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USA: Textiles 101 – Pendleton Woolen Mills

October 18, 2011
Adventure, Pacific North West, Textiles
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Those of you who can conjure up an image of the iconic late 1940’s plaid woolen ladies suit, have theperfect visual in your head for this post (if you can’t, see image on the right). That iconic suit represents over 100 years of history for the American company Pendleton. For the rest of you who have no idea who Pendleton is, that is ok too. They haven’t really been on the forefront of fashion lately, but they do continue to embrace their “Made in USA” advantage and to create high quality woolen products.

If you happen to find yourself in the Pacific Northwest and are looking for a great introduction to the American textile industry and the dyeing/spinning/weaving process for wool, a visit to one of Pendleton’s two mills (in Pendleton, OR or Washougal, WA) is a must. The tours are free and take you through the whole process from raw material to finished fabric and blankets. Of course we know that nothing in this world is free, so it is no surprise that after this one hour walking advertisement, you will be convinced that you need a new blanket or blazer. Hopefully you’ll also be persuaded to pay more attention to your labels. Seeing Americans at work creating a high quality and beautiful product, might just entice you to buy only one of those “Made in USA” t-shirts for $50, instead of the two “Made in China” versions for $25 each.

A Favorite Find: The Dunes Cafe

October 16, 2011
Adventure, Favorite Finds, Food
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A teeny store front hidden at the back-end of a small shopping center, The Dunes Cafe in Florence, Oregon was an unexpected surprise find. Admittedly, I didn’t find it myself. Only an eagle eye would have noticed it tucked off of the 101 highway. We were directed to it by the young man at the gas station up the road.

With just a handful of tables and 5 bar stools, the atmosphere was cozy to say the least. It was a little after 10 in the morning and the place was packed. I ordered an egg and bacon sandwich and tucked myself away by the bar to keep out of the fray. Within 5 minutes I had one of the most delicious breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever tasted, and I had made a few new friends at the cafe bar.

A Favorite Find: Olympic National Park’s Pacific Coast

October 6, 2011
Adventure, Favorite Finds, National Parks, Pacific North West
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La Push, Beach 2: Before leaving Seattle, my sister told me that we had to stop in La Push if we were driving through the Olympic Peninsula. I, of course, took her word and we ventured the 15 miles off 101 towards the coast. About 10 miles in, I had the realization that this is “Twilight” land, and in fact, this town might be more well-known for its association with the movie than for anything else.

Boy was I wrong. As soon as we drove into the town, home to Quileute Indian tribe, it was clear my sis had not led me astray. Driftwood (and by driftwood I mean 2-6′ wide pine tree segments) covered the beach. Small fishing boats were bobbing in the current, and the view to the horizon was only broken by the large rocks jetting out of the sea.

Kalaloch Campground: Nestled amongst giant mossy trees on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this was quite the romantic campground (two words I never thought I would use together). Still partially filled at the beginning of October with a dozen RV’s and a sampling of tents, we knew this place had to be good as soon as we drove in.

Reservations are required from June to September.  If you want a view, make sure to reserve the D loop, numbers 24/31/33/35/36/37. We chose 37.

USA: Crosses and Coffee

October 1, 2011
Adventure, MidWest
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Drive down Route 2 in Montana, and you’ll begin to ask yourself about 2 things: 1) the 70 mph speed limit, and 2) all the small white crosses on the side of the road.

Coming into Montana from Wyoming, the 70 mile per hour speed limit that seemed so appropriate suddenly seemed way too fast. Coming from the East Coast, where speed limits seem to always be just slightly below the optimal road speed, I took the 70 mile per hour speed limit to mean “set your cruise control for 74”. Whip around one of those mountain curves going over 70 mph and that perception will be changed. In Montana the speed limit might be  just that, an actual speed, limit.

The second thing you’ll notice about Montana’s roads, is that they are lined with small white crosses on red poles. These are part of a highway safety program began in 1953 by an American Legion member and now maintained by the various American Legion groups throughout the state. The 60 years’ worth of crosses are meant to act as a reminder for drivers to slow down and not drive drunk. However, as the crosses continue to fly past my window, I wonder if they actually have their intended effect. They worked on me, but I was new to the idea. Does the sleepy college kid, tipsy bar goer, or newly licensed teenager, all of whom spent their whole lives seeing those crosses go by, think about what those crosses mean before heading out on the road?

In 2002 Montana had the highest rate of drunk driving deaths and the third highest per capita fatality rate in the nation for car accidents. In 2005 Montana was tied with Hawaii and D.C. for the percent of alcohol related traffic fatalities – 47%. It almost makes you wonder if drunk driving education programs and dropping those speed limits by 5-10 mph in some places wouldn’t have more of an effect than the white crosses.

I immediately noticed as I left Montana and crossed into Idaho, a state with an alcohol related fatality percent below the national average, that the crosses disappeared. They were suddenly replaced with blue “free coffee” signs at each highway rest stop. Crosses vs. free coffee – it would be an interesting research study.

— For stories and memorials dedicated to those that have been killed in Montana road accidents, visit the Montana Highway Crosses site.