Ashland, OR

Allyson's Kitchen is a multi-faceted experience for its visitors. From their wonderful deli counter lunch offerings, to their Gourmet Chef supplies and cooking classes, to their Friday Night Wine Tastings, if you haven't been to Allyson's Kitchen, you are missing out on several wonderful experiences.

Check out Allyson's Kitchen in Downtown Ashland at:

115 East Main Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 541-482-2884

(Allyson's Kitchen is also open in Bend now, too.)

See you out there!

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

While reading fellow Active Rainer Mike Jones' post about the bicycle friendly towns and cities listed by the League of American Bicyclists, I saw that Ashland Oregon had made the cut. I knew Ashland has great bike lanes and paths throughout town, as well as trails for mountain bike enthusiasts up in the watershed on the base of Mount Ashland.

This university town needs systems in place like this, but they're great for residents and workers, too. My husband rides over to our weekly Rotary Meetings, arriving within 5 minutes of the time it would take him to drive, while enjoying the opportunity to get out there for a breath of fresh air and some exercise.

See you out there!

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

In the heart of downtown Ashland, Standing Stone Brewery is another favorite stop of ours for lunch, dinner, snacks and, of course, a hand made ale. You will even find some of our delicious Southern Oregon wines on the menu, by the bottle and by the glass, and a full bar, too. You will also find this award winning restaurant has a heart, having "greened" everything they can at their restaurant - and winning a State Sustainability Award in 2007 for their efforts.

Just across the street from one of my favorite Ashland Realtors, we frequently stop here for lunch for a delicious midday meal and some networking. Vegans and Meat Lovers alike will find a wide variety of delicious menu selections, from some delicious soups and salads to unique sandwiches and dinner dishes. How about a Wood Fired Pizza? Maybe some Marionberry Cobbler or warm Stir Crazy Black Chocolate Cake with Bourbon whipped cream?

On the last Friday of the month, you'll find "Green Drinks" meets here, a group of like minded Southern Oregon residents gathering to discuss and discover possible solutions to reducing our impact on Mother Earth. This group has had some great guest speakers come through, so show up the last Friday of the month at 5:30 if you want to see what Green Drinks is all about, and come on out to the patio at the back of the restaurant.

Like music while you dine? Check the calendar to see who is playing.

Great food, great ingredients, great prices and great atmosphere, every visit to Standing Stone Brewery has been a great one. Go see for yourself - they're open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, daily.

Standing Stone Brewing Company
101 Oak St
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 840-8494

See you out there!

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

It looks like there is some movement on whether or not the train will start running through Ashland again. A petition was filed to let another provider start running the service. As a fan of railways as a mode of transportation, I am at odds with how I feel about the train coming through Ashland again. This line carries little other than lumber from Northern California to Roseburg.

It is not a passenger train...and the freight can still go by rail..it just has to take a very circuitous route up the other side of the Cascades, and over through Springfield.

With the number of old railway crossings in Ashland, and the questionable health of the tunnel at the top of the Siskiyou Pass, I think it would be wise to let this train line be permanently disabled.

This story is not reported in the Ashland paper, but is being followed closely by the paper in Roseburg.

Quoted from http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20080905/NEWS/809059914&parentprofile=search:

CORP open to another operator for Siskiyou line | NRtoday.com - The News-Review

The petition from shippers came in response to a decision by CORP earlier this year to curtail southbound service between Ashland and Weed and to cut northbound service from five days per week to two. The cost to ship on the line was also increased.

Shippers said they were told that unless CORP found a way to increase rail traffic and profitability, all service over the Siskiyou summit might be curtailed.

The changes were made, Lundberg said, because of a lack of rail traffic. According to Wednesday's filing, CORP has not provided service between Ashland and Montague, Calif., since May 6, the last day service was requested by customers.

I have a little trailer that is kind of a glorified tent on wheels. It has a table, icebox, bed, and stove. It is shorter than my truck, both in legnth and hight. I love the thing because it makes camping so easy.

I spent last night on the banks of Howard Prairie Lake. It is 30 minutes from my house in Ashland. You can fish, ski, swim, etc...

A client of mine owns the resort. He is an excellent and friendly guy named Joel. If you get a chance to camp up here, tell Joel hi from the Agent In A Kilt. Who knows, there might be a free soft serve Ice Cream in it for you.

Back to the campfire now.

P.S. There is high speed wireless access here!!!!

Quoted from http://www.howardprairieresort.com/:

Southern Oregon Camping | Campground and RV Park Near Ashland and Medford Oregon

Since 1997 the Howard Prairie Lake recreation area in Southern Oregon near Ashland and Medford has been rated the number one recreation facility of its kind in Oregon. The popularity of the area is attributed to the commitment of Howard Prairie Lake Resort, Inc. in concert with Jackson County Parks and Recreation to you, our customers.

We've created a camping, RV park, and recreation area that is clean, safe, and friendly. Vacationers spend a day, a week, even the whole season at the resort. Our facilities have been designed for any length of stay, with a large picnic area, campsites with limited or full hookups, a store and restaurant, laundry facilities, and a full-service boat marina.

Howard Prairie Lake is generally considered by fishermen and Fish and Wildlife authorities alike to be among the finest rainbow trout fisheries in the Northwest.

Howard Prairie Lake is not just about trout and bass fishing though, boating fun of all forms, from canoeing to skiing to sailing, is very popular.

Howard Prairie Lake Resort, away from it all, ... but not too far away!