Charlie's RV Travelogue - January 2006

My wife is a journaler; I'm not. She is diligently writing into three different journals; mine is still blank. This travelogue is my attempt at electronically journaling our RV travels, not only to help me remember, but also for anyone interested in following our adventure.

Jan 22: Driving Dead Indian Memorial Road near Ashland

This week Landra's dad and his wife are in town, visiting Baby (and us too). As luck would have it, the rain paused for a couple of days during their visit. The sun drew us out for some sightseeing in the Medford and Ashland area.

Mt. McLoughlin is visible in the distance, as we drive south in I-5 toward Medford.

First, we made a stop at the Harry & David store in Medford at exit 27. Then, we attempted to drive up the dirt road on Roxy Ann Mountain, but the gate was down. The drive was not a complete waste because it was enjoyable seeing the houses at the foot of the mountain.

In the summer I took the scooter on Dead Indian Memorial Road and really enjoyed the scenery. I thought it would be nice to see it in the winter. The roads were clear and dry, but pretty curvy. Several wide areas along the shoulder made for good photo stops. This time of year the hills and mountains within view are snow covered.

Now that Landra's parents have visited, the only thing keeping us in Oregon is one more doctor's checkup. My parents will meet Baby in Dallas, later in the spring.

Jan 15: Stroll through a Grants Pass neighborhood

A Grants Pass neighborhood, set high on the hillside

Today was cool and cloudy, but at least the rain took a short pause, long enough to load Baby into the stroller and take a nice walk. We have been watching the hillside neighborhood since arriving at Jack's Landing RV Resort in late December. Many of the houses still had their Christmas decorations lit which made for a pretty scene from the RV. This was our destination today, about a mile, maybe a little longer.

Landra and I have commented several times that if we were to considered Oregon as a permanent home (which we are not), Grants Pass would be our top choice among the cities in the valley. Something about this city feels most welcoming as a home town. It is built in a valley surrounded by good size mountains. The Rogue River runs through the downtown park, which is a beautiful place to relax in the summer (very muddy at the moment).

As we ascended the hillside neighborhood, the quality and size of the houses increased with the altitude, and the view. On the ridge are several enormous mansions, some of them being built. Mid-way up the hill were houses that we considered comparable to our previous neighborhood in McKinney, Texas. These houses, built new on the outskirts on Dallas, could be had for $150,000 to $200,000. Here, a very nice home with five bedrooms, about 2,100 sq. feet, was selling for $600,000.

Jan 10: Wine tasting on a rare sunny afternoon

Del Rio Vineyards in Rock Point, Oregon

Landra's mom is in town visiting the baby (and us too). Today, we had a rare sunny afternoon in an otherwise dreary winter, so we decided to go wine tasting in nearby Rock Point.

Del Rio Vineyards' red barn is easy to spot on the north side of the highway. Take exit 43 from I-5 to get there. Behind the red barn is their beautiful vineyard on the south-facing hill slopes.

We were the only customers in the tasting room, which is in a historic building that was once a stagecoach station. None of us are wine connoisseurs, so I can't comment intelligently on their wine selections, except to say that they were yummy. The gentleman serving us was very friendly and knowledgeable. We especially liked their sweet blush wine. With the wine, they served several fresh cheeses made locally by the Rogue Creamery in Central Point.

Jan 4: Rogue River in Gold Hill

Landra with Baby by the Rogue River in Gold Hill. The river has been muddied by winter rains.

Ever since Baby was born, our trips and hikes have been very short. Today, we took him to Gold Hill to introduce him to the swollen Rogue River. The river also runs through Grants Pass, where we are staying now, but that park is pretty muddy at the moment. Besides, we think that the section running through Gold Hill is more scenic. Baby slept through our stroll in the park, so we'll have to bring him back when he is a little older and a little more awake.

Winter brought a lot of rain to the Rogue Value, causing the Rogue to flood in many places. Our previous KOA campgroun in Gold Hill was partially flooded by the creek running through it. The KOA campground host, whom we got to know pretty well during out stay there, showed us pictures of how the creek took out one of the small foot bridges in the park. He was out on the tractor in pouring rain, pulling the bridge free.

In case you are wondering, we are witholding our baby's name from this public web site, to maintain a little bit of privacy. Here he is known as Baby.