Today was a fun day. 8 inches of snow in the Williams, Oregon area. I'm spending time with my friends, so what do we do? We take a beat-up wood working truck up a road we're all familiar with. First we scrambled around the house for snow gear, I packed a pocket knife and a lighter in the zip up pocket of my jacket just in case. And off we went! It was a blast! The snow was so deep it went up to the truck's axles.
After we went as far as we were comfortable going the rest of us got out while the driver turned around... a little difficult, but it got done. The wind blew snow drifts our way, at times like a blizzard, but we could still see well. The snow was perfect powder, white as... snow. It was absolutely gorgeous! Every branch (no matter the thickness) was covered with thick snow.
After pelting eachother with snow balls, we started a race to see who could get to the top of the snow-covered embankment first. There were four of us... one of us being a dog, who was coerced into following up the hill. As I've said before, Oregon is beautiful country, and this was no exception. The view from the top of the embankment was astonishing. You could see the mountain side covered with snow laden trees, the pick up truck far below, and the sun trying to shine through the clouds. Occasional gusts of wind would made it look like a blizzard and then die away quickly.
After climbing down the snow covered embankment, ending up in near knee-high snow at the bottom, we decided to make a snowman. Each one of us (not including the dog) started making a section for the snowman. To make a good section for a snowman, I found there are a few major things to remember. First is to always remember to gently pack the snow as you go, second is to remember to never put too much pressure (or both your hands) and one area and thirdly, don't make it larger than what you or you and your friend can lift. Also fourthly, if you are going for a big one... have your friend help you roll the snow... and get a gentle, steady roll going keeping in mind the above points.
After all the large snow pieces were assembled (looking more like Frankenstein than a snowman), sticks were used to put on: arms, eyes, a nose, mouth, some sort of crown-like arrangement, and antennas. A branch of evergreen pine was used to cover it's lower region, not unlike a Greek painting, or a loin cloth used many moons ago by the snowmen of these lands. The end specimen was probably around 7 feet tall, taller than any of us for by far. After admiring it, taking pictures for facebook with it, and walking away from it, we ran it over with the truck... to much satisfaction I might add.
Running down the mountain, I sat in the back with the dog. As it turns out, we started to get low on gas, but we made it down ok... always make sure you have enough gas. And finally we pulled into the driveway, safe and sound.
The Rogue Valley and the Applegate Valley here in Oregon are usually too low for snow, but the surrounding mountains almost always get snow several times a year, adding to the beauty of this place. And here in Williams, OR, the snow is coming down. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Have a great day wherever you are.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Grants Pass, Oregon... 'It's The Climate' or something like that.
As proudly stated over the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, the proud city logo now sits in 5 inches of snow... I don't know what they were thinking when they created it.
Don't get me wrong I love the snow, but the valley here has no climate I can think of that warrants this logo. Winters are wet and soggy and summers are hot and dry. To top it off, Grants Pass, OR is a retirement town. I can't think of any reason why 'the climate' is attractive to any retiree. However, despite the logo's reasoning, I can think of a few reasons why Grants Pass, Oregon could be enjoyable to a retiree.
Oregon in it's own right is an extremely gorgeous state with a wide range of varying countryside. From the rugged, rocky beaches to the West, to the wind swept high desert to the East, and beautiful conifer forests and mountains everywhere else, there's a little bit of everything in Oregon. Among some of the unique features of Oregon there are: lava fields (dried and inactive of course), Lake of the woods, the United State's deepest lake: Crater Lake, and--sharing with California... the Redwoods (one of two such forests in the world). These are just a few of the unique and wonderful characteristics of Oregon.
Grants Pass, OR, located in Southern Oregon has access to many of these beautiful features, and for those of you thinking there may be no escape from this little-to-do-town, you are wrong. The I-5 runs north and south right past Grants Pass, Oregon, to the south quickly lies Northern California, you will pass over the Siskiyou Mountains, and pass by the beautiful Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta before entering Northern California. To the north, you'll head over mountain passes heading toward's the larger cities of: Roseburg, Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, and finally Portland, Oregon on the Northern border... about 6 hours. If you don't like either of these options, the Redwood Highway runs from Grants Pass. In about 1 hour you'll have passed into California and into the start of the Redwood forest (after passing by the rout to the Oregon Caves, in Cave Junction, Oregon). About 1 more hour you'll be on the coast, with your choice of being in California or Oregon,both in very close proximity with the way the border runs.
Still not satisfied? Conveniently located next to Grants Pass, OR is the extremely beautiful Applegate Valley. Home to many vineyards including the: Troon Vineyard, Soloro Vineyard, and Wooldridge Vineyard. To tell the truth there's so many vineyards here it's hard to keep track of them all, for a list, and possible tour possibilities please visit: http://applegatewinetrail.com/. If you choose, you may pass all the Vineyards, and head towards the Applegate Lake, situated high in the mountains, and in close proximity to the Oregon Trail.
I won't mention the many more wonderful things and places in Oregon or in Grants Pass, OR simply because I don't know all of them, but I think I should also mention that the valley here is also home to two main rivers, the Applegate River and the Rogue River, which runs right through Grants Pass, Oregon. The Rogue River, among other things, does offer Jet boat tours and rafting experience. For those of you who like to sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery, and get completely soaked while going 60 mph, then Hellgate Jetboat Excursions is the right place for you: http://www.hellgate.com/. Featuring two main tours, you can either travel down to Hellgate Canyon (home to a few movies, including John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn), turn tails and enjoy lunch or dinner at the exquisite OK Corral, or you can face the high class rapids and go all the way to the coast... their boats are first class, specially made, and very safe. Or, for those of you who like the rafting experience you can explore the many rafting rentals and tour guides around the area. I personally suggest going with a guide and/or group because many rivers (and the Rogue River is no exception) can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
So, all being said, Oregon can be a wonderful place to be. And although I don't agree with the city logo (and the city could use some things to do for the young people to help them stay out of trouble), Grants Pass, Oregon and the surrounding area does have it's own highlights and can be an enjoyable place... if you know what you're doing :) Have a great day.
Don't get me wrong I love the snow, but the valley here has no climate I can think of that warrants this logo. Winters are wet and soggy and summers are hot and dry. To top it off, Grants Pass, OR is a retirement town. I can't think of any reason why 'the climate' is attractive to any retiree. However, despite the logo's reasoning, I can think of a few reasons why Grants Pass, Oregon could be enjoyable to a retiree.
Oregon in it's own right is an extremely gorgeous state with a wide range of varying countryside. From the rugged, rocky beaches to the West, to the wind swept high desert to the East, and beautiful conifer forests and mountains everywhere else, there's a little bit of everything in Oregon. Among some of the unique features of Oregon there are: lava fields (dried and inactive of course), Lake of the woods, the United State's deepest lake: Crater Lake, and--sharing with California... the Redwoods (one of two such forests in the world). These are just a few of the unique and wonderful characteristics of Oregon.
Grants Pass, OR, located in Southern Oregon has access to many of these beautiful features, and for those of you thinking there may be no escape from this little-to-do-town, you are wrong. The I-5 runs north and south right past Grants Pass, Oregon, to the south quickly lies Northern California, you will pass over the Siskiyou Mountains, and pass by the beautiful Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta before entering Northern California. To the north, you'll head over mountain passes heading toward's the larger cities of: Roseburg, Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, and finally Portland, Oregon on the Northern border... about 6 hours. If you don't like either of these options, the Redwood Highway runs from Grants Pass. In about 1 hour you'll have passed into California and into the start of the Redwood forest (after passing by the rout to the Oregon Caves, in Cave Junction, Oregon). About 1 more hour you'll be on the coast, with your choice of being in California or Oregon,both in very close proximity with the way the border runs.
Still not satisfied? Conveniently located next to Grants Pass, OR is the extremely beautiful Applegate Valley. Home to many vineyards including the: Troon Vineyard, Soloro Vineyard, and Wooldridge Vineyard. To tell the truth there's so many vineyards here it's hard to keep track of them all, for a list, and possible tour possibilities please visit: http://applegatewinetrail.com/. If you choose, you may pass all the Vineyards, and head towards the Applegate Lake, situated high in the mountains, and in close proximity to the Oregon Trail.
I won't mention the many more wonderful things and places in Oregon or in Grants Pass, OR simply because I don't know all of them, but I think I should also mention that the valley here is also home to two main rivers, the Applegate River and the Rogue River, which runs right through Grants Pass, Oregon. The Rogue River, among other things, does offer Jet boat tours and rafting experience. For those of you who like to sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery, and get completely soaked while going 60 mph, then Hellgate Jetboat Excursions is the right place for you: http://www.hellgate.com/. Featuring two main tours, you can either travel down to Hellgate Canyon (home to a few movies, including John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn), turn tails and enjoy lunch or dinner at the exquisite OK Corral, or you can face the high class rapids and go all the way to the coast... their boats are first class, specially made, and very safe. Or, for those of you who like the rafting experience you can explore the many rafting rentals and tour guides around the area. I personally suggest going with a guide and/or group because many rivers (and the Rogue River is no exception) can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
So, all being said, Oregon can be a wonderful place to be. And although I don't agree with the city logo (and the city could use some things to do for the young people to help them stay out of trouble), Grants Pass, Oregon and the surrounding area does have it's own highlights and can be an enjoyable place... if you know what you're doing :) Have a great day.
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