Pendleton Whiskey Makes Her Frisky (Revisited)

Flavor of the Day: Blue Dream

As I wrote & edited this, I sat enjoying some Alexander's Artisan Chocolates and infused tortellini with minced garlic and spaghetti sauce.

So a few months ago I went to Pendleton, OR, and stayed the night with a friend. We ate at Filipino Cuisino, a food truck, &, we took the educational, interesting Pendleton Underground Tour. We stopped at Alexander's chocolates, had a wine tasting, tried some chocolates, the best hot chocolate that has ever touched my tongue and we got 10% off our purchases for joining the underground. Afterward, we grabbed some munchies, went back to his house, smoked some Blue Dream, and just chilled.

My absolute favorite part was hands down the underground tour. I admire Stella Darby. The genius behind the brothel. No, she's not just any owner of a whorehouse. She was legitimately business savvy in a business that wasn't entirely looked at with welcoming eyes. I can respect and admire her smarts. She led a successful business at a time and place when many weren't happy with her. People don't necessarily respect this type of business, for a while I didn't either, but that's because I didn't look at the human beings who live this risky lifestyle. Everybody is just trying to do what they think is best.

Stella's personal quarters spoke to me. I would do anything to just read her diary, pick her brain, and just, quite honestly, Ouija board her ass back and have a full conversation with her. Dude, she had a fucking chapel in her brothel, just so her girls can not be judged, worship, and practice their faith in comfort. Stella had fucking many high-status people in her back pocket, helping her keep her business going. She had a guard to work the door & keep the women safe.

On the tour, we went through a closet that led outside, an action her girls would have to do if their jobs were in danger of being compromised. Outside, we looked over the heartbreaking remains of a recent fire at a local business. It was amazing how little the building next to it was affected. We went down the scary ass stairs underground to the opiate dens, where people could get high with some supervision, the jail, and various businesses.

This was just such a good experience, I recommend it and would do it again. Alex and Steve at Alexander's Chocolates ended the night with amazing conversation and an atmosphere. I feel like I've met two friends, although we may never have the wine tasting we talked about, I hope our paths cross again. I got myself a bottle of Echo Ridge's Rodeo Red, made in Echo, OR that's mentioned in my article Echo Ridge Cellars.

Thank you for reading and supporting me. Don't forget to take a day trip once in a while & enjoy doing something fun & learning the history of the place.

🖤💋💨