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.
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