Evergreen Aviation Museum

The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum located in McMinnville, OR, is a gem with a vast collection of airplanes and artifacts dedicated to air and space history. The Museum is comprised of three buildings - Aviation, Space, and I-Max theater.

The museum complex is uniquely located on a vineyard which produces estate grown Evergreen wines. A private campground where we camped is also located on the premises.

We visited the Museum on our lay-over day during a 7 day Sacramento Wheelmen bicycle tour of northern Oregon. It was a propitious day to stay indoors since a record heat wave of 109 degrees hit Oregon during the week.

Statue of Michael King Smith

Capt. Michael Smith, USAF, the son of the museum's founder, Delford Smith was killed in an auto accident at the age of 29. Michael Smith conceived the idea of the aviation museum for McMinnville and initiated it's construction. The Museum is dedicated to the life and memory of Capt. Smith.

Front of the Air Museum housing the Spruce Goose and many planes and artifacts

Back of Museum

Shuttle people mover . . . very cute!

The hulking Spruce Goose was relocated from Long Beach and is the center-piece of the Museum

Taking the day off the bike and checking out the planes with Dale Cole

Four of eight engines of the Spruce Goose

Inside the belly of the beast

Scale model of the Spruce Goose

Under the Spruce Goose is a bevy of planes and choppers

Evergreen Industries has a large fleet of helicopters

More neat planes

This seaplane is one of my favorites

Tri-motor Tin Goose

Inside the Tin Goose

Not all exhibits were airplanes

Campground under oak trees next to the Museum

Evergreen Space Museum

Right next door is the Space Museum housed in seperate building. Exhibits include Gemini and Apollo capsules and rockets, Sputnik replica, lunar rover replica, Titan II missle, and the SR 71A Black Bird among many featured spacecrafts.

Mt. Lola Hike

While the Sacramento Valley was broiling in 100+ degree temps, the Sac. County Hikers led by Rich Blackmarr headed up into the high Sierras to cooler temps and to bag the tallest peak in the Yuba River watershed, Mt. Lola topping out at 9,143 feet. Ha, it was only 90 degrees in the mountains.

Nine intrepid souls hot-footed up this moderately difficult climb which ascended 2,500' over 5 miles. Due to the heat, even at elevation, the 10 mile RT hike felt like it was 5 miles up and 10 miles down. The descent seemed like it would never end.

Joining Rich, were two Mikes, two Franks, Dorothy, Mary Anne, Heide, and myself. It was a terrific hike following Cold Stream Creek. The trail gradually climbed a narrow valley for 2+ miles passing a beautiful meadow with the last 3+ miles steeply ascending a ridge with grand views of surrounding canyons and high peaks.

Note: Click on pic for enlarged view

Mary Anne, Dot, and Mike taking a break above Cold Stream Creek

Heide crossing Cold Stream Creek

A couple miles up, we come upon a beautiful green meadow with a meandering stream

Above the meadow, the trail passes a field of wildflowers

Looking back at the meadow

Indian paintbrush and mules ears were in bloom

The first view of Castle Peak across a canyon

Mary Anne and Castle Peak

Above 8,000', Mt. Lola ridge line comes into view

Ol' Man and an ol' tree

Frank leading the way to the top

View of Independence Lake

A snow bank poses a minor obstacle. The summit lies beyond.

Another view of Castle Peak from a higher elevation

At the top!

Mt. Lola, the tallest peak in Nevada County, is named after Lola Montez (1818-1861), the legendary actress and dancer who entertained the gold-rush miners. Sierra peaks are often named after popular female entertainers of this period.

Dot and the summit sign . . .

. . . and hat's off to the summit

White Rock Lake lies below the summit

Taking in the grand views

OK, time for lunch

The obligatory group summit shot

Front - Heide, Frank and Dot
Back - Frank, Mike, Rich, Mary Anne, and me
Other Mike taking pic

Remnant snow-bank source of Cold Stream Creek

Heide and White Rock Lake between legs

Across the saddle is Mt. Lola North, at 8,844', the tallest peak in Sierra County. Bagging two tall peaks in one hike . . . hey! . . . not a bad day's work.