In about a 20-year period in the mid-1800s, half a million people crossed plains and mountains to reach the Oregon Territory. Many came over the Barlow Road in what's now Clackamas County, roping up their oxen to keep them from crashing and tumbling downhill -- taking their wagons and all their possessions with them. The lucky and hardiest arrived in what is now Oregon City.In 2016, two intrepid travelers will head south on I-205 to visit the same location. Today, it has a lot more people and a lot more pavement. But it remains the market center for some of the best farmland in the world.
And in good traffic, it shouldn't take us quite as long as it took the pioneers.
Yes, we're headed off to our first farmers market of the year, in Oregon City.
This will make our (I think) fourth year at the market, and it's always a highlight for us. We get lots of pickin' time in, and we get to meet lovely people. We usually find something we can't live without (sweet hazelnut butter was last year's find), and I always browse the used book collection.
It's always an honor to play at any farmer's market. It's important to control the volume, not interfere with the commerce -- and above all, not annoy people. So we feel happy about being invited back.
One of us is happy that it will be cool and rainy. The other is just happy to be playing and will dig up her hand warmers left over from the Tygh Valley festival last September.
We congratulate Oregon City on its exciting plans for the Willamette Falls area. It's a spectacular piece of scenery and Oregon history, and we are so glad the city and region are working together to remind us of this fabulous place.
http://www.rediscoverthefalls.com/