Woodland WA: Lilac Days at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens ENDS TOMORROW

The gardens are on the property where Hulda Klager originally grew and bred her lilacs, now a national historic site.

The lilac days are a few weeks in the spring where visitors can come and enjoy the grounds. It also acts as a fundraiser for the property.

The house is still there, and the barn now functions as a museum.

The property is in good condition, though the main attraction is the lilacs.

There are other plants as well. As you first enter the most prominent blossoms are rhododendrons, and there were some viburnum that I really liked.

Honestly, it wasn't as lilac-y as I would have hoped. 

I think some of that was an early bloom, where we may have ended up there a little late. That is always a risk with plant festivals.

I just thought a lot of the plants looked a little scrawny, like they didn't deadhead enough last year. I frequently have that issue myself, but I don't charge admission.

The grounds are still pretty and they smelled reliably heavenly.

I am glad we went to check it out, but my preference is going to be for our local Duniway Lilac Garden, which is closer and free.

COVID: Mostly outdoors, the only time I masked was when we went into the museum, and that does not require a lot of time.

Accessibility: This is better than average. While not everything is paved, paths are generally smooth, there is a ramp for the museum, and there were even chairs and walkers available for borrowing.

It is not bad, but not necessarily a destination.

If you do go, there is pretty easy access from the freeway, and there was clearly marked signage as well.

https://lilacgardens.com/

McMinnville -- Yamhill Valley Heritage Center

On more recent trips to the coast, we noticed a large barn-like structure around McMinnville.

 

It is actually a collection of several buildings, including a historic schoolhouse and multiple exhibit halls.

 

Ground was first broken in 2007, and new development is still happening.

 

There is general information about Oregon, as well as the Yamhill Valley specifically.

 

 

That includes artifacts, maps, and photos. Look at the size of that celery!

 

The center honors the agricultural heritage of the valley, with large exhibits on timber, dairy, and John Deere.

 

 

 

That includes many interesting facts about the John Deere company.



I really liked some of the miniature models, giving a good sense of the scale and layout.

 

With a focus on serving the community, there are many educational opportunities for children that can be experienced at the center or where the wagon can travel out to Yamhill County schools.

 

https://yamhillcountyhistory.org/activities-and-events/educational-programs/

 

 

 

There is also a research library on site.

 

 

It would be possible to spend hours there, but it could also be a fun stop among many. We combined it with the Erratic Rock.

 

 

We had a good visit and found the volunteer staff friendly and helpful.

 

 

COVID: While masking does not seem to be required anymore (the education page references that expectation and that it would have applied during Spanish flu as well), I was not the only person wearing one. Ventilation does seem to be good and there is plenty of space to spread out.

 

Accessibility: This was very good. I was pleasantly surprised to see that even the historic schoolhouse was accessible.

 

I also noted on the education page that they mention being able to modify the general student programs for older or younger audiences to make it age-appropriate, along with a general sense of helpfulness and interest at the center.

 

 https://yamhillcountyhistory.org/yamhill-valley-heritage-center/

 

McMinnville: Erratic Rock State Natural Site

Just off of Highway 18, near McMinnville, there is a 90 ton rock, the Bellevue Erratic.

Erratic rocks are rocks that do not match the minerals in their area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_erratic

In this case, it is banded argillite from the Northern Rockies, carried here by the Missoula Flood.

This particular erratic is between two private properties, but there is a clearly-marked path.

The shoulder across from the path has room for about five cars. It seems to get frequent visitors, though no one stays for that long.

It is only about half a mile to the rock, though it is a little steep.

You feel gravity on the way up and on the way down.

There is a picnic table at the top -- a place to catch your breath, perhaps -- but the only signage is at the start of the path.

Still, there is quite a view.

There are larger erratics, but this one is ours, and a reminder of the geological forces that created the area.

COVID: It is all outdoors, and though you might meet other people (and dogs) along the way, the meetings tend to be transient.

Accessibility: There is a paved path, all the way to the top and then circling the rock. However, it is pretty steep.

Also, while the path is maintained (we encountered a park ranger clearing the path of the newly trimmed grass), there are some potholes and roots going through and things. Combined with the steepness, there is some risk of falls. Use good judgment. 

Well, let me clarify. I have seen it called a gentle hill and an easy hike. The estimate is that the slope exceeds an 8% grade for most of the hike, but part of that estimate is that it starts out milder and then gets harder in the last 100 meters. 

The park ranger called it a tough hill, but he may have just been being nice. He did not drive away until I made it back down. Possibly a coincidence; possibly avoiding later complications.

Speaking of maintenance -- and dogs -- there is no garbage collection on the trail, so make sure that you pack out anything that gets up there because of you.

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=96