06-15-2026 Pendleton Factory and Store, Pendleton, Washington
We decided to drive an hour and a half to Pendleton and tour the Pendleton Woolen Mill. The drive from our campground was nothing but open range and windy. It was everything for me to stay awake. I can fall asleep in a car so easily. Mom always said when I was little, if I would not go to sleep, she or Dad would drive me around the neighborhood.
The town has a rich history and many well-preserved buildings. We found the store/mill and checked in for our tour. We shopped before and after our tour. The one thing I was excited about was purchasing a solid wool blanket for our king-size bed at home. The solid blankets are not as expensive as the patterned ones.
The tour was very interesting. The looms are unbelievable. Takes two people three days to wind up the main thread roller, and it will run continuously for a month—miles and miles of thread — and it’s fascinating. There is only one woman sitting at a white color bar looking for imperfections! She fixes most on the spot. No wonder their stuff is so expensive. So what happens when she is sick or takes a vacation? Didn’t think to ask at the time. The colors of the spools are so bright, and seeing a room full of them is so cool. If you get a chance to take this tour, I recommend it. It makes you appreciate the art of weaving the materials for all the blankets.
After the tour, you are handed a Passport book, The Wonder of Pendleton. There are four mills between Washington and Oregon. You get a stamp just like my National Park Passport books. I was all over that. They already have the stamp for this mill. Only three more to visit. Plus, you get 20% off your entire purchase in the mill stores!! The great thing is the mills are a day's drive for us, except the Washington one. I provided a map from the passport book and a few other photos below.
We want to visit the other mills in Washington and Oregon: Washougal Mill & Store, Wollen Mill Store, Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Hopefully someday.
Off to Great Pacific Wine & Coffee for pizza and libations. It’s in the old downtown area. Great pizza. Barry had a local IPA and loved it.
We parked right next to this mural. The colors were so bright. I loved it. One of the old buildings in town. These signs were all over town. Great Pacific Wine & Coffee.
Take a look at the awesome ceiling.
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| Pretty cool vibe here. |
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