SEPTEMBER 25, 2015, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A9 Ride the rails – at your own pace Submitted Riders take in the scenery on the Joseph Branch Railroad along the Wallowa River. The historic railroad is one of only two places in the country for such tours. Ask Mr. Trash ©1986 Q. Is it true that I can put all food waste into the big green Mixed Organics cart? A. It’s true! All food wastes may now be combined with yard debris! Include these: Meats, Dairy, Bones/Shells, Breads/Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee-Tea Bags/Filters, Food-Soiled Paper Napkins/Towels, Cardboard Pizza Boxes, Grass Clippings, Yard Pruning’s, Leaves, Pine Needles, Pumpkins and Christmas Trees. Layer the food waste with yard debris in the big green Mixed Organics cart for bi-weekly collection in Keizer. Call us today for more information on this and other great services in Keizer! Serving Keizer for Nearly 50 years! LOREN'S SANITATION & RECYCLING SERVICE, INC. 503.393.2262 VA L L E Y RECYCLING & DISPOSAL, INC. 503.585.4300 crossword Something big… Interested in experiencing the pristine Wallowa River country in Northeastern Or- egon? Have an opportunity to see elk, deer, bear, fox, coyotes, river otters, and bald eagles, to mention just some of the more exciting critters in the area? Maybe stop and fi sh for trout or steelhead? By rail, at your own pace, with you pro- viding the power? We are talking about you and a partner, on a guided tour in a 100-pound bicycle-type cart on a railroad track. This is a simple framed cart with seats for two, with bike pedal- ing technology. It is 26 miles (marathon distance) through some spectacular scenery on the historic Joseph Branch Railroad. Don’t let the marathon bit tune you out. My wife, Jo, and her four Sweet Adeline friends (Jean, Joyce, Kathy and Marty) did it and had a ball. These la- dies are not runners or gym rats. They all qualify for 10 percent off at Fred Meyer on the fi rst Tuesday of the month. The Joseph Branch Rail- riders is the only place in the country - except Maine - for such an experience on the rails. Railriders offer two op- tions: Joseph to Enterprise, 10 miles round trip, or Minam to Wallowa, 26 miles round trip. Our Sweet Ads opt for the 26-mile round trip, from Minam to Wallowa, with a 1 percent incline. Keep in mind, these ladies are not bikers. Some don’t even own a bicy- cle. It’s August of the hottest, driest year in Oregon’s history. This could be a challenge. VOLLEY, continued from Page A8 The Keizer team swept their pool play opponents – Foot Hill, North Medford and Churchill high schools – to take fi rst headed into bracket play. “We started off in the fi rst game with a different rotation, but we adapted really well. I think we had really good communication and support- ed each other really well,” said Montano. In the fi rst match of bracket play, McNary battled hard with Bend High School and even- tually emerged the victors. Set scores were 30-28 and 25- 17. That win pitted the team against Roseburg High School and the long drive and longer day began to take its toll. “We were talking a lot in the morning, but we got a lit- tle tired by the end of the day,” said Gilmour. The Lady Celts lost to Indi- ans in sets of 25-15 and 25-22. “Reina had a great tour- nament, she hit and blocked extremely well for us. Sydney Hunter also played well of- fensively. Both setters, Sam Van Voorhis and Madi Cloyd, did a great job distributing the ball to all our hitters. Shaylee Williams also had a very nice tournament,” said Scholl. Montano said she wanted to see the team focus on be- ing more consistent with op- ponents North Salem and Sprague high schools who were next in line. Gilmour said the team still had room to grow. “I think we’re playing as a team, but we always have room to improve. I think we’ll do fi ne against both teams,” Gilmour said. by G.I. Wilson “We met our guide, Hailey, at Minam at 9 a.m. Minam is the site of a former town, at the confl uence of the Wallowa and Minam rivers,” Jo Wilson explains. We are prepared for our 26-mile challenge with backpacks, water, sun screen, and energy bars. Hailey fi ts us with bicycle helmets and adjusts our seats for proper leg length. Jean and Marty are in the fi rst cart, Jo and Joyce in the next, and Kathy, with the guide, in the third cart. Be- hind them are four more carts with a group of folks that are there for fi shing and a picnic as much as the ride. Five miles down the line is the fi rst stop, the “blue box” (a.k.a. port-a- potty). This is the only “facil- ity” until the turn around in Wallowa. At one point, two carts stopped on the Wal- lowa River to fi sh. They will turn their carts around for the return trip. The other two carts continue on the 26-mile round trip. The fi rst leg through the canyon is cool and comfort- able, passing steep cliffs, tim- ber, sounds of the river, and the serenade of clickity-clack wheels crossing rail joints. After the canyon, the coun- tryside opens up into cattle country. Lush summer growth is turning to late summer/fall colors. Wildlife abounds here. Deer are enjoying the shade near the cool Wallowa waters. Temperatures rise signifi cantly. Crossroads are now part of the challenge. Carts must stop at all roads. Two paved roads require peddlers to get off and push the cart across. Along the route there are three barbed wire gates that need to be laid down and rolled over. Be- tween the gates, horses and mules graze along the right- of-way. At the turn around in Wal- lowa, it is a short, two-block walk to the main street. Jo- seph Branch Railriders pro- vide a map with restaurants to choose from, or if you bring your lunch, the city park is nearby. “We walk into town for lunch,” Jo explains. “The other two carts leave immedi- ately to join the fi shermen for lunch.” When you return to your cart, it is turned around, ready for your return trip. It is nice to have the 1 per- cent downgrade on the re- turn, unless you experience an afternoon canyon headwind. They arrive back at Minam at 4 p.m. They are exhausted. Sleep will come easy with minds and lungs renewed by the high mountain air. Joseph Branch Railrid- ers is the brainchild of Kim and Anita Metlin, of Imbler. They saw a railroad run- ning through beautiful scen- ery with minimal use. Why not come up with a use that is healthy, beautiful and fun. They researched the technol- ogy and the cart concept was developed. A Tualatin com- pany built polymer tires that fi t directly on the rails. A La- Grande company built the ax- les and frames. The County Board of Commissioners approved a permit. Kim says it’s just plain fun. “We’ve been told all our lives that you can’t play on the rail- road. Well, now you can.” The 2015 season runs May 16 through Oct. 4. For reser- vations, call, 541-910-0089, 541-910-0981 or email jbrail- riders@gmail.com. Tickets may be purchased during the operating season at 304 North Main Street, Joseph, Oregon. Reservations are encouraged for large groups.