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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2017)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 1, 2017 Page A-9 Winding Trails: by Al Hobart Thursday, November 2, 1967 Illinois Valley News Huckleberry Mt and Crater Lake Shelter On Huckleberry Mountain, where the soft green foliage of the mountain bilberry spreads thick and close over large areas, forming an attractive, almost lawn-like carpet, this year’s out- of- character weather has left the countless huckleberry bushes attractive in appearance only. Ordinarily dozens of enthusiastic pickers, whole families with their pails and pans and picnic lunches, are attracted to Huckleberry Mountain, where tons of the aromatic, delicious blue-black berries await the coming of appreciative people, birds, and animals to harvest the luscious crop. But this year the precious fruit on Huckleberry Mountain, like the apples, peaches, and some other fruits in other localities within the area of semi- drought that we’ve had to endure this summer, has failed to mature to any great extent. When Bill Pruitt and I drove over Huckleberry Mountain not long ago on our way to Crater Lake, although the narrow, winding road passes through vast patches of huckleberry bushes, we saw more deer than berries. Where usually the slender twigs bend proudly under the weight of the beautiful, delicious fruit, now they seemed to support the few scattered berries in a manner of dejection or shy embarrassment. To get to Huckleberry Mountain we left the Crater Lake highway just on the western edge of the little settlement of Union Creek and drove in a southerly direction over a narrow dirt road that picks its devious way through a Chinese puzzle of branching logging roads. Bill, long familiar with every inch of the territory, unerringly chose the correct route through the maze, and eventually we reached the steep, winding road that writhes its way over the top of the 6,400- foot-high mountain and on down, now in a northeasterly direction, to its other junction with Crater Lake Highway. We drove up to where the scant remains of a once-active guard station marks the very top of the mountain. From this small bare area the old Red Blanket Trail winds mysteriously off into the south, where along the way it makes contact with the Dead Soldier and Thousand Springs trails. The very names of these old trails set a trail tramp’s hiking muscles a-quiver; and Bill and I, looking longingly down Red Blanket Trail, both smacked our chops and vowed that “some-day – soon!” This lovely, intensely interesting side tour over Huckleberry Mountain was actually only a bonus diversion on our Crater Lake trip, a delicious bit of topping for the big tasty pudding that lay ahead of us. The main purpose of the trip was a tour of inspection: Bill wanted to make sure that the little across-the-Lake shelter would be in shipshape readiness for his 2-day guided ski tours around snow-bound Crater Lake this coming winter. The chief ranger of Crater Lake Park, Buck Evans, took time off from his office duties to accompany us on our 30-mile drive around the Rim Road. And he enjoyed the fairyland-like journey just as much as he did the first of his dozens of such trips around the fabulous crater road since he took up his duties in the park many years ago. To me this summertime trip over the bare, sun-washed Rim Road was of special interest because it enabled me to pinpoint the landmarks that were camouflaged with deep snow when we skied over the same route in mid-winter. Now, where we picked our way cautiously on skis along the roadless, dangerous face of Dutton Cliff, the smooth road cut in to the side of the cliff, guilelessly guides happy tourists on their way around the great lake-filled crater. It’s amazing what a 20-foot snowpack can do to a scene that so short a time ago lay tranquil and flower-decked in the warm sunshine. And it’s equally amazing how a group of cross-country ski- fiends, who repeatedly risk their necks on winter’s Dutton Cliffs, can hardly wait till the deep snows come again. Senior SPoTLiGHT SPonSoreD BY i.V. Wellness resources Food & Friends Menu FRIDAY – NOV 3 THREE CHEESE LASAGNA MONDAY – NOV 6 BBQ SMOKEHOUSE PORK W/ BBQ SAUCE WEDNESDAY- NOV 8 MEATLOAF W/ CREOLE SAUCE Call 541-955-8839 to volunteer or if you need meals. Eye Problems It’s starting to get cold out there and we’re turning on the heat and lighting our wood stoves. You may notice that your eyes are starting to react – redness, pain, itching, a gritty sensation, blurred vision, excessive tearing and a sensitivity to light. These are all signs of dry eyes. What causes dry eyes? It occurs when we don’t produce enough tears to keep the eyes moistened. Dry eyes occurs at any time of the year, but cold, air conditioning and heat can make it worse. Tears are produced in the lacrimal glands inside and above our eyelids and contain a mixture of ingredients that moisten, lubricate, prevent infection and spread the solution evenly across the eyes. An imbalance in these ingredients can prevent tears from doing their work and cause our eyes to feel/become dry. As we age, we are also prone to dry eyes as our tear production decreases. Some medications and health conditions can also cause dry eyes. Strange as it sounds, excessive tearing is a signal that your eyes do not have enough lubrication. The brain sends a message to the lacrimal gland to make more tears. Using a humidifier CHAIR FITNESS WELLNESS CHECKS Classes FREE at If you know a senior that Healthy U, TUESDAYS you are worried about and & THURSDAYS from 1 feel they need a wellness - 1:45 p.m. 535 E. River check. Please call Laura St., Cave Junction Call at I.V. Wellness Resources 541-592-4888 or visit at 541-592-9781. www.healthyucenter.org. S PORTSMAN TAVER N K araoKe A LL and air filter can help keep the air around you clean and moist. Artificial tears can be purchased over the counter to help with lubrication, but always check with your health- care provider or eye care specialist for the best options for you. Another red, itchy, watery eye problem is conjunctivitis or pink eye. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens or irritants. Viruses and bacterial causes are highly contagious. The symptoms are simi- lar, but can also include a crusting of the eyelids and a greenish-yellow discharge. Treatment is dependent on the causative agent. Prevent spreading with frequent hand washing. Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Do not share eye or face makeup, contact lenses and containers or eyeglasses. Again see your healthcare provider or eye care specialist. You can contact I.V. Wellness Resources at 541-592- 9781 or www.ivwellnessresources@gmail.com and please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ivwell- nessresources. 2-1-1 Call 211info for help with health & social services. Just Dial 211, visit 211info. org, search 211info App or text zip to 898211. VET TRANSPORTION If you are a veteran and need free rides to your VA appointment contact the The I.V. Eagle by calling De at 541-944-3741. CARING CALLER Are you isolated in your home and need a phone friend to call you with daily or weekly phone calls? Call Laura 541- 592-9781 to sign up or to volunteer. you cAn eAt breAkfAst or order off tHe menu At tHe IV GrAnGe e very Friday and hear all of you F U C an ’ t wait to see LL B A ♥ R ♥ G R L E A T F O O D ♥ C CoCKtailS 3763 Holland Loop 541-659-3781 or 541-415-1819 SI Serving FIRST THREE SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH: 8 AM - 12 PM IV E M U
