I am somewhat loathe to tell you about Shellburg Falls. It's just that nice of a place and I really love that there are not a lot of people up there...but oh well you'll find out anyway. Shelburg Falls are part of the Santiam Forest and is similar to Silver Falls. Only, while a bit smaller than most of the falls at Silver Falls State Park, Shellburg Fall have a seat where you can sit behind the falls and enjoy them. And, there is no fee for parking your car.
Andrew and I go at least once or twice a year in different seasons to enjoy this area. Since we last went, they have done a lot of improvements at the campground that you can drive to or hike to as we did. They've started charging to camp at the campground too but with all the improvements I'm not surprised.
Another thing we learned yesterday, was Gene's Meat Market (corner of Fernridge Rd and Hwy 22 in Mehema) is wonderful. We stopped on the way up to the falls and bought some jerky and a buffalo pepperoni stick. On the way back, we stopped and bought some frozen sausages that didn't have too much nasty stuff in them. They are open Mon-Sat., so stop in sometime on your way by.
I worked on my bike yesterday. Cleaned the frame, the rims, the sprockets, and the chain. I also, and this is the really important part, put air in the tires. My tires say to inflate to a maximum of 65 psi. They were maybe 20 psi. What a difference it makes. Between that and putting fresh grease on my chain it was like a whole new ride...and I didn't even realize how bad it was. I also borrowed one of my neighbor's recumbents to see if that is a position I could get used to. And, yes, I do know it's nerd patrol central!
As part of my recumbent trial, Andrew and I rode down to Wallace Marine Park, across the Union St. Bridge, and then back to Riverfront Park this morning. We took our books and read in the sun. While we were sitting there like lizards, we saw two little boys and their dads. The little boys were learning how to ride their bikes. The one boy was doing just fine with Dad running along. The second little boy...not so much. He was crying and screaming just a bit. At one point he kept repeating, "No, more. No, more." I'm getting used to the recumbent but definitely knew where he was coming from. It was great to again see so many people using the public space here in Salem.
Okay, you probably know this already but if you don't, pay attention. You can recycle styrofoam at the Fresh Start Market on Center St. This is the wonderful little market that is run by juveniles in the county corrections. The market is great and the program there appears to be doing great things. Check out their coffee cafe and drop off that styrofoam you've been saving in your garage. You have been saving it right????
Also, I heard on the radio last night that you can now recycle steel aerosol cans and small steel pieces (less than 18" and less than 12 lbs or something along those lines) in your blue bins. I am going to call the county, and our garbage hauler, to get the details. If anybody with the county is out there, you really should update your website more often! I think you need to remove the plastic cap and the plastic sprayer on the steel cans.
