Trip Report

Our day in the country started by visiting two historic homes in Junction City. The first, the Mary Pitney House, was where the Hospitality committee provided their usual great coffee break. That was a good thing, because it was close to freezing outside. The other house was that of Dr. Norman Lee. Mary Lee Cheadle, a Lee descendant, had her childhood doll house furniture on display.

In Harrisburg, we visited the area museum, which is a must-see for anyone interested in early Oregon farming. There are four buildings filled with treasures, including a nineteenth century farmhouse, tools, farm equipment, a 1910 Overland and much more. Bill Morse, Obsidian member, was at the farm equipment museum, to explain it all to us. One building houses a miniature display, scale models, of historic farms and buildings, including the original Crater Lake Lodge, one of 51 different items made by Harrisburg resident and master model maker, Bruce Witmer. It was a superb collection.

The group moved on to the Long Tom Trail, a varied collection of rural families and their businesses located in the country west of Junction City.

First we went to the Pfeiffer Vineyard where we had lunch, and wine at the beautiful Tuscan Villa that is the Pfeiffer home. Imagine Tuscany!

Then on to April's Acres Alpacas, where we learned about the furry little alpacas and shopped in the store. On to Stillridge Art Gallery and farm and finally to Lingo's Antiques.

We enjoyed the daffodils, lambs, and blue sky in the country.

Riders were members: Ethel Allen, Barbara Beard, Paul Beard, Paula Beard, Louise Behnke, Mary Lee Cheadle, Kent Christoferson, Sharon Cutsforth, Dora Harris, Ben Jeffries, Pat Jeffries, Rosella Jones, Verna Kocken, John McManigal, Lenore McManigal, Barbara Payne, Don Payne, Liz Reanier, Julia Snell, Dick Speelman, Janet Speelman, Mary Ellen West (leader) and Vera Wooley; and nonmembers: Jean Blankenship, Kathy Christian, Tom Christian, Donna Halker, Joyce Nolte, Pat Peterson and Carolyn Rayburn.