While an OSU student, I became acquainted with the books of Ralph Friedman. For those who don't know, he was a prolific author of books about, natch, Oregon. I fell in love with his stories about Oregon lost towns and people. I think my favorite book (and I have all of them!) of his is "In Search of Western Oregon". It's literally a guide to all things Western Oregon, with a little of Central Oregon thrown in. Friedman gives you a road map of sorts in which you can select any route into and out of towns and cities, even ones that don't exist anymore.
Hubby and I would use this book on weekend explorations around the Willamette Valley. If, for example, we wanted to go to Alsea Falls (not that we needed directions as we'd been there many times), the book would give detailed instructions on how to get there. What we really loved were things along the way that would be described whether still there or not. Like Glenbrook, on the way between Alsea Falls and Alpine. It was once a branch terminus of a railroad, according to Friedman; now it's just a sign on the side of the road. Little delights like this make the book a wonder. We always had the book in the trunk of the car, ready for the next excursion.
Friedman wrote many books and after "In Search of Western Oregon", I eagerly awaited a hoped-for sequel, In Search of Eastern Oregon. But if that was ever in Mr. Friedman's mind, it never materialized. He died in 1995. His collection of books are definitely worth looking into. They are timeless.
By the way, today is the 69th anniversary of D-Day. Fly your flag and remember those who served and gave their lives so that we might remain free.
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