Creepies, crawlies, and other delights
Mark heading in 
Mark and Jess 
Sauntering on
Bill heading into tunnel on the way back 
Silhouette of Jess
Yep, all that happened and an amazing tour of the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum as well. We pulled in and thought it might be closed. We stretched our legs looking at the planes in the field. As we walked toward the buildings a man came out. So friendly, so knowlegeable.
Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum
He had been a jumper from this base for over ten years (transferring to Alaska when it closed down). I wish I remembered his name. I’ve never had such an interesting and thorough tour anywhere.
The museum itself has an unique history. When the base was decommissioned, smokejumpers began lobbying congress so it wouldn’t be destroyed. Ten years of constant lobbying later, they got the right to make a museum. So their families and friends joined them at the site to refurbish buildings. They brought their equipment and photos. Cool.
We saw the very sturdy sewing machines in both rooms–the beginner’s room where young men learned to sew and made stuff that lives did not depend on and the advanced room where you sewed jumpsuits and other life-dependent gear–and only after many years in the first room.
A couple chutes where stretched out on tables and more hung in the drying shed. There were amazing photos.
This museum is free–we left a large donation. So worth it. We’ll stop there again and bring others.
Taylor’s Meat, Cave Junction
Whenever we’re by this way we stop at Taylor’s. We try to time it for lunch.
We bought great big beautiful milkshakes and the usual assortment of jerky and sausage. Mark and Jess enjoyed it too.
Schmidt Family Winery, Applegate Valley
We met Jo and Bruce at the Schmidt Family Winery for an ad hoc dinner. Schmidt wine, Schmidt cheese and olive plates, a Schmidt pizza, some Taylor meat, and camping apples.
As often happens, there was live music. Nice!
