Ashland, Oregon - Vacation - Part 2

Southern Oregon is home to some fantastic wineries.  In general I think Oregon wines are inferior to their European counterparts.  The older Continent just has better value.  How is they can ship a wine across the ocean and sell it at half the cost of a comparable Oregon wine?  This is one of the mysteries of my age.

We had time to visit two wineries during our short vacation.  Our first stop was at RoxyAnn Winery.  

RoxyAnn is home to my favorite Oregon wine -  

 and during our visit we found another favorite.

The wine tasting room is in a converted barn and is at the foot of the vineyard.  I mentioned enjoying Tempranillo wines and the gentleman pouring our wines suggested we visit another winery - Red Lily.  So Sunday after church and visiting old friends we drove over to Red Lily.  Isn't that what everyone does after going to church --- visit a winery for a tasting.  Live dangerously I say...

You arrive at Red Lily by crossing a single lane bridge over a beautiful stream.

The place was busy but that didn't stop us from approaching the bar and tasting a flight of wines.  One of the wines was really good (2011 Lily Girl Rose) and we bought a couple bottles as a reminder of our great vacation.

Two enjoyable wineries in beautiful settings.  We will definitely will go back to RoxyAnn to buy wine.  We would also go back to Red Lilly for a picnic along the river and to taste future vintages.

Ashland, Oregon - Vacation - Shakespeare - Part One

We had a wonderful short vacation to Ashland, Oregon. The weather was a welcome hot - 104 degrees. No more cool Willamette Valley weather for us.  Gina loved every second of it. I just soaked it in hoping to store up the warmth for next winter.

Our visit was organized around the Shakespeare Festival.  We saw Midsummer Night's Dream

on the Elizabethan Stage.

We sat in the balcony, first row, center.  Great seats.  The theater was the star of the evening.  The play was adequate and not one we would normally pick but it was the one playing in the recreated Globe stage the evening we could get down to Ashland.  We will certainly be going back to the festival and  will be pickier about the play selection.

We stayed in this beautiful bed and breakfast - Lithia Springs Resort.

The room was comfortable, the gardens beautiful and less than 10 minutes from downtown.

We saved some money by eating a couple meals at the Ashland Food Coop.  Gina loved all the Vegan options and is inspired to try out a few new dishes based on what we ate from their amazing deli.

So many years of never going anywhere alone for the weekend helps us appreciate these special weekends all the more. I'm thankful for the many years we were busy raising our family and how it makes these weekends fantastic.

Yes, We Spent a Week's Vacation in Arkansas!

We kicked off the 2013 summer fun with a trip to Arkansas.  Here we are getting ready to leave for Portland.  We left Wednesday afternoon because our plane left PDX at 5:45 am.  That is early for this crew.

Everyone looks happy except that Abe doesn't want to be hugged by Peter.  Autumn already has her sunglasses on even though she has a sweatshirt on.

If you are wondering why would anyone go to Arkansas for vacation, perhaps this picture helps explain. My parents live in Hot Springs Village - a gated retirement city.  Their house is on a beautiful lake and it is like visiting an upscale resort.  

View from Balboa Lake looking at my parent's backyard

Here is another picture taken from the boat but a little further away.

Ellie and Jer were able to join us for a few days before they headed back to Mississippi.  They had just spent 2+ weeks storm chasing in the Midwest. Ellie is pregnant and was craving strange food during the enitre time.  So here is a picture of where she liked to spend time. The dinner table. Just kidding.

  
Before they left town we took a few pictures.

  
With that beautiful lake right outside the door we spent as much time on the water as possible.  Here are a few more pictures.

Getting Ready, Life Preservers

Couldn't go on the boat without a checking phone first

Hanni and Dad getting ready

Grandpa patiently driving the boat

Getting Pulled around

Autumn and Ellie - We had to go slow because of the baby

Abe and Pete getting ready

Parent's Don't Know What Happens When They Sleep

Last week was vacation week.  We jumped in a plane and traveled far away to a place far different than Oregon. Gina, Autumn, Hanni, Peter, Abe and I enjoyed Arkansas and my parents.  

This is the view from my parent's back deck:

That is indeed a beautiful lake.  What you don't see is the boat dock just off to the right that houses the boat we can take out anytime we want.  Staying with my parents is like staying in a nice resort.  

On the trip back to Oregon, I fell asleep.  I always fall asleep when flying.  There is just something soothing and I can't stop myself.  On the long leg of the trip, I had the pleasure of sitting next to this fine young lady.  

As I lay peacefully asleep, that innocent looking travel partner grabbed my Nexus 7 tablet and took a few pictures.  I didn't see these until a couple days after arriving home.

Hanni has a knack for capturing me at my best.

Doesn't she look satisfied with herself.  I'm just glad my beard hides drool!

Here is another one of me passed out!

The Lesson:  Your kids are capable of things you never imagined.  Just expect the unexpected and enjoy them!  I always think my kids are more innocent and serious than they really are. And I underestimate their capability to accomplish both constructive and silly things.