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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, July 1, 2009
History revisited with pack train at Oregon Caves Monument, Chateau
By LINDA
COREY-WOODWARD
For IVN
Imagine seeing an old-
time mule train walking up
Caves Hwy. to Oregon Caves
National Monument, as if it
simply stepped out of the
misty past into the present.
It happened, and many
dads were happy to celebrate
Father’s Day enjoying the
Caves and this event.
On Saturday, June 20
and Sunday, June 21, visitors
and staff at the Caves and
Chateau had a startling sight.
As it was 100 years ago, pack
mules came up to the Caves.
This was once the only way
to transport people and sup-
plies to the site from Wil-
liams or Kerbyville.
Onlookers gazed in won-
derment as the mule train, led
by Diane Eek, arrived from
Caves Creek Campground.
The pack train included
expert wilderness packers,
Dan & Betty Applebaker,
aided by Diane Eek and her
granddaughter, Amanda Cru-
sos, all of Klamath Falls.
They are members of Back
Country Horsemen of Oregon
(BCHO).
The event was organized
by BCHO, with the support
of the National Park Service
and the Chateau, to mark the
100th anniversary of Oregon
Caves National Monument.
Illinois Valley BCHO mem-
bers Susie Wood, John
Woodward, Sue Williams,
Carol Crawford-Meyer, Terry
Sullivan and others set up the
corral and assisted the clinic
presenters throughout the
weekend.
Sullivan and Wood,
dressed in period outfits,
staffed a BCHO information
booth near the Caves Chalet.
During the packing
clinic, Eek and the Apple-
bakers showed how the mules
were loaded and were tied
together with “break-way”
ropes. Betty Applebaker said
that one doesn’t want a mule
to fall and bring the rest down
too, risking injury to all the
animals.
They showed the differ-
ent types of pack saddles –
those used 100 years ago and
more modern types. One
mule was loaded with hide-
covered wooden boxes like
those used 100 years ago.
Sunday afternoon, Dan
Applebaker said, “About 150
people came to watch the five
pack mule talks during the
weekend.”
They unloaded the mules
and explained the various
pieces of gear and supplies
once carried to miners, gov-
ernment workers and the Ore-
gon Caves. These included
shovels, axes and other tools,
plus a cook stove, water for a
two-to-three-day trip, wall
tents and food supplies.
Hunters and campers
now use pack mules and
horses to climb into rugged
wilderness areas.
Today, packers use can-
vas bags and condense down
their loads as small and as
light in weight as possible.
Betty explained that mules
were bred for decades by the
government to transport
goods to workers in remote
areas. Diane Eek said trained
mules are sturdy, calm, smart
and able to handle rough ter-
rain, often better than a horse.
She also explained the
concept of “leave no trace”
camping in the wilderness.
She said, “If you pack it in,
you pack it out. Animal waste
may be buried.”
The mules attracted at-
tention from fascinated visi-
tors who asked pertinent
questions at the clinic. The
Applebakers and Eek an-
swered them and showed
how the two horses and eight
mules were rigged. At the end
of each day, the mules were
repacked, the horse mounted
and the pack train proceeded
back through the parking lots.
They stopped at the Cha-
teau to be thanked by Chateau
and Caves officials, and then
headed back to their camp
3-1/2 miles down the moun-
tain.
It was a camera bug’s
ideal “photo op” as mules,
horses, “mule-skinners” and
gorgeous scenery kept cam-
eras clicking. Even the rhodo-
dendrons and oxeye daisies
still were in full bloom.
Cave tour guides were
busy all weekend. There were
hikers and Chateau guests in
the Monument from local
towns and far away. BCHO
members, park rangers and
Chateau staff were busy with
special events at the Caves
and Chateau.
On Saturday and Sunday,
BCHO conducted the pack
train demonstrations and
mule-packing clinics in the
Chateau parking lot. Parking
overflowed downhill from the
main parking lot as guests,
staff, officials and event pre-
senters sought parking spots.
More special events are
planned throughout the sum-
mer at the Caves, according
to park rangers and IVCDO
representatives. Check at I.V.
Visitor Center or phone 592-
4440 for information.
(Editor’s Note: A story on
the same event in last
week’s issue was written by
Sue Riegel Williams; not
Linda Corey-Woodward.)
TRSD due $1.6 million fed funds
The Dept. of Education has awarded more than $93 million
in Title I funding to Oregon schools as part of the American Re-
covery & Reinvestment Act, U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced Monday, June 29.
Under the legislation, Three Rivers School District will re-
ceive approximately $1.6 million. Grants Pass School District 7
will receive $1.1 million.
Title I funding is used to provide at-risk and low-achieving
students with the resources and opportunities needed to improve
academic performance and meet state standards in core subjects.
“With Oregon facing a budget shortfall in state education
funding, this aid arrives right when it is needed most,” Wyden
said. “A solid education is the foundation of a skilled workforce,
which is exactly what Oregon will need to improve its economy
and continue to compete in the global marketplace.”
Happy 4th of July!
Welcome Alumni...
Join us for a Cool Margarita
Full Lottery - Outside Patio
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday;
July 3rd, 4th, & 5th
120 N. Redwood Hwy.
592-4553 for reservations
Have a Happy & Safe
4th of July!
from everyone at...
202 Lister Street, Cave Junction
Mondays through Saturdays, 8 to 5:30
Special appointments by request. 592-3123
Our Fun Activities
Friday, July 3
Texas Hold ‘em Tournament - Banquet Room
Registration 5 p.m. ($50 buy in)
Tournament 6 p.m. (fund-raiser for I.V. Wrestling Club)
Live band - Lounge, Moon & the Lunatics, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 4
Cocktails - Lounge, 5 p.m.
Alumni Dinner - Banquet Room, 6 p.m.
Live Music - Lounge, Lee Nicholas, 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 5 - Karaoke
Welcome Alumni!
Have a good time but be safe.
Corner of Redwood Hwy. & Rockydale Road 592-5386
“Come Grow With Us!”
Monday - Saturday, 9 to 5
CLOSED
Saturday
& Sunday,
July 4 & 5
Welcome Alumni!
Lavender Blue
appearing Friday & Saturday, July 3 & 4
Steaks - Chicken - Fish - Large Hamburgers
Restaurant separate from lounge
Now available every day...
Prime Rib & Prime Rib Sandwiches
Friday & Saturday, July 3 & 4
Dinner Buffet - Restaurant, 4:30-9 p.m. - $10 99
~ Barbecue Ribs - Pork & Beef
~ Chicken Delights
~ Salad & Fruit Bar ~ Garlic Rolls
coupon
10% OFF with ALL this dinners
Open 7-days-a-week, 5 - 9 p.m.
Restaurant entrance in back of building
126 S. Redwood Hwy., CJ 592-2892 or 592-4222
Saturday, July 4th
Bring your legal fireworks, set them off in the green at the Treehouses.
Bi-Rite
Auto
Parts
327 S. Redwood Hwy.
592-3601
or 592-3691
Mondays - Fridays,
8 - 5
Saturdays, 9:30 - 4
Gate opens at 1 p.m. with a softball game.
Music begins at 3 p.m. with Two Foot Daddy, S.O.B., State of Jefferson,
and B’Wishes.
Fireworks begin around dusk.
$10 per day entry 12 & younger $5
www.treehouses.com 592-2208
Camping $5
Zips & Tarzan Swings special
$5 per ride/line; $10 minimum