Wallowa Rally

The Wallowa Union Railroad is a short line railroad. It spans a scenic section of the northeast Oregon between Le Grande, Elgin, and Joseph. Historically it transported, lumber, grain, and passengers. Today it’s used as a heritage tourism Railway. We actually don’t recommend future rallies go on this train ride, unless you want to see cows.

Our rally group attended the Tamkaliks Indian festival and enjoyed the performances that seemed to come from their soul. Two themes emerged that left a lasting memory on all of us. One of them is called a the Drum Group which is a collective of singers and drummers (often 6 to 12 or more people) sitting in a circle around one large, double-headed hide drum, striking it with padded sticks in exact synchronization. Additionally, we experienced what they call the Heartbeat which is a steady, resonant pulse of the drum is revered as the living "heartbeat of Mother Earth" and the nation, uniting the singers, dancers, and community.