Wednesday, July 23, 2025

When I plan a trip,  I like to leave time to explore or just hang out.   This was one of those days that I didn’t plan anything,  but I did have a few ideas.

I had seen that there was something called “Wildlife Images” which specializes in helping animals rehabilitate.   As we drove to the facility, we passed Rogue Creamery, a dairy farm which makes cheese and serves grilled cheese sandwiches.   This was going to be our lunch stop after Wildlife Images.

Animal and ocean parks talk about conservation, research and education but I am generally opposed to using animals as entertainment.   I also question how much parks are driven by profit and at what point do we exploit animals.   I love going to a zoo and seeing the animals, but I cannot help but think, would these animals be happier in the wild?

There were plenty of animals to see at this stop – wolves, bears, eagles, vultures, owls and many more.  I think I spent the better part of an hour watching the bear play in its pool.  It seemed to be having a great time.

This park appears to be rehabilitating animals, and I enjoyed it.  I hope they are dedicated to rehabilitating the animals as opposed to being another zoo.

We went back to the Rogue Creamery where they make cheese.  They specialize in blue cheese.  We stopped by and the people working there walked us through their products and had us try a few.  We ordered a couple of grilled cheeses and then I went in and purchased the cheeses we liked.  I was glad to see that I can also order it online.   The cheese dip was insanely good along with their smokey blue.

We then headed to Pennington’s farm.  It was a working farm with a shop that sold jams and honey along with sweet and savory pies.  We had a chicken pot pie which was one of the best that I have had and it was so nice sitting out front overlooking the farm and countryside.

We then drove to Jacksonville.  A historic town.  There isn’t a lot in Jacksonville, just a couple of small blocks of historic buildings. I felt like if we had walked down the same street a hundred years ago, the buildings wouldn’t have looked much different.   It was fun to walk down the street and check out a couple of the stores.

We had dinner at River’s Edge; my friend had recommended it and we both enjoyed sitting next to the river watching people rafting along with the Geese and the Ducks.

Pennington Farms

Chicken Pot Pie at the Pennington Farms

The Grilled Cheese at the Rogue Creamery

Rogue Creamery

Pennington Farms

Wildlife Images

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

We had breakfast in the main lodge and then went back to the room to take care of a few work-related items.  We then headed into Grants Pass.

We had driven through Grants Pass so I didn’t go with a lot of expectations.  I wanted to get a picture of the bridge over the Rogue River and to walk around the historic part of the town.

As we drove into the park, I couldn’t help but feel as if I could have been back in my hometown.  The John Deer mower was mowing the lawn; a bunch of moms were gathered at a gazebo where they were doing an event for the children. As we approached the river, there as a large group of Canadian geese.  I knew better than to mess with them; I also know that they make a mess wherever they go.  I was also glad to see mallard ducks.   It sounded and smelled like summer.

We then drove into town to walk around.  There was plenty of parking.  It is a cute town.  We found a couple of antique shops which were fun to look at as well as a gourmet store filled with kitchen gadgets.

We spotted one of the restaurants we had bookmarked in Yelp called “The Little Clam” and decided to have lunch there.  Neither of us were disappointed, my blue cheeseburger was delicious, and Sophon liked his Fish and Chips.

We continued to walk around the town after lunch and then headed back to the hotel. As we pulled into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but notice a couple of old-fashioned cars.  We had also seen one back in town.  I think I read there was going to be a car show over the weekend.  I spotted more cars the following day.

Monday, July 21^st, 2025

I am really enjoying my stay at the Weaksu Inn, last night they had appetizers and later freshly baked cookies.  This morning, they had breakfast.  It is so peaceful and compared to where I am from, it is very green.   I feel like I could sit on the deck of the main lodge or in the alpine chairs on the lawn for hours.

After breakfast, we headed out to the Crater National Park.  Earlier this year, I bought a national park pass. It was the first time I had purchased one and I am making it a point to visit and enjoy our national parks and forests.

Crater lake is the only national park in Oregon and was about a 2-hour drive.  A portion of it was through a national forest.  As we got close to the park, we started the Guide Along App, which provided an excellent tour through the park.

Crater Lake is the deepest Lake in the United States.  It sits on top of what was once a volcano.  After a violent eruption, part of it collapsed and eventually filled with water.  Since there is no river flowing into it, there is no silt, and the lake is clear and blue.   To help draw visitors, they began to stock the lack back in the 1920s to help draw visitors.

Unfortunately, I didn’t bring a jacket and with the elevation being as high as it was, there was still snow on the ground in part of the park.  It wasn’t too bad; I found it refreshing.  I was also disappointed to see that part of the park road was closed, so we didn’t get to see it from all sides, but we still enjoyed the park!  As we left, I was glad we got an early start, I noticed as it got later in the day, the park was filling up.

We headed back to the Weaksu Inn.   Relaxed, had appetizers and then cookies.  Called it an early night.

Weaksu Inn

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Yesterday, we headed to Grants Pass, Oregon.  Our first stop was to have lunch with Sophon’s aunt who lives in Visalia, CA.  In honor of our upcoming birthdays, she took us to a very nice lunch at a restaurant called the Vintage Press.  Even before Sophon’s Aunt said that the restaurant had been around a long time, I could tell.  It felt old school; the waiters were dressed in uniforms, the tables had white tablecloths, they brought out bread and butter before the meal.  It was very nice.

We continued to Sacramento where we spent the night.  I drive fast but I like to take my time and stop along with way and I don’t like a long day of driving.

This morning, we continued to Grants Pass.  As we left California, we stopped to see Mt. Shasta.  We didn’t go into the park, that would be another trip.   We arrived in Grants Pass mid-afternoon and checked into the Weaksu Inn.  A friend of mine had stayed there and said that she really enjoyed it.  I thought it looked nice, and it looked like it was off the beaten path which is perfect for relaxation.

It turns out that the lodge was built in 1924 and a favorite of some of Hollywood’s legends including Clarke Gable, Carol Lombard and Walt Disney.  When I walked into the main lodge, I felt like I was stepping back in time.

We checked in and went to our cabin.  I really liked the spacious cabin with a porch and rocking chairs.   After we checked in, we walked around the property.  Later we checked out the appetizers that they provided in the main lodge.  Later in the evening, they offered freshly baked cookies and s’more kits.  I enjoyed hanging out on the main deck of the lodge and enjoying how green everything is!

Mt. Shasta

Weaksu Inn’s Main Lodge

How do I text?

Inside our Cabin

Our Cottage

The Rogue River

Monday, June 23, 2025

We woke up early and went down to have breakfast at the hotel. As we walked to to the main building, I was suprrised at how cold it was.  Along the coast, it rarely gets hot and at night, the temps drop downinto the 50s.  Although it is summer, the highs for the day were in the 60s.   That doesn’t stop vacationers from dressing as if it were summer, we walked by a family in shorts and bathing suits headed towards teh pool.

After breakfast, we decided to head North to see more of the Oregon Coast. Our Guide Along Audio or the Oregon Coastline started further north.   We made stops along the way to view the coast.   We had lunch in Florence, Oregon, a very picturesque old town.

As we headed north, our Guide Along tour kicked in and the tour guide started talking about how that Florence was the home of the first viral video and it happened long before the internet came about.

The story goes, in 1970, a whale washed up ashore at the beach.  The people of Florence weren’t quite sure on how to take care of the problem.  They decided they would blow up the whale into small pieces and then let the scavengers and seagulls take care of the cleanup.

They had invited the media from Portland to cover the event, and things didn’t go as planned.   Nobody was hurt but they had miscalculated a few things and the residents along with the reporters were showered with bits and pieces of whale.

Yes, you can still find the video on YouTube, and I laughed hard the first time I watched it and even harder the second time I watched it.  Just search for blowing up a whale in Florence OR.

As we headed north, we stopped just north of North Bend where we got to view an area filled with Pitcher plants.   Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants that trap flies and bugs.   I used to collect carnivorous plants as a child.  I couldn’t believe I was looking at such a huge area filled with them.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get as far as we wanted to. Most of the time, the 101 was a single lane and there were some slow drivers.  There were a lot of towns where the speed limit was 20 MPH. But, what was saw was gorgeous.

Pitcher Plants

Glasgow, OR

Florence, OR