'Forest Ladies' enjoy wonders of nature

The Forest Ladies love the Oregon wilds. The Metolius Basin is one of those treasured places, and a week ago Monday the ladies gathered there on the Deschutes Basin Land Trust property near Camp Sherman for a picnic.

"It is a pity that more people don't use this piece of land," said Fran Hogan, who has been spending time on the Metolius for longer than many of us have been alive.

"It is beautiful here. The main thing that is lacking to make it perfect is a picnic table. I think if more people use it, they will add to the things that they need there to make it an even better place to go."

The group formed out of a love for the Metolius and serves as a magnet for the women who have consciously made the wilds of Oregon an important part of their lives.

"Mary Smith started this group," said Mary Kate Spencer. "I don't know how long ago, maybe 10 years ago. We would go out and have a picnic. Then, Mary Smith and I would go hiking, but we don't any more. I am 89 now, but I really don't pay much attention to age."

Isabel Goode, who is 87, was here for a few weeks to enjoy a family tradition and be a part of the Forest Ladies.

"I am just visiting the area. I live in Jacksonville, Oregon, but I started to come here when I was a teenager," she said. "We used to come here every summer, even when we moved to New Jersey. My husband would fly. He would always arrange a business trip. I would drive and bring the children. It took about 10 days to make the drive, but I would stop and see some of the national parks along the way, but the goal was always the Metolius."

The love for the Metolius has been passed on through the family and although they are scattered across the country, there is always a gathering that takes place every year with as many as possible in the Metolius Basin.

"We had four generations here the other day for a family reunion," said Goode.

Age is a relative factor when it comes to the members of the Forest Ladies. Experience and a love of nature are the most important qualities for the group.

"I was invited to join about three years ago," said Barbara Sloop. "I am one of the youngsters, but you know that is all relative. In two days I will be 76. I try to come to this at least once a year, but it is a little hard as my husband is ill and so my attendance is more happenstance. I drove over today from Salem to be here."

Another youngster in the group is Hogan.

"I have only been doing this for about eight years. I am one of the younger ones, and I had to wait until I was 70 before they would let me join. I will be 80 next year, and I still am one of the younger ones," she said.

Although some of the members traveled from afar to make the picnic, most of them women are locals.

"Most of the members live in Camp Sherman, Sisters or Indian Ford, but some of us have summer homes here. I have a summer home in Camp Sherman and spend about four months a year here," said Hogan.

Not everyone who was present was in the 70-plus crowd. Marta van Patten, who has a history in the area, represented the younger set.

"My great grandfather was the first person to buy property here. I care-give for Mary Kate Spencer, and they have sort of made me an honorary member. I am really happy about that. It is great to be here with them," she said.

Van Patten regards Camp Sherman as her home, although she spends considerable time in India doing volunteer work every year.

Although they are environmental activists in a restrained sense, the camaraderie of the time they spend together is the main drawing card.

"We mainly come together to enjoy the beauty of the area. Sometimes someone will write poems or something like that, but generally we just join together to enjoy the beauty and each other. We have a nice lunch in the forest and sometimes go for a little hike," said Hogan.

For more information about the Forest Ladies, call Frances Hogan at 595-2304.