By BEN OLSON/for The Herald — It’s Saturday morning. I’m sitting in my easy chair, feeling the warmth from the woodstove, watching the snow fall from the sky in earnest. We all knew it was going to happen, but it was slow in coming this year. There is something magical in seeing all the greenery covered with a fresh coat of snow.
Unlike my experience of many winters in Wisconsin, the snow here at the lower elevations of the western Cascades will only be with us for a short time. It’s hard to break the habit of getting out and moving the snow out of the way. It will be gone soon, with or without my help. If you enjoy playing in the snow, you’ll have that opportunity for the duration of the winter by hopping in the car, with appropriate tires or chains, and driving 20 miles east on Highway 58. Forest Service roads are not maintained in the winter. A little higher in elevation, roads with north-facing stretches will become impassable until late in the spring.
The pretty white stuff can be deceiving
Don’t be one of those people you read about who got their car stuck eight miles up a lonely road. The towing bill will be horrendous, and it could cost you your life. It might be a good time to think about what you’d like to have in the trunk of your car if you had to spend a long night sleeping in it. You’re going to want to keep warm and some snacks and beverages would certainly make things a little more tolerable.
From the forecasts that I’ve seen, higher elevations are going to be getting a lot of snow for the next week. Willamette Pass Resort is shooting for a Thursday opening. Call, or check the website before you make the trek up there, though.
And now, this week’s entertainment for the Highway 58 corridor:
I’m writing this Monday evening. I just got word that the ski season will begin at Willamette Pass Resort this Wednesday. Between the snow that’s fallen the last 4 days, and what’s expected the next 4, that’s more than the title of the old Little Feat song, “Six Feet of Snow”. I’ll be stationed in the lounge both Saturday and Sunday, playing guitar for skiers taking a break. The music runs from noon until 3 pm. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar and a number of food options for skiers, snowboarders and those that are just there to watch the show. They can be found at milepost 62 on Highway 58, a mere 25 miles East of Oakridge. Info can be found at www.willamettepass.ski
Music at the Crane all weekend long
After a quiet week, the 3 Legged Crane in Oakridge will be featuring live music 3 nights in a row this week. On Thursday, January 11, I’ll be presiding over the open mic. There’s no theme this time around, so you can sing or play whatever tune your little heart desires. The festivities begin at 6:30 pm.
On Friday evening, January 12, The Hipbillys will be returning to the Crane. Craig and Tom will be bringing their eclectic Americana roots music back to Oakridge after a little time away. Showtime is 7 pm. You can find out more by going to thehipbillys.com.
On Saturday, January 13, Bekkah McAlvage will be bringing her country-folk song stylings to the Crane. A troubadour covering the far reaches of Oregon, Bekkah mixes solo performances and shows with the all-women bluegrass band, The Rosa Lees. I’m hoping that I may be at a table in the main room, with a pint in my hand when she begins at 7 pm. To find out more, go to her website bekkahmcalvagemusic.com.
The 3 Legged Crane is a traditional brew pub, mixing up many of the fine potables right there in the back room. There are appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They’re located on 1st Street in historic Uptown Oakridge.
Broken Horn will be working the LMB
Broken Horn has been back playing guitar at the Lion Mountain Bakery recently. Weather permitting, you can catch him every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, sharing some vintage tunes for the brunch crowd. He generally begins at 11 am and plays until 1 pm. The Lion Mountain serves both breakfast and lunch. They’re located on Highway 58 in Oakridge.
Ben at the DLC on Friday
The Dexter Lake Club will be resuming music on Friday nights again. I’ll be taking the stage from 6 until 8 this Friday, January 12. After playing my last few engagements around Oakridge with the ukulele, it will be refreshing to be out with the guitar again. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar, and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ features appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They can be found just off Highway 58 near milepost 12 in the east end of Dexter.
Karaoke fans, and if you’re truly a karaoke fan, I shouldn’t need to tell you; the Logger’s Den on Highway 58 in Oakridge on Wednesdays, The Dexter Lake Club on Thursdays, and the Corner Bar in Uptown Oakridge every Friday.
Enough writing. It’s time to see what ski equipment in my closet is still functional. One more winter of trying to defy gravity in a stylish manner.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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