It's the Climate

We're getting into the Pacific Northwest with our stop in Grants Pass, Oregon.  Grants Pass is a town of 35,000 located in southern Oregon along I-5.  We've been following I-5 through California and we plan to continue following it all the way to just short of the Canadian border--that is, of course, if by the time we get to northern Washington there is a work-around for the bridge that collapsed last week.  We're very glad that we weren't on the bridge when it fell, and the fact that it did fall gives us pause in considering the viability of all other bridges we're crossing--not a new topic for our blog.

The RV park here is in town, and within walking distance to the downtown area and several eating establishments.  We've enjoyed being able to 'hoof' it to several destinations rather than taking the car.  The park is really bare bones, but our site was one of the most level we've come across.  (And being more level means less whole-house vibrations when the washer's spin cycle gets going.)

For sightseeing, we had  identified 2 attractions--Redwood National Park and Crater Lake National Park.  We chose to visit the redwoods first.  The drive from Grants Pass to Crescent City, CA follows along the Smith River, and is very picturesque.  When we arrived at the park headquarters, one of the volunteers recommended a drive through the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park that follows an old stagecoach route.  We took it.  It's a one-lane graded dirt/stone trail that meanders through the giant trees.  We have no idea how stagecoaches ever got through there.

About 3/4 of the way through, we took advantage of a 1/2 mile hiking trail.  When is the next time we'll be able to walk through a forest of redwoods?

On our return trip to Grants Pass, we were intrigued to make a stop in the small town of Kerby.  An enterprising artist has set up shop there.  Everything is made of or decorated with burl wood.

The number of items, and the imagination exhibited in them, was impressive.  In fact, there were so many to look at, it was overwhelming and we're sure we didn't really see everything.  We had hoped to find something for the RV, but nothing was just right.  This bicycle is one example of the art pieces there.

We didn't make it to Crater Lake National Park.  It continued to snow last week, and the park roads remained closed.  So we found other amusements.  As if we hadn't had enough wine while in California, we spent one afternoon driving along the local Applegate Wine Trail, sampling some of Oregon's offerings.  And they're not bad.  In fact, we purchased a few bottles, naturally.  We visited Schmidt Family Vineyards, Wooldridge Creek Winery, and Serra Vineyards.  Even if we hadn't enjoyed the wines, the settings were very pleasant to just sit and enjoy the scenery.

Grants Pass holds a Memorial Day weekend event every year called Boatnik.  This year was the 54th such event.  The funds that are raised go to local children and youth programs.  The parade that launched the festivities this year went on for over an hour.  We believe that everyone in town was in the parade in some fashion.

Boatnik is held in a park along the Rogue River.  There are food vendors, carnival rides, arts and specialty items sales, and (the focus of the celebration) high-speed boat races.

The weather was perfect on the day we went--temps in the high 70's, light breeze, clear skies.  It was much nicer and warmer than had been forecast.  We overheard several locals commenting on the pleasant weather change.  We humbly and silently said "You're welcome".  On the other hand, Grants Pass' motto is "It's the Climate", so our presence really had nothing to do with it.

Being in Zone 7, it's weather is temperate, yet the season's are distinguishable.  And even though it rained off and on the whole time we were there, it was very comfortable.  They say this is the tail-end of their rainy season, and that everything will now begin to turn brown until the rains come again.  We're glad we're catching Oregon while it's green and cool.  We like this climate.

Today we move to the Portland area.