 Heart of the Dunes--Reedsport OR, intersection Hwy 38 and Hwy 101 I'm writing this up after attending the 25th Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship: Father’s Day Weekend, June 12-15, 2025. But this is not the first time I've visited Reedsport, nor traveled Hwy 38. Over time I've gathered more than I have written up before, so here's what else I have to say. See also, links below:
 Reedsport Centennial Mural Reedsport OR--at the junction of Hwy 38 off I-5 and Hwy 101 along the coast In order to get to the Chainsaw Carving event in good time, we stayed over at the Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport OR, and grabbed something to eat at the nearby DQ. I wanted to explore a bit before bedding down, so wheeled a loop east along Winchester Ave, north to the site of the event, returning west along Fir/Hwy 38. And finally south on Hwy 101 back to our hotel. Traveled the same loop the next day. Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport--1400 Highway 101, Reedsport OR 97467 Dairy Queen--1250 Oregon Coast Hwy, Reedsport OR 97467 Winchester Ave I wheeled the rear path from the parking at the Best Western right to Winchester Ave, all the way along it to 3rd, where I crossed over Hwy 38. No stop light, but it was safe to cross there by the Post Office. Reedsport Rock & Gem Show at the Reedsport Community Center—451 Winchester Ave, Reedsport OR I was so pleasantly pleased to happen upon this rock show the same weekend as the Chainsaw Carving event! It was hard to narrow down all the photos I took, and they don't do justice to the awe-some rocks, stones, gems, displays, even kid activities. And it's Free! Lower Umpqua Library--395 Winchester Ave, Reedsport OR 97467 Happened upon the library booksale . . . books had no set price, just donate what you can. The Umpqua Riverfront--from Hwy 38 & 3rd St, Reedsport OR 25th Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship: Father’s Day Weekend, June 12-15, 2025 You can get stuff to eat and drink as you wander in wonder, watching the carvers at work, or buy their wares premade, or you can sit a spell to eat between wanderings. There are other various vendors, as well. I believe each night they auction the works of the quick carve contests--1 hour to creat a masterpiece! Naturally, I took many more photos than is reasonable to include here. Umpqua Discovery Center--409 Riverfront Way, Reedsport OR 97467 Unfortunately, no photos are allowed in the exhibit walks, because the murals are spectacular! I still found plenty to photograph, I guess. Rainbow Plaza & Boat Launch--next to the Umpqua Discovery Center--409 Riverfront Way, Reedsport OR 97467 "The public lot features ample parking for 10 passenger cars and 34 boat/trailer spaces. Used by adjacent restaurant for customer parking as well as visitor's to the beautiful Umpqua Riverfront. A large restroom facility is open from dawn to dusk for public use along with multiple picnic tables and viewing benches." The site of the Chainsaw Carving event is an open gravel lot: "A large .17 acre gravel lot with plenty of space for parking and events. In 2018 through a major grant project the City was able to install the adjacent fish cleaning station along with the City's only coin operated boat wash which sits in the southeastern corner of the lot. The plaza is most heavily used during the summer months as overflow parking for the boat ramp as well as limited space for dry camping. The plaza also features the Reedsport Main Street Program's Salmon Mural on the north end along the levee wall. "The focal point of the plaza is the 1915 Smith & Watson Iron Works steam donkey also known as "Machine No. 36;" one of only three of its kind, featuring a compound geared two-speed cable pull. Powered by an efficient, wood-fed firebox, Machine No. 36 was used throughout the thick timber around Reedsport and Winchester Bay to haul logs downhill to the rail lines." Kismet’s Landing--351 Riverfront Way, Reedsport OR 97467 We had dinner here, and it was really great. Beautiful decor and table settings, really friendly and accommodating staff, and tantalizing fare. They also have an order out window. It's not inexpensive. Big Fish Café--345 Riverfront Way, Reedsport OR 97467; next to Kisment's Schooner Inn Café--423 Riverfront Way, Reedsport OR 97467; just on the other side of the Discovery Center Old Town Reedsport Hahn Park--680 Fir Ave, Reedsport OR 97467 A memorial in the triangle created when Hwy 38 becomes Umpqua Ave between 6th St & E RR Ave Douglas County Courthouse Annex--680 Fir Ave, Reedsport OR 97467 Roy Henderson Park--West RR Ave between Greenwood and Fir, Reedsport OR Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Siuslaw National Forest, US Forest Service Office--at the junction of Hwy 38 and Hwy 101, Reedsport OR South on Hwy 101 between the junction with Hwy 38 and Winchester Ave (see more at “Reedsport OR, up & down the coast”) Brochures, menues, & more info about the wider area
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area--just east of Reedsport, on Hwy 38 (see also links at the beginning of this post for more pics of the amenities and elk here) Upmqua Wayside, east of Reedsport OR on Hwy 38 Scottsburg OR Scottsburg County Park--43833 OR-38, Scottsburg OR 97473, west of Scottsburg on the Umpqua River Scott Creek, Douglas County Park boat launch--between Scottsburg & Elkton, Hwy 38 aka Umpqua Hwy Wells Creek OR Elkton OR--at the junction of Hwy 38 and Hwy 138 Fort Umpqua--unobtrusive entry next to Elkton Community Education Center--15850 OR Hwy 38 W, Elkton OR
Elkton is an appealing little community, though the hills would be difficult for me to manage as a disabled person. But there's a lot that I like about it. Elkton HS looks so cool, but its photogenic side is right on Hwy 38, so no way to get a shot of the most interesting, historical architectural building (at least not from my vehicle). Alfred S. Tyson Park--640 River Dr, Elkton OR 97436 Elkton RV Park--450 River Dr, Elkton, OR 97436 Leaving Elkton OR east on Hwy 38 Drain OR Since I've traveled through Drain many times, both east and west, some of the following fotos will be east facing, some west facing. There's more behind the scenes at Drain that appears with a mere drive-through. “The City of Drain is located in northern Douglas County at the confluence of Pass and Elk Creeks. A mere 50 miles east of the Oregon coast, Drain is known as the "Gateway to the Pacific Ocean." The city is nestled among fir trees and surrounded by beautiful scenery. It's a small quiet community, far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet close enough to take advantage of the conveniences. Drain is located just 6 miles west of Interstate 5, making the 39 mile commute north to the city of Eugene, or the 34 mile commute south to the city of Roseburg (the county seat) very accessible.” I note a free family/tween movie & popcorn event July 10, 2025, 4-6pm. I presume that’s not just a one-time event.
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Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
June 2025
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