A Short Hike with a Little History

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The Trails of Jacksonville, OR

Setting out today I thought of an afternoon of exercise, sun, and the avoidance of any dangerous wildlife.  With numerous recent sightings of a red fox in our neighborhood, rumors of a cougar in the area, my first sighting of a baby rattlesnake, and lastly the neighbor's cat missing for over a week, I thought it best to go somewhat prepared.  With my hiking stick in hand and my Gerber Patriot clipped firmly on my belt, I headed out.

Editor's Note:  With Monday's sighting of the baby western rattlesnake I have officially encountered all four of North America's poisonous snakes in the wild.  Having grown up in Middle Georgia I have had multiple encounters with copperheads, water moccasins and even the rare coral snake.  Georgia has its fair share of 

rattlesnakes, I just have been fortunate to never cross one in the open.  So for what it is worth Lord, we can check this off my bucket list, no real need to have any more.

Southern Oregon is well known for great outdoor activities and Jacksonville's hiking trails are a great part of those activities.  A short distance from our home is the Britt Festival's outdoor amphitheater, home to a great summer concert series that we have been fortunate enough to enjoy this year.  Hidden from view behind this amphitheater is a series of hiking trails than span some 20 plus miles.  

Jacksonville's Woodland Trails are not just scenic they are rich with history.  Jacksonville, Oregon is much like Dahlonega, Georgia as it is the home of the first gold rush in the area.  Jacksonville was founded as a gold mining town and over the years its culture has been shaped due to this history.

Downtown Jacksonville is reminicent of the old days with historic buildings and a quaint small town atmosphere; easy to do when the population is less than 3,000.

Along the many trails are placards explaining the history of gold mining practices in the area.  

The trails are fairly well marked for even the novice day hiker.  Some trails allow bikes (motorized and pedals) as well as horseback riding.  Others apparently do not.....

As you work up a sweat hiking you should be cautious for the many 

odd looking holes just a few feet from the trails.  At first you might think 

kids have been playing cowboys and indians digging large holes to hide in.

Then one of the many signs educates you to the true definition of the term

GLORY HOLE.

Many of the holes have long since collapsed, but ever so often one is found that causes a risk to people.  The one pictured here has had an iron fence placed around it for everyone's protection.  Yeah Mom, I know.  Protection for little boys like me.  

And if you can make it out, yes, that is a car down in the hole.  Unfortunately no explanation of the car is listed on the plague.

Boy Scouts Make Effort to Educate and Restore a Little History

Water cannons made a hard job a little easier.  As noted on one of the plagues, 

"but today the ecological devastation caused by hydraulic mining would not be tolerated".

 I wonder what environmentalist would say if we found ourselves as bad off as early settlers were with regards to the fight for survival.  Things that make you go hmmm?

Following the various trail signs is always important.  It is equally important to pay attention to those signs posted by property owners who do NOT want you crossing onto their land.  Reminicent of shining days, moon shine that is.  If you look close enough you can just make out the "private property" spray painted on the rear fender.

 Hiking the trails is always enjoyable and the history is fascinating.  It is easy to get lost in the moment and let the mind wander.  Today I think I was busy starring at the ground more than looking up.  Perhaps due to my recent snake episode.  But as always, God presents something to remind you to pay attention, look around more often.  Some may call this situation awareness.  Either way I was quickly reminded to keep an eye, or two, out for those who might want to do me harm.

 

For any outdoor enthusiast Southern Oregon has something to offer.  Twelve months of the year too!  I joke that we would be safer in the water here and safer on land in Savannah.  Here we deal with rattlesnakes, cougars and bears, Savannah, sharks and alligators.  You figure it out.  At any rate for more specific details of Jacksonville and the area around please visit Wikipedia's site at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville,_Oregon

as always,

bkd

John Keating: Sucking the marrow out of life doesn't mean choking on the bone.

John Keating: There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.

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Sightseeing The USA...part five

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Wine is Divine

Nice rendition of SKYNYRD's Freebird

Vineyards and wineries are popping up all around Southern Oregon and most especially the Rogue Valley.  Apparently the soil and climate are perfect conditions for a multitude of different grapes and varietals.  At first glance I thought perhaps there might be less work involved in a vineyard than say a pear orchard, but I think it might be that owning a vineyard/winery results in "more fun".  I should note here that there is indeed a difference between a winery and a vineyard.  As one local winemaker so bluntly put it, "a vineyard just grows the grapes, we (meaning the winery he worked at) make the wine".  Makes sense.

Recently we visited a new winery in an area known as The Applegate.  Applegate is a few miles west of Jacksonville, Oregon and home to several new and old wineries.  On schedule was Red Lily Winery.  A wonderful little get away about 18 miles from our home.  Heading west on Hwy 238 we turned left onto a single lane bridge which crossed the Applegate River.  Crossing the bridge I knew we were in for a treat.  The grounds of Red Lily Winery are magnificent.

As we parked we could hear live music being played down on what is affectionately called "the beach".  We stopped off first at the tasting room and purchased a Pinot Gris (from another local vineyard) for dear old Mom and a bottle of Red Lily's Tempranillo for the wife and I.  As we learned on this visit and as stated on their website;

 Red Lily Vineyards is committed to a single goal – producing the finest tempranillo wine possible. Our focus on this varietal was born out of our love of Spanish wine and the lure of tempranillo’s brooding, earthy character. Red Lily Vineyards is named principally for Bolander’s Lily, a rare species of red lily found in the neighboring Syskiyou Mountains. Red Lily Tempranillo is also a rarity–a unique expression of the complex and intense nature of this ancient Spanish variety.

Leaving the tasting room we headed towards the beach where luck would have it we moved in on the last open table right next to the water.  Rachael Sandeen, a local musician was playing and the weather was perfect.  We bypassed on the catered food as we had been sightseeing (eating) most of the day.  

Not being a knowledgeable wine connoisseur other than to be able to say what I do and don't like I must say the tempranillo produced by Red Lily is wonderful.  In addition to the quality of the wine and perhaps more important, is the attitude of the owners and employees.  A gracious group of people, and based on where they are, how could they not be.

Red Lily Winery, Applegate, Oregon

As I believe and have stated several times before, Southern Oregon should be on everyone's travel list.  And when you get here, be sure that Red Lily is on your wine list.  You can find more about Red Lily on their website, 

http://www.redlilyvineyards.com/

as always,

bkd

"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on."  Dean Martin   

Dino sounds a lot like Vino, just a thought....

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And to Think....We Live Here!

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Love Where You Live, or MOVE!

Parking Lot of Porters Restaurant, Medford, Oregon

I have been fortunate over the years to live in some truly AWESOME locales.  I have lived in five states thus far, all of which border water.  And by water I mean OCEAN!  Yes I have lived hours from the ocean, much like I do now due to terrain and accessible roads.  After all, it is roughly three hours by car from my home now to the Pacific.  But a crow (or bald eagle) could probably get there in an hour or so.  I do love the ocean.  But that is not the purpose of this writing.  Tonight it is about loving where you live regardless of being land locked or stranded on an island.

Having lived in five beautiful states, some more so than others, I have been blessed with cool stuff to do.  From the metropolitan cities of Atlanta, GA and Portland, OR to the small towns of Albany, OR (not pronounced Allbenny) population 32,000 at the time, I have found you sometimes just have to dig to find why you like living there.  

Over the years I have heard people say "well where I come from" and "back home we always..."  You can finish the sentence.  I have most likely even said some variation of these myself.  My only hope is that I said it more as let me share something with you vs. coming off as I hate it here and some place else is so much better.  It is the later that irks me if you will.  We have all made decisions in our lives about where we will live and the kind of work we will do.  In college there were some careers I thought would be great, but I didn't like the idea of living in _____________.  You fill in the blank.  I am going to leave it open as not to "offend" someone....HA.  Go ahead, put Topeka, KS in the blank.  I can't imagine offending anyone there. 

Okay I digress.  The point is when looking at careers I also looked at where do I wanted to live.  Perhaps I would be farther into some corporate career by now if I had chosen otherwise, though I doubt it.  I gotta like where I live more than I gotta love what I am doing.  Perhaps that is why some of my funnest and most successful jobs have been within two miles of my home.  

Tonight, after an enjoyable happy hour/retirement party for one of my wife's coworkers I got to experience one of the many reasons I love where I live.  Heading West out of Medford to our home in the really small town of Jacksonville, population 2900ish, I had to do a U-turn and pull over for the following;

Sunset over the Coastal Mountain Range
Heading toward J'ville, OR....approximately 9pm PST

Sunset over the Coastal Mountain Range
Heading toward J'ville, OR....approximately 9pm PST

So to sum it all up, "Love where you live, or MOVE!"

as always,

bkd

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."

Ansel Adams

"It's cool to go places where working people are happy."
Neil Young

"And to think, we LIVE here!"

Terrell Scarboro.....friend indeed

"Hey Brian!  Sucks to be US!"

Dan Foulds.....Brother Shriner and Friend

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Today's thought........

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Movie lines are an insightful way of putting one's daily life in perspective.  Here is a quote that helps me deal with those individuals who don't believe in you or perhaps think they are better than you.  Just remember:

Lester Bangs: "You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle." 

as always,
bkd

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Quotes and Thoughts for the Day

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Today's Thought/Quote

Carl Spackler:  "We can do that; we don't even have to have a reason."

Lovin the logic.

as always,

bkd

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Quotes and Thoughts to Live By....

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Today's Thought/Quote

Lester Burnham: "Remember those posters that said, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life"? Well, that's true of every day but one - the day you die"

as always,

bkd

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Sightseeing USA....part three...

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Sometimes you just gotta do it on two wheels!

As I mentioned in part one I dream of seeing America via the grand ole customized, decked out, fully loaded RV; there is however another way to see some of the beauty.  It's on two wheels, and while friends and family alike may say "Hell Yeah! Crank up the Harleys!", I ain't talking about that kind of bike.  Biking or bicycling to be more specific and to avoid confusion, is just a different way to experience America.  Yes, I would imagine that "biking" via a Harley Softail or Road King would definitely be exciting.  Having numerous friends and some family who do travel on the back of motorcycles their stories have always intrigued me.  I have never done so.  I have, however, traveled via my bike to some amazing places.  

I am a believer of biking:  Tour/Road, Mountain, BMX/Dirt and of course the classic Beach Comber.  I remember asking for a Mountain Bike at Christmas while in college, much to the confused mind of my girlfriend's father.  Somewhere along the way he couldn't grasp why a third year college student would still want a bicycle.  Well some 25 plus years later I just assume it was a concept that was simply lost in translation.  I road this bike my last year at Georgia College around Milledgeville, GA and the Oconee River Banks.  Later when I moved to Athens this bike was an incredible source of transportation through UGA's campus.  I only recently "recycled" that very bike, a ROSS, MT. WASHINGTON, at a scrap metal shop in Savannah prior to our move in December; some 26 yrs later!

Schwinn Varsity
"she may not be purdy, but she's tough!"

Tour or Road bikes are my true love though.  Many moons ago Santa delivered an awesome red 10 speed Schwinn.  Most friends were getting the newest in dirt bikes or BMX.  I guess I was just more curious about what was on the other side of the interstate vs. jumping some hills.  Schwinn became a main source of transportation even after I turned 16, taking me to work at the local neighborhood pool and countless other undocumented adventures.  Although a heavy bike by today's comparisons and only 10 speeds, it is considered a classic Chicago Schwinn, built in the early 70's, Schwinn's heyday here in America.  Cool trivia but doesn't increase the value that much.




Time for an upgrade, no offense to my Schwinn.....

In 1995 I moved to Beaverton, OR, where I met some friends who introduced me to a cool store; 

Beaverton Bike N Hike.  It was there I was introduced to the last touring bike I'll ever need.

 The Klein Quantum Z, a 16 speed demon.  While I rarely see serious bikers riding Kleins these days, they were bought by Trek Bicycles shortly after my purchase, I do get some great compliments about the quality of bike.  According to most of the articles I've read and the enthusiast I've spoken to, Trek made some changes and eventually hurt, if not ruined, Klein's quality.

I have been clocked at over 60 miles an hour on this beauty, and while that is actually not all that fast to serious bikers, it's damn fast enough for me.  Serious bikers such as those racing in Athens, Georgia's annual Twilight Criterium, http://www.athenstwilight.com/history.php (unofficially known as the Pepsi Twilight when I was in school) would consider 60 a slow speed.  They hit that speed several times during the race.  I do not race.  I hit that speed while training for an upcoming bike trip in Washington State.  Do the math, Washington State....Mountains.....downhill....too scared to squeeze the breaks!


By the way, I still own the Schwinn and the Klein...

Two great bikes, 30 plus years of great rides...

So, I told you those stories, to tell you this one.......

 In September 1996, I had a incredible opportunity to participate in the American Lung Associations fund raiser known as "Trek Tri-Island".  In it's 14th year Trek Tri-Island was billed as:

 "Five Islands, Four Ferry Rides, Three Days, 

Two Countries...One Great Adventure!"

I was working with RTM Restaurant Group and in the process of moving from Albany, OR to Vancouver, WA with my promotion to Area Supervisor.  I was asked by the Regional VP if I was interested in participating in this event.  If my recollection serves me, I had to raise $450.00 to go.  In other words I wrote a check.   The trip was quite fun with three full days of riding.  With literally hundreds of participants there was no lack of interesting people along for the ride.

The ride would take us through the San Juan Islands (see prior story about the whales), into Canada and end in Victoria, B.C.  I do not recall the all of the islands we covered on the ride, let alone the order.  I do remember the various ferry rides from one to the other as well as the incredible energy as everyone was upbeat and happy.

Bikes lined up on one of the ferry rides

Loading onto the ferry

No idea who they are but as I said, everyone was having a good time

We spent Friday night in a school gym and Saturday at a camp ground with cabins.  I always said I would take my tent next time.  Several hundred people snoring in a school gym, a good night's sleep it does not make.
We finished the second day of riding and hitch hiked up to a 9 hole golf course on Saturday.  Most people thought we had lost our minds when we loaded clubs into the cube truck with all of the gear.  Made for an interesting story though.






The ferry rides were not a time for catching your breath.  It was more for meeting new friends, sharing stories, hopefully not repairing the bikes and for just enjoying the sights.  And yes, there was a time before my hair was grey.
Remembering this is the Pacific Northwest and September can be cold I packed accordingly.  Shorts and t-shirts during the day, jeans and layers of shirts and coats for the evenings.  Not a bad view though, and yes the water looks good too...

There were riders of all types:  Serious speed guys, couples, families and even the local politician with her two dachshunds in a buggy behind her bike.  There were a few people along this ride who were in it to time themselves, unfortunately my boss was one of those people.  Riding with my boss I missed an opportunity to ride with my head up and take in more scenery.  Looking back I should have stood my ground about enjoying the ride and checking out some of the great locations, such as Deception Pass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deception_Pass_Bridge
Check out fun trivia about Deception Pass on Wikipedia.com

Sunday was the last day of riding and we all met up in Victoria, British Columbia.  I highly recommend visiting Victoria any chance you get.  I had hoped to visit this past February and had to reschedule, perhaps next year.

Victoria, British Columbia
Vancouver Island

Once everyone was loaded we headed out of port for our last ferry ride back to Seattle.  I have had a difficult time researching this fund raiser online as 2011 appears to be the last one.  After 29 years the American Lung Association has discontinued this event and replaced it with "Ride Around the Sound 2012".

 http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/mountain-pacific/fundraising-events/ride-sound-2012.html

I did see one article that stated they had to change up the ride as it became more and more difficult to transport gear in cargo trucks crossing back and forth between The U.S. and Canada after September 11, 2001.  Sad, it was an awesome trip.  

Both of these bikes, like most things I own, have traveled across the country and back with me.  Like many other things we enjoy in life riding has become more occasional than regular for me.  I have recently started back up and hope this time around it will remain more regular.  The Rogue Valley is home to some serious riders and one can find a group out almost any day of the year, even January.  Who knows, maybe some day soon I'll try and tackle the Pacific Coast Highway....

as always,
bkd

"Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."
Charles M. Schulz
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End of the Day Reflections

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Sunrise....Sunset

Intra Coastal Waterway (ICW) Thunderbolt, GA
circa summer 2011

As the first beams of light break through the clouds the world comes to life.  From out of the darkness the sights and sounds of nature begin; birds chirping, the turkey brood coming up the hill, the deer as they wake and start stirring from their resting place, and of course da boyz yapping that they need to go out!  That moment just before the sun clears the horizon, before the sounds of mankind crank up and disturb the peace, the world is so calm you can hear your thoughts.

Sunrise (I think)
Mt. Bachelor, OR circa 1997

Sunrise, that brief moment in every one's morning when they choose how they are going to face the day.


Sunrise, that brief moment in every one's morning when they make the choice to rise and shine...kinda like the sun.

Sunrise, that brief moment in every one's morning when they say to themselves, and sometimes out loud, DAMN!  WHO LEFT THE BLINDS OPEN?!

I-5 Southern Oregon

I really should be careful taking pictures 

with my i-phone while driving....

but at least I'm not texting!

Sunsets have a place in almost every one's heart.  Who hasn't had a moment with someone of significance while watching a beautiful sunset?
And if you say you haven't; then I say either "BS" or "WOW, that's really sad!"

Talahi Community Dock View
Turners Creek, Savannah, GA

The peace and beauty of sunrises and sunsets can inspire the most cynical of minds.  We go through our lives talking about how beautiful "a day is", when was the last time you actually scheduled time to watch a sunrise or a sunset?  Due to the briefness of sunrises most are missed or ignored due to more important tasks, such as getting ready for a work day.  Due to exhausting days and long hours we tend to only catch a sunset by accident or on fancy vacations.  Not all that surprisingly I found I have more sunset pictures than sunrises.  I also noticed I could not locate several of both that I vividly remember.  Did I take a picture of that sunrise/sunset, maybe.  Most likely if it was a sunrise I did not.  At the time of a sunrise I doubt I thought clearly about grabbing my camera.  Something I should work on.  Sunsets however, are a different story.  It is not uncommon to have your camera with you when the sun is going down.  Just good cocktail etiquette.

Newport, Oregon circa 1996

The end of a stormy New Years Day fishing trip.  The captain may have had to turn the boat around due to the dangerous currents but the day did end on a very inspiring note.

Newport, Oregon circa 1996

Group of RTM Arby's managers posing at the end of a stormy day.





The pictures included here are just a sampling of many that I have had the distinct pleasure of seeing during my life time.  As I mentioned earlier, I have more sunset pictures than sunrises....and not because I overslept, if I am up that early I am usually working.

Grand Cayman, circa 1991

Ashland, OR, circa 1994

Check out the moon at the very top of the Cayman sunset.




Sunsets, a great way to end a long and stressful day as well as those beautiful relaxing ones.
Sunsets, designed so you can stare longingly into the horizon and dream of better things.
Sunsets, designed so you can stare longingly into the horizon and say thank you for all you have.
Sunsets, designed so you can...well, so you can just enjoy God's creativity.

Florence, OR, circa 1994

Oregon circa 1995

Jamaica, circa 1996

Jamaica, circa 1996

Tybee Island, GA, circa 2003

The reality of sunrises and sunsets is that words simply can not properly describe the intense beauty and serenity they provide.  
"And so without further gilding the lily and with no more ado".... pour yourself a glass of your favorite happy hour drink, let go of the day's worries and dream amazing dreams.

Turners Creek, Savannah, GA
circa GA/FL weekend 2011

Turners Creek, Savannah, GA
circa GA/FL weekend 2011

Cudjoe Key, Florida, circa 2003

as always,
bkd
"Hope guides me. It is what gets me through the day and especially the night. The hope that after you're gone from my sight it will not be the last time I look upon you"    Kate, A Knight's Tale


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