, good! Back to the Convention Center for opening ceremonies which were a hoot with an old gent playing guitar and singing even older cowboy songs. We were also visited by a couple of weary Oregon Trail travelers who taught us about firearms of the old west. Wish I’d had a pen and paper to write down some of his words of wisdom about how everyday phrases in western American fork lore originated, like "a flash in the pan," "the whole kit and caboodle," and "lock, stock and barrel." It was very entertaining.

We set up camp behind JRs RV, cuz it was one of the few places where there was shade on the asphalt parking lot. We wandered around saying howdy to others who were there, then kicked back and BS’d for awhile. Then it was time to head back into the air conditioned convention center for the Seahawks/Raiders pre-season game on the huge 10’x10’ movie screen. We got into the football pool, too. No need to worry about dinner this evening, there was so much stuff to munch on. None at our table won the pool, but I won the 50/50 that night. I think the last time I won a 50/50 was at the Camp WingTyme in Tillamook. I’m really beginning to like rallies in Oregon!! They are becoming quite profitable. Terry/Cheryl arrived, too.

We spent Saturday participating in the Chamber of Commerce "Charm Trail" and doing the Underground Tour. The Charm Trail is a really neat idea for getting people into the shops in downtown. You purchase a bracelet and charm(s) from the Chamber (5 bucks), then follow the "trail" to other stores who have their specially selected charm(s) for you to purchase for a buck. The theme of the rodeo is "Let’r Buck," so selling the charms for a buck was in keeping with this theme, I guess. Needless to say, we got a workout Saturday.

Sunday we attended the closing ceremonies, where I won another 50/50 – WA HOOO! We had decided that this would be our scenic ride day, so we – Jimmy, Ron/Sandy, Phil/Judy, Scott Peabody, Terry/Cheryl, Nic/Phyllis – headed out doing a loop ride from Pendleton to Ukiah, then east toward La Grande and back to Pendleton on some terrific back roads. Sunday was a bit overcast and as we headed into the hills, it got decidedly colder than the past two days. We stopped to put on warm stuff. Sure glad I had my Gerbing heated jacket liner cuz at one point it got down to 46 degrees. We did this ride basically from start to finish. It took us through farmlands, into the wooded hills, along a babbling stream, way up high into the mountains, and again past beautiful valley farms. I’ve always said one of the best things about a rally is the new area to explore on your bike. The Pendleton area did not disappoint.

Originally, we had planned to stay in Pendleton til Monday, but then we sort of invited ourselves to Ron’s in Desert Aire for Sunday night. So when we got back, we packed up, said our kudos, thank yous and farewells and were on our way. The overnight at Ron’s was interesting to say the least. The wind came up and really rattled the tent trailers. Terry/Cheryl had to get out of bed and rotate theirs to keep the floor from folding up on them. Monday morning was a little nicer and after breakfast, we headed home from Desert Aire through Yakima and Naches, over Hwy 410, turning left at Hwy 123 and then right onto Hwy 12. In Morton, we took Hwy 508 and parted ways with Terry/Cheryl at Jackson Hwy for the short jaunt home to Newaukum Village.

All in all, it was a good rally, and the 60+ folks in attendance had a fun time. But we missed you. Where the heck were you anyway!

Nic/Phyllis Nicholas
Chapter V, GWTA-WA