While I’ve never been one to feel that intense, gut-level connection to the place I was born, I keep finding myself back in Ashland.
Another summer, another glorious anniversary trip to Ashland, Oregon with the woman I love.
I’ve shared in earlier posts about the story behind our annual trip to Ashland. Whether or not you’ve read it, perhaps you’re acquainted with some of Ashland’s colorful reputation. Sure, there’s a world-famous Shakespeare Festival, but there are also some wonderful eats and plenty of quirky shopping. The town is filled with nude sunbathers, charming inns, an army of Subaru-drivers, and dreadlocked “home-free” travelers (read: homeless) who come equipped with fancy cell phones.
Fortunately for a landscape-loving photographer like me, Ashland is surrounded by some stunning countryside. Even more fortunately for me, my gracious wife played along with my photographic shenanigans in between romantic meals and bike rides. There’s nothing quite so refreshing as spending alone time with my best friend in the world. There’s no one on Earth that offers me more grace.
Check out a few frames from Castle Crags State Park (yeah, yeah, still in NorCal), Lithia Park, and my break-of-dawn climb up Mount Ashland.
A rare sighting…of me! Erica and I both had cameras in hand for our hike at Castle Crags State Park.Making tracks down the wooded trail: the one with no elevation.
A rabble of butterflies (yes, I had to look that up). Or the shadow of some local leaves.The 100 degree sun didn’t feel so oppressive under the cover of these trees.Our trail dead-ended into Root Creek, which would have been more refreshing if we had brought swimsuits.The canopy above made for some natural spotlights, shining on to the forest carpet below.See if you can spot the alligator in this photo.The watering hole. Bees peacefully swarmed this fountain just outside our room at our favorite bed and breakfast.This patriotic fella awaited us at the entrance to Lithia Park. He’s there all night, folks. And all day.The crown jewel of Lithia Park is the creek of the same name that runs through it.I set off to explore said creek while my bride set to reading.I used to play in this creek when I was a little boy. Strangely, it seemed just as big as I had remembered.He used to play in Lithia Creek as a duckling. Perhaps.Wish I could do that.I skipped from boulder to boulder to avoid falling in the water. The signs warning of E Coli bacteria in the water (seriously!) made me that much more cautious.I came back to find Erica chatting on the phone with our kids…who very much weren’t on this trip. A little time away from them makes us long to be with them again.I started up Mt. Ashland at 5:00am on our final day, while my wife got the bed to herself. I spotted this silhouette of Mt. McLoughlin on my hike to the top.The summit of Mt. Ashland rewarded me with a stunning vista, and this observation station. A perfect bad guy hideout?Lest you think I had scaled some remote mountain, the Mt. Ashland ski lifts carry thousands of skiers up here each year.You’d be forgiven for thinking I’d landed on Mars. And no, that’s not Earth in the distance.A final view of the hills while heading back down the mountain. I had to bolt back to the B&B to catch breakfast with my anniversary date.Mt. Shasta threatened to erupt on our way home. Or an errant cloud floated in exactly the right spot to make it look that way.
It may have been just two nights away from home, but this anniversary trip filled my sails for months to come.
Here’s to 12 great years, Erica. I can’t wait for what’s ahead!
I’ve told you about our anniversary spot. So where do you and your main squeeze go to refuel?
2 comments
Happy anniversary to you both! You will always be seared into my mind in a good way-we will hook up again someday I’m sure!
Thankya kindly, brother. The same goes for you and “Peppy”!