Scott Loring - High Desert Region PCA Events Chair
Thirteen pretty Porsches and 23 participants braved the cool weather last Friday to commence the drive to Klamath Falls via the Diamond Lake Resort. Led by TJ Tomjack and Scott Loring, the group encountered a few snowflakes, but fairly dry and clear roads. After a very tasty lunch we continued on some remote pastoral and picturesque roads to the Shilo Inn, our resting place for the next two nights. After a rousing dinner at the Klamath Basin Brew Pub, we hit the pillows early for a prompt start to the next day’s action.
[soliloquy id="5485"]
Saturday’s short drive to the Tule Lake area, just across the California border, brought us to the Wildlife Refuge to view lots of birds and assorted fauna. Many varieties of wildlife were on display through colorful, well done taxidermy on exhibit at the Visitor Center. Next we headed to the Lava Beds National Monument where we visited the Park Center with displays of the Modocs and their part in the Indian Wars. Many of us then, with flashlights in hand, “spelunked” through some of the many caves to see just what the cavalry had to deal with when the Modoc Indians went to ground and fought with such remarkable tenacity. Captain Jack, their leader, kept the boys in blue at bay for over 4 months even though the cavalry numbered 1,000 troops and the Modocs only 60. A short drive in this National Park led us to an interesting and well-marked area called Captain Jack’s Stronghold. We all got a good bit of exercise traversing some lava encrusted terrain over a mile and a half trail. Viki McConnell did a wonderful job reading the individual site descriptions to our group. The weather had warmed significantly so we happily headed back to the Shilo for an early wine and cheese party follow by a fine buffet dinner.
Next day, Sunday, we had another early start for our rendezvous in the Eastern area foothills where we visited the Mitchell Monument. The last leg of this road required us to dodge potholes, cow pies, and even some cows. Our driver skills training came in handy! This memorial remembrance marks the explosion area that killed six picnicking people (one adult and five school children) resulting from the discharge of a Japanese balloon bomb in 1945. These were the only fatalities from many of these aerial explosives sent to the continental United States during WWII. There was some light snow on the ground from the previous day and the temp dropped to 38 degrees so we didn’t tarry at this unique exhibit very long!
Our drive home was via the Sprague River Highway, a scenic mix of farmland and ranches along a pretty little river. Unfortunately, President Pete had big car trouble up at the monument, which is a very remote spot, so he had to wait until a tow truck came to get him and his aging 996. We encourage Pete to bring a newer model next time. As you know, he has a few!!