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Traveling down the I-5

A

AdamChr

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Sep 29, 2006
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Lower mainland, BC, Canada
1. We will be traveling down the I-5 from Seattle, WA to Anaheim, CA. Are there any particularly interesting things to see that are woodturning related?

2. I am looking at buying a complete set of McNaughton bowlcoring tools as well, would it be cheaper to but them in Oregon without the sales tax? What stores?
 
If you have some time to kill I suggest taking off at Grants Pass and head toward Cave Junction. Just a few miles before Cave Junction is a neat little town called Kirby. Just as you enter Kirby there is a place on the left called "It's A Burl". They have some of the nicest domestic burls and hobby wood as well as some very bizarre treehouses that you are welcome to explore.

When you get there make sure to see the owner Harvey. He is a truely unique individual and he will enjoy meeting another turner. I have been stopping there for the last 8 years and have never gotten a bad piece of wood. Don't be afraid to haggle a little bit with Harvey. The price always gets better if you bring cash.

Make sure to plan a least an hour visiting his gallery. He has a small colony of woodworkers that do a little bit of everything from furniture to carvings. They also have a pottery shop and a native american craft shop called Indian Summer that is owned and run by the sweetest person I have ever met by the name of Carrie Yellowolf. It about a 30 minute side trip but well worth the drive. Tell them I said HI when you get there. I was there a week ago and had a great time. Enjoy your trip.
 
When you get to Stockton, just south of Sacramento, and are headed south on the I-5 you will not see much of anything other than farming till you get to Six Flags Magic Mountain. There is a good place to stop for lunch called Harris Ranch. It is at State highway 198. It is on the east side of the freeway on the right. It's the only thing on the right. You'll know you are close when you pass the stock yard. This time of year you can't miss it! Have a good trip.

Walt
 
Gilmer Woods in Portland

http://www.gilmerwood.com/index.html

I have heard it is an wonderful source of wood for turners and cabinet makers alike. I keep missing it one way or the other, most recently this Labor Day weekend. Maybe next time. They are normally open Mo-Sa I think.
 
If you're in need of Gilmer's address:

2211 N.W. St. Helens Road
Portland, Oregon 97210

From the looks of their web site you'd better take a lunch if you visit that place. I was drooling on the keyboard just reading about what's there (too bad so much of what's on the web site is already sold)
 
Lodi, just east of I-5

For your travels, Lodi, south of Sacramento, north of Stockton is about three miles east of I-5 and for woodturning and using that new coring system you're getting, I've got some large pieces of oak and cherry you could have fun with; trading for Canadian wood would be great fun! (Lodi is also a major wine producing area and I could direct you depending on how much time/money you want to spend - had to say that, my wife works for the Chamber of Commerce.)

As for buying the McNaughton set, there's a couple of Woodcraft stores in Oregon. Check their website for locations, but I suggest calling the store to be sure they have it in stock. I bought mine through Craft Supplies in Utah. Great service and good prices.

Richard
 
I would say Gilmers and a few others in the Portland area. There is a place in Roseburg that used to sell retail, All Native Hardwoods. In Coquille OR, http://www.exoticburl.com/
Then in the LA area, Del Mano Gallery, south to Eisenbran (Torrance,CA) http://www.eisenbran.com/ pick up thier price list and shop around.
South of LA , Tropical Exotic Hardwoods in Carlsbad www.anexotcihardwood.com
tell Mitch I said hi, good dude and big AAW supporter , and Cut and Dried Hardwoods in Solana Beach ,
http://www.cutanddriedhardwood.com/
upstairs are the turning blanks.
Just a nice area to be in. Beautiful beaches, great atmosphere. Stop in Laguna Beach on the way back for dinner, Las Brisas (just north of Laguna Canyon Rd and PCH on the ocean side) for the sunset and a beer or south of there for lobster tacos.
Now if you want to go surfing or diving while there, that's different.

(I do miss Caly!)
 
All Native Hardwoods is gone now. There is Kennedy's Exotic woods just outside Eugene, and I could get a number for them if you want. Mostly dimentional stock, and also some logs. The Woodcraft store in Portland does have the McNaughton in stock, the store here in Eugene doesn't, at least the last time I checked they didn't. If you want some lessons on the McNaughton, stop on by. If I am here I will be glad to help you. Don't really know of a place that carrys a lot of turning stock, but it is around.
robo hippy
 
Unfortunately Mendocino is 2 to 3 hours away from I5. They have a great wood gallery featuring pieces from the woodworking school. There is the Jesup Forestry Center in Portland, OR. They have samples of woods from every where. If you chose to get off I5 at Grants Pass you could continue down the coast to Eureka, Fort Bragg, Mendodino, etc.
 
Sam Maloof's home and workshop in Alta Loma, California (east of Los Angeles) - http://www.malooffoundation.org Some Bob Stocksdale bowls in the gallery.

The Del Mano Gallery in Westwood (west side of Los Angeles) - www.delmano.com

Not exactly woodturning, but of interest to woodworkers: The Gamble House in Pasadena, California (Greene & Greene - American Arts & Crafts architecture and furnishings) - www.gamblehouse.org
 
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Yo Adam

Adam, have you made your trip yet? I would sure like to know where you stopped and what you found.
 
Hey Adam. I'm still curious if you made you trip and if you found anything of interest. :cool2:
 
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