Brian Baurman told me that he recently told Wayne they should get a volunteer crew this fall to clear out the Sickter Lars single track trail on the Tillamook and name one of the difficult stretches after Wayne: the "Naillon It" stretch.
Just a few weeks before Wayne died, he wrote the following email to long-time friend and fellow mountain biker Sharon Yee:
Received from Wayne @ 4/2/16:
"Yesterday I went to the Tillamook Forest Learning Center for a meeting on the Salmonberry Trail.
It made me think of those Saturday mornings I waited for you at Fred Meyers parking lot so we could car pool to the Tilly together and cut new trail out there.
Thanks for going with me so many times. The 86 mile trail from Banks to Tillamook is going to happen. It will connect to the Banks Vernonia Trail and I am going to make sure the CZ Trail connects to the BV Trail. So you can ride from Scappoose to the beach.
Now we just need a trail from Forest Park to Scappoose."
The staff of the Tillamook State Forest prepared this map of the trails that Wayne helped to build and maintain for over 15 years.
Wayne's celebration at the home of his nephew Marcus Iverson
Wayne's celebration on May 28
Wayne's long-time friends Billy Bob and Poppy play bluegrass for over 100 friends and family who enjoyed the celebration of Wayne's life on May 28.
SOLV Day 2011
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Wayne had a dog in the late 70's or 80's who he called Mister Jimmy, always addressed with the MISTER first.
Mr. Jimmy was short in stature but long and tall in spirit. Wayne alway's loved our corgies (Jim and Jesse) because they reminded him of his old pal. Here are Wayne and Jesse at Sheep Springs "Horsey" camp, Memorial Day weekend, 2009
Best man at my wedding, March of 1995.
Waynes favorite seat, behind the wheel of a cornbinder, 1987.
This is from about 1987, not long after we met.
We met Wayne about 40 years ago at Frankenstein's. I was on the dance floor and Bill was on the stage playing some of the best music to dance to with the Sleezy Pieces. It was a friendship that began and was rooted in music. Over the years Wayne figured in our lives with dinners, holidays and outdoor adventures. The longest running camp out was, as Wayne called it, "horsey camp". Every Memorial Day weekend for close to 20 years, Wayne, Bill and I would take our horses up to Sheep Springs Horse Camp near Camp Sherman. While we were off on our horses, Wayne would take "Shimano", his trusty steed off to ride the trails too. We'd meet back for a great campfire and lots of grilling...tri-tip, halibut, salmon...we always ate well! Bill and Wayne would stay up swapping stories until the blazing fire died down. Wayne was in charge of the coffee! The next morning, hot, steamy black cups of Sumatran were served up as we emerged from our quarters. More music these last 15 years...bluegrass. Sleepy-eyed Johns at the Muddy Rudder the 1st and 3rd Thursday's of the month and Wayne rarely missed. Evelyn joined him often. Our last email from Wayne said he wouldn't make it to the Rudder. He'd been thinking about our many years of "horsey camp" on the Memorial Day weekend though. It seems fitting to gather and remember our dear friend this Memorial Day.
This is another favorite place of Wayne's on the Tillamook. It's a series of waterfalls on Musial Creek about 50 feet above where Musial Creek flows into the Wilson River. It is easily found from Portland by taking Hwy 6 westbound just past milepost 18, turning right, crossing the Wilson River, then taking the left-most turn at the intersection. Follow this gravel road about 3/4 mile and pause on the bridge crossing Musial Creek to view the lowest falls. Park and explore the series of falls up the creek.
About a week before Wayne died and when nobody realized he was ill, Wayne sent an email to our friend Adam suggesting he take me to a couple of his favorite spots on the Tillamook State Forest. The first place is the confluence of the Devils Lake Fork and the South Fork of the Wilson River, just across Hwy 6 from the Elk Creek Campground. It is just a few steps from the highway but seems as remote and untouched as any wilderness. It a great place to remember Wayne.
