The Rogue River Valley is in southern Oregon, about 90 miles from the Pacific coast and about 30 miles North of the California border. It is protected from both harsh cold and from the infamous Oregon rain by the surrounding mountains, and stays pleasantly dry and above freezing for all but a few weeks of the year. Here in the middle of the valley, the flat farmland is home to orchards and vineyards, overlooked by the "table mountains" pictured here.

Just a few miles in any direction and you begin to climb the mountains that surround the valley. To the North, through the city of Grants pass you can drive, boat, or hike along the beautiful and wild Rogue River. As a child, I took a jetboat trip up the Rogue River with my family. The jetboats used to be the primary U.S. Mail carriers to this area, and one can still ride the original mail route up the river.

Here in the city of Grant's pass, I strike a Caveman pose in honor of the Caveman Society that was started here in the early 1900's. Similar to other service groups, like the Shriners or Kiwanas, the Cavemen raise funds for community groups and participate in service activites. Only difference, I guess is that they wear animal pelts instead of those funny hats. :)

To the south, the city of Ashland is the cultural mecca of the valley. Home to Southern Oregon University, and a regionally famous annual Shakespeare festival, Ashland manages to preserve its identity as an artists community amid the logging towns and farms. The city is carefully planned to be extremely accessible on foot or bicycle. Here you see part of the park in the center of the city.

Some pretty green trees decorated with lights in Ashland.

Kearson and I enjoyed conversation and a pint at one of the local microbreweries in Ashland. Isn't this a great picture of him? Perhaps his good mood can be attributed to the fact that we were very near the Rogue Brewery, maker of Kearson's favorite beer - Black Butte Porter! They also make a "Shakespeare Stout" so-named for its proximity to Ashland's celebration of the Bard.

The largest city in the valley, Medford, turned out to be a disappointment. No efforts have been made to maintain a vital city center. The downtown area was deserted after 5:00 and on the weekends. Few parks, and fewer provisions for urban housing and transportation have lead to a sprawl of suburban housing without much character. Hopefully, as the valley continues to grow, this mistake will be recognized and Medford will catch up culturally to neighboring Ashland. Until then, Kearson and I would only consider relocation to rural Rogue Valley, or to Ashland.