28 Apr A Traveled Trail to Spirit Weavers
Each year Women travel from all across the world to attend The Spirit Weavers Gathering. This year we have sisters coming from Australia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Chile, England, Denmark, Canada, Indonesia, and Israel. Our home in Southern Oregon along the Illinois River is breathtaking, with so many incredible places to explore around it.
As you’re planning your travel, read here to explore what airports to fly into, how to book shuttles and organize ride sharing. Below is a list of places explore along your journey.
The most direct route from either SFO or SAC is the interstate 5N, about a seven hour beautiful drive. You will make your way through the land of the Winnemem Wintu and see Mount Shasta. Should you choose to stop and witness this sacred mountain, consider offering a prayer to the Winnemem Wintu, whose sacred practices are in danger of extinction with the rising of the Shasta dam and the tourists who come to bathe and party in the sacred waters/land. The federal government does not recognize the Wintu as a “federally recognized tribe” due to lack of paperwork, so they are not given protections needed to safeguard their land and traditions. Currently, many residents alongside the Winnemem Wintu are battling the destruction of the waters by Crystal Geyser bottled water, which has a processing plant that is up for expansion.
Our favorite place to stay in Shasta is Mt Shasta Inn as its affordable and newly remodeled. If you are traveling from Los Angeles and want to stay the night before the gathering starts you can arrive to Shasta around 8pm if you get an early morning start. We recommend collecting spring water from the Spring there and from the spring we are just 2 1/2 hours away. Your next main town which is just an hour and a half from Shasta is Ashland which holds some treasured shops that we have listed below!
Should you wish to take a scenic route, the journey up the 101N to 199N will take about 8 hours, and is beautiful. You will drive through Sonoma and Mendocino counties, lands of the Miwoks, Wintuns, Wapo, Miyakmahs, Pomos, Koskiwok, Patwins and Humboldt county, land of the Yurok, Tolowa, and Karuk. You will also travel through Redwood Territory and will witness some of California’s biggest trees! Jedediah State Park is just 45 mins from the land. The Smith River also runs alongside the 199 which is just breathtaking.
The drive is windy and large chunks of it are one or two lane, so it will be slow and steady. Some would suggest not driving in the dark if you are uncomfortable driving forested dark and windy roads. Deer are all over the forests, so stay alert. This is one of our favorite drives if you have time for it!
Bunny Flat Trailhead lies at 6,950 feet in elevation on the south side of Mount Shasta. Since the Everitt Memorial Highway leading is plowed up to Bunny Flat throughout the winter, the trailhead is used year-round. For mountain climbers it is the most popular beginning for attempts to climb Mount Shasta.
TRAVELING NORTH
Mount Shasta
Inn at Mount Shasta
710 S Mt Shasta Blvd
Mt. Shasta, California
https://www.innatmountshasta.com
Mount Shasta City Park Spring Water Headlands
1315 Nixon Road
Mt. Shasta, California
https://www.innatmountshasta.com
BFree Organics
193 Main Street
Weed, California
https://www.bfreeorganics.com
ASHLAND
Ashland is one of Oregon’s most charming small towns. Just south of Medford, it’s a great place to stop for a great meal or a sleep for the night on your way to/from California.
Ashland Food Co-Op
237 N First St
Ashland, Oregon 97520
https://www.ashlandfood.coop
Elder Apothecary (Our Favorite Herb shop!)
5 N Main St
Ashland, Oregon 97520
http://www.elderapothecary.love
Juniper Row (Our favorite stores to shop!)
33 N. Main St.
Ashland, OR. 97520
https://www.papayaliving.com
Dobra Tea
75 N. Main St.
Ashland, OR. 97520
https://www.dobrateaashland.com
Sauce Resturaunt
1640 Ashland St,
Ashland, OR 9752
https://www.facebook.com/SauceMakesItTasty/
Jackson Wellsprings
Open Mondays for women-only soaking times
https://www.jacksonwellsprings.com
Shakespeare Theatre
Ashland’s known for this famous replication of the original Shakespeare Theatre, here they host a series of plays in their summer festival.
https://www.osfashland.org
Ashland Spring Hotel
A sweet little historic hotel in downtown Ashland.
https://www.ashlandspringshotel.com
MEDFORD
If you’re flying into Medford, our shuttles will make a quick stop at the food co-op to stock up on snacks and more before driving to the gathering. Medford is also a central point you’ll pass through if you’re driving from California.
Medford Food Co-Op
945 S Riverside Ave
Medford, OR 97501
https://medfordfood.coop
Natural Grocers
1990 North Pacific Highway
Medford, OR 97501
https://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-location/medford/
GRANTS PASS
Another charming town along the Northern route if you’re traveling from Portland, Washington or Canada. Grant’s Pass is also home to a fabulous farmer’s market on the weekends!
Loam & Black : Lovely Home goods store!
119 SE 6th st
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
https://www.facebook.com/Goosberries1969/
Provisions: Coffee, Tea & Artisan Food
130 SE G st.
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
https://www.provisionsloamandblack.com
Goosberries Market
1201 Redwood Hwy
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
https://www.facebook.com/Goosberries1969/
Ma Mosa’s Resturaunt
118 NW E Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
https://mamosas.com
Downtown Grants Pass is filled with some of the best antique and thrifting shops! Many shops along 6th st will leave you with treasures in hand! A new store that just opened Loam and Black is a Mercantile/General Store that carries lovely goods. Located also on 6th street.
We are just 40 minutes from Grants Pass so if you choose to stay there the night before the gathering we recommend the Riverside Lodge there in town.
Out & About Treehouse Resort located just 20 mins from the gathering
CAVE JUNCTION
Hometown to the Gathering’s land! This little town has a handful of hidden gems, from the treetops to the underground caves. We recommend taking an extra day before or after the gathering to explore these sweet local spots.
Ol Jos Campground (RV & Tent)
156 Ollis Road
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523
www.oljorvcampground.com
Arriving to the area early? Ol Jos Campground is right next door from our land and a great place to stay the night before or after. It is also a great option if you wanted to bring an RV or Trailer. The land joins with ours and is right close to where camping is. There are also extra showers and laundry if you wish to use their amendments as well.
Grayback Campground: Siskiyou National Forest
12000 OR-46
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523 Greyback Campground
Cave Creek Campground
15500 Caves Highway
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523
https://cavecampground.com
Chinquapin Group Campground
14000 Caves Highway
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523
https://chinquapincampground.com
Pine Portal (Diggin’ Livin’ )Natural Food & Farm Store
143 Redwood Highway
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523
https://digginlivin.com
It’s A Burl Gallery
https://itsaburl.com
Out & About Tree House
https://treehouses.com/joomla/
Crystal Kaleidescope
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Kaleidoscope/175656575818384
Botanical Boardwalk
https://www.highway199.org/trails/eight-dollar-botanical-boardwalk/
Oregon Caves
https://www.nps.gov/orca/index.htm
Lava Beds National Park
https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm
Redwood Forest
https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm
Crater Lake
https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm 
