My Drive In the Country

[Sally]

I made it out to the horse place, but it took me an hour to get there. Maybe if I went part of the way by the freeway I could make it in 45 minutes. Not too bad I guess. It always seems longer when you don't know where you are going. I didn't stop in because I didn't want to disturb anybody on Sunday, but I did see where it is.

What was amazing was the country I saw on the way. This is the upper Willamette River Valley and most of it is farm land and forest. I saw fields and field of hops that are used to make beer all over the world and more fields of corn just about ready to be harvested. Not many cattle or sheep. That is what goes on down by Eugene. Beautiful old farm houses and many many horses. The best thing though was I came around a turn in the road and there were fields of flowers! This time of year there were dahlias and chrysanthemums. Every color of them you could imagine. I had to pull over to the side of the road or risk going into a ditch. It was like a giant quilt. It between the dahlias and mums were great big stands of sunflowers and patches of lavender. The whole area smelled of lavender. It was magical. I got back into the car and climbed a bit and went through a patch of forest and when I got to the top of the ridge, I looked off to the right and there was a HUGE canyon. I almost drove off the road so I stopped again to look at it. It wasn't THAT huge, but it sure was unexpected in that landscape which was mostly rolling fields and hills. Very strange. I got back in the car and started noticing the wildflower in the ditches alongside the road. White Queen Anne's lace and blue chicory and escapee sunflowers. And parches of bright neon yellow rag weed. That is not good for people with allergies, but it sure is pretty.

I finally got to the small town of Scott's Mills. There is a tiny museum there so I stopped in and talked to some ladies there. These were real Daughters of the Pioneers. One lady I talked to was the descendant of 5 generations of people who originally settled Scott's Mills. The mill is still there, but no longer used and the museum was in an old church. It was a beautiful little place. Lots of trees and quiet streets and mostly old people because the young folks have all moved away to seek their fortunes elsewhere. I don't know how this little village, really, manages to survive, but there it is. I felt like a real foreigner, but they made me feel very welcome. We had coffee in the lobby of the museum and talked about our aching bones. Most of America was like that, I guess. Small communities full of friendly people. Simple, hardworking, churchgoing people. I noticed that practically everybody had a satellite dish on their house, though. And I found out that the woman who runs the horse place has MS.

Following the ladies' directions, I drove about 7 miles up Crooked Finger Rd. and found the ranch on the top of a hill in the trees. I saw a whole bunch of beautiful horses in a field beyond the trees and I guessed I was in the right spot. It was all very peaceful and quiet. I was on a dead end road so I turned around and made my way homeward.

On the way back I stopped at The Hazelnut Candy Factory and Gift Shop in Woodburn and bought some stuff. By then it was getting really hot so I zoomed the rest of the way home. So who knows exactly how long it took me to get there and back?

I will definitely go back.

Love,

Sally

[barbaranoela]

By golly MOI, I felt like I was there with U--

U did such a beautiful description of the entire ride---

Thats the beauty of walking thru the DESERT---seeing all the gorgeous blooms---

Sounds like a super day MOI---which goes along with a *SUPER-DOOPER*
lady----

Luv ya
Barbara

[kate_ce1995]

Nice day! Its nice to go places too that remind us of how friendly people can be. I think that is our inherant nature, but life makes us so busy sometimes we forget to take the time to socialize.

Glad you've got a nice drive when you go for your riding time. Makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

Katy

[annie oakley]

Wow...sounds as if you had a wonderful drive. I felt as if I were right there in the shotgun seat next to you. Sounds beautful. I had a drive like that once when I went to an herb farm. Maybe you will take us on that drive when we gather next June. Thanks for sharing....why didn't you go ride? Love Oma

[Peggy]

Thanks for sharing Aunt Sal. Sounds wonderful!

Love ya!

[Geri]

Hi, Sally.

I would have loved to have been along also..riding shotgun..but such a pretty ride is better enjoyed alone. I am the most peaceful when I am out in my car on these country roads. Coffee with the women sounds heavenly.

I'm glad you are going to be giving this therapy a try. I am familiar with it, and there is a facility near me. I have heard that some children with CP who were not able to walk, could.. after their little bodies were strengthened from the riding. I guess horseback riding strengthens the muscles of the trunk and legs, which are weak in those with cerebrial palsy.

I can't wait to hear of your experience, and of the good results you will have.

Love,

Geri

[tex]

Hi Sally,

Thanks for the tour. That was better than reading a travail magazine.

There's a fantastic world around us, isn't there--if we just take the time to enjoy it.

Love,
Wayne

[Polly]

Oooooh, Sally,

Thanks for that lovely ride. Loved the descriptions and yes, I felt like I was along for the ride. You have a way with words (what else can we expect from a librarian?). Now I can't wait to hear more about your regular adventures with the horses! I imagine riding a horse is much more fun than beating a dead one! LOL! Not that you do - but I know I do!

Love and Namaste,

Polly

[Sally]

Yeah, Wayne. Except it wasn't "travail." It wasn't a trial or a tribulation, either. It was good for the soul.

And so simple. Just take a Sunday off and get in the car and go somewhere you've never been before. Look around at all the pretty things and stop and talk to the people. Little grocery stores are good for that. If you get lost, so much the better.

Love,

Sally

[tex]

Hahahahahahaha. Sorry about the typo. That was kind of a bad one, wasn't it. Maybe that's why I haven't been enjoying driving around lately, as much as I used to. LOL.

I think I'll try that one of these weekends. I'll have to go a bit farther, though, 'cause I'm pretty well acquainted with all of the local surroundings.

Love,
Wayne

[Mars]

Sally - I loved your description of your drive. I was right along side you - did ya see me?

Larry and I do that a lot - it is so neat to go somewhere you don't normally go and see how the other half live. The scenery does happen to be greener on the other side sometimes!

Thanks for the trip!

[starfire]

Sally, your little journey sounds wonderful. I'm so glad you shared it with us. You certainly do have a way with words.

Shirley

[JJ]

Thanks so much for sharing your day with us....I feel better already!

JJ