Intro: Welcome to Southern Oregon

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The day is remarkably warm, 70-some degrees at the tail-end of March; the scent of blossoming fruit trees ride a warm breeze through the open windows of the house. Hard to believe that just two days ago Rogue Valley residents were wrestling with umbrellas and splashing through puddles as they went about their day wrapped in coats and topped with hats. Next week the weather folks are calling for snow!

This meteorological mayhem keeps life in southern Oregon interesting. From late fall to early spring enough rain falls to paint the hills a vibrant green, but not so much that one is forced to seek professional help. The summers are long, hot and lend themselves to all manner of outdoor activities from paragliding to picnicking.

The wide variation is not just limited to the weather but applies to the landscape as well. From the wet and rugged coastline to the lava fields of the high desert, the landscape is in a constant state of flux. A two-hour drive east from Ashland transports one from a land of pear blossoms to one of snow and pines that surround Crater Lake at the top of the Cascade Range.

The weather and landscape of southern Oregon create one of the most versatile outdoor playgrounds in the Pacific Northwest. The Mt. Ashland ski area lies just south of town; springtime locals often ski the groomed runs in the morning and then return to the valley floor for a bike ride or a run during the warm afternoons.

Outdoor folks are not the only ones attracted to southern Oregon. Culture seekers and patrons of the arts flock to Ashland during the summer months to take in the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, as well as the Britt Music Festival in neighboring Jacksonville.

Whatever the reason for coming to southern Oregon, it is likely that eating will rank highly among the reasons to return. Ashland and the surrounding communities offer an amazing variety of culinary must-eats ranging from incredible Thai served in a doublewide trailer, to swank French eateries where well-dressed waiters attend every request.

The town of Ashland will serve as the base camp for this travel guide; I chose it because it is a destination spot in its own right and its central location is perfect for launching day or weekend forays into the surrounding area. I hope this guide will help acquaint visitors with Southern Oregon and that its wonderful variety is made more accessible whether one prefers the solitude of the trails or the bustle of the town.

Welcome, and happy travels!

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