Trip Report

Thirty five bus tour riders, plus one bus driver, headed out toward the east on Hwy 58, central area of the Cascades, to explore and picnic at Waldo Lake. The weather was perfect - a little nippy at the 5400 Ft. mark - just enough to wear a jacket and enjoy sitting around the camp fire.

Highway 58 is always a splendor of wonderful sightseeing, from the covered bridge across Dexter Lake, to the magnificent Salt Creek Falls with Diamond Peak in the background.

We took the back road through the main town of Oakridge, seeing the High School and sports field areas, the Post Office, and several churches. Oakridge is larger than it appears as you drive through Hwy. 58, some areas almost looking like a ghost town. Logging is on the decline in that area and a hard hit economy in recent years, has taken its toll on the town.

In the back way to see the Salmon Hatchery, we enjoyed our coffee break in their beautiful picnic area. A brief visit to the museum, walking the grounds, viewing the hatchery ponds and watching the spawning process, was all too short to take it all in. It will be a must see with tour guide another time. Then it was on to Waldo Lake, with an unexpected stop at the tunnel for road closure to make repairs in the tunnel area.

A bus load full of camping chairs, BBQs and food were unloaded quickly, fires lit, and the cooking began. Many had a good chance for an hour of hiking in the crisp clean air, exploring great trails along the lake side. After three hours of cooking, roasting hot dogs, and seymours, BBQ chicken, hamburgers, homemade lemonade with the coldest, freshest water in the world, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, corn on the cob, we were all feeling a little full.

We began our trek from the 5400 ft. level down the beautiful Willamette Pass - stopping for a walk and view of the magnificent Salt Creek Falls. It was a gorgeous sight, with a spray of mist in your face. Lots of water for this time of year.

We ended our day with a great root beer snack at the Oakridge A & W - welcomed by the markee sign "WELCOME OBSIDIANS". The following riders had a great time relaxing and enjoying a BBQ picnic on the last day of summer.

Members: Tom Adamcyk, Ethel Allen, Bill Arthur, Ron Bauer, Barbara Beard, Paul Beard, Paula Beard, Marylee Cheadle, Sharon Cutsforth, RoseMary Etter, Barbara Flanders, Dennis Flanders, Jeanette Forsman, Dora Harris, MaryAnn Holser, Marjorie Jackson, John McManigal, Lenore McManigal, Barbara Payne, Don Payne, Margaret Prentice, Virginia Prouty, Liz Reanier, Julie Snell, Dick Speelman, Janet Speelman, Christy White, and guests: Judy Ademcyk, Virginia Cheadle, Bob Herman, Tom Holser, Nancy McCall, Kevin Nymp, Cassie Payne, Michelle Payne and Jean Reimer.