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Florence Inspiration 1 LbNA #22464

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 24, 2006
Location:
City:Florence
County:Lane
State:Oregon
Boxes:2
Planted by:Heron-A-Foot
Found by: firebear
Last found:Aug 29, 2015
Status:FaaFFFFFFFFFFFFFaFFF
Last edited:May 24, 2006

FLORENCE INSPIRATIONS:

Over the years the beautiful coastal town of Florence, Oregon has provided inspiration to many artists in all of the creative mediums. There are several who have become world famous from their creations inspired by this amazing place. This series will grow to include more of them over time.

NEVER GIVE A INCH - A letterbox tribute to "Sometimes A Great Notion" by Ken Kesey

"Sometimes a Great Notion," widely considered Kesey's greatest book is an American Classic. Set in Florence, Oregon, where harsh and unrelenting nature shapes the tough Stamper's, a rural logging family in the 30s. It tells the saga of the rugged Stamper clan, carving a living out of the Oregon woods under the hard motto, "Never Give a Inch." The Stampers who refused to move their house back when the mighty Wakonda River began to shift its course until eventually the house became an obstinate peninsula into the current while everyone else moved backā€¦

CLUE: In the early 1960's many Florence old-timers remember seeing Ken Kesy, while he was doing research for this novel, along the waterfront and in shops, bars and resturants on Bay Street. Begin there and locate a place where you might be able to find a copy of this book. If you are still not sure you might go to Siuslaw River Coffee Roasters, right next to the bridge, for refreshment. Take your beverage of choice outside, sit at one of the picnic tables and gaze around. You too could have an inspiration.

THE MIGHTY WAKONDA

On Cox Island, 1.7 miles east of Florence is what remains of the Bennedict House, reportedly the inspiration for the Stamper house in "Sometimes a Great Notion" by Ken Kesey. Above is what it looked like in 1972 when painted by artist Mel Vincent. Now Cox Island is a 187-acre estuary reserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. The island is a haven for 80 species of birds, including snowy egret, peregrine falcon, hawks, ospreys, and ducks. The island is reputed to have the best clamming beach on the South Coast.

CLUE: Drive, from Florence, east on Hwy 126. Stop in the wide area between "ROCKS" and "PREVENT FOREST FIRES". Look across the river at the old house and imagine what it would have been like living there in 1930. The end of the guardrail is guarding what you seek.
PLEASE USE EXTRA CAUTION BECAUSE CARS TRAVEL VERY FAST ALONG THIS HIGHWAY! This is a true drive-by so if you have children it would be best to locate the box and bring it back to the car to log and stamp.