Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
I love Road Trips! First Stop – Ashland, Oregon
Being a native of Seattle, and living in the Northwest corner of the USA, most of our road trips go south to Oregon and California and both states have much to offer coming and going!
We recently returned from a road trip to Napa Valley, America’s wine capital, just north of San Francisco. It’s a day and a half drive, so we stopped for the night in Ashland, Oregon, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I’m sorry to say, it was a short overnight stay, and there was no Shakespeare in our future. We stopped because it was roughly 2/3 of the way to our destination, and because the town itself is small and charming, and just off I-5.
We stayed at the historic Ashland Springs Hotel, on Main Street, from which everything we needed for a nice stay was walkable.
This from their website: “An oasis of gentility & elegance located in a quaint, charming town of Ashland, Oregon. Built in 1925 and lovingly restored, this downtown landmark is a haven of taste reminiscent of small European hotels.
.. nestled in the Rogue River Valley where travelers came from far and wide to experience the wonders of nature and the acclaimed curative waters of the mineral springs and now enjoy Tony-award winner, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, exciting local food scene and diverse wine region, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, and the beauty and joy of returning to a simpler time.”
Yes, all that. Too bad we didn’t stay longer, but unfortunately Ashland is always on our way to someplace else!
Still, we had a nice stay, a lovely dinner that night and a walk through Lithia Park the next morning. Every town needs their own oasis of nature, and we enjoyed bubbling Ashland Creek and the beauty and fragrance of azaleas and camelias in bloom.
After our walk we were on the road again, and within the hour had entered California where we were greeted by this sentinel – 14,162 ft., Mt Shasta!
So far, so good! Next up: Napa Valley!
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Such a beautiful town, Susanne!
It really is! We need to make it a destination, rather than just passing through!
I agree, it looks well worth the drive. ❤️😊
Now I have to thank you after this long time. Thanks so much, and have a nice weekend! Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much! ☺️
You’re welcome! xx Michael
Charming old city and gorgeous landscapes!
It really is! Thank you.
Isn’t it amazing all the things we can discover in our own backyards?
Yes indeed!
One of our favorite spots as the town is charming and we love theatre. My wife was born and raised in Sonoma, so I’ve spent plenty of time in the Napa Valley.
We need to go back and spend more time in Ashland and southern Oregon. It’s a beautiful area but we’re always just passing through. We also really enjoyed our time in Napa Valley and had a great time exploring the area.
The seats by that lake look like somewhere I would like to sit. The art deco cinema is lovely, does it still show films?
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it shows independent films, foreign films, and documentaries. Your kind of place!
Very much so, inside and out!
I love a road trip too, and an overnight stop in an historic hotel like this one sounds pretty good to me 😀 The park is lovely too, and Mount Shasta looks stunning! I’m looking forward to reading about your Napa Valley stay as that’s one of the places we had to drop from our itinerary last year when we realised we couldn’t do everything!
Everytime we stop by Ashland, I realize I need to spend more time there. Unfortunately, I’m always on my way to someplace else! Napa was very pleasant, and we were happy to stay at my brother’s home there. Vineyards everywhere!
A friend and I spent a weekend in Ashland, Oregon and saw three plays in three days. We loved it! I would happily go again. Mount Shasta is gorgeous.
That sounds wonderful! I’d like to go back and do the same!
I love the look of the hotel but the nature photos were stunning – especially the mountain!!!
Thank you!
Pretty sights on your way to Napa!
Yes, lots to see on the way there! 🙂