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Southern Oregon Journal: Flying monkeys at Lake of the Woods Sunday Jul 9, 2017 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune A favorite summer escape is Lake of the Woods Mountain Lodge & Resort. Not only do I love the name and the nostalgia it evokes, I have fond memories of flailing forward at the end of a tow rope while attempting to water ski there. I kept at it, though I never found the proper coordinates between arms and legs. One end or the other always lurched out ahead. Lake of the Woods is a natural mountain lake straight up Highway 140. Perched high in the Southern Oregon Cascades at just under 5,000 feet in elevation, it’s a cool relief from valley heat — often about 20 degrees worth. Whether for a day or a week-long campout, this close-in location offers the complete package for outdoor enjoyment. From Eagle Point, I can be parked and ready to launch into a Lake Restaurant mushroom burger in about 35 to 40 minutes. Deck dining is superb in fine weather. What could be better for digestion than an open-air seat overlooking a clear and gorgeous lake? The dining room is plenty cozy on a chilly, fall evening, and the pizzeria offers a more casual atmosphere. This year I discovered their vintage movie Fridays. I’m a huge fan of movies from the 1940s. I emailed the lodge for a schedule, because I’ve learned that “vintage” to some translates as 1984. If that’s vintage, I’m prehistoric. George Gregory replied to my inquiry. George is half of the partnership with John Doherty, owners since 2008. They kept to established movie nights, with free popcorn made fresh at the marina. George said, “The 'vintage' description has a very wide definition for us. Yes, it could be anything from old Abbot and Costello or Lil Rascals short stories to more contemporary features. Movie nights are free of charge to anyone who shows up. We used to use an old Bell & Howell 16mm projector until our library of films became too worn and we stopped using films.” The mental picture of sitting outside the old lodge (95 years old) under towering firs in the dark with other movie fans and watching an old(er) flick was too much to resist. Then George set the hook: “I just purchased a copy of the 'Wizard of OZ,' so I can use it for movie night this week. It should be a great show.” I was already there, ready to melt witches with a bucket of lake water. He added, “I just really enjoy helping people have fun up here at the lake. The last time I used the 16mm projector I had kids asking what the sound was that the projector was making. The kids had never seen a film projector. I explained the old-school technology at the time, and it made me realize how much things have changed in my 19 years here. I'm so glad I can find the old classics on DVD, and I want to show some of the older stuff that our younger generations are not familiar with.” When the only remaining light glowed from inside the general store, the film rolled and the familiar music started. Families with small, attentive children gathered around. Bob motored out to us with a golf cart load of popcorn, and Dorothy and Toto had no clue what was ahead. I’ll admit to casting a glance toward the black canopy of trees once the flying monkeys arrived on scene. I’d told Lane earlier we didn’t have to stay for the whole film. We’ve each seen it a hundred times, and I just wanted to get the feel. But as the last child fell asleep, we remained in our seats until Dorothy made it safely home. The grounds fell silent afterward, so we walked down by the water’s edge to view a half moon spread silver jelly on the surface of the lake. Like they claim on their website, it’s an experience worth repeating. — Peggy Dover is a freelance writer living in Eagle Point. Email her at [email protected].