Day 1: Success!
Our spring break 2017 journey is off to a great start. We had an easy drive from our home in Duvall, WA, to Westfir, OR. Despite the poor weather forecast, we managed to squeeze in a bike ride with sunshine and only a few sprinkles at the end.
We started by driving into Oakridge, just beyond Westfir, to seek a recommendation from the local bike shop, Mountain Mercantile, for a trail to ride. There we met Olivia, a kind and helpful woman with a good sense for people's skill level and desired experience. We inquired about Alpine, but she said it was currently not rideable because it was still snowed in. It varies from year to year, sometimes being ridden from the top in January, but this year, perhaps not until May. She recommended two rides for us: the North Fork Trail (of the Willamette River) and another ride along the lake that involved a 45-minute drive. We opted for the nearby North Fork Trail back in Westfir, which is where we are staying anyways.
True to her description, the first part of the trail was a bit wet and muddy with some technical sections, but after that, it dipped up and down with little technical challenge. It was a perfect trail. The sun came out, and the bright green forest floor radiated with spring, made all the more delightful by the tiny purple and yellow wild flowers and trillium blooming trailside. There were short, steep climbs punctuated by quick descents and the occasional mud. One thing I found strange was that unless there was water flowing on the trail, the trail itself was incredibly dry. The roots were not slick. I never slipped once.
Eventually, the trail climbed away from the Willamette River and began switchbacking steeply. Olivia said it would, and this was where she suggested we turn around--and we did. We had a snack and walked down to a fern, moss, and flower covered boulder closer to the river for a quick view, and then we made our way back down the steep trail. The wind picked up and the weather quickly turned; we decided to bail out to the road at the bridge crossing to beat the rain. Good choice.
Since it was too early to check into our cabin, we headed back to Oakridge and checked in with Olivia to thank her for the recommendation and get info about the Alpine shuttle (only $35!). She also recommended Dead Mountain and Larison Rock as a shuttle ride to do after Alpine on a return trip in the early fall. Our next stop was Brewery 180 in upper Oakridge where we had a beer and some fries, regular and sweet potato. It hit the spot!
By then, it was after 4:00 so we attempted to return to Westfir to find our cabin. The text link on my phone didn't work because there was no network for my phone to access. Suddenly, we had no way of getting to our place not having an actual address. (I won't do that again.). I went back into the brewery and used their wifi. Google Maps wouldn't behave with my text once I was away from the brewery, but fortunately, I had logged into Airbnb at the brewery and was able to see the written directions on the webpage cached on my phone. We found the place with only a little trouble after that.
It's a quirky little cabin, but it's warm and will suffice for the night. It's called the Cascadian Cottage at Tired Dog Farm. We had a quick dinner: a wrap sandwich with sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, and a little Daiya cheese. And a beer, of course. Then we had a small slice of chocolate pie for dessert. The evening found us reading, listening to music, and starting this blog!
Today was a great start to a vacation I have been really looking forward to. I can't wait for tomorrow's adventure!
Ellen
We started by driving into Oakridge, just beyond Westfir, to seek a recommendation from the local bike shop, Mountain Mercantile, for a trail to ride. There we met Olivia, a kind and helpful woman with a good sense for people's skill level and desired experience. We inquired about Alpine, but she said it was currently not rideable because it was still snowed in. It varies from year to year, sometimes being ridden from the top in January, but this year, perhaps not until May. She recommended two rides for us: the North Fork Trail (of the Willamette River) and another ride along the lake that involved a 45-minute drive. We opted for the nearby North Fork Trail back in Westfir, which is where we are staying anyways.
True to her description, the first part of the trail was a bit wet and muddy with some technical sections, but after that, it dipped up and down with little technical challenge. It was a perfect trail. The sun came out, and the bright green forest floor radiated with spring, made all the more delightful by the tiny purple and yellow wild flowers and trillium blooming trailside. There were short, steep climbs punctuated by quick descents and the occasional mud. One thing I found strange was that unless there was water flowing on the trail, the trail itself was incredibly dry. The roots were not slick. I never slipped once.
 |
| John enjoys his Glukos bar with the view of the Willamette River. |
Eventually, the trail climbed away from the Willamette River and began switchbacking steeply. Olivia said it would, and this was where she suggested we turn around--and we did. We had a snack and walked down to a fern, moss, and flower covered boulder closer to the river for a quick view, and then we made our way back down the steep trail. The wind picked up and the weather quickly turned; we decided to bail out to the road at the bridge crossing to beat the rain. Good choice.
Since it was too early to check into our cabin, we headed back to Oakridge and checked in with Olivia to thank her for the recommendation and get info about the Alpine shuttle (only $35!). She also recommended Dead Mountain and Larison Rock as a shuttle ride to do after Alpine on a return trip in the early fall. Our next stop was Brewery 180 in upper Oakridge where we had a beer and some fries, regular and sweet potato. It hit the spot!
By then, it was after 4:00 so we attempted to return to Westfir to find our cabin. The text link on my phone didn't work because there was no network for my phone to access. Suddenly, we had no way of getting to our place not having an actual address. (I won't do that again.). I went back into the brewery and used their wifi. Google Maps wouldn't behave with my text once I was away from the brewery, but fortunately, I had logged into Airbnb at the brewery and was able to see the written directions on the webpage cached on my phone. We found the place with only a little trouble after that.
It's a quirky little cabin, but it's warm and will suffice for the night. It's called the Cascadian Cottage at Tired Dog Farm. We had a quick dinner: a wrap sandwich with sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, and a little Daiya cheese. And a beer, of course. Then we had a small slice of chocolate pie for dessert. The evening found us reading, listening to music, and starting this blog!
Today was a great start to a vacation I have been really looking forward to. I can't wait for tomorrow's adventure!
Ellen
Our early morning start was supposed to begin at 6:00 am. What is about us that that keeps us from not being on time? We packed the car the night before and all we had to do was crawl out of bed, shower, eat breakfast, and secure the house before leaving for the week. We left at 6:30 am for our first destination Oakridge, Oregon. The traffic was light until 205 outside and east of Portland. We made good time with only two rest stops and one fill up. The drive down I-5 was boring yet the weather was intriguing. We drove through and around hordes of trucks and from downpours to sunlight throughout the six-hour drive.
Heading east from Eugene on 58 to Oakridge we found similar weather. In Oakridge I walked into the well supplied shop to hear a cheerful female "Hello" yet I didn't see the source. "Where are you?" I responded. "I'm on the floor." I laughed and began my introduction: We are from the Seattle area, we are new to the mountain bike trails here, we need a trail that will shake out our legs, and we are intermediate riders. By then the cheerful voice had a face and a set of oil stained fingers. It was one of those rare encounters in life when the voice fit the face and the two made you feel at ease.
Olivia showed us a huge map on the wall and suggested two trails. We bought a trail map and drove off in the rain for North Fork trail in Westfir. It was easy to find the trailhead and we both began our individual routine of changing from driver and passenger to mountain bikers. Ellen was ready well in advance of me due to how she dressed for the drive. Once on the trail we both felt comfortable on the single track which included sections of mud, downed trees, rocks, and smooth surfaces. Normal stuff for this time of the year. The trail followed the Willamette River upstream staying close to the river and then climbing steeply and away from the river.
The trail demanded our concentration and focus so we were not able to enjoy the sights until we stopped and rested. It took us 45 minutes to get to the steep section and then we decided to return to the car via the trail and the adjacent road. We beat the rain. After crossing the 1945 covered bridge which is Oregon's longest, we changed back to our tourist clothes and returned to Oakridge to thank Olivia and then find a beer and a plate of French fries.
We never got rained on during the ride. We caught a wonderful window. Once out of the beer establishment we headed back toward Westfir to find our AirBNB accommodation. Easier said than done. Our phones were incapable of guiding us to the cabin at Tried Dog Ranch. We found the road it was on and Ellen was able to use her logic to figure out which way to drive when we were at a "T" in the road. Sally greeted us and had a fire in the stove already. It was clean, roomy, warm, and cozy inside as the two of us talked about the day and the upcoming day over a couple of beers and a filling dinner. It was a great first day of our week long adventure. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Again, we plan to leave at 6:00 am. We won't.
Heading east from Eugene on 58 to Oakridge we found similar weather. In Oakridge I walked into the well supplied shop to hear a cheerful female "Hello" yet I didn't see the source. "Where are you?" I responded. "I'm on the floor." I laughed and began my introduction: We are from the Seattle area, we are new to the mountain bike trails here, we need a trail that will shake out our legs, and we are intermediate riders. By then the cheerful voice had a face and a set of oil stained fingers. It was one of those rare encounters in life when the voice fit the face and the two made you feel at ease.
The trail demanded our concentration and focus so we were not able to enjoy the sights until we stopped and rested. It took us 45 minutes to get to the steep section and then we decided to return to the car via the trail and the adjacent road. We beat the rain. After crossing the 1945 covered bridge which is Oregon's longest, we changed back to our tourist clothes and returned to Oakridge to thank Olivia and then find a beer and a plate of French fries.
We never got rained on during the ride. We caught a wonderful window. Once out of the beer establishment we headed back toward Westfir to find our AirBNB accommodation. Easier said than done. Our phones were incapable of guiding us to the cabin at Tried Dog Ranch. We found the road it was on and Ellen was able to use her logic to figure out which way to drive when we were at a "T" in the road. Sally greeted us and had a fire in the stove already. It was clean, roomy, warm, and cozy inside as the two of us talked about the day and the upcoming day over a couple of beers and a filling dinner. It was a great first day of our week long adventure. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Again, we plan to leave at 6:00 am. We won't.
John
I am learning so much from you about how to do a blog. This looks like a great adventure!
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