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Construction on the Queen Mary, then known only as "Hull Number 534 ," began in December 1930 and made her maiden voyage on September 26, 1934. Numerous delays occurred during construction due to the "Great Depression." The ship was named after Mary of Teck and was initially intended to name her Victoria, in keeping with company tradition of giving its ships names ending in "ia", but when company representatives asked King George V's permission to name the ocean liner after Britain's "greatest queen," he said his wife, Mary, would be delighted. Accordingly, the delegation had no choice but to report that 534 would be called Queen Mary. During the Second World War, the Queen Mary was converted into a troopship to carry Australian and New Zealand soldiers to the United Kingdom. The ship's hull, superstructure, and funnels were painted navy grey during the conversion . As a result of her new color and great speed, she became known as the "Grey Ghost." She was the largest and fastest troopship involved in the war, often carrying as many as 15,000 men in a single voyage and traveling out of the convoy without an escort. The Queen's high speed and zigzag courses made it virtually impossible for U-boats to catch them, although one attempted to attack the ship. Because of her importance to the war effort, Adolf Hitler offered a bounty of 1 million Reichsmarks and Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, Germany's highest military honor, to any U-boat captain who sank the ship. Queen Mary  is permanently moored in Long Beach, CA, as a tourist attraction, hotel, museum, and event facility. Following  Queen Mary 's permanent docking in California, claims were made that the ship was haunted. These claims began in earnest in the 1980s (possibly done by employees to increase business or spook guests) and have grown since then. For example, in 2008,  Time  magazine included the  Queen Mary  among its "Top 10 Haunted Places". One of the staterooms is alleged to be haunted by the spirit of a person supposedly murdered there. Other legends include a young girl who haunts the ship's former second-class pool and a father who murdered his two daughters on board. However, there is no historical record to support these claims, as no person was murdered aboard the ship. Most deaths aboard the ship were due to natural causes. Nevertheless, the  Queen Mary  operates several haunted attraction experiences, such as the "Haunted Encounters" and "Grey Ghost Project" tours. Although focused on paranormal activity, these tours counter many of the ship's legends with facts drawn from the ship's logs, such as records of documented fatalities. There are many things to do in the Queen Mary area of Long Beach. If you want to shop, eat, or enjoy the shoreline, I recommend spending time in Shoreline Village . You can walk the Long Beach Boardwalk to the Lions Lighthouse from Shoreline Village. Along the way, you can find more stores and many restaurants for any craving. This will also bring you to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This is a great place to spend some time if you have kids, and they will love it. You can also go a little further from here, and you will come to Lions Lighthouse. From here, you can see the Queen Mary. If you don't want to walk the mile-and-a-half to the Queen Mary, you can always take the Aquabus. The one-way fee is $1, and you can find the Aquabus at Shoreline Village Dock 9 or the Aquarium of the Pacific at Dock 4. Be warned: They say they run all day, but this is false because I was here at 1 p.m., and they were closed. This is what the Aquabus looks like. I decided to do the hike. To do this, you have to go to the front of the Aquarium of the Pacific, and you will see some stairs. These stairs will take you to a bike path along the side of the road. It is pretty safe because there is a barrier to separate the cars from the path. This is what the path looks like. When you cross the bridge, you will see another set of stairs on your left. Take these, and you will come to another boardwalk. This boardwalk will take you up to the Queen Mary. There are also several high-end restaurants here. The closer you get to the Queen Mary, the more expensive they are. I spent one night at the Queen Mary, but I highly recommend the Hotel Royal if you don't want to spend that amount of money. It's not far from the Shoreline Village, and I enjoyed the walk. The rooms here are cozy and have a community kitchen and bike rentals. You will see the Breakfast Bar while walking from the Hotel Royal down to Shoreline Village. I loved the food and atmosphere here and highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area. They also have Gluten-free pancakes. On to the Queen Mary. To give you a heads-up, it is easy to get lost, so I recommend getting a map. You must pay to get on the ship if you aren't spending the night. If you have brought your car and are staying here, make sure you get your parking ticket validated to avoid paying for parking. Some tours offered here include the Glory Days Historical Tour, Hollywood Tour, VIP Art Deco Tour, Royal VIP Tour, Afternoon Tea, Steam and Steel Tour, and Haunted Encounters Tour. They also offer a Paranormal Ship Walk, a 57 Ghost Seance, and the Grey Ghost Project at night. Check-in was pretty straightforward, but finding my room was a task, so I'll tell you about it. I was on the M-Deck and in room 219. Here is what the room looked like. When you get to the correct deck, please note that the rooms on the ship are not numbered like those at a hotel. The outside rooms are 100-level, and the inside rooms are 200-level. This means you will see room 201 on one side of the hall, and room 101 on the other side. This isn't very clear, but they also have one side of the ship as an even-numbered room and the other as an odd-numbered room. When I went to look for room 219, I couldn't find it because it was on the other side of the ship. I wonder if it was designed this way because the vessel was built in England. Here are some pictures of inside the Queen Mary. I came here to be part of the Grey Ghost Project. This is a skeptical, evidence-based approach to investigating the paranormal for those who don't know. Using the latest tools of the trade, the project uses a combination of scientific methods to gather data and documentation to support the study of the supernatural. In each location, we learned the legends and lore of the place while participating in interactive experiments that seek to document evidence of paranormal activity.  Each investigation is documented by video and audio recording devices to create a cohesive record of the experiences encountered. T here is no guarantee you would witness any ghostly activity. Our first stop was the infamous haunted swimming pool. If you are spending a casual day on the ship, the closest view of the pool is from behind double doors on one of the upper decks. You have to peek through the glass to glimpse what you can. We set up a motion sensor bear with the Spirit Box and EVPs. The first-class swimming pool on the Queen Mary is said to be one of the most haunted places on the ship. It’s reported that multiple people died in the pool. Despite this, there are no reported deaths in the logs of the Queen Mary. One of the most common drownings supposedly took place in the first-class pool and involved a young girl called Jackie, who, it is said, drowned in the pool. Guests have reported hearing the giggling of a young girl around the pool and seeing wet, child-sized footsteps leading away from the pool. There are no official records of Jackie having ever drowned on board the Queen Mary. There are also stories about a lady in her 50s or 60s who supposedly drowned in the first-class pool. She is often seen by guests wearing black and white. Becca set up the investigative equipment and started the session by asking if anyone nearby wanted to communicate with us. We were all welcome to pose our questions to see if we would receive any responses. She told us specific questions can pique a spirit’s interest and incite activity. We did try to talk to Jackie but did end up empty-handed. Hopefully, there will be something there when I get the digital Spirit Box recording. Here are some pictures of the swimming pool. Nothing occurred in the swimming pool area, but that changed as we continued our investigation. Much to my surprise, we were taken inside suite B340. It’s believed to be one of the most haunted guest rooms on the ship, and plenty of strange incidents have been reported by people who’ve spent a night there . This is where we implemented the Estes Method, which relies on sensory deprivation to communicate with spirits. Two sets of headphones blocked outside noise and were connected to a spirit box, which picked up on radio broadcasts. The apparatus allows ghosts to communicate messages through the radio frequencies. Another volunteer and I were allowed to try and were instructed to speak out loud whatever words we could make out. The lights were dimmed, we wore eye masks, and the equipment was set up . The rest of the group took turns asking questions. Things got quite interesting with the spirit box, so I was told. You can’t hear the other person when you're wearing the headphones . All voices sound muffled and barely audible. We frequently picked up on the exact words and would say them almost simultaneously. An exciting narrative unfolded between the questions and our responses. It seemed we contacted a spirit who expressed disappointment with their son. I was told that one of the paranormal devices also kept lighting up yellow consistently, which was a color that signaled we were making contact with some energy. Sorry, there are no pictures here because I was part of the experiment. Our next stop was the Rope Locker. The space was very chilly, and hollow echoes echoed all around. When our guide-initiated conversation, the yellow light on one of the apparatuses lit up, indicating there was likely a presence there. When I get the recording back, it will be interesting to see if we have any voices in the spirit box . Our next stop was the isolation ward. The space was bathed in red light and very chilly. I had an exciting experience here and started to smell flowers like lavender or rosemary. I asked the girl next to me if she was wearing floral perfume, and she said, "No." I asked her if she could smell the flowers. After a couple of seconds, she could. It lasted about ten seconds and was gone, which was weird. We also used the Estes Method here. Our final destination was the ballroom. We also used the Estes Method here, and other volunteers picked up on and spoke out several interesting phrases. Here are some pictures of the ballroom. We did speak to a person who called himself Steve here. There were also some motion sensors set up around the outside perimeter of the dance floor, and these were lighting up, indicating that something was triggering them. I tried to get pictures of this, but none turned out because I couldn't use Flash and didn't hold the camera still long enough. Here is one of the motion sensors, but you really cannot see it going off. This is how the ballroom was set up for our investigation. That concluded our paranormal investigation, and we all bid farewell to whatever spirits may have joined us. We ascended to the upper decks, and it was back to the land of the living. The Grey Ghost Project is currently hosting nighttime investigations on weekends. It’s three hours and includes plenty of walking, so ensure you’re ready to be active. If you’re searching for a unique way to explore The Queen Mary, I recommend this experience. None of the other tours offer this level of interaction. I was also informed that I would get access to the footage of our investigation and previous ones to review and study them. I was told it would take approximately a month before it was ready, and I would be notified by email. I learned many fascinating details while participating in The Grey Ghost Project and enjoyed immersing myself in a paranormal adventure. I will be back, and now that my daughter has moved to Long Beach, I can visit her when I'm here. I think the next adventure here will be the 57 Ghosts Seance. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with the spirited past of this historic and haunted ship. Guests will witness and participate in a supernatural séance where anything can happen! Things to NOTE: On the Queen Mary, there is a Starbucks, also called the Midship Marketplace. There are also various places to eat , and I want you to understand the differences because you have limited food options other than Uber. Promenade Café Perfect for a satisfying breakfast and quick lunch, the Promenade Café specializes in gourmet burgers, seasonal salads, and comfort food classics. Open Daily Breakfast Buffet: 6:30 am - 11:00amLunch & Dinner: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm   Chelsea Chowder House & Bar Choose from various chowders, stews, and brews for an unforgettable, international culinary experience. High-quality steaks offer diners a tempting alternative to seafood, but the seafood rules at Chelsea Chowder House. Sample their most popular chowders, which change weekly, or savor one of the other signature fresh seafood dishes. Lunch is casual, and for dinner, a shirt and tie are required for entry. Hours & Information: Open Daily Lunch (Bar): 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (menu is the same as Promenade Café) Dinner (Restaurant & Bar): Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm The Observation Bar Exuding 1930s sophistication and style, the Observation Bar is the playground of the cool. Classic and chic, it was formerly the First-Class Lounge and served as the hub for lively discussions over delicious cocktails.  Open Daily Monday – Thursday: 4:00 pm - 10:30 pm Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am - 11:30 pm Sunday: 11:00 am - 10:30 pm Happy Hour Monday – Thursday: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Queen Mary Royal Sunday Brunch A local favorite, prepare to embark on a global culinary adventure at the Queen Mary's Royal Sunday Brunch! Feast on over 50 delectable dishes worldwide, from classic breakfast favorites to spicy southwestern treats and Asian-inspired delights. Do not miss the vibrant salad station or the legendary carving station featuring succulent prime rib and mouthwatering smoked brisket. Indulge in fresh-made guacamole, a delightful assortment of sushi, creamy tortellini carbonara, and flavorful gnocchi alla pesto. Dive into the Ocean Bounty seafood station with Snow and Stone Crab Claws, King Crab Legs, and a classic Shrimp Cocktail. For the sweet tooth, explore the abundant dessert selection. Plus, customize your omelet at the live omelet station. Treat yourself to a brunch fit for royalty! The cost is $99 a person, and reservations are required.   If you have ever done the Grey Ghost Project, I would love to hear about your experience. Places to Stay: Hotel Royal Hotel Current You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

The Trail of Ten Falls is the main attraction at the park. It is a 7.4-mile loop that allows visitors to see ten different waterfalls. Some are a little detour from the main trail, but are worth the hike. There are several places to park, and I suggest the South Falls parking lot. There is more to do in this area than if you parked at the North Falls, and parking is also limited at the North Falls, so it would make the South Falls parking lot a better choice. Something to consider is getting here early. The earlier, the better, because even though this parking lot is large, it fills up quickly. When I finished the hike, over ten cars were driving around in the parking lot, waiting for someone to leave so they could get a parking space. Silver Falls State Park is one of Oregon's most prominent hiking areas within an hour's drive from Portland. This accounts for the number of people here. If you are looking for solitude on a hike, this is not the place to come. Parking your car is also a $5 fee unless you have an Oregon State Park pass. There are pay stations at all of the trailheads. Things to consider before you start the hike. I recommend that you go clockwise on this hike for two reasons. First, there are a lot of steps down the side of the canyon to get to the bottom. It's easier to do this when you are starting instead of at the end when you're tired. Looking at this picture closely, you can see all the people on the stairs. The second is the number of people at South Falls. I completed this trail counterclockwise, and when I finally got there, there were well over 200 people. Most people here just come to hike down to South Falls and leave. If you arrive early enough, you will arrive before the crowds and have better photo opportunities. Here are some pictures of South Falls. Here is also a video I took of the falls. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/187797_0979953c55894c67931ed90fe89c70fe/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 As I mentioned, I did this hike counterclockwise and will take you along this route. The Trail of Ten Falls consists of the Canyon Trail and the Rim Trail. The entire loop takes you above, behind, and around ten waterfalls. It's a moderate hike at 7.4 miles on primarily unpaved trails. Taking the Rim Trail starts paved and, in some areas, follows a bike path. The thing I didn't like about the Rim Trail is that you are hiking next to a road, so there is the constant sound of traffic. The first waterfall you visit is Winter Falls, which is 134 feet high and worth the trip. It doesn't get as much attention as South Falls or North Falls, likely because it's in the middle of the hike, and most people would not hike this far. Moving further down Rim Trail, you will next come to the North Falls Viewpoint. There is not much here because it is mainly blocked by brush and trees. Just a little further down the trail is North Falls. This is a picture of the trail. North Falls is the second waterfall you will come to, going counterclockwise, so you can walk behind to hear and feel the power of the falls. Luckily, North Falls is another waterfall you can see individually if you don’t have much time—it’s only about a half-mile round trip from the North Falls parking lot. If you plan to do both waterfalls here, I suggest going to North Falls first, so you don't have to backtrack. Something to consider is that there are stairs to get to North Falls, and by going to Upper North Falls first, you only have to climb the stairs once. Here are the stairs. North Falls is 136 feet. One way to see Upper North Falls is to hike 0.3 miles, accessible from the North Falls parking lot. Upper North Falls is 65 feet. Onward to North Falls, the Canyon Trail begins here. There are so many photo opportunities along this hike, and even though there's not much solitude, I did enjoy the scenery. Moving down Canyon Trail, you will come to Twin Falls, the next waterfall. This waterfall is 177 feet high. In the same area not far from Twin Falls are four different Waterfalls: Middle North Falls, Drake Falls, Double Falls, and Lower North Falls. Middle North Falls is 103 feet, Drake Falls is 27 feet, Double Falls is 177 feet, and Lower North Falls is 30 feet. Middle North Falls. Drake Falls. Double Falls . Lower North Falls. It is a little over a mile until you reach the next waterfall, Lower South Falls, which is 93 feet high. The last Waterfall going counterclockwise on the Trail of Ten Falls is South Falls, which I mentioned above. Things to consider: Pets are allowed on many trails, but not all, so plan accordingly if you bring a pet. The Trail of Ten Falls is steep in some areas, and bringing a stroller is not recommended. There are no restrooms on the trail. They are located in the parking areas. Bring plenty of water and proper footwear. North and South Falls are by far the best waterfalls on the Trail of Ten Falls, so while I enjoyed my hike, I know some people don’t have the time. So, if you had to do the shortest hikes with the best reward, do the North and South Falls trails. The total distance for these hikes is about a mile and a half out and back. South Falls is about a one-mile round trip, and North Falls is only about half a mile. You can walk behind both of these waterfalls, and they are equally impressive. Remember that you will need to drive to each parking lot to access them at different points on the hike. If you only do these two, you will miss all the other waterfalls on the hike. Places to Stay: The Hotel Salem Comfort Suites Salem You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!   .

The Eagle Creek Trail. Here is the information on the Eagle Creek Hike if you're interested. The Eagle Creek Trail includes Metlako Falls, Sorenson Falls, Punchbowl Falls, Loowit Falls, Skoonichuk Falls, Tunnel Falls, Grand Union Falls, Twister Falls, and if you add on an additional quarter of a mile to your hike, you can see Seven Mile Falls. There are cable-railed cliff faces on this trail, and if you suffer from Vertigo, I would not recommend doing this hike. This is not a family-friendly hike, and I would also recommend keeping your dogs at home. Yes, this is a crowded trail for a fourteen-mile hike, and you will see many backpackers using this trail because it is part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I did this hike in the fall because I was in the area to do the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail, which I will post about at a later time. Unfortunately, with the crowds, the Eagle Creek Trailhead has seen a significant number of break-ins to cars. Thieves are known to frequent this area and work quickly. They tend to go for the obvious (valuables left in vehicles) but also for identity information left in glove compartments. It is an attractive area for thieves because of its proximity to the interstate on-ramp. In addition, hikers have even reported losing backpacks left at the trailhead momentarily while fetching their vehicle. Many hikers have taken to bringing all their valuables with them, leaving the doors to their car unlocked and the glove compartments open. There are signs posted that recommend you park at the lower parking area that you first pass by when you drive in from the freeway, next to the fish hatchery (where there are people 24/7, and a window looks out onto the parking area), and during the summer, there is a camp host. Parking here will add about a half mile to your hike, but it is the safer place to park. Metlako Falls is the first falls along Eagle Creek, serving as a stunning initiation into the area. At 82 feet, it represents one of the taller waterfalls along the Eagle Creek Trail (although the Forest Service seems to think the falls are much higher than 82 feet). The falls are named after a Native American goddess of salmon. Hikers used to be able to view Metlako Falls from a downstream clifftop, accessed by a spur trail, the Metlako Falls Trail. Overhanging maples were regularly pruned to offer a sterling photo opportunity from a cable-railed overlook. However, in December 2016, the section of the rim with the overlook collapsed into the gorge below, and the best sighting of the entire waterfall is from the approach on the main trail right after you spot Sorenson Falls. The old spur trail to the obliterated overlook has disappeared since the Eagle Creek Fire. You can see the top of the falls from the Eagle Creek Trail before you reach Sorenson Creek. Bushwhacking to the edge of the abyss is not recommended as the lip is undercut in places and may collapse at any time—Cross Sorenson Creek, with its round concrete steps. At the junction with the Lower Punch Bowl Trail, you can descend three-hundred-feet down into the gorge to a spot just upstream of Lower Punch Bowl Falls; however, the view of Punch Bowl Falls from the end of this spur trail no longer exists due to a 2018 landslide that blocked the creek, stay on the Eagle Creek Trail, and cross a massive crib wall constructed by the PCTA at a spot where the trail slid away. Soon, you'll come to the Punch Bowl Falls overlook, where you can view Punch Bowl Falls spouting into its circular amphitheater and magnificent deep pool below. You may recognize this viewpoint from photos and postcards. Please stay inside the guardrails. Every year, there is a story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves. If you keep going beyond Punchbowl Falls, you will start working your way toward High Bridge.  The trail will begin to rise again from the creek, and soon you will be elevated nearly one hundred fifty feet up on the edge of the cliffs, navigating a very narrow trail.  Feel free to use the handrail cables bolted into the edge of the cliff and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic.  This is where the trail can get tricky if you've brought a dog or children.  Soon, you will come to High Bridge, a bridge that crosses a narrow chasm of the creek and looks down nearly two hundred feet to the water.  This is an excellent spot for photos and can be challenging for those who are afraid of heights. Skoonichuk Falls is the fourth major waterfall along Eagle Creek, one encounters when hiking upstream along the Eagle Creek Trail. The falls are flanked on the east by a lofty cliff that towers up above the base of the falls and provides ample shade from the sun during the first half of the day. Located near the top of the falls is one of the numerous camps (Blue Grouse Camp) along the Eagle Creek Trail, as well as easy access to views looking right down the center of the falls (use caution on the slick rocks around the falls). Continue up the trail to Tunnel Falls. This fall is the traditional turnaround spot for many on the Eagle Creek Trail, and it is indeed a splendid climax. While this scene is impressive enough, the most bewildering aspect is the falls in the passageway behind them. Trail builders from the early 1900s blasted a tunnel behind the falls and then across the sheer rock face on their far side, making this area the slickest and perhaps most precarious section of trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Looking downstream from the falls, you can see where the two forks of Eagle Creek converge, meeting at Grand Union Falls. Please avoid the temptation to descend to the creek via the large slide on the near side, as so many have done before. Putting aside the obvious danger, the area is eroding before its time, destroying the flora and fauna in the area. Visitors to this area may choose to continue less than a half-mile ahead to the two-tiered, Twister Falls (some guidebooks call it "Crossover Falls"). It is well worth the minimal additional effort if time affords. It is difficult to see the full span of Twister Falls, but more impressive is the trail to it. Many have referred to this stretch as the "Vertigo Mile" because of the walls of the gorge that surround you. Twister Falls is aptly named as the waterfall twists and turns violently down the sheer cliff it plunges off of. The trail to Twister Falls is somewhat death-defying as it rests on the edge of a massive cliff and at some points gets as narrow as a foot wide. Sevenmile Falls is the uppermost of the seven major waterfalls along Oregon's Eagle Creek Trail. Coincidentally , it happens to occur near the seven-mile mark of the Eagle Creek trail, and is the seventh waterfall along Eagle Creek. Since most hikers on the Eagle Creek Trail turn around after either Tunnel or Twister Falls, few see this waterfall, although it is just a quarter mile further up. Brush along the edge of the trail and encroaches around the top of the falls, unfortunately obstructing just enough of the falls that there are no one-hundred percent clear views from the trail. Now the fun part, and it's time to turn around and head back the same trail you came in on. If you made it to Seven Mile Falls, you have a seven-mile hike back to your vehicle. Tips for doing this hike. I would leave the kids and dogs at home on this hike. It is very slippery and narrow in places, and watching your kids or a dog may make things unsafe for you. Beating the Crowds: Before you even think about going to the Eagle Creek Trail, know that you'll have to contend with crowds. Even back in 1919, when the trail was built, it had about 150,000 visitors a year. Today, it's many more, mainly limited by the lack of parking (more on that in a sec). The best time to visit without a crowd is to arrive at sunrise. In the late afternoon, parking tends to open up as well. And obviously, weekdays are better than weekends, although the lots do fill up on weekdays too. So if you show up at 9 am on a Saturday, don't expect to do the hike. Further down from the trailhead, there is a parking area along the road, with space for about 10 cars. The last option for parking is at Eagle Creek Day Use Area, by the salmon hatchery, right at the turn off for Eagle Creek Loop Road. That lot has about 30 parking spaces. This lot also has bathrooms (in fact, the bathroom is named "Big John"). Park along the side of the road at your own risk; illegally parked cars are towed. You need a parking pass here. You can self-pay at the trailhead, use a Northwest Forest Pass, or display a (worth every penny) National Parks pass. Another option is to stay at the historic Eagle Creek Campground, which is by the hatchery. If you stay at the campground, you can park your car there while you hike. As you would expect in the Pacific Northwest, it can get very wet here. There are stream crossings, water runoffs, and mud. It's a safe bet to wear shoes that you're comfortable getting wet in. The trail surfaces, which are sometimes raw rock blasted out of the cliff, can be slippery. If you use trekking poles, I'd recommend just using one. On the various cable sections, you will be able to hold the cable with one hand and a trekking pole with the other. The trail is very gentle in terms of slope, so you don't need the poles. In the winter, the trail can be snowy and icy, in which case I don't recommend doing it (and the Forest Service may also close it if that's the case). There are sheer cliff walls that you do not want to slip off of, and if you do, it will take a long time for a rescue team to get in and be able to help you. And the upper part of the Eagle Creek Trail, past the seven-and-a-half-mile camp toward Wahtum Lake, is generally snow-covered and often impassable during the winter. GPS can be inaccurate when you are hiking along the cliff faces. Luckily, the trail is easy to follow without any tricky navigation. Numerous side creeks are feeding into Eagle Creek. It's usually easy to access water to refill your bottles. Just make sure you use a water filter before you drink anything from here. You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.   Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

A lot of people have probably heard about Malheur National Forest because of the January 2, 2016, when an armed group of far-right extremists seized and occupied the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. I'm not going to talk about that, and this post is for the television series The Last of Us fans. The blue whale is the biggest animal on Earth, but it’s not Earth’s biggest life form. No, the blue whale pales in comparison to the actual largest living thing on the planet: the humongous fungus ( Armillaria ostoyae ), also known as honey fungus. This fungus is located in Malheur National Forest and covers an area of about three-and-a-half square miles. Now that is truly humongous. It is also estimated to be some 8,000 years old  and may weigh as much as 35,000 tons. Picture taken from the internet. At that kind of size, you would imagine that the humongous fungus would be easy to spot. You would be wrong. That’s because it’s almost entirely underground for most of the year. It only pops up when it comes time to reproduce. That is usually during October. See, the part of a fungus you’re probably most familiar with is the mushroom cap. But that’s only one specific part of the fungus, and in most species, it’s the only part that appears above ground. It’s called a fruiting body, and it’s a reproductive organ. I’ll let you take a minute to absorb the fact that pretty much every mushroom you’ve ever eaten has been fungus genitalia. Anyway, this goes for the humongous fungus, too. It's mushrooms only peek above ground when it’s time to make more humongous fungi . Over hundreds of thousands of years, the world's largest living organism has slowly infected, killed, eaten, and engulfed countless trees and shrubs unlucky enough to be in its path. Honey fungus is, after all, an infamous killer in the forest world. Its black rhizomorphs are like highways that allow white rot to travel from host to host. The "white rot" associated with Armillaria infects trees and shrubs by encircling, attacking, and ultimately killing their roots. While this is happening, rhizomorphs continue onward, always seeking another host. While many parasites found in nature require a living host, Armillaria is a facultative saprophyte, so it can survive and live off its hosts long after they are killed. This allows for almost limitless expansion without the need for self-regulation that's required by parasites that depend on a living host. Over months or years, the attacked host dies. The Armillaria is especially pathogenic to softwoods like Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ), true firs ( Abies spp. ), and Western Hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ). This makes eastern Oregon an excellent location for it to survive. The fungus's progress can be tracked by the expanding areas of dead and dying trees. The Humongous Fungus was discovered by taking samples from all the known infected trees in the park and comparing their fungal DNA. In diverse forests, fungi kill and feed on only the weakest trees. But what can happen with a monoculture of trees (all the same types of trees planted together in large areas) is that disease or weather can weaken all of them at the same time. When this happens, it allows fungi like Armillaria to take out entire forests at once. How to get here: If you are coming from western Oregon, you would have to take Route 26 East past Prairie City, Oregon, and from Eastern Oregon, it would be Route 26 West to right after the little town of Bates, Oregon. See the map above. You have to understand that you are taking Forest Service Roads to get here, and they are also known as logging roads. It is a long, curvy road and there are a lot of potholes. For detailed directions, I would stop at the Ranger Station located at 327 SW Front St, Prairie City, OR 97869. Remember the best time to come is in the Autumn, and it is typically the forest’s busiest season (popular for elk hunting), and many campgrounds fill on weekends. In late October and early November, the needles of western larch trees turn a vibrant shade of yellow throughout the forest. Be sure to wear blaze orange if you plan to be in the woods during hunting season.  Places to Stay: Dixie Creek Bungalows Dreamers Lodge You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

This is Part 2 of my Oregon Covered Bridges tour. Rugged pioneers armed with only hand tools, sweat and ambition began building covered bridges in Oregon during the mid-1850's. They often camped out at remote sites, living off the land or contracting with local farmers for food. Early covered bmassiveridge owners usually financed construction by charging tolls: 3 cents for a sheep, 5 cents for a horse and rider. In the early 20th century, the state provided standard bridge designs to each county; most of these structures incorporated the Howe truss. The abundance of Douglas Fir and the shortage of steel during the world wars continued construction of covered bridges well into the 1950's. A wooden bridge was covered to keep the massive truss timbers dry. A covered bridge could last 80 years or more, while an uncovered bridge would deteriorate in about nine years. In Oregon, legislation was established in 1987 to help fund preservation of these rich links to our past and heritage. If you're interested in doing the Oregon Covered Bridge tour, this is the link for the map I used: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1cd4IJcgKTVlJMaN27g1nsXeihr4&hl=en_US&ll=43.82238045411936%2C-122.62833874999998&z=7 Lost Creek Covered Bridge is 39 feet long and was initially built in 1919. Since 1979, the bridge has been closed to traffic with a concrete bridge handling the few vehicles each day. Many Jackson County residents, including Shirley Stone, daughter of pioneer John Walch, claim the Lost Creek Bridge was built as early as 1878-1881. If authenticated, this would make it Oregon's oldest standing covered bridge. There have been numerous rebuilds since 1919, and the bridge was nearly lost in the 1964 Christmas flood as swirling waters and heavy debris lashed at its piers. Residents and concerned bridge enthusiasts prayed during the night that the bridge would be saved. You could say their prayers were answered because the bridge was saved. Adjacent to the bridge is the Walch Family Wayside Park. Descendants of pioneer settlers John and Marie Newsome Walch built and maintain the park, which includes picnic tables, a bandstand, flower gardens, and other amenities. Goodpasture Bridge was built in 1938 and is Oregon's second-longest covered bridge, measuring 165 feet. It is also Oregon's most frequently photographed covered bridge. It was named for Benjamin Franklin Goodpasture, a pioneer farmer in the vicinity.  In 1987, the bridge was failing under the heavy traffic load. But instead of bypassing the historic bridge with a new concrete and steel bridge, like had been done at so many other covered bridge crossings, the county invested $750,000 to renovate the original structure.  In 2005, Goodpasture Bridge was the first featured covered bridge in a series of commemorative coins released to raise maintenance funds. Belknap Covered Bridge was built in 1890 and is 120 feet long. The Belknap Covered Bridge, sometimes called the McKenzie River Bridge, has persisted through several generations of bridges at the exact location. The nearby town of McKenzie Bridge was named for its proximity to the bridge. Rollin S. Belknap, an early pioneer settler, discovered hot springs approximately nine miles upstream from the bridge. His family was influential in developing the area, and the bridge was named after the family. The bridge was replaced in 1911 (second bridge), replaced in 1939 (third bridge), and again replaced in 1966 (current bridge). It has also been repaired in 1975, 1992, 2002, and 2014. Neal Lane Covered Bridge also known as the South Myrtle Creek Bridge was b uilt in 1939 for $1,000 and is 42 feet long. The site at Myrtle Creek was initially settled in 1851. It was sold to John Hall in 1862, who established the town in 1865. The name Myrtle Creek was in recognition of the nearby groves of Oregon Myrtle, Hayden Covered Bridge was constructed in 1918. There is disagreement over which part was rebuilt . The 91-foot bridge is one of only seven remaining covered bridges in Oregon that were built before 1920. This bridge is also known as the Alsea River Covered Bridge. Alsea was a river community as early as 1850, known as Alseya Settlement. The name is derived from the name of a Native American Tribe living at the mouth of the river, originally pronounced in three syllables. The bridge was either wholly or partly rebuilt in 1945, and no one seems to agree on which one was done. Changes included larger and less rounded bridge portals that could accommodate larger vehicles. Narrow openings under the side-wall eaves on both sides of the span illuminated the interior. The bridge, repaired again in 2003, required further work in 2006 after a logging truck crashed into it. Milo Academy Covered Bridge was built in 1962 and spans 100 feet to cross the South Umpqua River. The bridge is actually made of steel, with a wooden housing.  The structure was built to replace an original covered wooden bridge from 1920.  The bridge provides access to the Milo Academy boarding school. The bridge is privately owned and maintained by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The area was settled prior to the 1880s, and the post office was established in 1884. Known initially as Perdue, the name was changed to Milo in 1923 when a community member suggested it be named after her husband's birthplace in Maine. The Milo Academy Bridge is one of only two covered bridges that do not have a timber truss support. Wildcat Creek Bridge was built in 1925 and is 75 feet long. The bridge was part of Stagecoach Road, the original route to the coast. In the 1930s, both the road and the bridge were bypassed by the Linslaw Tunnel and the Mapleton Bridge. The bridge was closed for repairs several times in the 1980s and in the autumn of 2000, when the structure was strengthened. Yachats Covered Bridge was built in 1938 and is 42 feet long. The weight limit on the bridge is ten tons; large trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs) are not allowed over the bridge. After an accident damaged the bridge in 1987, county crews repaired it. They returned in 1989 for a more complete renovation, including new trusses, approaches, a new roof, and new siding. There is a vehicle turnaround area on the far side of the bridge, but traffic is not allowed beyond the private gate.  Lake Creek Bridge, also known as Nelson Creek Bridge, was built in 1928 and is 105 feet long. During the summer of 1984, the Lake Creek structure received a major overhaul. After adding a new center pier, contractors replaced the wooden flooring with pre-cast concrete slab decking. Because the concrete flooring and center pier do not support the trusses, the intricate job of installing them required the use of a crane to slide them into place. Wooden abutments and wooden trestle approaches were also replaced with reinforced concrete materials. Portal boards on both ends were replaced in the late 1970s after the high loads had broken them of log trucks. A new coat of white paint was added to the structure after the reconstruction project was completed. Grave Creek Bridge was built in 1920 and is 105 feet long. When Interstate 5 was constructed nearby, ownership and maintenance of the Sunny Valley Loop Road, which includes Grave Creek Bridge, passed to Josephine County. In the late 1990s, the bridge was closed to traffic and was reopened in 2001 after repairs to the approaches and housing. Features of the wooden structure include six Gothic-style windows on either side, concrete abutments, a Howe truss, rounded portals, and a shake roof. The Pass Creek Covered Bridge was originally built in 1906. The 61-foot bridge was replaced in 1989, and it was moved a short distance downstream and rebuilt as a footbridge. It originally carried stagecoaches over Pass Creek before being. Due to the severe decay in the southeast corner of the bridge, the bridge cannot safely support any pedestrian traffic.  Therefore, it was recommended that the bridge be closed immediately until it is further reinforced, rehabilitated, or replaced.  The city is looking for funding to restore the bridge to pedestrian traffic. Antelope Creek Bridge, also known as Bridge 202, was initially located at Antelope Creek. This covered bridge was built in 1922 and relocated by the citizens of Eagle Point to its current location in 1987. It is 58 feet long , and it was initially used by vehicles, but because of significant repairs, it is currently a pedestrian bridge only. Rochester Covered Bridge is 80 feet long, and there is considerable debate as to when it was initially built. The majority of records say the bridge was built in 1933, but Oregon's Covered Bridges  includes a photograph of an earlier bridge here "at the end of its useful life". The photo caption says that the age of construction of the earlier bridge is not known, but that some records show a covered bridge at this site as early as 1862. The design of this bridge is unique among Oregon Covered Bridges because it features windows with curved tops. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1921, and a newer Bridge in 1945 carried traffic on Oregon Highway 42 until it was bypassed in 1949. The 60-foot bridge was considered short in comparison to other covered bridges built on Oregon highways. An additional aspect of the bridge is the use of large-framed windows on both sides of the structure, maximizing the illumination of the bridge interior. In late 1981, a plan was developed to make a park at the bridge and use the old wooden structure as a covered picnic site. The Myrtle Point Lions Club adopted the bridge as a major project. Work at the site began in 1982 and included a new roof, replacing boards and structural pieces, clearing brush, and applying a coat of white paint. The park was dedicated in 1984 and now consists of a tourist information center at the bridge site. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge has been recently restored for use as a unique park and wayside rest area. Recreational activities include picnicking and viewing the last covered bridge in Coos County. Horse Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1930 and is 110 feet long. The bridge originated in Lane County, where it crosses the McKenzie River.  Closed to vehicle crossing since 1968, this bridge found a new life in 1990 when it was disassembled and moved to its current site in Myrtle Creek's Mill Site Park, where it is used as a footbridge. The bridge is also known as the Myrtle Creek Bridge. The McKee Bridge was built in 1917 and is 122 feet long. Built on land donated by Adelbert (Deb) McKee, a stage station operator, the bridge originally carried a road over the Applegate River that linked the Blue Ledge Copper Mine to Jacksonville, Oregon. The site originally included an ore-hauler rest stop, about halfway between the mine and the city, where relief horses were stationed. The bridge carried mining and logging traffic from its construction in 1917 through 1956. An unincorporated community, McKee Bridge, is near the bridge. Entirely closed for three years because of rot in structural components as well as damage to the roof, the bridge reopened in June 2015 after significant renovations. Cavitt Creek Covered Bridge also known as Little River Bridge is 70 feet long and built in 1940. The area surrounding the bridge site was settled in the early 1880s and named for Robert Cavitt, who settled on a tributary of Little River. The bridge is a little more than a mile upstream of the small community of Peel, Oregon. The design features Tudor arch portals to accommodate heavy log truck usage, and the upper and lower chords utilize raw logs as their members. Each side of the roofed structure sports three windows, and long, narrow slits above each truss allow "daylighting" as well as ventilation for the bridge interior. The bridge has a metal roof and a floor with longitudinal running planks. The covered structure sits on concrete piers. The Deadwood Covered Bridge is 105 feet long and was built in 1932. The bridge was built on a curve and features deliberately slanted floorboards designed to improve motorist safety. The bridge lies upstream of the rural community of Deadwood, Oregon. In the 70s, the covered bridge was bypassed with a concrete bridge just half a mile away that incorporated a more direct route. Functionally obsolete except as a wayside detour, the Deadwood Bridge was neglected. Without maintenance over time, the bridge became extremely dilapidated. In 1986, Lane County overhauled the Deadwood Bridge by replacing the siding, flooring, and portals. The bracing, roof, and approaches were also repaired. Its original semi-elliptical portals were changed to Tudor arch during restoration. This is one I wanted to mention, and I came across it while doing some research. The Blair Covered Bridge was built in 1906 and remained in use until the 1940s. The bridge was located just south/southwest of Buell, Oregon, on the old Military Highway between Fort Yamhill and Dallas. I came across this bridge in a book I bought on Amazon called Roofs over rivers: A guide to Oregon's covered bridges . It was written by Nick Cockrell in 1978 and is a great book. Thank you, Alyssa Chandler, for recommending this book. This picture was taken from the State Library of Oregon Digital Collection. You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

There are over 200 shipwrecks along the Southern Oregon Coast. The Sujameco is located at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Once you get here, head toward Horsfell Beach. Once you get to the beach, take a walk to the observation platform, and if you look down and slightly to the left, you will see the old shipwreck. I would recommend coming here during low tide. Here is a website with a tide chart: Coos Bay, OR Tide Charts, High & Low Tide Table, Fishing Times | US If you do come here during low tide, you may be able to walk down to the beach and see the shipwreck. This is not guaranteed because of the weather and the shifting sand. Constructed in 1920, the Sujameco was a steamship that became a regular part of the lumber trade with the Atlantic coastline. She was capable of hauling 2,600,000 feet of lumber. The steel-hulled vessel was at its demise owned by the Trans Marine company and burned oil to zip her along. On March 1, 1929, sometime in the morning, Captain JF Carlson was leading the Sujameco and its 35-man crew to Marshfield for the first time. It was to be at one of the docks in Coos Bay at 8 p.m. that night, to take in 1,800,000 feet of fir tree cuts bound for San Francisco. Heavy fog hit. Carlson became confused about where he was, and he later admitted he miscalculated his position. Meanwhile, a warning about being too close to shore came from over the wireless from officials at Marshfield, but Carlson didn't receive it in time. These pictures were taken when it wasn't low tide. The Sujameco grounded in the sand about 9:30 in the morning, local newspapers reported. Somewhere about 2:30 in the afternoon, he wired his position to authorities as being eight miles north of the south Oregon coast bay. He also informed them that the cutter Redwing from Astoria was speeding its way south, and the British steamer Kelvina was standing by, not to attempt to yank the ship out of the sand like the Redwing, but in case the crew needed help. The surf was a little wild about now, too. By this time, the US Coast Guard had teams from Coos Bay standing by, as were teams from the Umpqua station at Bandon. At 3 p.m., Charleston lookouts noticed the seas had begun calming down, and authorities were hoping to attach a line and pull the Sujameco out. For reasons not entirely clear, that didn't happen, but it seems there just wasn't the right ship available. Photo courtesy of Coos Bay History Museum On March 2, the Redwing arrived, but the Sujameco had been pushed farther up the sands. Still, the seas were calm, newspapers reported she was in 12 feet of water, and there was no possibility she would break up. There was no danger to the 35 crew onboard, and the ship was on an even keel. However, because of the big shoals right offshore, no one could get close enough to do any tugging. Joining all these ships standing by offshore was a dredge now. By March 4, according to The Oregonian, towing attempts had continued, but at 6 a.m., the only 12-inch cable anyone had broken in two. Called hawsers, these specialized kinds of cable were now a hot commodity. What was left wasn't long enough. Then things took a few steps back: the ship had taken two hours to move 20 degrees, but by nighttime on the 4th, it was back in the same position. Rough seas hit, and at times, breakers came over the deck by this time. Later in the night, the ship was even further up the beach. “Now, it was so far in-shore the crew could walk off it at low tide,” The Oregonian said in its coverage. The ship was settled into the sand a full seven feet. And though a tug from Astoria was bringing more hawser, this was the last or nearly last attempt at pulling the ship out. Whatever happened next was puzzling, but the decision was made not to unload the crew for another whole month. There's not much on this, unfortunately. They sat aboard, getting antsy and very homesick, living aboard a ship that was going nowhere. However, thousands of people that month came out to check out the wreck, and some interacted with the crew. One poignant story covered by the local Coos Bay Times (later The World) talks of a group of Boy Scouts coming up and handing them newspapers and treats. Photo courtesy of Coos Bay History Museum The Sujameco tale takes another distinctive turn here. Unlike most other shipwrecks along Oregon's coastline, she was left alone, and the ship lay intact for over ten years. Finally, in World War II, she was reduced to the bare essentials for what the military needed, and sand filled her up. Notes: The best time to see the Sujameco is during the winter months and at low tide. The year 2023 has been a very different year because the outline of the shipwreck has been exposed for almost the whole year. Directions To the Wreck of the Sujameco. Directions to the wreck are essentially the same as to the main access of Horsfall Beach. It lies out in front of the wooden viewing platform at the end of Horsfall Beach Road. From Highway 101 and the McCullough Memorial Bridge over Coos Bay, take the Jordan Cove Road westward .08 miles; stay to the right .2 miles on Trans-Pacific Lane. Turn right on Horsfall Beach Road and go 1.4 miles to the end. Things to do in the Area: Shore Acres State Park Cape Arago State Park Coos Bay History Museum Oregon Coast Historical Railway Steve Prefontaine Murals Qualman Oyster Farms Cranberry Sweets Places to Stay: Edgewater Inn and Suites North Bend Cottage Itty Bitty Inn You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

Golden, Oregon, was a mining town in the 1890s near Coyote Creek in Josephine County, Oregon, about 3 miles off Route 5 (Wolf Creek Exit).  During its time, it boasted 150 residents, two churches, a mercantile and post office, and, most notably, no saloons.  Within about 20 years, the mine was dry, and today, Golden, Oregon, is a ghost town. Parts of the TV show “Bonanza” and several movies were filmed in Golden in the 1950s-1970s, so rumor has it that everything you see isn’t necessarily as old as it looks.  But even if it’s not 100% authentic, it’s incredible to see, and it’s owned by the Oregon State Parks and listed as a Heritage Site. As you drive toward Golden, the Old Ghost Town is on the left-hand side of the road, and you can't miss it. The first building you see is the Church, and here are some pictures. Rev William Ruble, leader of a group commonly known as "Campbellites," built the church in 1852. He was ordained, and County Judge Stephen Jewell simultaneously dedicated the church. Shortly afterward, it became the Free Methodist Church. Another group led by Rev. Mark Davis used the schoolhouse for their services. Both ministers worked on local mining claims. Golden had a strict no-alcohol rule because of Reverend William Ruble. He moved out to Golden from the Midwest with his family, bringing his uncompromising faith. Many of the first settlers left during the Idaho gold rush of 1860. In their place, many Chinese miners came in. But eventually, the white settlers returned, and they retook the land when they found all the riches. Behind the church is the old blacksmith shop, and there isn't much about it on the internet, so it makes me wonder if this was added as a movie extra. Here are a couple of pictures of it. To add to their success, the family invented the then-famous “ruble rock elevator” to clear boulders from mining sites. But it wasn’t all golden for the Rubles. Another prominent family during its time was the Kelly family. The Rubles were at odds with the Kelly family over land claims along Coyote Creek. That dispute went up to the Oregon Supreme Court three times. Near the church is the mercantile and post office building.  The central part of the building was the store and post office, and the minor addition on the left was living quarters for the shopkeeper. The so-called “Kelly-Ruble Riot” took place in Golden. A shooting happened, and one person was killed.” The dispute did finally end in Ruble’s favor in 1884. And after that, everything was again well in Golden. Many mining devices took their toll on the land and the town’s water supply. People eventually picked up and moved on to the next city or the next strike of gold. Golden's post office continued until 1920, but by the mid-20th century, it was abandoned entirely. The next building you will come to is the granary, which has an old outhouse next to it. Some believe the term ‘ghost town’ has a double meaning. There are a lot of intriguing stories that occurred here, so of course, along with that came ghost stories or ideas of supernatural happenings. Similar to the Wolf Creek Inn (I will post on the Wolf Creek Inn soon). Golden was also featured on a Ghost Adventures episode on the Travel Channel. Another building is the Schoolhouse. If you want to check out the Ghost Adventures episode, it is Season 15, episode 1. In the episode, while they are doing their investigation, Zak is overtaken by an aggressive entity, a dark force incapacitates Aaron, eerie figures appear, and a voice warns of a demonic presence. I didn't feel anything paranormal while I was here, but come out and check it out and let me know what you think. This is a very family-friendly area with a large parking lot on the right-hand side of the road. It's not a prominent place, and you can easily walk around for about an hour and see everything. If you're into Paranormal, go check out the Wolf Creek Inn; it is about 4 miles away. If you dare spend the night at the Inn, sleep in room number eight. Things to do in the Area: Wolf Creek Tavern/Inn Places to Stay: Redwood Garden Inn Knight's Inn Motel You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.   Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

McMenamin's Old St. Francis School is located in downtown Bend. It was transformed from a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse to, in 2004, a hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, a brewery, a movie theater, a private meeting/event space, live music bookings, and a soaking pool. The McMenamin's takes up the entire block and there is so much to see and do here. McMenamin's Old St. Francis School's main bar is a sight to be seen, and you can sit at the bar or a booth and enjoy some of their hand-crafted brews along with some bar food. If you leave the bar area, you can walk around the McMenamin's Old St. Francis School. They have pictures of the old students along with benches and memorabilia. The Bar and Hotel are huge, and I enjoyed walking around the Old School and taking in the sights. Father Luke's Room holds up to 120 people and is used for weddings, social events, and parties. There is also another area in the Hotel called the Rambler Room. This also holds gatherings of up to about fifty people. If you wish to book either of these rooms, here is a link to the website to get information. There is even a list of vendors here to help you plan your gathering. Weddings - Old St. Francis School - McMenamins If you leave the school area (Main Bar), you will go outside and see a picket fence, and this is another bar called Hugh O'Kane's. Set in the schoolhouse’s former garage, O’Kane’s is now adorned with church doors – one of which dates back to before the turn of the 20th century – and natural light flooding the numerous stained-glass windows. The rare, historic Povey stained-glass windows were salvaged from a former Elks Lodge in Portland.   The Round Oak stove is from 1896, and there are numerous outdoor firepits year-round. O’Kane’s also features Whiskey in the Shed specialty menus exclusively for their Whiskey Club members. In 2016, they completed two additional buildings - the Art House and Ed House - bringing the total number of guestrooms to 60. Optional amenities include patios, suites, and kitchenettes, but all rooms have bathrooms. When you leave Hugh McKane's, you will see on the right the Ed House along with the Parish House. They honor the property's former life by featuring extensive artwork that pays homage to the history of the school and the surrounding community. Photos, memorabilia, the artists' renderings, and students' artwork are on the walls, making the hotel a unique gallery of sorts. Take note of the unusual custom-made light fixtures and stunning tile mosaics that surround the soaking pool. In the Art and Ed Houses, wander slowly to discover secret hallways, secret rooms, and a secret bar! Across from the Ed House and the Parish House is the Art House. The Art House is a fascinating place, and if you want, you can spend the night in one of the rooms here. I would recommend taking a trip to the third floor and looking for the broom closet. McMenamins is known for having secret rooms, and the Old St. Francis School is no exception. If you go in here, there are brooms all over the walls, a door labeled "Housekeeping," and an Ice machine. Push the walls that have the brooms hanging on them, and you will find a secret room that goes into the Broom Closet Bar. Another bar to hang out at and have a couple of drinks. Because this is a hidden bar, it is small and has about enough room for fifteen people. If you wander around, you can also find the Old St. Francis Theater. When I came here, there was a documentary showing about the Bend, Oregon area. There was only one person in the theater. but it is free. The Old St. Francis School is family-friendly and is worth the trip if you are ever in the Bend, Oregon area. The address is 700 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, and if you plan on staying the night, you can call them at 541-382-5174 . If you come here, you should also check out the last Blockbuster Video Store because it's pretty close. Things to do in the Area: Newberry National Volcanic Monument Tumalo Falls Deschutes River Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Smith Rock State Park Goody’s Chocolate and Ice Cream Factory Benham Falls Lava Lands Newberry National Volcanic Monument Crater Lake National Park The world’s last Blockbuster Paulina Lake Hot Springs Dee Wright Observatory Places to Stay: Hotel Peppertree Waypoint Hotel You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

Sterlingville thrived then declined, a “boom and bust” gold mining camp. As miners poured in, stores opened. A saloon, bakery, boarding house, and warehouse sprang up almost overnight. This was the real thing--a mining gold town with gambling houses, a dance hall, boarding houses, a livery, a blacksmith shop, saloons, a barbershop, and several streets lined with houses. By 1933, during the Great Depression, 100 properties were being worked in search of gold, but they gradually wasted away until 1957. Today, Sterlingville is overgrown with trees and brush, with no trace of its former location, except for the cemetery. The cemetery is also known as Sterling Cemetery. You can read the stories of the people in this cemetery, reflecting the hardships and diseases that took the lives of these early settlers. Typhoid, Diphtheria, and Smallpox killed thousands of people in the 1800s, often wiping out entire families. Scarlet Fever and diphtheria struck children particularly hard. Sterlingville Cemetery charts the progress of these epidemics with headstones marked with children’s names. Some of them are just markers with no name or partial name. The saddest plot in a cemetery is that of Mary E. Saltmarsh, who died in 1878, aged forty-three, after outliving her ten children. None of them lived past nine years, most dying within their first two years of life. This tragedy unfolded between 1856 and 1878, ending when she died in childbirth. Her tall, white, pointed obelisk gravestone tells the tale of the children's deaths, where the birth and death dates of her ten children are engraved into the white marble. Another tragedy in Sterlingville befell George Yaudes, a gold prospector from Pennsylvania, and the town’s postmaster. Three small stones in the cemetery are for his children, Albert, Lettle, and Aaron. Sadly, all three died on May 22, 1884, from diphtheria. When the first child died, George went off to buy a casket, but before he returned home, he was told the other two had died. And of an unfortunate coincidence, the mother was Annie Saltmarsh, the sister of Joseph Saltmarsh. Here are some other random graves within the cemetery. Sterlingville is not considered a pioneer cemetery because it currently buries people today. This new grave was from October 2023. If you’re a hiker who enjoys history and beautiful views, the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail system is for you! Though there are 24 miles of trails in this area, a popular segment is the Tunnel Ridge/ Bear Gulch Loop, which incorporates all the best qualities into one five-mile trail, with highlights including the ditch tunnel, flume remnants, panoramic vistas, old-growth trees, spring wildflowers, and a seasonal waterfall. Along Sterling Creek Road, you can spot the tailings and boulders left behind from the hydraulic mining. If you want to come to the cemetery, it is south of Jacksonville, Oregon. In Jacksonville, take Cady Road to Sterling Creek Road, and at about six and a half miles, the Sterlingville Cemetery will be on your left. If you are coming up from Buncom, Oregon (another Ghost Town nearby), the sign for the cemetery is hard to see, and I did pass it and had to turn around. If you are into a Ghost Town adventure, there are two other ones close by to Sterlingville. You could say three with Placer, Oregon, but there is nothing to see here. The other two are Buncom and Golden. I have already done a post on Golden Oregon, and here is the link if you want to read about it. The Ghost Town of Golden, Oregon ( crazydsadventures.com ) I will be doing a post on Buncom, Oregon, soon. Places to Stay: Wine Country Inn The Orth House https://buymeacoffee.com/crazydsadventures You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

Collins Mountain Trail is located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest , about 27 miles southwest of Medford, Oregon, near the California border. The Lake was created in the 1980s with a dam built along the Applegate River. The lake is named after Lindsay Applegate, a pioneer who played a crucial role in the Oregon Trail’s development, making it a historically significant site. There is a scenic viewpoint along Applegate Road that overlooks the lake. If you spend some time here you will probably see bald eagles in the distance, so I recommend bringing your binoculars. There is also a parking area near the dam, and you can walk around the lake, the dam, and the viewing area, and get a great look at the lake. The lake has various opportunities available for visitors to explore, including mountain biking, road biking, motorized boating, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, and hiking the different trails near the lake. Applegate Lake is home to numerous birds and other wildlife species, excellent fisheries, and a wide variety of diverse plant life for those seeking spring and early-summer wildflower viewing. There are also significant populations of trout, landlocked Chinook salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and crappie. It is stocked each year with approximately 120,000 rainbow trout and 50,000 young Chinook. Not too far from Applegate Dam is the Collins Mountain Trail. You can park at the Hart-tish Park parking lot and hike from here. The trail is open all year, but the services in the area are not. During the winter months, everything is closed, and there are no parking signs all over the area, so there is no place to park. I ran into this situation when I arrived at Hart-tish Park. Because I wanted to hike the Collins Mountain Trail to see the Bigfoot Trap, I went to the local Forest Service (Ranger) Station to get permission to park near the gate to enter Hart-tish Park. Permission was granted. Back into the Jeep and back to the trail. This trail features views of the Siskiyou Crest and Applegate Lake and passes an inactive Bigfoot Trap and several mine tunnels. The trail is named for two brothers who mined in this vicinity during the 1850s and 1860s. It is about 7.5 miles out and back and takes about 4 hours to complete. I didn't do the entire trail because I was here to see the Bigfoot Trap. In 1974, a serious-sounding organization called the North American Wildlife Research Team responded to a miner’s report of 18-inch human-like footprints near Grouse Creek by building a substantial trap designed to lure in Bigfoot.  The trap  was baited for six years but only caught a couple of hungry bears. By 1980, with the completion of the Applegate Dam and the formation of  Applegate Lake , the area was no longer remote, and the project was abandoned. The Forest Service repaired the trap in 2006, but it’s not the only attraction on this loop. Up Grouse Creek, you’ll also pass a miner’s tunnel. The trail descends to a junction, and you will hike up a couple of switchbacks to cross Grouse Creek, which may only be a trickle depending on the time of the year you hike here. Note, there is poison oak everywhere along the trail, so stay on the trail. During early spring, there are reports of snakes and insects, including ticks. After crossing a small creek, you’ll come to an unmarked junction. Take the left trail to head up a short distance to the  Bigfoot Trap , passing the pile of timbers that was once the caretaker’s cabin. The Bigfoot trap is about a 3/4 of a mile hike to get there. The restored  Bigfoot Trap  is an impressively solid structure, framed by telephone poles and solidly planked. It’s about 10 feet by 10 feet square and 8 ½ feet high. A heavy metal door, seven feet tall, is locked partially open and attached to the bait cable. Unfortunately, the trap is also covered in graffiti, along with the carved and painted signatures of those visitors just seeking to destroy something.   During the summer months, this is a well-traveled trail. You can encounter hikers, mountain bikers, or even horses. If you are going to the Bigfoot Trap and no further, then this is a family-friendly hike. After the Bigfoot Trap, the trail ascends steadily for two miles and may be too steep for younger hikers. Dogs are welcome but MUST be on a leash. Please obey this so the horses don't get spooked and cause problems that can be avoided. It is best to carry water on this trip. Also , please be aware of the potential hazards I mentioned earlier, including poison oak, ticks, and snakes.  To Get Here: From Jacksonville, OR, travel south 6.5 miles on Highway 238 to Ruch, OR, and turn left onto Upper Applegate Road (County Road 859). Continue 16 miles to Hart-tish Park, which is about 0.5 miles past the south dam. Hart-tish Park will be on your left, and there are plenty of signs to show you where to park. Things to do in the Area: Applegate Valley Wine Trail McKee Covered Bridge Super Natural Chocolate Company Applegate Ridge Trail Southern Oregon Lavender Trail Williams General Store Places To Stay: Riverside Inn The Lodge at Riverside You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

Amanda's Trail of Sorrow, also known as Amanda's Trail, is an Oregon Coast hike with history. When I first came across this hike, it was immediately placed on my Oregon Hiking Bucket List. This hike starts in Yachts Oregon and goes to Amanda's Grotto if you take the trail for the 7.8-mile out-and-back hike you will reach Cape Perpetua which is the highest point on the Oregon Coat. A word of warning. The hike to Amanda's Grotto is pretty mellow, but moving on to Cape Perpetua, the hike is steep, muddy, and there are downed trees. The trees are easy enough to get around. I did come across a couple of girls along the trail up to Cape Perpetua who were crying. I asked if there was something I could do, but they just said they needed to rest because the trail is more complicated than they expected. They did have water, but I gave them both a Luna Bar for some extra energy. The legend of the trail is no secret, but it contains a darkness many Oregonians would rather forget. Local trail managers keep hikers in mystery for the first mile and a half before reaching the iconic Amanda Statue and, posted on a sign nearby, the story of Amanda herself. The trail is on private property, so please stay on the trail. The trail runs through the former Coast Indian Reservation, established via a treaty in 1855 with the Coastal Tribes of Oregon. The reservation ran from Cape Lookout south to Siltcoos and was supposed to be a place where local tribes could live in peace. But as hostilities between the native population and settlers grew, volunteer militias known as the "exterminators" began to round up the tribes of southwest Oregon and confined them to the new reservation on the Pacific. Over the next decade, natives routinely ran away from the reservation, fleeing abuse and starvation at the hands of U.S. Native American Agents. The job then fell to the U.S. military to round up the runaways and march them back. Corporal Royal Bensell documented his company's time catching "Squaws" and "Bucks," which in spring 1864 included a Coos woman named Amanda. Amanda De-Cuys was old and blind, living with a white settler near Coos Bay, 50 miles outside of the Coast Reservation. She left her husband and young daughter behind as Bensell and his company began the long march up the rugged coastline to Yachats. Today, that journey can be accomplished on the Oregon Coast Trail, but back then, conditions were treacherous. Two days into the trip, one Indian Agent proposed leaving all the women behind to die, as "it will cost too much because of the length of transportation," Bensell wrote. Four days later, the Corporal complained of only walking 10 miles in the day, "so slow and solemn did we go." When they reached the sharp basalt shoreline near Cape Perpetua, old Amanda "tore her feet horribly over jagged rocks, leaving blood sufficient to track her by." After 10 days of walking, the band reached Yachats. The company turned over the natives to the Indian Agents and, according to Bensell "we all left relieved." Amanda's fate from there is a mystery, but the fate of the Coast Indian Reservation is well documented. By 1875, the entire reservation was dismantled for white settlement, and the remaining tribal population was moved to Siletz and Grand Ronde Reservations. In Yachats, that history remained quiet for generations. It came back up in 1984, when Loyd Collett, a trail planner with the Siuslaw National Forest, discovered the story and decided to name a proposed trail after Amanda, dedicating it to the memory of the Native Americans who were marched along the same coastline more than a century earlier. The current statue is the second to grace the trail. In December 2015, a storm wiped out the entire Amanda Grotto, burying the statue in a pile of rubble and mud. The new Amanda now sits just north of the old grotto. There are many benches here where you can take a moment to reflect or pay homage. The trail officially opened in the spring of 1998, drawing a crowd of 120 people to Amanda Grotto, where the statue of Amanda De-Cuys stands proud, a representative of the people who first lived in what would become the state of Oregon. "The Amanda Trail today commemorates the dark events of Oregon's transition from Native domain to U.S. statehood," the sign near the statue reads. "It is through the recognition of these events that the new communities and the original peoples are coming together to restore native ways in the modern world." From here, you can turn around, or you can be brave and get a great workout and hike up to Cape Perpetua. The first thing you see if you continue is a suspension bridge that you must cross. Once you get over the Suspension bridge, you will come to another shrine gate and continue forward and go up four switchbacks. It will eventually level out, but not for long. Eventually, you will come to a bog, and there are reports of waterlilies here, but I didn't see any. After the bog, you get a false sense of security because you then go off the old logging road and go downhill. Now the trail ascends steeply, and there are a bunch of tree roots to deal with along with the elevation gain. You will eventually come to a historic Stone Hut. Continue from here, and you come to the end of the trail with a great view of Cape Perpetua. To get here, take Route 101 to Yachts Oregon. Go to the Yachts Ocean Road trailhead and park in the large parking lot. This is a pet-friendly hike, but your pet MUST be on a leash. It is also family-friendly up to Amanda's Grotto, but after that, I would not recommend bringing the little ones because you will be more worried about their safety instead of enjoying the hike. The section with the tree roots can be difficult, especially if the roots are wet. Bring plenty of water, and you are in the shade for the majority of the hike because of the Stika Spruce. Things to do in the Area: Thor's Well Devil's Churn Yachats State Park Little Log Church North Fork Yachats Covered Bridge Places to Stay: Tillicum Beach Motel Sanderling Sea Cottages You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.     Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!

One of coastal Oregon’s iconic drives is the 28-mile journey along U.S. 101 from Gold Beach to Brookings referred to as the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor . The most famous stretch of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor was named for the Oregon State Parks Department’s first superintendent. He had proposed the idea of an extensive National Park along this stretch of coastline in the 1940s. Although you can see this 12-mile-long, 1,400-acre park through your car window, the best way to experience it is by taking it slow, sometimes driving just a mile or two before taking another hike to another vista.  The Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor , part of the Oregon Coast, is the less crowded part of the coast, and you will see other people while hiking, but not as many as you go further north along the coast. Enjoy the ocean views while driving south on U.S. 101 from Gold Beach . About 13 miles south of town, you’ll enter the northern section of Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.  A great place to begin is the turnoff for Arch Rock, which has ample parking and picnic benches. Stroll the accessible 0.3-mile loop trail down to the overlook to soak up expansive views of the massive offshore rock formation for which this viewpoint is named. You may even see whales, sea lions, or harbor seals.   A little misty and foggy here today. Hop back onto U.S. 101 and continue about 7 miles southward on Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor to Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint, where you can hike the Cape Ferrelo Trail, a level 1-mile loop over a curving bluff with spectacular vistas of Lone Ranch Beach and beach access below.  Still Misty and foggy at Samuel H. Boardman Head south on Highway 101 the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor for 4 miles to Harris Beach State Park in Brookings, which offers direct and easy access to yet more miles of sandy beach. Just offshore, you’ll see Goat Island, a wildlife sanctuary inhabited by tufted puffins, and the largest island off the Oregon Coast. There are numerous hikes along the Samuel H. Boardman, and these are some of my favorites.   1.    Secret Beach Trailhead 2.    Indian Sands Trail 3.    The Natural Bridges 4.    Whales head Viewpoint 5.    House Rock Viewpoint 6.    Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint 7.    Rainbow Rock Viewpoint 8.    Arch Rock State Park 9.    Harris Beach State Park 10.   Lone Ranch Beach 11.   Mill Beach 12.   Chetco Point Park Samuel H. Boardman's Secret Beach. The reward is the secluded Secret Beach, a tranquil haven where you can relax and take in the beauty of the surroundings. The secret beach itself is a known fishing spot for Seals and Otters, so you may catch a glimpse of them playing and fishing in the surf close to the beach. Indian Sands Trail at Samuel H. Boardman. This moderately complex loop trail spans approximately 1.1 miles round trip, guiding you through a stunning mix of dunes and rocky terrain. Note: This trail is not dog-friendly as they aren’t allowed here. There is also one section of the trail that is too close to the cliff’s edge, and having a dog here could be tricky. dog-friendly The Natural Bridges at Samuel H. Boardman. The trail is approximately 0.5 miles round trip and offers a relatively easy hike suitable for all skill levels. As you venture along the trail, you’ll encounter a series of natural bridges formed by years of erosion and the relentless power of the ocean. These rock formations create archways, framing breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastline. There is also a longer trail here that will take you to the top of the Bridges. I didn't do this because there were people here taking selfies, and the trail is very narrow. Whale's Head Viewpoint. This viewpoint also offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Accessible via a short and easy walk from the parking area, this viewpoint offers a stunning view of the majestic beauty of the surrounding landscape. The viewpoint offers a panoramic vista of the ocean, dramatic cliffs, and rocky shoreline, creating a perfect spot for whale watching during migration seasons. House Rock Viewpoint. Accessible via a short and easy hike, the viewpoint provides a rewarding experience for visitors of all skill levels. The trail to the viewpoint is approximately 0.3 miles round trip. Once you reach the viewpoint, you’ll be greeted by panoramic views of the rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and expansive ocean. The area is known for its stunning rock formations, including the prominent House Rock. Rainbow Rock Viewpoint. The viewpoint is easily accessible from the road, making it suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. The trail to the viewpoint is just off Highway 101. The Rainbow Rock Viewpoint is a must-visit destination on Oregon’s coastline, especially if you want a fantastic panoramic view of the coast without the hike. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor offers a bunch of outdoor activities and attractions. You can enjoy scenic hikes along the park’s extensive trail system, marvel at the unique rock formations and sea stacks, explore hidden beaches, and soak in breathtaking coastal views. This makes it a paradise for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers. If you come to the Samuel H. Boardman Corridor I would love to hear about your experience so drop me a comment. Places to Stay: Whaleshead Resort Beachfront Inn You can show your appreciation with a virtual coffee if you have found value in my blog.   Do not forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter.   Some of the links found on my website are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and an Expedia Associate. Through other links, I may also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Using them is a way of supporting me, helping me offset the cost of running this website, and ensuring that I can continue providing free content and resources.   ‍I truly appreciate the support!