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Exchange to
Mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon
Our first day was free to spend with our hosts. Some of us traveled to Portland to see the Japanese Gardens while others traveled to Silverton, OR to the Oregon Gardens. The Oregon Gardens is the premier garden in their state. Some ambassadors traveled to the Columbia River Gorge to view lush green pine forests dotted with towering waterfalls. The beauty of this area was astounding to view. Many of us toured local wineries on this day while some toured the historic districts of Albany and Salem. The tour of the state capitol in Salem was very impressive. The next day we were all delighted to take a day trip to Newport, which is a beautiful little city on the coast. We traveled through foggy mountains on the way to Newport but the day turned to bright sunshine as we drove into the city. We stopped first to visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center. We were allowed a behind the scenes tour and a very special “hands-on” class to learn about the sea creatures that inhabit the tide pools, shallows and depths of the Pacific ocean. Sea stars, anemone, clams, sea urchins, sand shrimp we saw them all...and up close! We sat at class room tables learning first hand about how these creatures function to live and thrive in their environment. We were all amazed to see that when a seastar is placed on the top of a clam how the clam senses the sea star and quickly maneuvers to escape its clutches before being eaten. We then stopped in Yactha Bay. We walked along the wharf stopping to eat clam chowder at world famous Mo’s at lunchtime. Everyone spooned down their hot bowl of chowder and gobbled like hungry kids on their big slices of Texas toast cheese bread. Boy was it good! We were then allowed time to shop at the many gift shops along the wharf. Some of us walked down to see the seal lions on the pier. Even if you didn’t see the sea lions their rather pungent smell and loud yelps made you aware of their presence. A few sea lions were visible as they swam in the bay near Mo’s. We loaded up the “Classy Mac” bus and headed across town to Nye Beach for a short stop. Everyone was allowed 30 minutes to walk on the beach. Some even braved the ice cold water getting their feet wet. It was fairly nippy on the beach but all enjoyed the novelty of our walk in the sand. We then traveled another short distance to the Yaquina Head light house. We were lucky enough to actually see a whale spouting! Such clout we have being members of Friendship Force! The lighthouse tour followed by a tour and short movie at interpretive center was really enjoyed by all. On the way back to Albany we stopped to visit one of the many covered bridges in the area. Thursday we all toured the Albany Regional Museum to learn about the history of their quaint city. The Mid-Willamette Valley is know for its grass seed farms, wineries, and titanium metal production. Albany and the surrounding towns supply our country with a vast array of plants, flower bulbs, trees, grass seeds and vegetables seeds. We were amazed at how prolific everything grows in this area. We toured the first frame home in Albany, The Monteith House. We enjoyed a very informative history lesson by one of Albany’s civic leaders who also taught history. His eloquence was poetic as he charmed us with the early history of Albany. Small groups then ate at different restaurants in the downtown area. After dinner we met with Albany’s civic leaders and the Mayor, where exchange director Buddy Sizemore presented the Mayor of Albany with greetings from Mayor Seng and a key to the city of Lincoln. Mayor Chuck McLaran presented Buddy with a proclamation that states that September 28th is FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA DAY in Albany. The Mayor also presented a key to the city of Albany to our club. After the council meeting we were treated to a tour of the Brass Ring Carousel Project where we learned how volunteers with very little experience learn how to carve and paint carousel animals. While at the wood carvers workshop we celebrated Chuck Godwin’s birthday with a cake and drinks that ED’s Clintina Olsen and Marilyn Peterson surprised us with! That’s a real Friendship Force experience if you ask me. Our last free day was enjoyed by traveling to nearby towns which included Brownsville, Sisters, Silverton, Corvallis, Adair Village, Salem and others. Ambassadors visited local hazelnut farms, marionberry and blueberry farms, holly and Christmas tree farms, toured museums, shopped for antiques, learned about the history of local carousel, walked on nature trails in the Cascade Mountains, marveled to view the lava fields where pioneers crossed with wagons, and enjoyed a large number of other fulfilling activities. There is no shortage of things to do and see in Oregon. Nature’s beauty is very humbling and peaceful; we were thoroughly drenched in nature’s wonder. Just driving along any one of the many scenic highways in central Oregon is a fabulous treat. Friday evening we all enjoyed meeting for small group dinners at different hosts’ homes. The theme of the evening was foods of Albany. After dinner we all met at the Albany Civic Theater to see the play “Seven Year Itch” It was great to learn that local theater is thriving in even the smallest cities in our country. At our farewell dinner on Saturday, the tables groaned under all the delicious foods that were prepared. I heard that many recipes were shared and enjoyed. The top billing was the wild coho salmon, prepared to perfection and savored by all. Local jump rope teams entertained us with their routines; and afterwards Buddy with his guitar sang and played a few songs for the crowd followed by everyone singing and holding hands in a large circle. Wow! What a wonderful week. What wonderful people to have been hosted by. On Sunday morning rain sprinkled down as we hugged and said our goodbyes. We all left Oregon with our hearts yearning to stay. You can be certain that we will be sending The Friendship Force of Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley a formal invitation to host them here in Lincoln in the very near future. Or...we can just go back to Oregon again! Co-ED’s Marilyn Peterson and Clintina Olsen truly planned an extra special exchange for our club to experience. You ladies are awesome! I was very proud to have led my first exchange and more so that everyone had an awesome time with their hosts. Special thank you to Chuck Godwin and Mary Bryant for your mentoring and to Ron and Pauline Hines and Cecil Moreland for your thoughtfulness and help. |
©2008 Friendship Force of Lincoln. All Rights Reserved. |
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other Nature’s light brilliantly shone on our 25 The Friendship Force of Lincoln ambassadors as we traveled to enjoy a truly magnificent week with The Friendship Force of Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. The experiences we shared with our new found friends were truly the domestic exchange of a lifetime. We received a very warm welcome in Salem, Oregon with a gathering at a local church where we gobbled up sandwiches and salads. Lincoln ambassadors Ron and Pauline Hines had driven to meet the exchange from their second home in Idaho. On their way they stopped at a local apple orchard and brought along with them huge baskets of every variety of apple grown in the valley. It was an extra treat for all to enjoy.