My Visit to Ashland, Oregon - Part I

This photo is courtesy of Prairie Flower Farm. Click here to pay Linda a visit. She always has something good to write about. She just recently posted some yummy recipes. You'll have to go check it out for yourself :) :) :) I promise, it will be worth your time!!!! I'm so grateful for these pictures with Scripture that Linda posts on her blog and shares with us. Thank you, Linda!!!!!!!!

Quick question for everyone...I have quite a few "labels" for my posts. I'm looking to simplify it. Does anyone know how I can delete some of them.  I want it to be easy for people to find things on my blog. Thanks a heap!!!!!

Alright, it looks like my blog will insist on centering everything I write to day. That's alright..."center" is good...a good reminder to center my life around Jesus Christ :) Yesterday, my dad and I drove to Ashland, Oregon about 12 miles from my home...just so I could take some photos. I used to live there for many years.  I took over 100 photos of Lithia Park and the plaza. Don't worry, I'm only sharing some of the best with you over today and tomorrow.  So sit back and enjoy..

This first photo is somewhere in Phoenix, Oregon...this is what much of the countryside looks like outside of town..this is on the way to Ashland. My dad and I ALWAYS take surface streets. There are so many beautiful little old buildings hiding behind trees...I always enjoy looking at those..

Here we are pulling into Ashland. As you can see by the red banners with the lions on them...Shakespeare is a very big deal here....because of the Oregon Shakespeare Theatre and Festival that we have every year. People from all over the world come to see plays here!!!


My dad and I spent all our time in Lithia Park and in the downtown plaza area. There's so much to see here.  There was a dangerous forest fire here back in 1959. Ashland pretty much was surrounded..and there were not many routes of escape. If it hand't been for a change in wind, the city would have suffered serious damage...


Here's a photo of part of the parking lot at Lithia Park..those mountains in the background...that's where part of the 1959 forest fire burned.... God was merciful and spared this little town...

Here's one of my favorite bridges....

Ashland Creek flows all the way through Lithia Park and beyond. ...This spot here is where Ashland Christian Fellowship would hold outdoor baptisms. They'd have to dig out some of the creek bed, so it would be deep enough for people...There are a set of steps off to the left..That's where'd you climb down... It was great because there'd be people everywhere looking...What a neat thing to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Chrsit as LORD and Savior...and what a great witness to the community. I'm not sure if that still goes on today or not...


This part of Ashland Creek flows a little more fast and furious. The sound is music to my ears...


A lamp post...this reminds me of the lamp post in "Chronicles of Narnia ~ the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"


Some roses from the flower garden. There are over 100 species of trees and flowers here. It's beautiful. You can even take a self-guided tour if you want to or go with a guide!!! It's all free...

This is a "red oak" tree. It's native to Canada and eastern parts of the USA.  These trees grow about 70-80 feet high and can reach as high as 150 feet.  They are closely related to the native "black oak" tree. Oh, that's my dad in the lower left corner of the photo...:) :) )


One of many beautiful paths. In point of fact, the park is over one mile long...very narrow, very skinny. There are all sorts of walking/hiking paths to suit every ability....

The Butler-Perozzi Fountain sculpted by A. Frilli of Florence, Italy in 1916. It underwent some necessary restoration again in 1987. There's a path behind this fountain that leads to some homes up above...

This is a really beautiful flower...not sure what it's called...the tips were actually pink..although in this photo they look dark yellow...


This is another calm spot of Ashland Creek.  Lots of people visit the park..lots of adults and children. This is a favorite place for families to bring children. They love to splash their feet in the water...!!! I love to hear children laughing :) :) :)

That completes the first part of my tour.  It was hard to select just the best photos because I love everything. I'd love to move back to Ashland someday. There are so many great places to go walking.  I'll share the second part of my trip tomorrow.  Here's a link to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. Click here to find all sorts of information about living here, events etc....

The heat of summer is keeping me from doing much of anything right now. Oh, I'm going over to my friend Julie's house this evening. We're going to try our hand at making homemade soap. I'm so excited!!! Pray that it's a success and the mixing of the lye with the water will go smoothly!!!

Oh, I can see fresh bars of soap now!!!  If this goes well...Oh, I have big dreams of making all my soap and never buying it at the store again. One more step towards not relying on the grocery store for everything...and being more self-sufficient..but I say that in a good way...not the "I don't need anyone way...does that make sense??    :) :) :)..We'll probably be stinky dirty from the heat, sweat and making soap. So we'll need soap to clean ourselves up. Cleanliness is next to godliness :) :)...at least that what I used to hear growing up :) :)

That's the news from Oregon. Extra love and hugs during the hot weather.......Heather :) :)