Mom and I drove down the coast together to try and locate the place where she grew up. We decided to take the scenic route, and we drove out past Netarts Bay. The low tide exposed a group of clam diggers and several herons around the bay. Mom laughed at me when I took another picture of a heron because I have a bunch of them!
We drove south past Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depot Bay, and Newport until we came to Waldport. From there we drove up the Alsea River until we came to this property. We had to drive up a long gravel road next to a creek. Luckily the owner had just arrived home. His name was Ron Green, and when we told him why we were there he was more than happy to show us around the property.
He showed us his fenced garden where a bear had just broken in and ate all of the apples on his tree. Mom said when she lived there they often had to trap bears in order to help keep them under control. Ron also mentioned that he continued to till up pieces of glass and stuff in his garden. Mom said, "That's because this is where we buried our garbage!" We retrieved a few pieces of broken dishes while we were there.
Ron had excavated the land and planted trees, but he knew where Mom's house had been because of all the brick debris. It was a beautiful piece of land!
Mom went trekking right up one of the elk trails, and while we were there I found half of a brick from the old fireplace of her home. Years ago they built what was supposed to be a temporary home until another one could be completed. They lived in the "temporary" home for about 10 years and then moved into the new one. They only lived there a few months as it burned down. It was quite a shock to the family who sold their beautiful land and moved to Waldport.
Next we drove up Eckmann Slough and talked about where Mom had been born. The house no longer existed. Mom said she had been to a cemetery where her favorite teacher from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade was buried, but she knew she would never find it again. We saw a couple of side roads she mentioned might possibly take us to the cemetery, and finally I decided to try the third one we came to. After going a short distance I said, "Mom, look at that!" It was a sign for Alderwood Cemetery. We couldn't believe it. When we arrived at the cemetery we thought we would have to check each headstone, but we walked right to the grave!
We decided to check the names of all of the people buried there, and Mom recognized several of them as school mates and neighbors. One man had been to her home to play the fiddle with her dad.
We drove into Waldport and Mom showed me this lot that she believed was the spot where they used to live.
This is the high school that Mom used to attend.
Mom said, "I scrubbed those steps with a tooth brush." I said, "What in the world for?" She said, "Freshman initiation!"
After crossing Waldport bridge I asked Mom if she would like to try and find the old homestead up Drift Creek where her family lived before she was born. She said it was quite a ways up there, but she was up to the adventure. We went many miles before arriving at this bridge over Drift Creek. She said, "That's it! I'm positive!" There were campers just over the bridge and that made her uncomfortable. We crossed the bridge and continued on a dirt road until we came to a gate.
I could see a field way down beyond the gate. I said, "I tell you what. When I get out, you lock the car. I'll run past the gate and get a picture, and then I'll run right back." She said, "OK, as long as you keep moving!" When I saw this field with the river running around the side of it, I knew I was in the right place. Years ago I came here for a "Smith" Reunion while the old house was still standing.
When Mom saw the picture, she recognized it as well. Years ago she came up Drift Creek by boat with some of her sisters for that same reunion. Then she told me about how her brothers and sisters went to school on the boat. Her dad was a gill netter and had to work at night. He slept in a float house on the bay during the day and came home on the weekends. The boat was used as a "school" during the day when the teachers picked up a couple of families and taught them while the kids rowed. I was amazed. I was also amazed by all the wonderful discoveries we had made. It was as if someone was guiding us throughout the day!
