Mini-vacation, SW Oregon!!

After wandering 3100 miles through the midwest, I flew back to Oregon, drove home and lovingly realized that nothing I had seen in my trip was prettier than things I could easily drive to right from home. I had the chance to put this into action on Friday - when a tripa friend and I had been discussing for over 2.5 year finally came to fruition. Friday we went on Safari in Oregon - YEP! Safari! Ok, having been on Safari in South Africa it is not the same, but still, it was pretty cool. The predator animals were separated from the pray, but the pray had lots of lovely land to roam on and were mixed with other animals and birds, and you drive through slowly and see what you can find. They were all pretty easy to spot from the roadside - but it was more fun than the zoo. I'm glad we went :) However, I still am not crazy about the ethical history of animals in captivity. I'd like to know what they do with the elderly animals, the unwanted males (herds had mostly females) and so forth. Until I trust that zoos (and related facilities) don't pawn off their unwanted animals on 'lesser' facilities that have poor environments, I'd still rather see nature IN nature, rather than in captivity.

On the way to safari we stopped at the Winston diner, an adorable old-school diner filled with locals where they made an amazing vanilla malt milkshake, and not having many vegetarian options, I was thrilled they were willing to make me eggs and toast. Sweet - thank you folks!

Then we drove to Ashland and checked into our lovely inn, the Lithia Springs Inn. We had a half-priced room thanks to Groupon - normally close to $300/night, including free wine, tea service, and a pretty fancy breakfast spread. The grounds are lovely, the folks friendly, but the best thing is that the room came with a private hot springs tub :)

We headed into town for dinner then saw our first play, Osage county - riveting drama about certainly one of the most dysfunctional family to ever make it into fiction. It was really an exploration of pivotal moments - when you have the choice of stepping away and not getting sucked into other people's behaviors, or when you fall into place with the behaviors you were raised with. It was quite powerful and very well acted.

Before bed we had a 'swim' in the tub, soaking up the healing minerals, then slept like babies.

The next morning, after breakfast, we checked out then hung out at the very large city park in Ashland, walking along the creek, resting in the sun, and dare I saw it - I got some work done... because that's how I roll! Then a quick lunch and off to the next play.

African Company presents Richard III was very interesting for a few reasons - first the way they echoed Shakespeare's blending of what is on stage being a commentary of reality. In this case they made the poignant point that being a servant is acting because you can never show your true self - so they LIVE as actors, and only on stage is how they can express their 'realness' as equal humans. The other poignant point is that the play is based on real events and real people - an African company put on Richard III right next to a white company back in the mid 1800's, and made a segregated place for whites to stand in the back. Amazing!!! I'm so impressed by the folks that had the gaul to push society like that.

Then we were off on an unexpected detour. My friend told me that he had NEVER seen crater lake - he's lived in oregon about 7 years?? WHAT?? So off to crater lake we went. I love it there - I've been about 4 times in 4 years and will go many more. This time I REALLY wanted to cliff dive into the lake, but we got there after the sun had left the caldera, so it was really cold - I'll go back another time :) We sat by the lake until nearly sunset, then made it back across the mountains back home after dark.

Two days, one overnight, many different types of adventures, much wonderfulness, and VERY thankful for having a very good friend to share it with :)