Saturday, July 10, 2010

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 :) :)

6 comments:

betty said...

I loved your tour of Lithia Park. When we lived in Medford, we visited the park often with our kids and enjoyed playing on the playground, taking walks and feeding the ducks. It is a beautiful park and I loved the quaintness of Ashland. Funny in the five years we lived there, we never went to a play. Wished we had

enjoyed the pictures and the memories they evoked :)

hope the soap making project was fun!! it is a lot of hard work but the results can come out quite nice!

enjoy Sunday :)

betty

Gerry's Soap N Stuff said...

Heather, I am enjoying your pictures of Oregon. I have been to your surrounding states, but not to Oregon nor Washington. I love the mountains and streams, the bridges and little towns. I like the back roads :). Love it that you are making soap and you know how I love talking about it, too..lol. Hugs..♥ ya, Gerry

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Betty/that corgi...I"ve never been to a play at the Shakespeare theatre either...so you're not alone :) :) But Ashland...the whole town is so beautiful...They make it really easy for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists..you want to go outside and take a walk :) :)

@Gerry/Gerry's Soap N Stuff,...I LOVe the backroads of small towns too..there's a lot to see if you look for it!!!! I'll let you know how the soap turns out on Monday...

Thansk for leaving me comments. I read every one and it makes me very happy...Love and hugs, Heather :) :)

Antoinette Petersen said...

Oh how lovely Heather!
I just loved seeing the photos from your little trip, it is so pretty there! I love the photos of the streams, ahhhhh it is so refreshing to hear the sound of them! :)

How neat, my mom and I have wanted to make our own soap too but have not had the chance yet! sigh
We make lots of other things though like toothpaste and deodorant! I like to make these things and not to rely on the stores like you! Wow, we have so much in common this is great, I am so enjoying getting to know you, you are such a sweet and dear friend to me already!

Many blessings,

Miss Antoinette

Annesphamily said...

I will have to visit you sometime. My daughter Rebekah loves Shakespeare. She would love to come to Oregon and check this out! Thanks for sharing. MY grandfather made his own soap. I know a few people that do. How fun. Blessings Anne

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Hi Anne/Annesphamiy...

I've never been to one of the Shakespeare plays...but it's fun to watch people come from all over to see the plays..and it's exciting to see everyone preparing for another season!!! If you have a chance, you might try making soap....OR buying handmade soap at a farmer's market...:) :) Love and hugs, Heather :) :)