Cinco de Mayo & Taco Tuesday

Cinco de Mayo AND Taco Tuesday! What an epic celebration!

In the past I've looked for where Mexico came and discovered places or territories in the California / Oregon region. I've used those places to plan hikes and help celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Digging deeper, with more research, it becomes obvious that Mexicans and Latinos have been a part of Oregon's history from day one! They came early in our history and helped in more areas than I can count. Without this Latino help, Oregon simply wouldn't be Oregon. They came and worked the Peter French’s P Ranch, and are considered among the pioneers of eastern Oregon. Bringing things closer to home, Mexican mule packers and miners were descendants of generations of Spanish Mexicans who learned their trade in Mexico, the Southwest, and California, moving supplies from distribution points in northern California to areas as far north as the Illinois Valley in Oregon. Little is known about these early Mexican residents in Oregon; but according to historian Erasmo Gamboa, the U.S. Army used Mexican mule packers during conflicts with Indians in Oregon. In 1855-1856, for example, when the Rogue River War raged in southern Oregon, Mexican mule packers used pack trains to supply army troops with food and other necessities. Thirty-seven Mexicans served as support troops with the Second Regiment Oregon Mounted Volunteers. According to one scholar, “the first person of Latino origin listed in the [1850] Oregon census is Guadalupe de la Cruz, a thirteen-year old boy residing in Oregon City.” By 1860, twenty Mexicans, including five women, lived in Oregon City.

So tonight, I'm recommending we celebrate Cinco de Mayo at your favorite Mexican restaurant with tacos held high at the continued Friendship and Bond between our cultures. Maybe you have a secret recipe at home for the best tacos ever! We'd love to see the recipe as you may choose to stay at home this fine evening.

With glasses held high, I'd like to thank our neighbors to the south as well as my Latino neighbors who live next door for helping create this United States and Oregon. The most common Spanish toast is ¡Salud! (To your health). For a more festive or casual occasion, especially with shots, use the interactive phrase: "Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa' dentro" (Up, down, to the center, inside/drink). Another popular, fun toast is "¡Chin-chin!"(onomatopoeia for clinking glasses).

I'll be visiting "La Burrita Restaurant" in Grants Pass for this occasion. Wait a second, does a Taco Salad count as a Taco? Ha ha, let's go find out! You may wish to join or find yourself at your favorite Taco Vendor, which could even be in your own kitchen. Remember, please share the recipes. :-)

You'll find this and more at, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/hispanics_in_oregon/