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Topic 24 of 27: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon

Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:02) | Paul Terry Walhus (terry)

The Meadows in Takilma, Oregon epitomized the spirit and energy of the
Southern Oregon community movement that started in the late 60s and
persists in some form even today. I recently got an email from Eugene
Hill asking if "the Meadows still exists" and I couldn't answer
definitively. But I emailed Romain Cooper and posed this question to him,
he was one of the founding members.

12 responses total.


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 1 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:06) * 129 lines

The only thing I could find on the net about the Meadows was this, a
letter from Romain to Home Power Magazine.

Dear Richard and Home Power Staff,

A little get acquainted talk before I get to the heart of my letter.

My name is Romain Cooper and I talked to Richard once over the phone
about a used inverter and then about AE, the magazine etc.

I live near Takilma, OR with 3 other families on a semi-remote, 200
acre piece of land. We inhabitants did without electricity for many
years for the usual reasons: We didn't want to support those "coal
burning, river damming, nuke-reacting" utilities, we wanted to remain
somewhat self reliant and the price tag of a grid hookup was prohibitive.
9 years ago we first discovered hydro-generated electricity. Our
initial installations were the simplest imaginable. Wheels from
pulleys and stainless steel dessert spoons, surplus permanent magnet
alternators, and Sears deep cycle 12V batteries. A voltmeter and
switch to prevent back cycling rounded out the system. Two irrigation
lines served as penstocks. They both had about 100' of head and
were of 2.5" or 3" PVC.

About 4 years ago we upgraded our "electric company". A new penstock
was installed to provide irrigation for the 2.5 garden/orchard, to
supply domestic water to 3 residences, and to supply electricity
to the 3 residences and to misc. shops and work places. The pipeline
is 2000' of 5" PVC, mostly buried, with 200' of drop. The system
was designed to eventually produce straight ac current during winter
flows, hence the 6" pipe. The present system utilizes a 4 jet Harris
pelton wheel (4.5"D), a Ford heavy duty truck alternator, 8 Trojan
L-16 batteries (wired in series and parallel to store 1400 AH (700AH?
RP) at 24V) and a Heart 24V, 2400W inverter.

Jonny Klien, neighbor and friend, built for us a
voltage regulator that measures battery voltage and relays a dummy
load. (This is the JK who is a Takilma ham operator.)

This system is removed from the residences that it services by 200
yards from the nearest residence to 600 yards to the farthest. The
trenches that hold the AL transmission cables also hold the water
yards from the nearest residence to 600 yards to the farthest. The
trenches that hold the AL transmission cables also hold the water
pipes for the domestic water and cables for phone service.
Another system, for a single residence, utilizes the 3" PVC, 110'
head irrigation system that was designed to water a 4 acre meadow.

It operates on a single jet Harris pelton identical to the other system's
with a home-made housing, a surplus permanent magnet alternator,
(2) 6V deep cycle forklift batteries wired in series for 12V and
a Trace 2000W 12V inverter.

The systems have performed well for several years. We run the usual
devices: lights, audio (with inverter noise), juicers, blenders,
and such, washing machines, power tools. Been running my IBM clone
AT on the Heart inverter heavy for over a year with no problems.

Though the alternator of the 3 family system can run 60 amps (for
how long?), we get what we need for 3 households with 10 amps worth
(25-27V) and still trip the shunt load daily. 24 gal./min. gives
the 10 amps. The single residence system delivers 10 amps at 13-14V.
For us, the catcher is summer time. From July into October we can
use hydro only sporadically. Our stream flows are very low and use
most of our hydro-power to push irrigation sprinklers rather than
generate electricity.

Last summer we increased our PV generating capacity of (4) 44W Kyocera
panels with 10 bargain 36W Solavolt panels. We put the panels on
a beam framework and used wooden mounts modeled after the metal ones
described in issue 2. The wiring to the power/battery/inverter shed
and components were sized to a 30 amp (at 24V) load to allow for
expansion of the array.

Unfortunately, the solar site chosen has only fair solar potential.
Analysis showed it cheaper to purchase additional panels at reduced
output due to shading than to purchase and install wire and components
to bring the 24V current to the batteries and inverter from a sunnier
location.

Which finally brings me to the heart of the letter. Evaluating various
sites for their PV outputs proved to be a lot of work and guess work.
A few months later, while monitoring streams for the US Forest Service,
I used a tool that seemed ideal for evaluating the solar capabilities
of a site. The device is called a Solar Pathfinder and it is manufactured
by Solar Pathways, Inc. of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

The pathfinder looks somewhat like an R2D2 robot. The Forest Service
uses it to determine the amount of sun striking a stream at a particular
place (which strongly influences stream water temperatures). The
device is easy to use and portable. It measures, in one fast reading, the
hours of sun hitting a site for the entire year. The reading can
be taken anytime of day or year in clear or cloudy weather.

A transparent, parabolic mirror shows reflections of all shade producing
features including horizons, trees, and buildings. Below the domed
mirror, a sky chart tailored to the site's latitude shows, through
the year, the sun's projected path. Different charts can show hours
of sun light per day, sunrise and sunset times, solar collector outputs
in BTU's, watt hours/day from PVs for any time of year.

Is this a well know alternative energy tool? Are there other similar
products? The price is a bit much for an individual. It seems reasonably
enough priced for AE consultants, installers, or for groups of people
to chip in and share. I briefly talked (phone call) to Bernie?, the
inventor. He was friendly and accessible.

Seemed like a tool that Home Power might be interested in so I'm
sending you the literature. I don't think the hand held version would be
as accurate or easy to use but it may have some advantages other
than lower price. Some type of case (though we didn't have one)
is advisable to protect the plastic doomed lens.

Of course, I very much appreciate the magazine. It is entertaining
(to an AE buff), informative and best of all, useful. I hope you
can keep up the good work. If any of you are in our area, please
visit.

Romain Cooper, Cave Junction, OR

The Solar Pathfinder not only works well, but is becoming a standard
in the industry. It takes the guesswork out of determining solar
insolation in sites with trees, hills, buildings, or other obstructions.
The Solar Pathfinder is well built and worth what they charge.

On your Hydro setup, many microHydro users get the summer time drys.
Your solution of PVs is ideal. Wet or dry, you've still got power.

RP


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 2 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:07) * 14 lines

The only contact I could find!

Romain Cooper
Program Director
Siskiyou Regional Education Project
P.O. Box 220
Cave Junction, Oregon 97523

Phone (541) 592-4459
Fax (541) 592-2653

mailto://romain@siskiyou.org

http://www.siskiyou.org


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 3 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:09) * 48 lines

And here's the email from Eugene:

From: Eugene Hill
To: terry@www.spring.net
Subject: (no subject)

i was one of the founding members of "the meadows" commune in 1969-71
takilma oregon...
does the commune still exist...
is anyone online...
do any of the original members still live there...

i was thinking of coming for a visit...
but did not want to waste my time if everyone is gone...

thanks for taking the time to reply... if you do...
eugene hill

Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 22:37:09 -0600
From: Eugene Hill
To: Paul Terry Walhus
Subject: Re: (no subject)

i live south of albuquerque, nm...
i have 2 acres and a home...
i left the meadows in 1972-73 right after
janet silverman committed suicide...

i built the wooden teepee next to the stream but don't know
how long it stayed up after i left...

i knew everyone you speak of (i think)... did you know susan,
allen and reva and there kids... also there was bill (white rabbit)
donny, abby...

i just heard that allen was murdered and reva died of cancer...
glad to hear from you... why don't you write to me and maybe
i will collect stories and put up a web page about the meadows
somewhere...

also will fill you in how what i know since i was there from the
beginning...

how great is the music scene in austin??? i spent some time in
san antonio a few years ago but did not get to spend any time
in austin...

thanks for writing...


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 4 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:15) * 18 lines

FROM llucy...................May 2, 2000, 10:16 (EST)

hmm my chariot calling. just got a REUNION invitation from the
Meadows...in august, some of y'all should come full moon. had a
question..did alan and reva weiss come from Newpaltz? does anyone know
where their children are? sure it's three decades later and guns in
schools but remember the behaviorist's wood have had the humanrats at
their own throats already years ago and so it goes population pressures,
but we wood not give up our nice, loving, intelligent well adapted kids
and grandkids either hmmmmm? the delicate balance of globalization which i
noticed THE POPE (god spare us) denounced in a speechcummass on
mayday...is feeding and using and sparking the whole teetering mass of us
in spite of all this. maybe giving us a chance to think of something
better yet before we turn out to be no smarter than a one celled
organism.. humans! ya got to be intrigued. must get to work carry on! love

http://members.aol.com/tedibearxx/archive10.html


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 5 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:18) * 17 lines

FROM llucy...................Apr 18, 2002, 09:15 (EST)

<> checking back in....spent a little time in takilma last weekend..visted
grace, mowed her lawn(had to repair the mower)young women still not hep to
becoming their own mechanics as quick as possible. went out to t-town and
rode a horse to hope mountain down to waldo and back thru allan gulch. the
bycycle path,,,built with such care 20 years ago now growing neglected.
someone has taken a cat and stirred up the queen of bronze tailing
pond...bet that put toxic stew into the watershed.Pelliter hired Jim
Dougherty to log that piece behind the community building. he selected out
for all the big trees...some 2nd growth left. left the slash down on
ground...now that is going to be a fuelload for a wildfire. dry there/even
more dry that my desert home. most unsettling.

http://members.aol.com/tedibearxx/archive26.html


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 6 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:20) * 15 lines

FROM llucy...................Apr 25, 2000, 10:22 (EST)

well..morning you guys. finding you just by random chance was sweet. it
makes me feel like hanging a deer and inviting y'all over for music. sigh.
what ya say? still in oregon even if a lonk way from holland. what about
tom (m)? still about the planet you think? think i'll stop and burn one
for him.. me honey convinced me to give up cigs..(but still sneak one or
two a month) chuckle..but will go still smoking.. it's bizarre i found you
cause just this last month have had series of dreams all dreams of trying
to get to the crystal palace and never getting all the way there..and
artichokes always bloom along the trail. hey..email i guess is safe
'nuf...

mailto://llucy85@hotmail.com. love


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 7 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:24) * 11 lines

FROM llucy...................May 5, 2002, 09:14 (EST)

<> morning all!..the lovely news is that our children are holding a music
camping festival on White School House Road, JUNE 1 and 2. That is Cave
Junction folks. They have a website.. (www.SHININGSTARSFESTIVAL.com) and a
phone number for tickets...541-592-5460. This is a fundraiser for the dome
school. It just sounds like great fun and Allan and I will stop working
like retirees and go have some fun...18 bands we have never heard of oh
well we just are not hip to the new music out there. i am still stuck on
danny hathaway and roberta flack.chuckle.


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 8 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:25) * 29 lines

FROM llucy...................May 5, 2002, 18:02 (EST)

A Dome School & Takilma Community Benefit

Mountain Meadows - Cave Junction, OR June 1 & 2, 2002 Confirmed Acts:
Freedom Tribe, Jupiter Hollow, The Sasha Butterfly Band, Tina Malia, Shim
Shai, Broadfunk, Americanistan, The Rhythm Pimps, Kawaida, School of
Green, Trickle up Theory, Redwood Highway, I AM Crew, Day*Go*Bah, Cesar,
MC Metric & Marv Ellis, DJ Zion, Isall & The Circle of Light, Scott
Huckabay, and more to be announced�

For even more fun, there will be The Illuminated Fools Giant Puppets, Fire
dancers, Parades, Workshops, as well as many surprises included with your
pass�

Of course our show would not be complete without our Kids village �
Children can do all kinds of arts & crafts projects, as well as free face
painting, and snacks. Kid's Village will have sacred space available for
resting children and nursing mommas�

Any other questions? e-mail us or call! 541-592-5460 Shining Stars
Festival PO Box 1225 Cave Junction, OR 97523 There will also be late night
festivities for all of our beautiful campers� 2 Stages on 400 acres!

Volunteers/Vending: Please send your request to our e-mail addy or call
(541) 592-5460


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 9 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:41) * 3 lines

So wither the Meadows? Does it still exist and who lives there now?


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 10 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:53) * 12 lines

This guy would know:

Jonathan D. Klein K7JK, Talsalsan Farm, 12330 Takilma Rd., Cave Junction,
OR 97523.

Here's what I wrote in my introduction in topic 1 in the Spring's Farm Conference.

Topic 1 of 24 [farm]: introductions
Response 29 of 33: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, May 4, 2001 (00:43) * 1 lines

There are some great communities in Southern Oregon, I lived there about 20 years and my wife at the time and I worked a little natural foods store (called affectionately the "Wonder Dome" by area folk) on the highway from Takilma to Grants Pass. There was (is?) a place there called the Meadows, it's about 200 acres of springfed woods and gardens and the Illinois River borders it. It's quite paradaisical, I remember some of the folks, Romaine, Bear, Beth and Michael. Joohnhnny the ham operator lived down the road and there were the sisters who lived at a Farm behind Talsalsan Farm, Laurie and, and ? , Apple's Larry Tessler lived at a commune in the neighborhood with a name that's on the tip of my tongue, Canaan I think it was, they had a huge lodge and ran the local peoples clinic. Crooks Creek and the Family of the Mystic Arts were other phenomenal communities, I could write a book about this era!


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 11 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (10:30) * 3 lines

Highly recommended, the Siskiyou Newsletter to which Romain and Lori have made major contributions:

http://www.siskiyou.org/newsletters/sp02.pdf


 Topic 24 of 27 [farm]: The Meadows in Takilma Oregon
 Response 12 of 12: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (06:41) * 49 lines

Wow, an email reply this morning from Romain!

Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 21:33:25 -0700
From: Romain Cooper
To: Paul Terry Walhus
Cc: Eugene Hill
Subject: Meadows

Paul and (Eu)Gene,

I do remember both of you and hope all is well with you. The Meadows
does indeed still exist but not as a commune. We are a land trust (with
a conservation easement to protect the ecology and natural beauty of the
Meadows) but we operate as seperate households who live cooperatively.
Mark and Beth are still here. I live with Christy (Paul probably met her
but not Gene). Beth, Mark, Christy and I share a large garden that
supplies much of our food (vegies and fruits) year round. Dog is still
here with his wife, Linda (though they are often in Eugene, OR where
Linda is presently employed. A third building is now occupied by
renters. Kids are older and have "flown the coop".

We had a 30 year reunion (Mark and I and Allen and Reva, etc. first
arrived in 1970) in Aug., 1990. We tried to locate both of you w/o
success. It was a great reunion though w/ many folk making it from all
over the country.

Much has transpired and I can't at this time give a real update. It's
been a long time since I talked with or heard from you, Paul, and much
longer for you, Gene. Reva did die of cancer but Allen wasn't murdered
(suicide or drug overdose or both? Many years ago). The house I built
in 1980 and still live in is over the site of the "wooden teepee". Looks
like you now go by your full name, Eugene? My name is spelled w/o the
"e". I am working (as director at this time) of a local enviro group (
www.siskiyou.org or www.siskiyourivers.org ). As perhaps you've heard, a
huge fire (~380,000 acres) is now burning just to the west of here in the
Kalmiopsis Wilderness and surrounding wildlands. This is a rough
situation that has kept me, and all the staff, busier than usual. Beth
and Mark are basket makers (of course they do all kinds of other
things). The baskets are made from local materials and have to be seen
to be believed. Donnalee is still here in Takilma. Gemini Bill is in
Cave Jct. Donny died about 8 years ago in a freak canoe accident /
drowning (he hadn't lived in this area for a number of years) - so sad.

Keep in touch, guys. Once again, hope all is well on your end of the
world.

Romain

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