Tuesday, September 22, 2026

When we headed over to the main building for breakfast this morning, there was a tour bus parked outside, with luggage being loaded into the storage compartments. Inside, the breakfast room was packed.

It reminded me of a group tour we took in Italy. Every morning, we had to have our luggage outside our hotel room by 7:00, followed by breakfast and then everyone on the bus by 8:00 AM.

Group tours and river cruises certainly have their advantages, particularly if you don’t want to deal with planning a trip yourself. You simply show up, and someone else takes care of getting you from place to place.

Unfortunately, there are drawbacks. If you find a place you really enjoy and want to spend more time exploring, too bad. The bus is leaving, and you’d better be on it. There’s also little opportunity for spontaneous discoveries, and I’ve found that some of my favorite places are the ones we’ve stumbled across completely by chance. Continue reading →

Monday, September 21, 2026

By late afternoon, the sun had finally burned through the clouds, and the weather had turned beautiful.

We were getting ready to head back to the hotel to rest before dinner when I told Sophon there was one more place I wanted to see.

On our previous trips along the Oregon Coast, we had stopped at countless scenic overlooks, beaches, and viewpoints. Somehow, though, we had always missed the Natural Bridges, located just north of Brookings and not far from our hotel.

Since the weather had finally cleared, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I’m glad we made the stop. Continue reading →

Monday, September 21, 2026

After lunch, we headed back into the redwoods for some hiking. We decided to do the Simpson-Reed Trail loop, which we had hiked on a previous visit.

There is something about walking among these enormous trees that never gets old. Even though we had been here before, we both enjoyed the hike just as much as the first time.

The redwoods are one of those places where photographs simply don’t do justice to what you’re seeing. The sheer size of the trees, the quiet of the forest, and the feeling of being surrounded by something that has been growing for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years make it a special place.

One Last Stop Along the Oregon Coast

By late afternoon, the sun had finally burned through the clouds, and the weather had turned beautiful.

We were getting ready to head back to the hotel to rest before dinner when I told Sophon there was one more place I wanted to see.

On our previous trips along the Oregon Coast, we had stopped at countless scenic overlooks, beaches, and viewpoints. Somehow, though, we had always missed the Natural Bridges, located just north of Brookings and not far from our hotel.

Since the weather had finally cleared, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I’m glad we made the stop. Continue reading →

Monday, September 21, 2026

This morning, we started our day at the Trees of Mystery. We had driven past this attraction at least half a dozen times on previous trips. It’s hard to miss, with the enormous statue of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox standing out front.

If you’ve ever taken a road trip through a popular tourist area, you know there are plenty of roadside attractions. Some are definitely worth stopping for, while others are little more than tourist traps. I had always assumed the Trees of Mystery fell into the latter category.

After reading some surprisingly positive online reviews, I began to wonder if I had misjudged the place. It actually sounded pretty interesting, so we decided to give it a try.

We arrived relatively early, hoping to beat the crowds, and I’m glad we did.

The main trail winds through the redwoods, with various trees and educational displays explaining their history and unique characteristics. At one point, the trail splits, giving visitors the choice of continuing along the ground or heading up into the canopy on a series of elevated platforms, suspension bridges, and observation decks. Continue reading →

Sunday, September 20, 2026

The day before, we drove from Grants Pass to Brookings, Oregon, just north of the California border. It makes a good base for exploring the coast and the redwoods. Crescent City is closer to the redwoods, but we like staying at the Beachfront Inn in Brookings, where the beach is right outside our door. The hotel could use some serious maintenance, but falling asleep to the sound of the waves still has its appeal.

When I say “beach,” you might picture white sand, palm trees, and sunny skies. The Oregon coast offers a very different experience. It is chilly, often overcast, and the beaches are scattered with driftwood. A sign said the ocean temperature was 57°F. This was going to be a look-at-the-water kind of vacation.

That doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Pelicans fly past, and we’ve watched dolphins and seals playing in the surf. I have yet to spot a whale, although I’m told they occasionally make an appearance. For me, much of the appeal is simply watching the ocean and listening to the waves. Continue reading →

Friday, September 18, 2026

The Weasku Inn includes breakfast, afternoon appetizers, cookies, and s’mores. Between breakfast and the evening snacks, lunch is about the only meal you really need to plan.

We had breakfast in the main lodge. It’s a historic place, and as I sat on the deck, I wondered what it was like when Clark Gable and Walt Disney stayed here. There’s an old telephone in the main room that got me thinking about how different a visit would have been then. No internet, cell phones, or TV—just you and the people around you.

After breakfast, I did some work, and then we headed into Grants Pass. We stopped at a park, where a group of mallard ducks came running over, apparently hoping we had food. Once they realized we didn’t, they quickly lost interest.

When I was a child, my mother brought home an incubator and some duck eggs. We tended to them until they hatched and then raised the ducklings. I’ve found ducks fascinating ever since and they are fund to watch!

We went to the Laughing Clam for lunch. We’d eaten there before, and I remembered how much I liked the fish and chips and clam chowder. It’s a popular place, and it filled up soon after we arrived. Continue reading →

Weasku Inn

Thursday, September 17, 2026

I often use the word “adventure” when I travel.  Sometimes I wonder if I the word “adventure” is appropriate as it implies something exciting while exploring something unknown.  Does going to the breakfast buffet and reading a couple of chapters or a food book qualify as an adventure?  It is not my daily routine and it felt good doing just that.

Sophon came looking for me about an hour later.   We hung out at the hotel for a while and then checked out and then headed to Rogue Creamery – one of my favorite cheese stops.   On the way we stopped at Harry & David to pick up a few more things. Continue reading →

Lithia Park

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

After breakfast, we headed to Ashland. We got an early start, and although the forecast called for a warm day, the morning was chilly. After the excessive heat we’d had in Southern California, it felt good to put on long pants and a sweatshirt.

Ashland is a pretty town with picturesque views and gorgeous houses. I can see why people want to live there, though I don’t want to oversell it as a destination. It’s known for its Shakespeare festival, but since I’m not into Shakespeare, there wasn’t a whole lot else on our agenda.

We walked around the park, took in the views, and then headed to Main Street for lunch. Afterward, we returned to the hotel, where I caught up on emails.

On a previous visit, I’d wanted to stop at the Cheese Cave but never got the chance. This time we made it, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. There are actually two shops: one sells wine and cheese, and the other sells baked goods. We enjoyed both.

The woman running the cheese shop is from Europe, and she had us try several European cheeses that were phenomenal. I’d hoped to sample more local cheeses, but I certainly didn’t leave disappointed. I’d brought a small cooler because I knew I’d want to take some cheese home, and I fell in love with a few of her recommendations. Continue reading →

Alaska Air Lounge

September 15, 2026
As we headed to LAX, I found myself having a familiar conversation with myself. I could think of dozens of reasons why I shouldn’t be going on this trip. Then I reminded myself that when I’m home, one day often looks like the last, and they all begin to blur together. I’ll remember this trip. And once I get to the airport, I know those doubts will disappear.

We checked in and headed to our gate. It felt a little strange to be in Terminal 6, looking across at Terminal 7, where I usually fly out. I had booked our flight to Medford on Alaska Airlines, which was a first for me.

I have to say, I was impressed. The lounge was clean, had good food, and the employees were friendly and helpful. At one point, I told Sophon that I’m so used to being treated with indifference by United that the attentive service almost felt strange. From the lounge to the flight itself, Alaska made a great first impression.

Although this is a road trip, I didn’t want to spend two days driving to Oregon. Our plan was to fly into Medford, check out Ashland, and then head to Grants Pass. After a few days, we’d continue to Brookings and spend time in my happy place: the Redwoods. Continue reading →