Travel Blog: Rejuvenating in Ashland, Oregon

After leaving Portland, I headed south to Medford, Oregon, where my friends, Dan and Tanisha live.  I had worked at Starbucks with Dan when I lived in Nashville.  He had always said I should set my novel, “Decaf For The Dead” in Ashland, which is 30 minutes away from him.  So my trip to visit him and his wife was part business.  I focused a lot on writing the new novel and getting a feel for the small area of Oregon.
The foliage was beautiful in Ashland, and I enjoyed exploring Lithia Park as well as seeing two plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  I was fortunate enough to score press tickets so I could review the plays in Half Full.  The town is filled with antiques and old bookstores.  Dan says it kind of has a creepy feel, and while I think it is quite a charming and quaint city, I could definitely see how it might feel haunted, especially on an overcast day.

Ashland, Oregon

Ashland, Oregon

Lithia Park.

Lithia Park.

Duck pond in Lithia Park with the foliage reflection.

Duck pond in Lithia Park with the foliage reflection.

This gazebo in Lithia Park will be a significant setting in "Decaf For The Dead".

This gazebo in Lithia Park will be a significant setting in “Decaf For The Dead”.

Lithia Park

Lithia Park

Lithia Park.

Lithia Park.

When exploring all of these old books, postcards, and trinkets found in all of the stores, you do get a sense of history and it makes me wonder what ghostly attachments these things might have.  Aside from writing and mildly exploring the area, I have been laying low, just enjoying visiting with my friends and their two young children, as well as slowing down the pace for the week, and actually cooking meals instead of eating out.
Old copy of "As You Like It", which of course I read Shakespeare while in the park! :)

Old copy of “As You Like It”, which of course I read Shakespeare while in the park! 🙂

Antiquarium where there are tons of super old books, postcards, some actually addressed to people, and other odds and ends.

Antiquarium where there are tons of super old books, postcards, some actually addressed to people, and other odds and ends.

Pumpkin patch with my friends. Tanisha and little miss Hattie are pictured.

Pumpkin patch with my friends. Tanisha and little miss Hattie are pictured.

I needed this week to reflect and replenish, especially after Portland — which had me quite busy, and a little under the weather, as well as surprised that I didn’t want to move there!  I needed to regain my fervor for travel, and prepare for the last 3 big cities I will be seeing in October: San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas!
Cali, here I come!