Heart of the Dunes 2009

Country charm at its best!

Published: Thursday, June 4th, 2009 Just outside Reedsport, heading north on U.S. Highway 101, you'll come through a tiny town called Gardiner. There are some beautiful historic homes next to the highway, overlooking the Umpqua River. It may not look like it now, but Gardiner once was a thriving little port known as œThe White City" because all of the houses and businesses were painted a crisp white.

Smith River, which winds its way east between Bolon Island, north of Reedsport, and Gardiner, is an area rich in wildlife and scenery, as are its tributaries. It's also a great place to go fishing. One of the centers of activity is the Smith River Grange, nine miles up Smith River Road. It is a gathering place for local folks but also is a wonderful place to stop for a pancake breakfast.
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