The Road Into Pendleton

This Saturday, I wound my way down from the north to Pendleton. I’d never traveled that way before, and the road took me through old ranches and miles of wheat fields. What I saw more than anything was a lot of hard work.

I couldn’t help but think about the people who took those same roads into Pendleton more than a hundred years ago, coming to town to show off what they could do.

I went straight to the rodeo grounds and the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Museum. I recognized a number of names, including a few cousins, which was fun. I spent a lot of time looking at saddles, clothing, and old photographs and taking reference photos for future paintings.

I was especially interested in the women of early rodeo, like Bertha Blancett, who not only competed at the Round-Up but also worked for the 101 Ranch Wild West Show and Pawnee Bill’s Wild West. The museum has her split riding skirt, blouse, and hat. Seeing the actual clothing she rode in was incredible, and I took plenty of photos for reference.

I also found stories about the early Round-Up that I haven’t come across elsewhere, so those are going into my Windows into the West notes for later.

Then I went to Hamley’s, photographed more saddles, and went through old newspaper clippings.

My biggest takeaway from the entire day: I need to go back.

Surprisingly, when I started Windows into the West, the idea of spending years painting and researching Western history didn’t scare me a bit.

What scares me now is getting into this chapter and never wanting to leave.

Kim Randleas

Image Credit

Photos: Kim Randleas | Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame