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.

Afterward, we walked through historic downtown. It’s somewhat touristy, but in a good way: plenty of shops and antique stores, without a string of taffy shops and Bubba Gumps. We stopped at a drugstore that still had a pharmacy in the back and a soda fountain up front.

Sophon had just been saying how stuffed he was, but I knew he’d want a root beer float. Since he didn’t grow up in the U.S., I explained that, before my time, people could sit down at a drugstore or department store soda fountain and have a drink or a float. Of course, we sat down and ordered one.

We went back to the hotel, where I took care of a few business items, and then headed to Del Rio Winery for a tasting. By the time we returned, we’d been eating most of the day. We decided to enjoy the appetizers at the lodge and skip dinner.

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.

I had visited the Rogue Creamery before and fell in love with their award winning cheese.   I have a quarterly subscription and really like their cheeses as well as them as a business.  Everyone I have interacted with seems exceptionally nice.   We had a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  Of course I stocked up on supplies and bought Sophon a t-shirt.

We then headed to Grants Pass and arrived at the Weasku Inn around just after noon. Knowing it was too early to check in, we headed to Pennington Farms.   This is another business that we love.  Good food, great jam and people who are exceptionally kind.

We had a sweet pie and took a savory pie to go while we stocked up on Jam.   I knew that I could order the Jam online but there was something about being in the store and looking at everything they had to offer.

We then headed to FedEx to ship jam to a good friend. Afterwards, we checked into the Weasku Inn, a historic hotel in Grants Pass.  It was built in 1924 and was a vacation retreat for many Hollywood personalities including Calrk Gable, Carol Lombard and Walt Disney.  I love the place.

We checked in.  I answered a few emails and the next thing I knew, it was time for appetizers.  We skipped going out for dinner and ate the Chicken Pot Pie we got from Pennington Farms.

Overall, a great day but I am not sure I would call it an adventure!

Weasku Inn

Pennington Farms

Grilled Cheese Sandwich at the Rogue Creamery

Rogue Creamery

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.

Near our hotel was a Harry & David store. I’d also noticed a large building nearby with the Harry & David logo. I’ve received their catalogs and gift baskets for years, but I had no idea they were based in Medford.

The store was more fun than I expected, and there were plenty of samples. At one point, I saw a woman pick up at least ten bags of Moose Munch. Then I tried a sample and understood why—it could be addictive. Needless to say, we didn’t leave empty-handed. Good thing I had extra room in my luggage.

Afterwards, we drove around Medford.  I was suprised to see that they have an original Woolworth building.

Harry & David

Harry & David

Harry & David

Woolworth Building

Lithia Park

Lithia Park

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.

We arrived in Medford, picked up our rental car, and headed to the hotel. For dinner, we went to Hen and Flour which servces creole inspired food. Needless to say, Sophon had the friend chicken and we loved it. Afterward, we returned to the hotel, where I did a little work.

Chicken Sandwich at the Hen & Flour

Fried Chicken at the Hen & Flour