Trip Report

Twenty eight Obsidians and friends departed Shopko parking lot at 8:00 a.m. We drove south on I-5 to the Saginaw rest area in a slight mist. Here coffee and snacks were provided by our great Hospitality Committee. Thank you! Leaving I-5 on Hwy 38 through Drain we arrived at our first destination, the Dean Creek Elk Viewing wayside. Along Hwy 38, especially in the Scottsburg area, we saw the massive devastation to the oak and maple trees. Large trees were uprooted and we could see where many trees had been cut from both sides of the highway. Lots of slides were also visible. It was obvious that the Highway Department has been very busy with cleanup efforts along this 35 – 40 mile stretch with much work still in progress. Our bus parked at Dean Creek and we were transported to the Hinsdale Gardens by two school buses provided by the Reedsport School District. Some of the huge rhodies are over a hundred years old and many varieties were brought here from all over the world. We learned about the Hinsdales and their love of flowers. They had built a huge family home, with enormous viewing windows, on stilts overlooking the Umpqua River. The house was torn down several years ago after the BLM received the property. The gardens are now managed by BLM and volunteers, opening three weekends a year for visitors. One day the weekend before our visit they hosted 300 guests. The colors and variety of rhodies were magnificent, well-kept nature trails kept us walking and viewing in comfort. We enjoyed beautiful sunshine by late morning and the remainder of the day. Our next stop was at Honeyman State Park south of Florence. Here we enjoyed our sack lunches, some people walked to the dunes, others enjoyed just sitting by the lake or watching the school kids fish. Some caught fish and cleaned them, a good experience for 4th & 5th graders. Next we traveled north on Hwy 101 to Washburn State Park, enjoying the great blue ocean views through large windows in our elevated bus. Some riders walked the beach, while others continued on the bus to a scenic view point. The outgoing tide gave us a large beach to walk on where the sunshine and lack of wind make it a perfect day for beach walking. What a treat! Returning to Florence we enjoyed ice cream treats at BJ’s before heading back to Eugene on Hwy 126.