Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2017)
Page A-10 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Winding Trails: by Al Hobart Thursday, April 27, 1967 Illinois Valley News come-back and were forced to spend an, extra day fighting our way out of a snow-choked wilderness. There were just two of us on this wild mountain-wilderness ski safari west into the Chetco area, geologist Len Ramp and I. We chose the time we did because, Len being one of these younger unfortunates whose work dictates his periods of “leisure,” this was the only available time-off opportunity in the near future, and we had planned on making this ski trip in to pay our respects to our friends the Davises, on Little Chetco, some time ago. On Tuesday came the green light from Len. I hustled over to the Kerby PO and picked up the Davis’ mail, made the necessary preparations and on Wednesday morning rendezvoused with Len, by prearrangement, near the Cameron Almost Snowed in at Little Chetco Sorry about that, Gang –but, much as we’d have loved to join you at the Club’s big ski-fest, potluck dinner and meeting at the Crater Lake home of those nice Evans folks, Len and I, due to an unforeseen circumstance that infiltrated our plans, just weren’t able to make it. Fickle Fate stuck out her big No. 9 and tripped us up, just when the going was good and it looked like we’d have plenty of time to keep our planned, schedule. But so goes it in life. We were taken by surprise by old-man winter’s sneaky Bridge down the Illinois beyond 8- dollar-mountain. Transferring Len’s equipment to the jeep, we set out at 9 a.m. and drove up into the mountains about 5 miles, till we were stopped by deep snow a mile beyond the Big Slide, near the foot of Fiddler Butte, with its 30-odd switchbacks. Here, after applying the proper wax, we took to our skis. Going in, the weather and snow conditions were near perfect and, in spite of our back-loads (my pack was 25 lbs., Len’s more than 30) we made the long, steep ski-tour in record time. We traveled the entire 15 miles in just 8 hours, arriving at the Davis’ at 5 p.m. Needless to say, we were warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by Perry and Ruth, whose visitor book through the long (5 or 6 months) period of their wintry lock- in receives few signatures. And if they were delighted to have us drop in on them, we were happy to find them in good health, cozily riding out the winter weather and perfectly contented. They wined and dined us in a manner that would warm the heart of a dedicated people hater. We stayed; with the folks that night, the following day and Thursday night, thoroughly enjoying our visit and gorging on Ruth’s baked ham dinner, delicious home- made bread, chicken potpie and all manner of good food. Then things began to happen weather-wise. The temperature began skidding, and during Thursday, snow flurries kept tantalizing us, defiling the rosy picture of the day before with a nasty cast of gray. This change of events had me slightly worried, but Len, who is color-blind to anything but a rosy hue, nonchalantly went about his business of making a complete snowshoe for Perry and Ruth to use as a pattern. Came the second night–and the big No. 9 mentioned in the first paragraph. When we got up at 5 a.m. there was 6 inches of new snow at the cabin, and we knew what had happened at higher levels. Ruth hurriedly prepared breakfast and put up lunches for us, and at 6:15 we headed back out. For 13 hours that day (Friday) we plowed through new snow that averaged 2-feet deep, retracing our way around the head of Babyfoot Lake Canyon and across the side of Hungry Hill. SEE HOBART ON A-11 2017 Illinois Valley Children’s Fair & Pet Parade Saturday, May 6 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Jubilee Park SEED PLANTING CHILDREN’S BOOKS HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES PET PARADE CHILD ID Registration 10:00 am - 11:15 am Parade 11:30 am - 12:30 pm ART ACTIVITIES LL B A ♥ R ♥ G R L E A T F O O D ♥ C F U FACE PAINTING FREE ACTIVITIES, RESOURCES, HOT DOGS, SNACKS, DRINKS, PRIZES SI BEADING IV E M U i love shuffleboard! Dress up your pet. Don’t forget your leash. Small pets only. BIKE HELMETS For more information contact Nalita at (541) 592-3259 S PORTSMAN TAVER N Siskiyou Community Health Center Dental CareVan IV Fire Department Fire Safe House Pacifica Caterpillar Bus Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest Salmon Tent • 2 Pool Tables & Shuffleboard • • Friday Night Karaoke • • Saturday Night Pool Tournaments • • Bloody Mary Sundays 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. • • NFL Special Events •
