Ashland Food & Wine Classic

Despite the chilly November weather, the mood was lively as we walked into the Historic Ashland Armory for the 3rd Annual Food & Wine Classic, held November 7, 2009 in Ashland, Oregon. We really weren’t sure what to expect. I’m not much of a chef at the best of times, and have never once watched Hell’s Kitchen or Top Chef or any of those reality shows about cooking. Having to cook every day is enough reality for me. But this event in Ashland is totally cool. I’m definitely going back again next year. 

Art at the Ashland Food & Wine Classic

The format is pretty simple:  food and wine vendors lined the sides of the ballroom. Just in front of the stage were four cooking stations, and in front of those, a table full of ingredients. It was all roped off, which was probably an excellent idea given how many people were there to watch. And anyway, there were plenty of delicacies for people to check out at the vendor tables.  Chocolates, wine, beer, coffee… salads, sauces, bread.  And artsy vendors, too, selling gorgeous tiles and kitchen gadgets and aprons – stuff that culinary folks would definitely love to have.

What was great about the cooking stations was that each had a tilted mirror above it, so we could watch the chefs from a sort of aerial view. Another view was afforded by video projection onto a large screen, so even from the back of the room it was easy to see what was going on.

Chef Showdown started at noon. Some of the eight chefs had competed before – others were new to the event this year. They were timed and limited to the ingredients on hand. Their concentration and creativity was amazing to watch, and I was in awe of the sheer speed and grace of their movements. No wonder people love watching this stuff! And it was crowded. Every theater seat was taken, and it was standing room only on the perimeter of the room. Sunday was the big day with just the last four competing, then the final two.  In between all the competition there were dessert competitions for local dessert chefs, plus workshops on all kinds of cool wine-food pairings and so on.

And the winner was… Franco Console of Omar’s Restaurant! 

Chef Showdown in the first round of the 3rd Annual Food & Wine Classic in Ashland, Oregon

Autumn’s Vivid Hues in Southern Oregon

Fall colors over Lithia Creek

Children play soccer & fall colors - Ashland's Lithia Park

Leef peeping in Southern Oregon is one of autumn’s special pleasures. The blue sky is a vivid backdrop to red, yellow, and orange leaves. Gentle breezes push fallen leaves across the streams and rivers. On this fine October day in Ashland’s Lithia Park, there are dozens of people enjoying the colors. Couples stroll alongside the duck pond. Children laugh through an impromptu soccer match. A photographer shoots outdoor portraits for an Ashland High senior. 

Lithia Park is one of the absolute best places to see fall colors. In Southern Oregon, the mountains are covered in fir and pine, but in the valleys, there’s an abundance of maple, oak, locust, birch, and other deciduous trees. 93-acre Lithia Park sits along Lithia Creek (yes, the creek has lithium oxide in it… one of the reasons the area became famous in the 19th century). In 1908, the city of Ashland dedicated the area for a park, and in 1914, John McLaren (landscape architect of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park) was commissioned to design the park. Features in the park include an amphitheatre, Japanese Garden, Perozzi tiered fountain, footbridges, duck ponds, and wonderful hiking trails. There’s also a great playground area and access to the creek for wading on hot days. 

Lower duck pond & Fall colors - Ashland's Lithia Park

Southern Oregon’s Mitchell Monument

In Southern Oregon, tucked nine miles up a Forest Service road outside the small community of Bly, stands a monument that is unique in all of the continental United States. This monument marks the spot where the only WWII casualties to occur on continental US soil took place.
This is the “Big Sky” country of Oregon, filled with wide-open pastureland, lush forests, quiet roads and the peaceful sound of fresh mountain water flowing through the creek beds. Winding country roads with open views of rich irrigated ranchland and grazing cattle will be the order of the day. Wildflowers, Juniper, Pine and Aspen trees line the traffic-free roads.
In this region, about mid-way between Klamath Falls and Lakeview on Hwy 140, you’ll find the community of Bly. Traveling north on Campbell Road from Bly, then East on Forest Service Road 34, it’s about nine miles to the Mitchell Monument. The road is paved but narrow (there is a stretch of about 100 yards that is gravel), and it is an easy and scenic drive through pasturelands and forests.
On this day, the first of October, the sky is bright blue and sunny, as is often the case in this region of Oregon. The breeze is crisp enough to remind that fall is coming, but pleasant enough for shirtsleeves and sunglasses. The Mitchell Monument sits within a developed recreation area that includes several picnic areas and hiking trails. The spot is popular for fishing and wildlife viewing.
Standing in this place, it’s easy to imagine how it must have looked the morning of May 5, 1945, when Reverend Archie Mitchell and his wife, Elsie (pregnant with the young couple’s first child) brought five Sunday School students on a special outing to fish in nearby Leonard Creek. As the story goes, Elsie and the children began to explore the creek while the Reverend parked the car. He stepped out of the car as he heard his wife call to him (to come see what she and the children had found). One imagines his preoccupation; perhaps he was thinking about the fishing poles and tackle, the schedule they may have been on, the prospects for catching trout that day. Into these reflections, as he closed the car door, an enormous explosion bursts, shattering the silence and silencing forever six lives. The Reverend was the only survivor.
Elsie Mitchell (26), Jay Gifford (13), Edward Engen (13), Dick and Joan Patzke, siblings (14 and 13, respectively), and Sherman Shoemaker (11) were killed instantly by a Japanese “fugo,” or “wind ship.” It was a balloon bomb, as they are commonly called, that Elsie and the children found that May morning. In 1944, Japan launched more than 9,000 of these fugos into the Jet Stream (an easterly wind current they had studied extensively). The Japanese theorized that these bombs would travel across the Pacific Ocean and explode in the heavily forested areas of the Pacific Northwest, igniting deadly forest fires that would divert resources from the war effort, leaving America vulnerable.
It was an ingenious scheme but many balloons crashed into the ocean or (as in the case of Bly) were hung up in tall trees before depositing their payload of bombs. The US government kept the whole campaign quiet, not wanting to alarm the public. With no media coverage, the Japanese deemed it a failed campaign and ceased launching the bombs six months later.
The fugos were made of mulberry paper and held together with persimmon paste. They measured 33 feet in diameter (when inflated with hydrogen). 19-foot shroud lines connected the balloon to its undercarriage which contained a ring of 30 sandbags for ballast, a ballast-control device, an altitude-control device, and five bombs: four thermite inmcendiaries and one anti-personnel. When released, the balloon floated upwards until it reach the jetstream, at a height of about 30,000-40,000 feet. As it traveled the wind current, the gas inside the balloon cooled and contracted, causing the balloon to sink. When it descended a few thousand feet, the altitude-control mechanism signaled the release of ballast to lighten the load and allow the balloon to rise. When no more ballast remained, the balloon began dropping its payload.
After the deaths at the Mitchell Monument site, the US government alerted the public to the danger, and fortunately there were no other casualties. In 1950, the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company, who owned the bomb site, dedicated the memorial. It is constructed from native stone and displays a bronze plaque bearing the names of the victims.

Shady Cove’s SPAM® Fest 2009

Shady Cove’s SPAM® Festival is definitely one of the quirkier late summer events in Southern Oregon. The 2009 festival featured a “Pet Parade,” live music, a beer garden, SPAM® burgers, and a SPAM® cook off.

Though the event is centered around this mystery meat, the real reason people come to Shady Cove is no mystery. Located on the banks of the beautiful Rogue River, Shady Cove offers perfect places to swim, raft, kayak, and fish. During the SPAM® festival, several of the area’s rafting outfitters offered special discounts for those who wanted to cool off and seek refuge from the scorching August heat.

Make sure to leave room on your calendar for next year’s festivities in Shady Cove. Keep an eye on this website for more info.

Pallet Wine Co: Medford’s New Custom Crush Facility

Pallet Wine Company’s facility near downtown Medford is coming along nicely. The company is renovating the historic Cooley-Neff building to offer a crush facility, cellar, and eventually a tasting room. At the 8/5 hard hat tour visitors tasted some of the wines the partners had previously produced, including some well-balanced Domaine Paradox Pinot Noirs. (The 2007 Domaine Paradox Pinot Noir recently won a silver medal at Gold Hill’s World of Wine event.)

Pallet aims to start producing wine in 2010 and from the looks of it, they are a company to keep your eye on. Take the “Winemaker’s Journey” today.

Willow Springs Guest Ranch and Lakeview, Oregon: An Exploration of Southern Oregon’s Own Big Sky Country

Willow Springs Guest Ranch

My drive to the Willow Springs Guest Ranch from Northern California was nothing short of amazing: early morning mist hugged the tules near Grass Lake, clusters of midges like small tornadoes dotted the farm land on the outskirts of Klamath Falls, and I was singing along with Neil Young and sipping my coffee. But when I came over the pass a few miles west of Lakeview on Highway 140, I was almost overwhelmed by the scenery.

There’s something about the high desert that always feels magical. Maybe it’s the altitude, or perhaps something more esoteric, but nevertheless the sky seems bluer, feels bluer, and the region’s diverse geological formations offer dramatic backdrops of steep ridges cutting impressive outlines against the sky – like something out of a John Ford film.

I arrived in Lakeview and headed 30 miles north on Highway 395 to the Willow Springs Guest Ranch. The ranch boasts 2,500 acres of land with miles and miles of trails to ride. Many of the ranch’s guests bring their own horses, but owners Keith and Patty Barnhart also provide horses for guests who are equine deficient and inclined to ride. There’s also an abundance of beautiful country for mountain bikers and hikers to explore on the ranch and the neighboring Fremont National Forest. Since the ranch is completely off the grid, (electricity is provided via a wind turbine and solar panels) you’ll be able to truly disconnect from the chaos of daily life and plug in to some real peace and quiet. The ranch boasts a unique flame-heated hot tub for guests who’d like to soak up the solitude while soaking their bones after a day of riding or hiking.

The hospitality at the ranch is outstanding – Keith and Patty are genuine good-hearted people eager to accommodate all their guests. My time at the ranch gave me the opportunity to get well acquainted with Keith, Patty and the rest of my fellow guests. We shared stories together over the fantastic meals Keith and Patty provided. The breakfasts I ate while on the ranch were delicious; fresh farm eggs, buckwheat pancakes, and fresh coffee gave us the fuel we needed for our long horse rides. Keith and Patty can also set you up with a sack lunch if you intend to go on a horseback ride or a long hike. Dinner is cooked over a campfire “Dutch oven style” so guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery and stunning sunset with their meal.

The Willow Springs Guest Ranch is truly one of Southern Oregon’s hidden gems. Make your reservations now!

Make sure you check out our flickr photo set for more pictures of Southeastern Oregon.

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Lakeview, Oregon: The Hang Gliding Capital of the West

The town of Lakeview is seated at the base of the Warner Mountains in southeastern Oregon’s high desert. It bills itself as “The Tallest Town in Oregon” due to its elevation – 4,802 feet. The cliffs above Lakeview solidify it as one of the top hang gliding destinations in the world. The town is home to the annual “Festival of Free Flight” – a hang gliding event that attracts some of the world’s top hang glider pilots. The event electrifies the area as hang gliders compete in several events during the days before the 4th of July. The intrepid, would-be hang gliding general public can usually find a pilot offering tandem rides for a fee. Whether or not you’re up for “free flight,” Southeastern Oregon is still a beautiful place to visit full of compelling hikes, hunting, and fishing.

Check out the video below for a quick interview with some young hang gliders and their parents:

Southern Oregon’s Verdant Paradise: Adventures in the Applegate Valley

When I arrived in the Applegate Valley, I was caught off guard at how green and luscious it is. The Applegate River and above-average rainfall provides ideal quantities of water for the valley’s numerous wineries and farms, and keeps the area’s diverse forests green and healthy. I assure you, as soon as you set foot in this place, you’ll fall in love with it.

Applegate Lake

Approximately 20 miles south of Jacksonville, the Applegate River pools in a 988 acre reservoir chock full of bass and trout. A recreation area just south of the dam offers well-groomed grass leading down to the water’s edge. Hikers and mountain bikers can take advantage of the 11-mile trail that encompasses the lake. Hikers are encouraged to search for the bigfoot trap.

Squaw Lakes

Just 8 miles east of Applegate Lake you’ll find the upper and lower Squaw Lakes. These beautiful, secluded lakes are great spots for fishing, hiking, and camping. Motor vehicles are not permitted at the lower lake, so be prepared to hike your gear in (only about a mile), or if you’re lucky, the camp host will transport your stuff on his ATV for $5. Each of the camp sites are located right on the lake, and are extremely secluded. While I was there, I had the lake entirely to myself. If you go on a weekend, you can expect company but never a “crowd.”

There is a short (approximately 1-mile long) trail from the lower lake to “Little Squaw Lake” perfect for a quick hike, or, if you don’t mind maneuvering over downed trees, a great little stretch of single-track trail for your mountain bike.

McKee Bridge

One of Southern Oregon’s many covered bridges spans the Applegate River just south of Ruch, approximately 15 miles north of Applegate Lake. Find out more about the McKee Bridge here.

Vineyards/Wineries

The Applegate Valley is home to several world-class wineries. The region’s climate favors many varities of grapes, though Chardonnay, Syrah, and Bordeaux red varietals seem to do especially well. Sunset Magazine called the region “wine country the way it used to be.”

Check out this amazing website for a great map of the area’s wineries: http://applegatewinetrail.com/.

Applegate River Lodge

If you’re not up for roughing it at Applegate Lake or Squaw Lakes, the Applegate River Lodge is where you want to stay. The lodge overlooks the Applegate River and offers 7 large, themed rooms, a restaurant serving delicious food, and a large dance floor for the live music they frequently host. Recently, the Lodge hosted Grammy-winning Booker T. Jones, frontman of the legendary band “Booker T. and the MGs.”

Whatever you do in the Applegate Valley, one thing is for sure: you will love it.

…and don’t forget to check out our Flickr Photostream to see even more photos of the Applegate Valley and the rest of Southern Oregon!

Gold Dust Day in Gold Hill

Gold Dust Day in Gold Hill brings the community together under the banner of its rich and long history in the state of Oregon. The town of Gold Hill sprang up just 14 miles north of Medford when prospectors discovered gold near the Rogue River. Soon after, the railroad had made its way north through Gold Hill, allowing easier transport of goods. Gold Hill holds their annual Gold Dust Day on the first Saturday in June to commemorate its rich and quirky history. Activities include a parade, pony rides, dunk tanks, gold panning, butter churning, and more. Visitors can also check out the town’s museum, as well as the numerous food and craft vendors lining the streets of downtown.

If you couldn’t make it for this year’s celebration, be sure to mark your calendars for next year; 2010 will mark the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold near Gold Hill.

Nature Conservancy Buys Remaining Table Rock Land

Saturday’s ceremony at Upper Table Rock marked the transfer of remaining private lands around Table Rocks to the Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy purchased the remaining 1,710 acres in order to ensure the rare plants and wildlife in the area will be protected. The land is of both ecological and cultural importance to the region, and remains a favorite location for birding and hiking.

The event included a volunteer-led clean up as part of “Take Care of Oregon Days,” as well as booths set up by the BLM and the Nature Conservancy. Members of local Native American tribes sang traditional songs, offered blessings for the land, and recounted the historical significance of the Table Rocks.

Visit the BLM website for more information. And visit this website to get an idea what hiking both Upper and Lower Table Rocks is like, and for a quick video of a 360-degree view from the summit.

Favorite Things To Do In Southern Oregon: Part 2

Some more gems you don’t want to miss out on when you come to Southern Oregon…

Historic Jacksonville
Located just a few miles south west of Medford and I-5, Jacksonville is a historic city that you don’t want to miss on your trip to Southern Oregon. The town offers many museums and historic sites detailing the town’s role during the gold rush. Trolley tours of the town are also available.

The Britt Festival
Every year, Jacksonville’s Britt Festival brings an eclectic line up of musicians. This year’s lineup includes hip new acts like Wilco, Andrew Bird, and The Avett Brothers, and well-loved acts like Blondie, Elvis Costello, and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland offers several plays (including some non-Shakespeare) from early Spring to Late fall, with upwards of 780 performances throughout the year. OSF has been around since 1935 and is one of Southern Oregon’s premiere destinations – annual attendance is approximately 400,000.

McKee Covered Bridge
The McKee bridge spans the Applegate River just a few miles north of the California border next to the McKee Picnic Ground. The river’s swimming area and proximity to Applegate Valley’s wine country makes it a great spot to visit on a hot summer day.

Crater Lake
Perhaps the most beautiful location in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake features some of the most striking views you will ever see. The Crater Lake Lodge, located on the rim of the crater, features 71 rooms and a dining experience offering some of the region’s best food and an incredible view of the lake. Before enjoying the fine food at the lodge, visitors can enjoy hikes and scenic drives around the lake, and even a boat trip in the caldera.

Jetboating in Southern Oregon
Several jetboat companies operate wet, wild adventure trips up and down the Rogue River. Hellgate Jetboats, operating out of Grants Pass, takes passengers on a speedy trip down to the beautiful Hellgate Canyon. Jerry’s Rogue Jets and the Mail Boat Hydro-Jet Trips offer similar trips starting at the Port of Gold Beach up the lower Rogue. These excursions are a perfect activity for the whole family on a hot summer day. Check out

Don’t forget to check out the Southern Oregon Vacation Guide when planning your summer trip to Southern Oregon. And check out videos of more fun stuff to do in Southern Oregon at our YouTube channel.