Travel letters: A soul-stirring trip through the Oregon forest

Soul-stirring trip through Oregon forest

Great Story on Florence, Ore. [“Cool in Many Ways” by Camille Cusumano, Aug. 26], taking one back in time.

Having traveled between Florence and Eugene for more than 70 years, I can assure you that there are about six routes, all of which are scenic and great trips to take if you want a new experience.

It is too bad the writer could not have traveled it in a time when the forest was allowed to provide a living to the many families who resided there. The splendor of the forest they speak of today is a product of the timber days of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

I would love to hear the singing blades and the whistle of a sawmill again. And I bet a good many of the folks we see with a cardboard sign and their hand out would love to be working there today.

Del Phelps

Florence, Ore.

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I read the Travel section each week cover to cover, and I absolutely love all the places you’ve “taken” me. Some call out to me less than others, but each article is an education and a mini-vacation. It must be hard to continually come up with new ideas and themes, but you never fail us.

If the Aug. 26 issue doesn’t make me hop on a plane, nothing will. I loved the three reports (Oregon, Washington and Maine) of places that took us out of the rush and crush culture of L.A.

We live in a great city, but nothing restores my soul more than unpretentious small towns set in an expanse of trees with an abundance of hikes nearby. Florence, Ore., is definitely now on my “must-go” list.

Thank you for the gift you give us each week. Please don’t ever stop.

Jean Campbell

Pasadena

Fab perks with this airline card

The article on nonspecific airline-linked credit cards [“Frequent Flier, Here’s How to Take Your Seat,” On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, Sept. 2] missed the best one, which is Flex Perks from U.S. Bank. For $55 a year, it offers flights on any airline in the world.

You can get up to a $400 ticket for 20,000 miles and more. You earn one mile for every dollar spent and extra miles for charitable giving, cellphone bills and groceries or gas. The redemption is simple: Just call with the flight you have found or ask them to find a flight for you. I just got a round-trip ticket to Barcelona on Air Berlin for 40,000 miles, plus they give you up to $25 reimbursement if you spend money on baggage fees or airline food or drinks.

The staff is helpful, and I think it is the best deal around.

Jennifer Taylor

Palm Springs

California’s own fall foliage

The photograph with the article “No Image Problem Here” by Dan Blackburn [Sept. 2] of the aspens in Colorado made my heart skip a beat.

Yet we Southlanders can view our own dazzling displays in California by traveling just 300 miles north along U.S. 395 to the Eastern Sierra in October. Stop at the Bishop Visitor Center for a free guide to the fall colors, beginning in Bishop Creek Canyon (and its lakes). Every stop on the brochure’s map is glorious — to Mammoth, June Lake Loop and beyond.

Timing is everything, because the colors peak at different times, depending on elevation and the weather. A freeze can turn leaves black overnight. One quick trip will not be enough.

Julie Kirby

Glendale