The June camp-out at the City Overnight Park in Sisters OR, was attended by twenty-four campers for anywhere from one to five nights. Members were: Kathy B, Blair, Helen B, Bob D, Dillard W, Gladys H, Cecil K, Evan K, Dorothy L, Jean Mc, Laverne M, Lori N, Nan O, Geri O, Ann R, Pat R, Richard S, June S, Ginger S, Paul T, Celeste V and Editor. Visitors Bob Svitak and national member, Jan Voyles also attended. Former member Lana Runkel (who now lives in Bend OR) came for social hour on Thursday, as well.

Some of the members had an unofficial pre-campout at Jack Creek the previous weekend as well. And for once, we had NO RAIN at either event! In fact the temperature climbed into the mid 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday. !

Hosts Cecil K and Helen B provided a meal on Monday evening of Sloppy Joes and various salads, with strawberry shortcake for dessert. June S also brought strawberries and cake.

Tuesday morning, Evan and Dillard drove groups of campers to Smith Rock State Park. What an interesting and magnificent sheer-faced outcropping of welded tuff (compressed volcanic ash) reaching a height of 550 feet!

After members of the groups took hikes of various lengths in that area, they continued into the town of Culver for lunch at a local diner. From there the quest was on to find the recently exposed, “Balancing Rocks.”

Evidently these extraordinary flat stone caps teetering atop rock columns were hidden by dense forest until a fire within the past few years destroyed the trees that mostly hid them from view. Forest Rangers of course knew about the phenomena all along, but they avoided handing out maps to the site. According to their view, ”what took millions of years for the elements to accomplish could be undone within hours by vandals.”

Since the Oregonian newspaper had “spilled the beans” about these marvels the previous Sunday, the two truckloads of OR-LoWs drove through the Cove Palisades S.P., crossing two narrow bridges, along narrow curving roads, past Lake Billy Chinook; then continued for several miles on a gravel road. Finally deciding they were way off-course, they turned around — once a place wide enough to accomplish this was found. Then, with the use of an uncooperative GPS and Nan’s smart phone, they found they’d gone right past the marked entrance to the Balancing Rocks near the beginning of the gravel road.

After viewing and photographing these wonders, the two groups split up at the sign pointing to Sisters at the intersection of another gravel road. Dillard took the gravel road but Evan (not knowing how far the gravel continued) opted to go back by the same route used to get there. Dillard’s group got back first. (How much quicker will not be discussed here.) A great time was had by all!

Wednesday another outing was made by several vehicles caravanning to the local St Edward the Martyr church to view their multiple hand-carved columns, stained glass and expansive garden.

The business meeting took place during the social hour Wednesday afternoon. After introduction of the visitors, the treasurer’s report was given. Celeste handed out brochures for the Nor’West LoW Rally coming up over the Labor Day weekend; the OR-Lows were encouraged to attend. This was followed by a discussion of the need for new signs to be made for future C-O destinations. Some of the existing signs are heavy and bulky to transport as well as being difficult to secure in an upright position — and, they are showing their age.

The meeting was followed by the usual Wednesday potluck consisting of a table laden with a variety of tasty hot dishes and salads, and ending with a surprise birthday cake and ice cream for June and Gladys. Plenty of leftovers were also available for Thursday’s dinner.

As Sisters City RV Park is walking distance to town, various members went into town for breakfasts & lunches, sightseeing and shopping in the shops and galleries of this unique little western town, during the camp-out.

Special Thanks: To Richard for helping everyone to safely park, as well as fixing the tail lights on Blair’s RV; To Cecil and Helen for hosting, and donating the funds from the dinner to OR-LoW; To all those who provided transportation — especially Evan and Dillard for the long excursion on Tuesday.

Celeste was thanked by the group for once again securing and handling the reservations for a great destination. Editor was also thanked for acting as temporary treasurer by collecting camp fees, dues and deposits for next month’s C-O at Wapiti Park near Lincoln City.

July event is now completely booked, but Celeste is taking names in case of a cancellation