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-   -   Marcola? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/marcola-981856/)

Juldie Jun 15th, 2013 07:52 PM

Marcola?
 
Can you tell me about the natural surrounding area to of Marcola? Within an hour's drive in any direction does it take you to any special scenery, natural wonders, mountains, not to miss hike or bike, or natural sights? I know it is the valley but from a little research it doesn't seem like one of the more notable destinations for beauty in the state of Oregon.I am just wondering what's around if we were to stay there? I am really not interested in hearing about Eugene or things to do besides outdoors activities. Thank you for your knowledge of the area.

happytrailstoyou Jun 16th, 2013 07:09 AM

Since you have put strict limitations on how we may respond to your inquiry I am reluctant to note that, since Marcola is near Eugene, some outdoor opportunities near Eugene may also be near Marcola. Therefore, it is with trepidation that I send this link to a list that may give you some ideas: http://www.eugeneoutdoors.com/all-adventures/

HTtY

tomfuller Jun 16th, 2013 07:35 AM

Here is a 150 mile loop that will not take you to Eugene.
North on Marcola Road to Brush Creek Road to Rt 228 into Sweet Home. East on US 20 through Soda Springs (check the spring).
Continue east on 20 to Rt. 126. A short distance south-west on 126 is Clear Lake which is the head water of the McKenzie River.
Continue on 126 to Belknap Springs. This is a nice resort centered on a hot spring.
Leaving Belknap continue westward about 43 miles to Camp Creek Road and then right on Marcola Road to get back to Marcola. The actual driving time is 3 hours.
There are some cabins for rent at Clear Lake. For a bit more you can stay at the Belknap Springs.

tomfuller Jun 16th, 2013 02:03 PM

About half a mile west of town is the Marcola Pioneer Cemetery where Mary Cole is buried. The town was named for her.

janisj Jun 16th, 2013 02:16 PM

Since you don't know too much about the area I assume you are considering staying in one of the time share resorts - perhaps a trade??

If so, there is some decent scenery and such but it isn't a place I'd want to stay for a week.

sunbum1944 Jun 16th, 2013 03:16 PM

I can tell you Marcola is not a vacation destination. I am not sure there is anywhere to stay- maybe a tent under the bridge. The scenery is the same as you would find in Eugene/Springfield.
How did you even come up with the idea of Marcola.

Marcola was made famous by a murder back in the 50's. Diane Downs shot her 3 children and there was a movie made about it in which Farrah Fawcett played Diane. That is Marcola's only claim to fame I think

Fodorite018 Jun 16th, 2013 04:35 PM

I agree with Sunbum. Why Marcola?????

Sunbum--Not that it matters, but your dates are off a bit:) She did that act in the early 80's. A friend of mine was college roommates with one of those kids.

sunbum1944 Jun 16th, 2013 05:04 PM

ah I did have the dates wrong of the Downs murder- one of my friends was a social worker for the state and the kids were clients. It is quite a story !

Juldie Jun 16th, 2013 07:25 PM

The reason Marcola is the link below to the Tipi Village Retreat, which I think looks like a great place to stay. With only 10 days in Oregon and so many wonderful places to go and things to see I wanted to learn what the area is like and has to offer to determine if it's a location worth putting in our itinerary.
http://www.tipivillageretreat.com/index.html

happytrailstoyou; thank you for the link you sent, some great ideas. So sunbum1944 if we went to that area of the state, it's your opinion that it wouldn't leave us too impressed?

sunbum1944 Jun 16th, 2013 09:18 PM

I don't know about the Tipi Village Retreat although I have seen it advertised. There really is not much in Marcola so anything you want to see would be a drive somewhere. But there is a lot to see close by- you can drive to the McKenzie River area which is beautiful with great hiking or mountain biking, rafting, etc. - so there are a lot of outdoor activities within an hour drive. You could find enough to keep you busy for several days. The raft trips are definitely fun.
If this is what you decide to do, I can give you hiking suggestions too

Staying in a tipi might be fun- if I had some extra time I could check it out for you- when are you coming?

Juldie Jun 17th, 2013 02:45 AM

Sunbum1944, yeah, the tipis sound great. I spoke with them and learned a lot about the place, sounds like a wonderful place to relax, just found out that my son and future daughter in law might not be available for the dates we had in mind to join us. I'll let you know if we go, may have more questions.

When we arrive in Portland we are going to the McKenzie River where we have rented a cabin. We're looking forward to biking a good section of the trail and going to Terwillger (cougar) hot springs.

sunbum1944 Jun 17th, 2013 08:27 AM

Juldie-- a friend and I are going out tomorrow to check out the tipi place- will post tomorrow night what its like. I just live 20 min from there and now am curious to see what it is like.

However, if you already have a cabin booked on the McKenzie, the scenery you will see is pretty much the same as what you will see if you stay in Marcola.

sunbum1944 Jun 18th, 2013 06:53 PM

we went and checked out the Tipi Village today and it is actually quite nice- tipis are in the woods, a couple along the creek. The tipi's have electricity, beds, carpeted floors. Breakfast is served at an outdoor kitchen overlooking the creek, There is a hot tub and a fire pit- I think it looks fun- however, it is quite isolated and there is not much to do close by. you would have to drive somewhere for hiking etc.

I think staying on the McKenzie as you have planned is a better option - but this could be fun too if you don't mind driving to daily activities.

Juldie Jun 19th, 2013 06:58 PM

sunbum1944, that was sweet of you to check the tipis out and report back. Now that we can't go when we originally planned we won't be able to go because they are booked for the weekend. We're looking forward to the McKenzie! I hear there aren't many restaurants around McKenzie Bridge for going out for dinner.

sunbum1944 Jun 19th, 2013 07:13 PM

You are right- not many places to eat along McKenzie River- the 2 best places burned down and were not rebuilt.

Takoda's at Blue River is pretty good and has a nice outdoor dining area. There is the Vida Cafe which I have heard makes good pie and I kind of like Finn Rock- basically burgers, sandwiches etc but deck is right over the river and kind of a pleasant stop.

Where are you staying?

tomfuller Jul 11th, 2013 10:35 PM

Well, I just got the skinny on the resort in Marcola.
On Saturday they are going to try to beat the world's record for the number of skinny-dippers in a swimming pool.
Last year they set a record for 150 naked people in the pool at one time. This year they are shooting for 200.
If that's your thing, show up by 1PM Saturday.
My source is the 11 PM news tonight (KDRV Medford).

sunbum1944 Jul 12th, 2013 08:05 AM

Tom- I went and visited the resort- they do not have a pool - there is a nudist resort up the road- maybe that is what you are talking about.

tomfuller Jul 12th, 2013 09:48 AM

Probably the nudist resort has their own pool.

Fodorite018 Jul 12th, 2013 11:35 AM

As sunbum says, the event is at the nudist resort. This was on our local news here in Portland and on the KATU website.


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