Wood, Sand and Carousels

Our next stop was Junction City, Oregon from September 3-12 to attend a singles rally.  This was a sold out event as it included other groups rather than just the WINs.

One of the enjoyable activities on September 4 was to tour  Hull Oakes lumber mill in Monroe, OR.  The company was founded in 1937 and specializes in cutting big lumber, which really means that they cut sizes of lumber that is not commonly found by special order. The lumber is cut rough or surfaced; boxed heart or free of heart center (FOHC).

Man in the boat is pushing the logs down the river to the mill.

The next day, we had the opportunity to take a dune buggy ride at Sand Dunes Frontier.

 Me and Joel on the dunes

Some people went out for lunch but I rushed an hour to Williamette Heritage Center which showcased 14 historical building and the 1895 Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.

One of  the nice  gentleman in the group (Curt), brought me a skein of the yarn.

On September the 6th, we all went to the Albany Carousel Museum and workshop.  Everyone that works at the museum is a volunteer and are creating works of art.  Admission is free and you can walk around and talk to the volunteers as they carve and paint these beautiful animals.

This is the replica of the carousel that the animals were being carved for.

We were then given the opportunity to go to the place that the carousel was being restored and waiting for the new animals.

The next day was a covered bridge tour and winery hop!

Currin Bridge built in 1925

Dorena Covered Bridge built in 1949

I did purchase a bottle but just a little smaller.

Next on the agenda was a tour of the Cosmos Creations puffed corn factory. The business started in 2004 in the kitchen of a culinary artisan.  He started by going to home shows and handing out samples.  In 2011 the company was sold.  This is not popcorn.  Cosmos are made from cornmeal that is made into shapes and then baked.  We were told that the best way to enjoy any of the Cosmos product was warm.

One evening, I was not in the mood for the meal provided by the group so a few of us went out to the Junkyard Extreme Burger and Brats. It would appear on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives TV show in October.

 There is really a burger in there somewhere.

As you can see, this was once a food truck that later got built onto.

Next stop is California and the Redwoods.