April

Canyonville, OR...We're staying over the Memorial Day Weekend at the brand new, highly-rated (deservedly so), new 7 Feathers RV Resort. ( http://sevenfeathersrvresort.com/ )If you're not familiar with Oregon, it's located along I-5, 40 miles north of Grants Pass. Friends from Grants Pass had given us a suggestion of a nice day trip from here, so yesterday (a perfect day) we visited Jacksonville, OR...an old gold-mining town from the mid-1800's. They had recommended lunch on the patio of the Jacksonville Inn, which was perfect. ( http://www.jacksonvilleinn.com/ )The Inn is known for its gourmet meals and wine, but lunch was equally delicious...and highly recommended! If you're in the area, this drive (route 238 between Medford and Grants Pass) is a lovely day trip and Jacksonville is a beautiful town with much to see including many nearby wineries along the route.

The main street in Jacksonville with the Jacksonville Inn in the foreground.

For those of you who are following our travels, you know I had my second knee replaced in March which has curtailed our travels for many weeks. However, we've been able to take a few day trips to nearby attractions in the Willamette Valley that are worth seeing if you're in OR in the Spring at the right time. Tulip Season and Iris Season (I missed Daffodil Season due to the surgery) offer local growers time to open their gardens to the public for a few weeks.

Green Gables tulips in Philomath, OR

Schreiner's Iris Gardens near Salem, OR

We also were able to go to the nearby Mt. Hood fruit-growing valley (just east of Mt. Hood) for "Blossom Festival" which occurs when the fruit trees in the valley (many varieties!) are at their peak. The weekend weather was not cooperative, but we enjoyed a wonderful Bed & Breakfast (Mt. Hood Hamlet B & B), a quilt and craft show, a visit to an Alpaca farm, and an occasional glimpse of Mt. Hood.

Fruit trees and rolling hills, just east of Mt. Hood.

We took another trip to the coast (Newport) to revisit some of our favorite sights along the Oregon Coast...the lighthouses and Tillamook Cheese Factory (for the ice cream!) Still not much walking for me, though. (It's a long recovery!)

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, OR

We'll be in OR for all of June while I continue rehabbing and have my last doctor's appointment, but we will then visit family in TX and CA, before heading to MT where we'll be for Aug. and Sept.