Another Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we took my mom and Bailey to pick pumpkins.  The place we choose was called "Another Pumpkin Patch."  This place is great!  They are donating all of the proceeds to either Marion Polk Food Bank or Farmers Ending Hunger.  And, they have a corn maze.  So if you haven't gone yet, go to Another Pumpkin Patch.  Take the Brooks exit, turn right when you get to River Road and it will be a few miles up the road on your left!

 

Shellburg Falls

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 Didn't Even Realize It!

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.

Union St. Bridge and Cherries

Satuday, Andrew and I helped get the dragonboat across the Willamette for the season. To do that, we rode across the "new" Union St. Bridge. We were both so surprised to see how many people were using the bridge. Lots of people with kids and dogs. It wasn't even a nice day and it was getting a ton of use. Very cool. After getting the boat across the water, we went to the bike shops downtown and ended up getting Andrew a new bike that doesn't suck!

If you haven't seen the cherry blossoms at the Capitol Mall and live in Salem, get down there NOW! They are so quick to pass. The wind and rain are taking them away!

Just a table?

What makes a piece of furniture valuable? Is it quality, availability, color, look, versatility, or society even? Is it valuable because it's old, because your grandma had one? Or, is it valuable because it's new and doesn't remind you of your childhood? Does it have to "match" or does it have value on it's own - separate from anything else you may own?

Andy and I have been looking for a dining table for about a year now. But not just any table...it had to be the perfect table. Not a lot of moolah, maybe modern, maybe old. Probably light colored. Not sure. Not sure, you say. Why yes, not sure. That was the biggest problem.

Once in a while, we'd go to a furniture store. Or, I'd email Andy a Craigslist posting. Nothing struck us...that is, until last week. Old, simple, versatile and I was sure I could get the price down.

After borrowing a truck on Saturday, we went to check her out. She's been loved but is solid and has great lines. And, I talked them down $100. We loaded her up and brought her home.

Wednesday, Katr and I decided to figure out just what she is. Previous owners thought Duncan Phyfe but "couldn't find anything." It took us all of 2 minutes to think the stamp on the bottom of the chairs said, "Heywood Wakefield" and about another minute to find a fully legible stamp on the table itself. So much for not finding anything! Built between 1948 and 1955 or so. And, possibly to the right people, worth much more than the $350 we payed.

This company wants nearly $4000 for a refinished version (our chairs are a little different). I also saw people trying to sell the table, alone, for $700-1500. I don't think I would have ever payed that much - for us it's just a very practical table. But, I do feel like doing a little "I got a deal" dance!

Wanna join me?