Travelers’ Necklace

When I decided to van-dwell and travel fulltime, I devised the a necklace in order to keep track of how many other like-minded vandwellers I met on the road. I bought a bag of plastic craft beads and had a leather shoe lace. Each time I met another vandweller, I added a bead to my necklace. Soon others got to liking the idea and began trading beads with me. Some are even making there own beads to give out to other vandwellers they meet. The idea is spreading... and my necklace is growing. I have a list of who each bead represents. As time goes on some of the earlier beads are being replaced with glass or stone beads by the people they represent.  The arrowhead in the center was found on a California beach and Vandweller Grandmahuggababy did the beautiful wire-wrap for me.  The red bead is hers which she also wire-wrapped. Next to it is a little gold Buddha from Vandweller AstroBri.  The purple bead is from Brian deYounger, and Grandmahuggababy also wire-wrapped that one. The necklace seems to take on a life of it’s own… and of course each Vandweller’s Necklace will have it’s own distinct look… and will be as varied as we are ourselves.  We are a family, a tribe on wheels… seeing America… loving life.

"We were an island of misfits, a family, a tribe. much like i imagine more primitive and wise cultures lived. anyhow, i feel that way about vandwellers. we are drawn to a way of life on the fringes of the common culture. some of us seek solitude, some community. we have times of incredible peace, and sharp loneliness. we are all such different individuals, bound by a passion for the adventures in life, as experienced from our little mobile dwellings. at vandwellers, we find a place to give support/get support..... a tribe of our own."   by twokniveskatie

See http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VanDwellers/ for more information on vandwelling.

Florence, OR on way to Newport

Finally, I get to see the Free Willy aquarium.  The Coastal Girl, Robin, has invited me to go to the Aquarium today near Newport, OR.

Yesterday, driving up I-5 out of northern CA… I noticed metal animal sculptures along the highway.  A cow and a dragon.  This incredible dragon sculpture is on the right side of the road (heading north on Interstate 5, it is on the east side of the highway just north of Yreka, California). It's made from scrap metal like mufflers, pipes, and corrugated sheet metal.   The cow was a little ways before the dragon but I couldn’t stop. They are impressive. 

Applegate Trail, OR

Interpretive Center in Canyonville, OR

Restroom in little rest stop park in Canyonville, OR.  Nicest restroom I have ever seen on the road.  Giant saw blade with nice painting.

Ladies room… dig that sculpture.

Men’s room… ever see anything like this?

Bear drinking fountain.  This rest area is around the block from the bead shop I found.  I am not sure about overnight camping, but is it a nice little town to take a break in.  I’d like to spend some time there.

But yesterday, it was just driving, except HOWEVER, I did discover the neatest bead shop I’ve ever seen, in Canyonville, OR.  This is a must stop… for anyone trading beads.  Called Bead Mecca… Your Pilgrimage is Over.  The owner, Pamela Landell is delightful… and loved my story about the bead necklace… and one bead representing each vandweller I meet on my travels.   She even had wire-wrapping supplies and various classes.

Of course, riding along so many miles, I listen to a lot of radio… and these lyrics really hit me yesterday:

“What do you say to taking chances”… “jumping off the edge”… blah blah blah…. Oh, BOY is that ever me.

Also… another song with phrases like : “unbelievable sights” “indescribable feelings” from I think A Whole New World. That’s what I am feeling now.. like I’m in a whole new world… well, not Oregon, I’ve been here before… but just the state of mind… of being free and beginning a whole new phase of my life.  So freeing and wonderful.

I got off I-5 at Sutherlin… and headed west on 138… which later become 38.  Wonderful drive, kind of a step back in time… pastoral lands, horses and cows grazing… and sheep… and even elk.  I really enjoyed the drive between I-5 and the Coast, as I have enjoyed other routes off of I-5 to the Coast.  I’ve done at least four different transverses through OR like that.  All were wonderful.  At times I was driving through a “green tunnel”… where the tree canopy was completely over the highway… and it was so dark I had to pull off my sunglasses.

Highway 138/38 follows along the Umpqua River.  Along the way, I saw campers right down on the river with their vehicles.  I think camping free.  The Umpqua River valley was inhabited by several different bands of Indians: primarily the Athabaskan speaking Upper Umpqua, Takelman speaking Cow Creek Band of Umpqua, the Yoncalla (a Kalapuyan people) in the north, and the Quich (Lower Umpqua) from Scottsburg/Wells Creek to the coast. The Quich spoke a language distantly related to Alsea/Yakonan and the Coos Bay languages. (from Wikipedia)

This is also the Roseburg Historic Scenic Bypass / Umpqua Scenic Bypass.  At Yellow Creek this is a boat ramp.  Lots of place to pull off the road and rest/park. I even thought I had a glimpse of some buffalo, but there were too many trees and no place to park.

Elk Herd along the tree line.

Reaching Florence OR, I found the Laundromat with $3 shower and indulged myself (in the August 31, 2009 post I have photos of the place).  I spent last night parked next to the Laundromat were I got a very good night’s sleep. 

After I kayak all 50-states, I will return and explore northern California and Oregon extensively.  Very beautiful areas.  I’m “jumping off the edge”… and seeing “unbelievable sights.”