Trip Report

Mother Nature smiled on us as we headed up I-5 towards Salem today. Stopping first at a favorite Santiam River rest area for coffee break, we then headed off on back roads to tour around the Stayton area. We arrived at the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Center near Riverfront Park promptly at opening time. A.C. Gilbert was born in Salem and is considered one of the most multi-talented inventors of all time. He is most famous for inventing the Erector Set. Following our playtime at the Discovery Center, we drove on over to Riverfront Park for our picnic lunch, and a short walk along the river. Next on the agenda, was a ride on Salem's lovely carousel. All riders were able to get aboard their mounts without aid of the stepstool! As we left Riverfront Park, we got a quick glimpse of the Eco Earth Globe. This former Boise Cascade storage tank is now covered with 86,000 colorful tiles and is a huge world globe. A short road trip south took us to the Albany Carousel Museum where we viewed the world's largest private collection of Dentzel carousel pieces. We were also treated to a tour of the facility where we saw several carousel animals in various stages of creation and had the opportunity to talk with some of the volunteers doing the work. Our last stop was Hazelnut Hill for ice cream and shopping, another favorite for bus riders. A good time was had by all!

Riders were members Tom Adamcky, Alice Anderson, Bill Arthur, Marylee Cheadle, Sharon Cutsforth (leader), Barbara Flanders, Dennis Flanders, Ray Jensen, Don Payne, Liz Reanier and Janet Speelman; and guests Judy Adamcky, Virginia Cheadle, Connie McIndoo, Geri Nelson, Susan Reinoehl and Ima Simpson.