Three weeks ago I was able to attend what us Southern Oregon marketers like to call a “research trip” on the beautifulRogue Riverin Merlin. I was joined by a lovely group of ladies by the names of Linea Gagliano/Travel Oregon, Jamie Porter/ TravelOregon, Vicky Hastings/Maxwell PR, Eileen Garvin/Mediamerica, Kerrie Walters/Grants Pass Tourism, Anne Jenkins/Medford VCB, Sue Price/Southern Oregon Marketing, Jean Kurtz/Roseburg VCB, and Carolyn Hill/Southern Oregon Visitors Association. I would be cruel to leave out Brad Niva/Rogue Wilderness, but he doesn’t belong on the “one of the ladies” roster.
The research trip is a way to experience our tourism products first-hand, so we can do our marketing stuff—blogs like this, Facebook, and all the rest. We started at Galice Resort overlooking the Rogue River on Galice Road. This is right outside ofGrantsPass.If this is an area you have never explored, I will urge you to do so as soon as you can. Just the drive out to the destination, paired with my favorite CD, was the best part of my week. Cruising along the back roads, with sunshine peeking through the trees, I knew I was in for a treat from the get-go. Being fromSouthern Oregonand already having a great bond with the river, I knew what it had to offer. But, the simple fact that I would be promoting my region to the “mother ships” of theOregontourism industry, I wanted to try and take every moment in for what it had to offer. I had been down that road (literally) hundreds of times to and from rafting and/or hiking, but I honestly feel that this overnight trip gave me a better appreciation for the area I live in.
Back to the beginning…we were greeted by the Galice Resort owners, Debbie and her mother Mary Lou. We sat on the deck and tasted a variety of local wine while talking about what the next couple of days had to offer and our goal of the marketing meeting as a whole. Anne from the Medford Chamber gave us a tiny sneak peak into the new marketing approach they are going to take on (which I am very curious about), Brad gave us the history of the Rogue River, and the Galice ladies gave us the history and focus of their resort. They shared with us how they try and do their best to keep it very family oriented. I have pulled off the river on a Friday or Saturday night and have seen them out on the dance floor (in between serving customers), while rocking out to the live music. People wait almost an hour to have their home-style cookin’ because it is no nuisance, yet a pleasure to sit with strangers at those picnic tables and enjoy the local vibe. Equally informative: Brad gave me (a local kid, growing up in Gold Hill on the Rogue), some things to take home that I did not already know. For example, coming from Boundary Spring in Crater Lake National Park (which I have hiked before), the Rogue River is famous for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, and it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Facts such as these have brought a handful of celebrities to our area. Take Zane Grey for example. He loved it so much he built a cabin near a trail along the Rogue. I’ve been there before, but I am going to challenge you to do some web sleuthing! (Hint: look at Travel Southern Oregon’s Facebook page…).
After wrapping it up there, we went over the Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge. Happily bunking up with my local gals and colleagues, we unpacked our bags and poured ourselves a lemon martini to get our creative (and relaxing) juices flowing. Instead of staying in the cabins (which are ideally suited for a romantic getaway, I might add), we stayed upstairs in the lodge on Taylor Creek. This little creek offers a small trail to walk along and enjoy your company, or to enjoy the peace and quiet of no company at all. Whatever your choice, it will be a good one as long as you are there.
Heading over to the main lodge and restaurant, I was screaming inside with excitement. For some odd reason, I had never eaten at their restaurant until this day. In fact, the week before, my Dad was there and came home raving about the five-course meals and how everything was so delicious. Well, any of you who know me know that I am the least fussy eater you will ever meet but I am a true “foodie” at heart. I, in no way shape or form, let a meal guilt me into not eating or into how much time I will need to spend at a gym to make up for it. The truth of the matter is, when you are in for a treat why not go for the whole sha-bang? Wine, local brews, sweet bread, creamy soup, locally caught salmon, roasted potatoes, green salad, you name it! What did I have to top it off? Coffee paired with a chocolate tort of course. Hungry yet?
After dinner all of us gathered by the fire with the Lodge manager, Lowell Pratt. Sharing stories about our favorite things to do in Southern Oregon, while the some of the others quickly took notes. I thought about taking notes, too, but then realized: I would have no problem taking myself back to this day, and the fireside moment on the Rogue. I never do. I have to admit that this kind of lifestyle could truly spoil a persons work-ethic, and this is not the typical working day in the tourism industry so don’t go off quitting your job or anything. Do know that it is not hard to work in a job that you enjoy what you do, the people that you work with, and what you are selling. What I am “selling” per se is the local attraction that so many people yearn to have in their life and that is why they all come to enjoy it. The flowing river, lakes galore, the rolling hills, large mountains, every season in the year, more green than most could imagine, a long list of outdoor adventures to enjoy it all, and better yet the fact that it is in my back yard.
Last year I came back from 4 months of traveling alone to 14 different countries in Europe and Africa, and I can honestly say that although a lot of it was breathtaking, none of it could ever measure up to the way thatSouthern Oregonmakes me feel. There is just something about it you have to explore and understand yourself…so when the term “cell out” is used, it means to get out of range, turn off all electronic devices and take it all in.
See pictures on our Travel Southern Oregon facebook of the trip!
-Bonnie Ryan
Southern OregonVisitors Association (SOVA)
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