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Bus Trips Descriptions
Explore West Eugene
Tuesday, March 23
Leader: Liz Reanier
We will continue our tradition of exploring in the immediate area for our first trip by leaving Shopko at 8:30 and visiting places in west Eugene including Creative Clocks, a Smoked Salmon Distributorship and the Wetlands. Weather will dictate some of our stops. We will treat ourselves to lunch at Our Daily Bread Restaurant (in an old church) in Veneta and then proceed with our exploring. Lunch is your cost. Return to Shopko by 4 p.m.
Cost: $33 ($35 for non-members), due March 16 to Liz Reanier.
Guide dogs for the blind
Saturday, April 10
Leader: Ben Jeffries
Come visit Oregon’s inspiring national training facility for Guide Dogs. This is the largest such program in the United States. We will have a private tour of the impressive buildings, including: Veterinary Hospital, kitchen for animal meals, and view the combination training-dog housing area. The few steps have good hand rails. Following the tour we will attend the heart warming, one hour graduation ceremonies. The dog recipients will speak as will most of the volunteer puppy (10 to 18 months of training) raisers. Several of these people cried and I believe all or most of the audience did. The staff recommends carrying kleenex or a handkerchief. There will be a slide presentation concerning the organization’s objectives and training. Also, there will be a demonstration with a dog. There is a gift shop.
Lunch, at your cost, will be in the town of Sandy at Calamity Jane’s Hamburger Parlor, listed among the 10 best hamburger places in the US. Other food is available. Return to Eugene by 6 p.m.
Cost: $39 ($41), due March 29 to Mary Lee Cheadle.
Discover Newberg; past, present, and future
Tuesday, April 20
Leaders: Verna Kocken and Ray Jensen
For the past we will be visiting George Fox University and learning about the founders of this city and this school. We will visit the charming Minthorn House, built in 1881 by Jesse Edwards, the Quaker founder of Newberg. This home was purchased in 1885 by Dr. Henry Minthorn, uncle and foster father of Herbert Hoover. Hoover was a fascinating man and his story comes alive in this setting. We will visit ADec, a major manufacturer of dental equipment and have a tour of their facility and we will tour the Allison, a newly completed resort and spa , built by the family that owns ADec.
We will depart from Shopko on Coburg Rd at 8:00 a.m. and return by 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $46 (48), due April 9 to Janet Speelman.
Cancelled
Exploring the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River and the back roads
around Mt. Hood
Tuesday–Wednesday, May 11–12
Leaders: Barbara & Paul Beard
Leaving Shopko parking lot at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 11 to Bonneville
Dam, the Salmon Ladders, Fish Ponds and Rhodie covered grounds for our
sack lunch and tour. Afternoon will find us at the WAAAM (Western Antique
Aeroplane & Automobile Museum) with a brief visit through some of the
beautiful apple orchards in the area. Overnight at Hood River at one of
the spectacular motels located on the Columbia River. Dinner will be on
your own.
Wednesday morning will find us boarding the Mt. Hood Rail for a trip by
rail to Parkdale (lunch included). The route home will take us to Sandy,
Estacada, Molalla, Silverton and home by approximately 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $181 ($185), due April 24 to Mary Lee Cheadle. Deposit $50, due February 15.
Carousels of Salem and Albany and more
Tuesday, June 22
Leaders: Sharon Cutsforth, Liz Reanier
Come with us as we revisit childhood. We will spend most of the day at Salem’s Riverfront park where we will have the opportunity to ride the carousel and learn about its history, picnic in the park, enjoy the riverside walking path, see the Eco Earth Sphere and explore the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village. The Eco Earth Globe was originally used by Boise Cascade to hold acids which turned wood chips into pulp. Now covered with 86,000 colorful tiles it is a huge world globe. The A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village is housed in three historic homes and includes 20,000 sq. ft. outdoor discovery center. AC. Gilbert, born in Salem, was the inventor of the Erector Set and is considered one of the most multi-talented inventers of all times. On the way home we will stop in Albany to visit the Dentzel American Carousel Museum and Albany Carousel Studio. Here we will see the world’s largest private collection of Dentzel carousel pieces and view a work In progress as volunteers create a variety of carousel animals for the proposed Albany Brass Ring Carousel.
Cost: $42 ($44), due June 8 to Janet Speelman.
Butterfly Pavilion, lunch at King Estates, & the Travis Tyrrell
seed orchard
Tuesday, July 13
Leaders: Sharon Cutsforth, Ray Jensen
Travel south on I-5 through Drain to Elkton for a repeat visit to the Butterfly Pavilion (Oregon butterflies) run by the Elkton Community Education Center. We will have our coffee break here, learn about the life cycle of the butterfly, and will have time to enjoy the adjoining gardens.
Then we will backtrack past Fort Umpqua using the Territorial Road to the King Estate Winery in Lorane for lunch. (Food, beverage and gratuity included). The meal, the view and the grounds promise to be superb.
We will travel on to the Travis Tyrrell Seed Orchard, three miles west of Lorane. This 500 acre complex, managed by the B.L.M. produces superior conifer seeds, mostly Douglas Fir, for sale to nurseries throughout the nation. We will begin at their Visitor Center-Administration Building where the manager, Larry Johnston, will give a brief talk describing their work. The 3/4 mile interpretive Nature Trail (Hike) will the OPTIONAL. Also we will shuttle the bus to the Orchard view point located at the far (north) end of the complex for a great view. En route we will see the arboretum and demonstration areas.
Finally we return via the Hamm Road (perhaps some lavender gardens) to Creswell.
Cost: $59 ($61), due June 29 to Barbara Payne.
British Columbia’s Harrison Hot Springs Resort, with Minter
Gardens, and the Hells Canyon air tram
Monday–Saturday, August 16–21
Leaders: Sharon Cutsforth, Liz Reanier
EVERYONE MUST HAVE A PASSPORT OR A PASSPORT CARD
Join us for a leisurely and relaxing trip to see nature’s beauty in the Harrison Lake and Fraser River Valley areas. We plan lots of time to enjoy the ambiance of Harrison Hot Springs Resort and the small town atmosphere of Harrison Hot Springs Village.
Day 1: Travel Eugene to Marysville, WA. Mid morning we will have our usual “Obsidian coffee break”. Bring a picnic lunch for our stop at Tumwater Falls Park. Lodging in Marysville.
Day 2: First stop the Dutch Village Mall in Lynden, then through customs and enter Canada. Stopping at Minter Gardens, Chillawack, 32 acres of themed flower gardens, gift and plant shop, two restaurants (lunch on your own) Then on to Harrison Hot Springs Resort, our lodging for the next four nights.
Meals, leisure activities at the resort, boat rides on your own. Groceries are available in town.
Day 3: Morning - we will visit the 321 acre Great Blue Heron Reserve near Chillawack, interpretive center, self-guided walking trails and resident herons. Free afternoon to enjoy the resort and explore the village.
Day 4: Sightseeing is the plan for today. We travel the scenic Fraser River Highway with its seven tunnels and ride Hell's Gate Air Tram across the river to Simon’s Cafe (lunch included).
Day 5: Today we visit Chillawack Museum , featuring history of First Nation people and local gold mining. Then on to Hope for lunch, Bridal Veil Falls, Memorial Park wood carvings, Japanese Friendship Garden and Historic Christ Church.
Day 6: Travel Harrison Hot Springs to Eugene. This will be a long day of travel with rest stops. Lunch (included) at Falls Terrace Restaurant, Tumwater and plan to be in Eugene at 6:00 or soon after.
Cost: $735 ($747), due July 9 to Janet Speelman. Deposit $100, due before February 15.
Waldo Lake and a traditional mountain barbecue
Tuesday, September 21
Leaders: Barbara and Paul Beard
Leave Shopko parking lot at 8:00 a.m. for our beautiful destination Waldo Lake where and we will have a summer Barbecue with all the trimmings prepared by our leaders Paul and Barbara and daughter Paula. Everything from hot dogs to corn on the cob, watermelon, potato salad and of course dessert included in your trip fee. Fall colors will be on to show their marvelous colors and a few side roads will be on the agenda for viewing along with the Willamette Fish Hatchery at the northeast side of Oakridge. An afternoon snack on the way home will include a root beer float at the almost one and only drive up A&W Root Beer Restaurant left.
Cost: $55 ($57), due September 8 to Barbara Payne.
Foothills of the Coast Range and the town of Independence
Wednesday, October 20
Leader: Ray Jensen
We will travel through Philomath to King’s Valley where the color should be at its peak. Our coffee break will be at Beazell Memorial Forest which is run by the Benton County Parks Department. Then to the nearby Fort Hoskins Interpretive Center, an historic military site located above the Luckiamute River. Time here to walk the grounds and explore. We will continue on back roads to the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge and go through Monmouth to quaint Independence for a group lunch (included) at J. Bella Restaurant in the old Sperling Building. At 1:00 we will visit the Heritage Museum, located in the First Baptist Church 1888. We will have time to check out historic buildings on Main Street. Everything is located in two square block area across from the new amphitheater along the Willamette River.
In mid afternoon we will go to Buena Vista to the Wings of Wonder Conservatory where exotic butterflies are flying and more. We will have a conducted tour of the exhibits.
Complete the day at Hazelnut Hill-coffee, ice cream and nut confections. Return by 6 p.m.
Cost: $49 ($51), due October 6 to Mary Lee Cheadle.
A Christmas holiday celebration in Salem
Tuesday, December 7
Leaders: Barbara and Paul Beard
Leave Shopko at 2:00 p.m. for Salem. Short stop at the Bush Gardens just before dark and then an early dinner at Kwan’s Chinese or Outback BBQ & Steaks. A few lights on the route to the Old Ellsinore Theater for a Christmas movie then a driving tour of The Governor’s Mansion and hillside along with a walking and driving tour of the buildings located at the intersection of Commercial and Liberty. Dinner is on your own.
Cost: $42 ($44), due November 26 to Barbara Payne.
Bus Trips - Details Of Participation
- GENERAL INFORMATION: Your trip fees include transportation, lodging and taxes, museum fees, admission charges, donations in lieu of admission fees, the tip for the driver and the daily trip fees. Meals are not included, except where specified in a trip write up. Personal expenses are not covered. Bring your own sack lunch and non-alcoholic beverage. We schedule frequent rest stops and usually lunch at wayside parks. Be sure to check writeups for details. Wear your name tags at all times. Wear sensible walking shoes and bring your Golden Age pass. We also always carry water.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Any Obsidian may sign up for these trips. Non-members must be accompanied by an Obsidian host and are welcome to join us. The trip leader has the authority to exclude anyone who may present a danger to the group or to himself because of physical, medical or emotional conditions.
- TRANSPORTATION: We charter buses from Oregon California & Washington (formerly Oregon Coachways) which are modern, safe, clean, comfortable, air-conditioned and have an on board toilet facility. Their drivers are experienced and well trained to insure enjoyable traveling.
- LOADING SITE
- ALL TRIPS: We will load at Shopko on Coburg Road near the bus stop on Coburg Road. It is the south end of their garden shop in the summer.
- LOADING INFORMATION: Usually we load at 7:30 a.m., departing promptly at 8:00 a.m. and return between 5 and 6 p.m. These times are subject to change so always check the monthly Obsidian Bulletin and any trip descriptions for details. On extended trips we encourage you to arrange private transportation to the loading site. We suggest that you do not leave your car overnight. Also please notify the trip leader if you must cancel at the last minute, or Liz Reanier 541-520-2854.
- COSTS OF TRIPS: Costs are estimated far in advance. Trip Leaders anticipate the number of riders, transportation costs, entrance fees, tips, donations, etc., lodging (2 persons, 2 beds) and the daily fee to the Club. The leaders volunteer their time and pay the same as all other riders. Please carry your Golden Age Pass and any other membership card that gives you free admission to an attraction. Please notify the leader that you have them as it sometimes reduces our fees. Passport or passport card when entering Canada.
- LODGING: Room costs are based on booking for non-smoking, 2 persons, 2 beds. You are requested to select your roommate. Sometimes the leader or reservations person can assist you in that selection. The final selection is the riders responsibility. If you need special considerations, let the leader know. Frequently there are no elevators, so pack luggage you can carry up a flight of stairs. Be sure your luggage is labeled.
- POLICY FOR SINGLES: We encourage the single traveler to participate. Occasionally, we can provide a single room, at a much higher rate. Our basic policy is based on 2 persons, 2 beds in order to minimize cost of the trip. We will assist you in finding a roommate.
- PAYMENT: Make a SEPARATE CHECK FOR EACH TRIP, payable to the OBSIDIANS BUS TRIP ACCOUNT. Please observe the due dates for payments, especially when advance deposits are required. Priority on trips is based on the dates you paid in full.
- WAITING LIST: A waiting list will be maintained if a trip is over subscribed. Only persons sincerely interested in participating should sign up. If your interests or availability changes — please inform the reservations person and/or the leader. The leader makes the ultimate selection based on the vacancy.
- CANCELLATIONS: CAUSE PROBLEMS. Leaders frequently must make guarantees and large payments 30 days in advance. Often motels require room lists 4 weeks in advance. If you must cancel, inform the leader IMMEDIATELY. Sometimes we are unable to recover costs, therefore you would be expected to pay them. If you are able to find a possible replacement that is appreciated but it will still be the leader’s ultimate selection, subject to the approval of the roommate. Persons on the waiting list have priority. . . It is difficult.
- REFUNDS: There will be no refunds on one day trips unless the leader is notified in advance, as there is sometimes a waiting list. On multi-day trips partial or full refunds may be made after the trip, if cancellations are made at least one week in advance of the trip. Any refund is also contingent upon recovery of lodging costs, fees prepaid, admissions, etc. Refunds will only be made if a trip has generated a surplus; such refund will be determined after the trip when all financial data has been examined.
- REBATES: Sometimes rebates may be awarded at the end of our trip season, if a trip has a substantial excess in revenue. We annually donate excess funds to Obsidians, Inc.
- INSURANCE: Our charter bus companies carry the required liability and accident insurance. All riders are expected to provide their own medical, liability and accident insurance. Obsidians, Inc. requires each rider to sign a release prior to each trip. In addition, the Bus Committee requires that you fill out a medical information form that will be carried in a sealed envelope on all trips you participate in. This form will be used in the event of an emergency, thus the data must be updated annually. It will be held confidential. If you have serious updates during the season, please file a new form. Notify the reservations person if you do not have the form. Read trip descriptions, talk to the leaders and determine if you will be able to participate in planned activities.
- SIGN UP: Signing up for a trip shows interest in taking the trip and your intent to pay the costs by the due date. Keep track of trips you sign for so you can pay on time and also keep the leader informed if you must cancel. Leaders use the rally sign-up to determine if a trip must be canceled and also use the list to make the detailed, special arrangements that make our trips special. We welcome additional riders, so check with reservations and/or leader if interested at a later date. New non Obsidian riders are to be sponsored by an Obsidian rider.
- WEARING FRAGRANCES: The Federal Disabilities Act states that one should refrain from using scented deodorant, perfumes and heavy aftershaves in consideration of those who have allergies and related illnesses. Our close proximity of riders on the bus makes this very important. It may mean you need to wash wearing apparel to get rid of the problem.
- FINAL NOTE: Dates, itineraries or boarding sites may be changed so watch the monthly Obsidian Bulletin for updates. A waiting list will be maintained if a trip is over subscribed. Following is a description for each of our 2010 offerings. Multi-day trips have detailed descriptions nearer to the departure date. We hope you will find the trips appealing and will join us for an enjoyable experience.
BUS COMMITTEE: Liz Reanier - Chairman, Sharon Cutsforth - Secretary, Barbara Flanders - Treasurer, Lenore McManigal - Auditor, Rick Ahrens, Ethel Allen, Barbara Beard, Paul Beard, Mary Lee Cheadle, Dennis Flanders, Ben Jeffries, Pat Jeffries, Ray Jensen, Verna Kocken, Barbara Payne, Don Payne, Janet Speelman, Richard Speelman, Mary Ellen West, and Honorary members: Bette Hack, Rosella Jones, Vera Wolley.