McKenzie River Anniversary Trip

Larry and I spent last weekend away celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary. After much discussion about a possible destination, we finally decided on the McKenzie River. I found a riverside cabin at the Holiday Farm Resort. Since I booked it online, sight-unseen, we were dubious about what we were getting. We were pleasantly surprised!

Our cabin, Waterwheel, was a charming white clapboard structure with a large living area, complete with fireplace and a kitchenette in the back. It featured french doors opening to a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed. It was meticulously clean, draft-free, and masked outdoor noises well.



It was located literally on the McKenzie River. Its wraparound porch/deck looked right out on the river- perfect for a cup of morning tea, or a glass of wine in the evening. It was my favorite part of the cabin; just sitting and listening to the flow of the water was so peaceful and relaxing.



On Saturday morning, we got up and left for a day's adventure. Our first stop was breakfast at The Rustic Skillet, a good, stick-to-your-ribs meal, perfect for sustaining us for our planned activities. As usual, Larry had thoroughly researched things to do and see. Thus, we took a delightful nature hike, at about 1,000 ft. elevation. The beautiful forest was lush, green, and beautiful, its floor covered with ferns, with three bridges crossing over the river that ran through it. We did not see another person there with us; it was very serene.



By contrast, our next stop was a hike to Hand Lake, at 4,000 ft. in elevation. I felt the difference in altitude immediately in my lungs, but it was evident to the eye, as well. This forest had a totally different look and feel. We were clearly in a harsher environment: the trees were having a harder time surviving against the elements, the ground cover was lower and clinging to the soil.



Before long, we reached the lake. The view across it was of a lava flow, and the trees there bore evidence of volcanic trauma, with Mt. Washington just barely peeking (peaking?!) above the trees.



A 90 degree turn gave us a view of two of the Three Sisters.




I was taken by the visage of this spooky tree...



The volcanic debris we saw here was the beginning of a lava flow that we would follow for many miles. Looking out across this alien landscape, it was at once dead and alive with plants struggling for survival.



We stopped at the Dee Wright Observatory at the summit of the McKenzie Pass. Built of volcanic material found on site by the CCC, it offers amazing views of the desolate landscape surrounding it.



Windows skirting the round structure identify seven mountains that can be viewed from within.



We drove on to Sisters and stayed just long enough to stretch our legs - and to discover three deer munching away in someone's yard.



Our return trip to our cabin was mostly non-stop, although we did pause to investigate the Belknap covered bridge.



After a glass of wine on the deck, we headed across the parking lot for our anniversary dinner at the resort's restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed my salmon with marionberry cream sauce. Once back at the cabin, we declined more wine on the deck; our next door neighbors were having a very boisterous party on theirs!

Breakfast the next morning was at Takoda's in Blue River. Now, Blue River is a tiny community, yet it boasts a golf course, a sports academy, the area's only gas station, and this gem of a restaurant. Unimpressive from the outside, we ate on a beautifully planted and landscaped patio, complete with koi pond, bridge, and waterfall. The exciting menu led me to a smoked chicken hash with red potato hash-browns. Yum!



Our last stop was a visit to the head of the Metolius River. This amazing place shows how this river "springs" forth fully-formed from an underground, well, spring.



Hard though it was to come home, our weekend away was over. Sarah and Emily survived our absence without trauma. Sarah's ability to drive gave them some mobility, and they, too, enjoyed a meal out while we were gone!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Cottage Grove Anniversary Trip

For weeks now, Larry has been insistent that we try to get away and go somewhere for our anniversary. Since the beginning of our marriage, we agreed not to exchange gifts for the occasion, but, instead, to celebrate by spending time together - sometimes, in our busy lives, easier said than done. Some years, that's meant simply a special meal together, but, if possible, we try to get away alone together and rekindle the spirit that first attracted us to one another.

This has been a very busy summer with lots of travel and guests. All good things (and times), but non-stop. Jeff urged us to go away, offering to stay here with Sarah and Emily - solved that problem for us. The next hurdle to cross was Larry's work schedule. With his Tuesday/Wednesday off-days, and my practice schedule leading up to my recital, we couldn't work out any dates that would work. I finally convinced Larry to trade off with some of his co-workers for Saturday/Sunday off so we could take off on our actual anniversary. It took some finagling, but he finally worked it out at the last minute.

Decision time: where to go? Too late for a beach getaway - all the rooms were filled with last-minute vacationers trying to get in a final trip to the coast before school started. Larry suggested Cottage Grove, OR, and I was underwhelmed. It just seemed like a nondescript little town to me. Larry's research, however, revealed a covered bridge festival there, so, intrigued, we made that our destination. Turns out there are not only seven covered bridges crossing the Row River (so named for a dispute between two farmers over water rights) that cuts through the city, but also a well-developed walking and biking trail alongside the river for miles. Cottage Grove also boasts painted murals on the sides of old buildings all over town. Very unique.



I found a room at the Gray Cat Inn, a Bed and Breakfast conveniently situated near a quaint downtown. We stayed in the Gray Cat Suite, a very spacious upstairs room with a king four-poster bed; a sitting area for reading; lovely antique furnishings; a fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker; and a bathroom and closet under the eaves. There were some nice little extra touches, too: home-baked cookies and chocolates under glass, fluffy robes in the closet to wear if we decided to use the hot tub, a collection of sundries in the bathroom we may have forgotten to pack, and plenty of brochures with suggestions of things to do in town.



We arrived late the afternoon of our anniversary. After checking in at the B&B and getting a recommendation for dinner, we set out to orient ourselves with the town. Not difficult, as it's a pretty small place, and our accommodations were close to everything we might need. We found our first covered bridge, and, just across the street, Stacy's Covered Bridge Restaurant, recommended by our hostess. It was the town's "fancy" restaurant, and a perfect place for our anniversary dinner. Somehow, they must have sensed it was a special occasion when we walked in, because they seated us in "the special room" a little nook, just big enough for a table for two, painted in mural-fashion to look like the interior of a covered bridge. Charming. Our meal was wonderful. I had prawns, sauteed and stuffed with crabmeat and artichokes; Larry had a baked halibut prepared with dill and topped with bay shrimp. We both had nicely-seasoned sauteed vegetables on the side, and sinful Gouda-garlic mashed potatoes. I started with a tasty tomato bisque, and we shared a slice of hazelnut cake for dessert. A gourmet meal at half the price we'd have paid in Portland. Back at the room, we continued our celebration with a special bottle of red wine we'd brought along for the occasion.



Our hostess and host were very laid-back and welcoming, and the breakfasts were marvelous. Egg dishes featured eggs from chickens in the backyard. One morning we had a breakfast casserole with country bacon, pineapple french toast, fresh fruit, and mini lemon cheesecakes for "dessert". The next morning, it was a vegetable omelet with the slightest hint of curry, turkey sausage rounds, zucchini-pineapple bread, more fruit, and berries on a cloud. The "cloud", although rich-tasting, turned out to be cottage cheese pureed and blended with a little brown sugar, ginger, and light whipping cream. I must give it a try sometime.



Sunday we decided to do a self-guided tour of covered bridges. It turns out there are seven in and around Cottage Grove. Most are no longer in use, and sit along the road as a novelty or alongside a newer, more modern bridge.



There are a couple you can still drive across, one of them single-lane and quite rattly-sounding. Kind of freaked me out a little.



The larger of these two is said to be a popular wedding spot. Indeed, it is large enough to hold 100 guests or so! Rather a picturesque setting.



One is an old railroad bridge, and is made with a steel frame.



The bridge we found the night before, right in the heart of town, was actually built as a reproduction in celebration of the town's centennial. It is a pedestrian bridge and is part of a park.



Nearby is a suspension bridge (not "covered", but included in the tour) that was originally built for school children to use to cross the Row River to get to school each day. Very quaint.



We also visited the Western Oregon Exposition underway that weekend, and experienced the feel of a true county fair in a rural community. There were the requisite livestock, food, flower, sewing, and arts and crafts exhibits, but Larry's favorite was the array of antique engines. I was enthralled with the greased pole climbing event - I've always heard of this, but never witnessed it before. One little girl bested the other participants by getting about halfway before her strength gave out. We had to leave before anyone made it to the top.



At the last minute, Larry was called in to work on Sunday night, so left me there to further enjoy the already-rented room, and drove 2 1/2 hours in to Portland to go to work. So sad! Making the most out of the situation, I took my book and the remainder of our opened bottle of wine, and soaked in the hot tub. Ahh! The next morning, while waiting for him to get back, I walked the town and took pictures of the murals. Some are simply ads, but their appearance sparked the idea of taking the mural concept further and in another direction.



Thus, the town council commissioned artists to design and paint murals that show events depicting aspects of Cottage Grove's history.



One depicts a silent movie, "The General", starring Buster Keaton, that was filmed in the area in 1926.



Some are part of beautification efforts.



Others just sprang up on the sides of businesses, reflecting the type of service offered, or the political attitude of the business owner.



I got back from my mural tour just in time to meet Larry as he returned from Portland. We packed the car, picked up some wraps to go, and found a lovely spot on the bank of the river to enjoy our picnic lunch.



When we got home, Jeff, Sarah, and Emily greeted us with sunflowers on the table, and dinner in the making. A perfect ending to a very nice weekend. Happy 28th to us!