Ashland, Oregon
You've decided to paint the bedroom. You want green. You got to Lowes to find that perfect green. And find there are dozens of options. Where did the paint-color people come up with all these different greens?
They came to Ashland, Oregon, in the Spring!
Our drive north on I-5 Tuesday is under cloudy skies, but we don't get much rain, and there's no snow going over the Siskiyou Range. Other than missing Mt. Shasta, it is a beautiful trip.
Wonderful to see Lake Shasta so full after the last visit in 2014 when it was half empty!
Not long after crossing into Oregon (yay!) we drop down the steep hill into Ashland. And there are all those greens, magically displayed from lush meadows to tree-covered mountains.
Several weeks ago I found out we were going to miss meeting up with Laurel and Eric, as they would be leaving their hometown of Ashland to return to the road the week before we arrived - bummer :-(
Then a few days ago I heard from Laurel, and not only were they still going to be here - they are our neighbors at Emigrant Lake Recreation Area!! What wonderful serendipity.
We have the best neighbors, and we have a perfect view of the lake from our spacious site. We also have FHUs with 50 amp on a nice, level asphalt pad. This is high on the list of our favorite parks.
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| Part of our sweet view - we can see a lot of the lake. |
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| Plenty of room. |
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| Bill and Eric enjoying the lake. |
Nearly a hundred acres, this city park is spectacular. Not only lots of those greens, but pink and red and white Rhododendrons and Azaleas, deep orange Japanese Maples, bright Dogwoods, and lots of other surprises. Before retiring a few years ago, Eric was a "mucky-muck" who did a lot of work at Lithia Park - so we are especially lucky to have him as tour guide in this magical place.
Ashland Creek rushes through the park, its powerful roar providing a special background to our personal tour. Several people are enjoying the natural beauty here, but there are many places where it's just the five of us (Tessa is impressed too).
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| Thanks for the special tour Laurel and Eric! |
The weather is perfect and the views are wonderful. We visit a couple mountain lakes, play among the tall trees, and marvel at the lush meadows.
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| More mountains. |
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| Another beautiful drive. |
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| Exploring Hyatt Reservoir |
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| Piper at Hyatt. |
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| Howard Prairie Lake - a nice marina here too. |
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| Some more of that stuff. |
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| Howard Prairie - one of the prettiest spots we've seen. |
We make a short drive to Medford for the Thursday Farmers' Market where I find some huge organic tomatoes and tiny broccoli sprouts - delish!
Back at the park I vacuum and wipe down Piper - waited too long for this grooming too!
We retrieve Tessa and meet Laurel and Eric at the Co-op where we pick up yummy lunches for a picnic in the park. In Lithia, they lead us to a secluded spot beside the creek, along one of the many wooden bridges. Such a special place!
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| All spiffy again! |
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| Mt Ashland |
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| A mountain stroll. |
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| The greens become blues..... |
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| Mt Shasta |
We know that summers can be very hot, and winters very cold, but Ashland checks a lot of boxes for us. Besides the incredible natural beauty all around, the town is the perfect size, there is a wonderful hippie-vibe with lots of art, music and theater, the LGBT community is open and proud (always a good sign of tolerance that we appreciate), and there's several places to fish :-))))
Saturday morning we take our time getting ready as we only have a 60 mile drive. Hugs and good-byes for now with Laurel and Eric - we'll see them the end of July - and we head north.
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| For those of you who know Laurel, it's not a surprise that the green is accented with a lot of purple! |
Oh, how fun to read your post about Ashland! We loved being "neighbors" with you for a few days at Emigrant Lake. It was wonderful to to share a few of our favorite spots in our hometown with you. You found lots more of our favorite spots in your own explorations, too, and you captured beautiful photos of your adventures. We enjoyed so much our time with you and we're looking forward to reconnecting on Lopez or before! Hugs to you three, L & E
ReplyDeleteCan't say enough good things about your hometown! It was wonderful to spend time with you two again, definitely looking forward to more this summer :-)
DeleteAshland is such a lovely town and area. It has been high on our list of places to land for the same reasons you like it. Unfortunately it is very expensive and no room to grow...plus OR has very high state income tax rate...
ReplyDeleteYou should see Lithia Park in her fall splendor...
Sometimes I think the no-sales-tax advantage is only a plus for non-residents who don't also have those higher income taxes :-( We're thinking we'd love to return in the fall next time as well!
DeleteHow sweet to have such wonderful neighbors and private tour guides!! Lucky you:) You certainly chose the proper time to visit the park with everything flowering and the creek running fast and furious. You are so right about Oregon being the state that created the green shades. It is a gorgeous state. Love your header of Crater Lake!
ReplyDeleteTessa look so cute all cleaned up:)
Seeing the park with Eric's expertise was super special - and those huge flowers!!! I'm so glad we're in Oregon for much of the summer, we love it here.
DeleteSeeing Bill "hiding" behind that skinny tree made me think of a kid with his hands over his eyes saying, "You can't see me." :)
ReplyDelete:-))))) He said "did you just take a picture?" I assured him I didn't :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful scenery! Terry I went up that way a very long time ago. lol I think Tim was 4. Still look gorgeous with all the green. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteIt is so well protected it probably looks exactly the same - especially without the snow :)
DeleteThat very first picture is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's a beautiful spot.
DeleteWow does that look like a sweet site. Love the picture of Eric and Bill. I can’t even imagine a 100 acre city park. Charlottesville VA is a sweet and lovely town but they sure don’t do their city parks right. Perhaps it’s because the county has large ones outside the city or because of the proximity of the Shenandoah National Park so close by. Love those spring flowers in Lithia. Beautiful pictures and that’s some powerful water. That’s a benefit of tons of rain . Wonderful picture of Laurel and Eric and of the prairie with the snow capped mountain in the back. No snow caps here. Tessa looks so gorgeous, like a queen on her throne. Super picture of Mt. Shasta! LOL at your last picture and comment! So true!!
ReplyDeleteThat park is truly wonderful, and we didn't see all of it. Eric says some those rhoadies are over 100 years old! Even when she's not wearing it, I still see her in purple :-)))
DeleteHahaha you two!!!! I definitely have a purple problem....:-))))
DeleteAshland and the surrounding area is beautiful. Green has always been my favorite color...then again I like the reds and purples too! Tessa looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteYou would be in green heaven here!!
DeleteThose colorful blooms are gorgeous! Greens, blues, wow! Tessa looks great too!
ReplyDeleteThe blooms were gigantic - and so many colors :-)) I wish she always looked like that!
DeleteAnd you remembered to take photos this time--great one of Laurel and Eric! Tessa does look spiffy--it's about time for Emmi's haircut too--she is kind of shaggy!
ReplyDeleteBill has started reminding me to take photos - probably tired of hearing me whine about forgetting :-) They're so cute, I doubt they take a bad pic! Tessa was a messa.
DeleteDoes Tessa walk around like she is all that after going to the spa? Gorgeous flowers!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! She wears her "all that" for several days :-))
DeleteThe PNW certainly fills the bill for greens. And all other colors as well, especially in spring/summer. I can almost smell those magnificent blooms while my ears fill with the sound of swift water. Ashland offers all seasons yet not to severity with winter in the surrounding mountains, plus not too far from the beach. Nice to share it.
ReplyDeleteWe are loving being back in the lushness!!
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