Trip Report
With one exception, we had everything going for us - two clear, sunny days, an adventurous bus driver in Don Moorhead, an efficient, charming tour manager in Molly Martin and a happy, cooperative crowd of twenty-nine trippers.
Don was willing to add some mileage we hadn't bargained for if it would be helpful or enjoyable for the crowd. Despite dire warnings the roads were excellent. Golden and Silver Falls are probably as far at the ends of the earth as one is apt to take a forty-passenger bus. The last few miles were pretty narrow and curving, but well-maintained. Everyone agreed the falls are worth the trip. An old, undisturbed Myrtlewood forest looks surprisingly different from the trees we usually see.
The clock collection at Arlene's Cafe in Elkton was very impressive. We had quick, efficient service. Wild currant and skunk cabbage was beautiful almost everywhere. Even some skunk cabbage was in the botanical garden in Shore Acres. Scotch Broom was just beginning to bloom, and nearer the coast the gorse was spectacular.
Extra work has been done at Shore Acres and the formal gardens were lovely with daffodils. The sea lions were quite accommodating at Cape Arago. Don gave us extra jaunts around Coos Head to the jetty, and through Charleston past the Marine Science through and the boat basin.
We were at Whisky Run Beach quite early Sunday. The colored stones there are very interesting, some fossils, nice pieces of petrified wood and shells added to the extra weight the bus hauled back to Eugene.
The cold wind sent us south to Bullard Beach for lunch, and some nature walking. This was an added bonus. We enjoyed the "belly" flowers, carpets of half a dozen different flowers. Maxcine is still working on the identification of the yellow one.
We got our last good look at the surf when we drove out to the old lighthouse before heading north. Officially this was the Coquille River Light. It was established in 1896 and decommissioned in 1939. It still is a day marker for ships entering the river. The tower is 46 feet high.
Another extra was a guided tour through Jessie M. Honeyman State Park on the way to Florence for good pie at Lloyds Pancake House. They ran completely out of cream pies!
The only blemish on the trip was Gerry's illness. She decided at 10:00 p.m. that she couldn't do it and went to the doctor about midnight. Her infection seems to be clearing and she was much better Monday.
Those on the trip were, Bertha & Rolfe Anderson, Muriel Aufderheide, Margaret Barnard, Margaret Block, Bernice and Ruby Callison, Ann Connell, Virginia De Mers, Reva Dildine, Ina Foss, Gladys Grancorvitz, Olive Greene, Art and Lillian Johnson, Alelia Linscott, R. O. and Nellie McWilliams, Ruth Nichols, Teresa Nutt, Janet and Pat Pattison, Ernestine Schaffner, Grace Smith (leader), Myrtle Smith, Helen Stovall, Thelma Watson, Helen Weiser, Maxcine Williams.
