My dream Memorial Day weekend

By: David Clewett

Posted: 5/23/08

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner. It is a great opportunity to see Oregon in a way you may not usually have the chance to.

In a month, we will all be back to our summer jobs and may not have the chance for wacky road trips (unless you count those wild family vacations).

This is why I suggest that you and possibly some of your friends make plans to see some of scenic Oregon this weekend.

What would I do if I could do anything? Easy.

First, I would drive west the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. In Newport, I would get lunch at the Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach. It is the best bowl of chowder I have ever had, and the view over Nye Beach is postcard-worthy.

I would be sure to get an ocean-view room at either The Whaler or The Driftwood motel. I'd spend the afternoon bundled in a blanket reading a book - perhaps "Heroes" by Robert Cormier - and admire the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

The next morning I'd wake up and leave well before the mandatory check-out time.

Eventually, I'd have to make my move east toward Roseburg. Short of Roseburg, I would stop in Winston at the Wildlife Safari and take my time driving through the park.

I would admire each of the endangered species equally. I would especially take time to observe the lions and giraffes.

I would park my car and enter the walk-through portion of the park. I'd make noises and funny faces at the monkeys as I pass by and then catch a ride on the miniature train. I would ride the train all the way to the elephants exhibit.

On my way out of the park I would sneakily pick a couple flowers and hide them in my backpack. I would leave some change in the tip jar to thank the animals for sharing.

I would make sure I take the long route back to Roseburg in order to stop for a quick round of golf at On the River RV Park and Golf Course. After I enjoy my Tiger-like round of short-iron play, then go slightly north of Roseburg to the Winchester Fish Ladder and watch the fish battle their way upstream.

Damning myself for leaving my fishing pole behind, I would wander to my car and start east. Torn between seeing Diamond Lake or Crater Lake, I decide to just drive east and figure it out as I got closer.

I'd be pulling into the Diamond Lake Resort - it is much colder here. I can predict that the tubing slope is closed, so I'd get a hot cocoa and sit on the deck looking out over the lake. Every now and then I'd hear some yelping and hollering come from the water and I assume that someone has caught a fish. I knew I should have brought my pole.

I'd pull "Heroes" out of my backpack and begin to read.

Tomorrow's journey is still ahead, and I'd want to get a head start, so I would leave for Crater Lake.

It draws a gasp from me every time I see it, even at this time of night.

I'd make my way into the lodge and get a room looking out over the lake. It is such a beautiful view that I decide to leave the shades open.

After such an adventurous day, I quickly fall asleep. The sun shines through the window and pulls my eyelids open.

As Sunday morning rolls around, I would grab my stuff together and take a bagel and juice from the continental breakfast bar. I'd like to go all the way back to the coast - It's a long drive.

"These caves have a myriad of calcite formations, and they make up the decorations you see on the walls," the tour guide would say.

When the tour group walks through the "Passageway of the Whale," I always feel like I am Geppetto.

I am worried, standing in Monstro's stomach waiting for Pinocchio to come to the rescue. After the 90-minute tour, I would get another souvenir.

It may be overpriced, but I need something to help me remember the way I felt standing in the belly of a whale.

Back on Interstate 5, I set the cruise control and drive north. It has been a fun trip so far, and now I am going to pick up my friends in Corvallis and we would spend the night at Silver Falls State Park just outside of Salem (just south of Silverton).

I meet the guys at Exit 228 and they pile in. They have already reserved us a yurt, so we check in and then go straight to our campsite.

I am relieved to get out of the car and we all decide to go on a short afternoon adventure through the forest.

After a while we wander back to our yurt. One of the guys starts a fire, the other gathers wood and I go into the yurt to get the hot dogs and marshmallows.

We all sit around the campfire telling stories and eating s'mores late into the night.

The next morning we wake up - no need to shower, we are spending the day hiking. There are many trails and waterfalls. We want to see as many of them as possible. After a full day of hiking into waterfalls, we pile back into the car and drive down to Corvallis.

Classes start again on Tuesday, but I would think to myself that I still haven't seen "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

We would close the weekend by going to the theaters for the 9 p.m. showing.

After a vacation like that, I will be forced to eat Cup Noodles and Wonder Bread for the rest of the term, but at least I will have a legendary weekend that I will always remember (thanks to my souvenirs).

These events might just be some memories of the past, some memories I want to reminisce about or some things I want get a chance to reexperience - either way they would make for an amazing extended weekend.

In reality there is no way to fit everything into this weekend, thus I will not be able to have my fantasy Memorial Day weekend - but I will make sure I get to Newport.

Whatever you do this weekend, please take a moment to remember the women and men who have died in military service. After all, that is what this holiday is all about.

David Clewett is a sophomore in English. The opinions expressed in his column do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Clewett can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.