A Drive Down Memory Lane

Hello there! This morning I got up and felt in the mood to get an iced coffee. A beautiful morning to be sure and so here I am, your tour guide ready to get things going. Yes, the sunglasses are a tad over the top, but oh do they block out the sun. So our first stop is at Southern Oregon University. They just added a fancy new sign at the corner of Siskiyou Blvd. & Mountain Ave.  Just up the street from the high school. When I was growing up it was SOC (Southern Oregon College) and then it became SOSC (Southern Oregon State College) and now it is SOU! Seriously, what does it matter, but then again it is likely all about money and prestige. On with the tour...to the Swedenburg Mansion. Mom knew Dr. Swedenburg and I have been in this beautiful southern style mansion several times. First, as a residence and then one summer I worked there when it housed the Shakespeare Costume Exhibit. It was the summer when they started letting people try on the old costumes for pictures. For years it was "no touching" and well, some Japanese tourists wanted to try them on and so I let them and initially got into trouble. After explaining myself to Mrs. Yeoman, the policy changed and they began charging to dress up and tourists loved it.

So let's head downtown towards Lithia Park.  As you can see Ashland decks the streets out for the festival with banners and such.  The town really has gotten a lot more "quaint" to be sure.

Beautiful skies and cooler temps made this a perfect morning.  The above picture was taken just as I pulled away from mailing a post card.  Lots of trees and parking is still free in town.  Passed by a Farmer's Market, but a little too crazed for my tastes.  And I was on a mission.  Lithia Park, a place of many happy times growing up.  Here is the bridge you cross to go to the playground.  Off to the right and in the next picture is a wading area to cool off in.

Lots of trees and the baby waterfalls were fun.  Across the street was an ice cream parlor and from where I was taking this picture, just up and over to the left is a large lawn area where they held the annual 4th of July bar-b-que picnic.  Funny how all these memories come flooding back.

 As you drive through the park you pass a beautiful rose garden, but today there was nothing in bloom, thus no picture.  Additionally you come to this marvelous staircase.  A statue of Abe Lincoln used to be at the top of the stairs, but his head kept getting knocked off (it was marble) and so they moved it.  The fountain is a lovely addition.  Just to the left of this photo is a grove of trees where many an Easter Egg Hunt was held.  And if you turn around you would see the band shell.

 Many a summer band concert was held here, plus graduations (Janet's college ceremony was here) and the annual 4th of July baby contest.  If you have not guessed by now, the 4th of July is a big deal in town with parades, contests and fireworks.  What great times we had and fun picnics.  Our tour continues up into the park, past tennis courts and on to the upper duck pond.  The lower duck pond was back down near the playground.

In case you did not know, Lithia Park was designed by the same man who designed Golden gate Park in San Francisco and Central Park in New York City.  Lots of pathways and bridges along with all the lush plantings.  But along the way, very specific "centerpiece moments" to make for a memorable journey.  So I drove up and into the turn around at the upper duck pond and got a couple of nice shots before continuing up through the park.

 The stonework is amazing throughout the park and there are so many great places to sit and relax or enjoy a picnic.  But all this needs to be managed and so just north of the upper duck pond, just past where the zoo used to be (long gone) is a lodge style structure which serves as the headquarters for parks and recreation.

Throughout the park runs Lithia Creek.  It is quite lovely most of the time.  Once, years ago, after a severe storm, it became a raging river and took out the sewage treatment plant down stream.  For a week or so the entire town was without water.  I remember going down to the water trucks that were based at the super market to get our jugs filled with water.  We also drove to Medford to Aunt Val's and Uncle Clyde's house to take showers.  But, for the most part, the creek is quite lovely.

From here, I drove up and around the bend into the upper reaches of Ashland along some old dirt roads.  Surprised by how many people were out walking, I kept speed way down to control the dust.  I think the walkers appreciated that.  My drive brought me around to Ashland's #1 tourist draw, the Shakespearean Festival.  Started as a summer festival of "Stay Three Days, See Three Plays" has now grown into a year round, four theatre, Tony Award winning theatre experience.

 It had been a lovely morning, but it was getting busier with tourists and I had finished my iced coffee and so time to head back. Had to pause and snag this shot. Yes, what was the doctor's office where my Mom worked for many years is now a Starbucks Coffee.

Oops, how could I not include a shot of the tallest building between Portland and San Francisco? For years it was known as The Mark Antony Hotel, but being a money pit of sorts it has gone through numerous buyers over the past several years. Currently, it is doing quite well as The Ashland Springs Hotel.

So home bound I go but not before going by the old house on Indiana.  Amazing it is still standing as the rest of the houses on the block were razed for a new dorm.  When we lived there it was reddish with white trim.  Oh the memories of that house, but alas, for another time, as this posting has gone on long enough.  Hope you enjoyed!