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Escaping To Lithia Park in Ashland Oregon

Here we are, barely two weeks in to this year's summer break from school, I'm working from my home office more often then not, and already I've heard "I'm bored" several times. This last time instead of my standard response of "would you like to start on the Household To Do List?" I thought "I'm bored, too"! Just having finished up on an extra project I had been working on since March that was separate from my usual mortgage business, still riding on the wave of satisfaction of a job well done, it's time to go celebrate, right? Time to play hooky!

Walking Paths through Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon A picnic in Lithia Park, one of our most favorite serene getaways, was just the ticket. So off we went to pick up Subway sandwiches and head to the park to see what is in bloom. First stop, the White Mulberry Tree to see if there were any ripe berries the deer couldn't reach on our way up to the Duck Pond where we plan to have lunch while watching the ducks.

Duck Pond at Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon

"You Talking To Me? Are YOU Talking TO ME!?" Lithia Park Ashland Oregon

Too early for mulberries, but on stroll along the paths leading to the duck pond, we could see there will Blooming Blackberries in Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon likely be a bountiful crop of blackberries in a month or two, right about the same time the mulberries ripen.

"Mama, I want to go on the spinny thing and swing" so off we head to the playground on the other side of the park. Rhododendrons are coming to the end of their blooming season, but still offer splashes of color amidst the many green shades of the other landscape.

Blooming Rhododendoms in Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon

Unfortunately, during a playground remodel that has taken place since our last visit, the spinny thing is no longer there, but the swings are. Ashland Creek is full, and the temperature outside warrants some wading, but it isn't long before toes are taking on a blue tint. Mom's phone is starting to ring again, so time to head back to "the real world".

Wildlife at Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon

There is nothing like slipping away for a couple of hours to one of Southern Oregon's crown jewels, Lithia Park...and nothing like getting home again to enjoy our own neighborhood flora and fauna.

Mr. Quail on watch for napping Mrs. Quail and family Cactus in Southern Oregon?

Edible Garnish from our kitchen garden Medford Oregon Bearded Lilies, Medford Oregon

Isn't Southern Oregon absolutely stunning?

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

http://localism.com/article/351683/-Back-to-Nature-at-Lithia

Posted by Karen Cooper - Mortgage Consultant for OR/CA on 06/24/2008 10:01 PM

Comments (10)

lithia park, ashland, oregon, southern oregon, jackson county

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10 Comments on Escaping To Lithia Park in Ashland Oregon

Gorgeous photos - colors are vivid...our green is starting to disappear here :(

06/25/2008 12:49 AM

by Kirsten Mellinger, Ventura County Real Estate (Emerald Funding & Realty)

I grew up in Asland!! Home to me and I so miss it. Loved seeing your photos. I used to live on Scenic Drive in the house at the very top of Church Street. The new owners have done so much with it. I'm actually coming up over the 4th of July weekend for my 20 year high school reunion and I can't wait!!!

I'll be keeping an eye on your blog....

06/25/2008 12:59 AM

by Linsey Planeta (Belterra Fine Homes)

Kirsten - Having grown up in your neck of the woods (Thousand Oaks), I recall the "green season" being much shorter than the one we have here in Southern Oregon. Our hills are starting to turn brown, too, just like they do in So. Cal., but will all the rivers and lakes we have around us, there is always plenty of green. Thanks for commenting.

Linsey - I know exactly the area you are talking about! Maybe we'll see each other at the 4th of July parade, or in Lithia Park at the craft/food booths after the parade. Always a popular place to celebrate that holiday, as you know, so look for the 5'11" Redhead - there aren't that many of us. Hope you have a wonderful time at your reunion.

06/25/2008 09:11 AM

by Quality Home Loans, Inc. - Karen Cooper, Oregon & California

Karen, your photos are stunning. Ashland is a beautiful place, I went to summer camp there in the late 70's. Wow! That was trip, we had a blast, 5 girls headed to cheerleading camp. The park looks like a nice place.

06/25/2008 11:38 PM

by Leslie Stewart – Realtor ®, CRS, eCertified (Prudential Real Estate Professionals)

You have CACTUS and Blackberry bushes?? WOW! THese are great photos! I'd be playing hooky too!

06/26/2008 08:01 AM

by Eleanor Thorne, Cary Mortgage Loans (Meridian Residential)

you are in the wrong business. You should be working for the ashland chamber of commerce

06/26/2008 11:28 AM

by Krista Bolf Ashland Agent, Ashland Real Estate & Medford Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Pro West)

Leslie - I'd guess you saw a lot more countryside when you visited the Rogue Valley in the 70's. It is a fun area with lots to do for kids to build those warm childhood memories.

Eleanor - Pretty amazing that both cactus and blackberries can survive in this area, eh? We have many microclimates in Southern Oregon, which goes against the picture many people throughout the nation have of the "rainy Pacific Northwest". Here in Medford / Ashland and the surrounding areas we average about 21 inches of annual rainfall, much more like California's climate than the Pacific Northwest.

Krista - One of the buyers I'm working with works for the Chamber of Commerce in another state, and I think I'm good right where I'm at! :->

Thanks to you all for commenting.

06/26/2008 12:59 PM

by Quality Home Loans, Inc. - Karen Cooper, Oregon & California

Your pictures are excellent and really make Lithia Park look like somewhere I would love to spend an afternoon! The expression of that female mallard is great

06/27/2008 03:57 PM

by Rich Dansereau Loan Officer Knoxville TN (Home America Mortgage)

Rich - Why thank you, kind sir. She really was fun to watch, strutting her stuff as she walked across the grass on her way back to the pond. I had to remind our youngest that unlike our California days when the kids could chase the seagulls to their heart's content, no chasing the ducks! I have a younger brother my sister and I used to take to feed the ducks at the pond at Westlake Island in California, and those ducks would come charging when they saw a new arrival carrying bread crumbs...scared him half to death because some of those ducks were almost as tall as he was at 3 years old...

06/27/2008 05:57 PM

by Quality Home Loans, Inc. - Karen Cooper, Oregon & California

<<<smile>>> My cousins had a similar experience when I took them to feed the ducks at the country club when I was a young boy! The ducks saw my cousins with the bread and it was on! LOL!

06/27/2008 10:23 PM

by Rich Dansereau Loan Officer Knoxville TN (Home America Mortgage)

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