Trip Report

Liz and Ray led 36 Obsidians and guests to Shore Acres, the last bus trip of 2002! They escaped the Willamette Valley at 10:00a.m. for a sunny late fall trip to Old Town Florence where everyone was free to browse, shop and eat lunch. It was sunny but the wind was brisk and the temperature cold. About 1:15p.m. we left the wind behind as we headed south on Hwy.101, stopping at Sand Dunes Overlook where we had a good look and heard recreational vehicles on the otherwise beautiful, peaceful sand dunes. We had other ocean viewing stops. The last stop was at Cape Arago where we found sea lions by the hundreds right at the shoreline. A friend took beautiful digital camera shots, that converted me to digital. We arrived at Shore Acres by 4:00, when the lights are first turned on. The sun was starting to set and the winds had died down. It was fascinating to watch the effects of the lights as the sun sets. It is a true fantasy land when dark. At 6:15 we left, just as the crowds were arriving, for the Portside Restaurant for a sit-down dinner. At 8:00 as we boarded the bus candy canes and almond roca were passed around. Riders settled down after a good dinner and a wonderful day for a restful trip back to Eugene via Drain. A festive time was had by all. Riders were: Ethel Allen, Helen Barnard, Barbara Beard, Lloyd Bissell, Jean Blankenship, Mary Lee Cheadle, Florence Douglas, Rosemary Etter, Margaret Fea, Bette Hack, Dora Harris, Evelyn Hile, Phyllis Hulse, George & Miriam Jascheck, Jean Jensen, Rosella Jones, Marcia Jordan, Gloria Layden, Mary Lemons, John & Lenore McManigal, Cleora Mersdorf, Patrick & Susan O’Neill, Barbara & Don Payne, Pat Peterson, Andrew Roy, Janet & Richard Speelman, Ida Sprague, Connie & Floyd Wilson and leaders Liz Reanier & Ray Jensen.