Grants Pass, OR

Going Out on a Limb in Southern Oregon

Out N' About Treesort & Treehouse Institute

By Alexa Meisler, editor of the online travel magazine 52perfectdays.com

Southern Oregon is a beautiful and picturesque area offering Rogue River adventures, wine tastings, the Oregon Caves, Shakespeare Festival and wonderful camping. But did you know, beyond the camp sites, hotels and motels there are unique accommodations where you can literally climb a tree to go to bed? The Out N' About Treehouse's located near Cave Junction, offer more than a step up from traditional camping with their four star Treesort lodging as well as on-site activities such as horseback riding, zip line rides, art classes and full service spa (of course located in a treehouse).

Whether you are looking for a family adventure or an adventure to bring out the kid in you, this is a one of a kind vacation where the fun never stops! The 36-acre property boasts 13 treehouses, horse stables, swimming pool with fresh water pumped from the river, giant swings, ropes and a communal fire pit.

Out N' About is more than just a location to sleep, in fact you might just feel like you have been transported to a page from Swiss Family Robinson. Besides the impressive treehouses, you'll find ropes, tire swings and the longest rope swing I have ever seen, platforms, seven swinging bridges ranging from eight to 32 feet off the ground and from 12 to 90 feet long.

It is almost impossible to gather the kids and resist exploring your inner Tarzan before checking in; but once that is out of the way- it is time to explore! I have never been so excited to see a room. These are truly works of tree art. Decorated in outdoorsy style, rooms offer electricity, windows, bed and bedding, most have platforms or a balcony and all are one of a kind, handmade accommodations.

Exploring the network of bridges that connect many of the tallest treehouses is an adventure in itself. The bridges, made out of wood planks and ropes, test any issues with height and balance, but once you have that mastered, traversing high above the ground turns out to be a lot of fun.

Daily activities include art projects, such as mosaics, scheduled horseback trail riding, and for the daredevils out there- the zip line course. The zip course starts out harmlessly with a short practice zip to learn how to stop yourself, where to place your hands and how to hook and unhook off the line. But before you know it you'll be soaring through the air 650 feet, then for the real fun, climbing 45 feet up a Douglas Fir for the third zip. I am scared of heights, so I don't know how I actually made it to the top, except for the encouragement of the guides. Then a short hike into the woods for the last zip; right through the trees.

Evenings at the resort find many of the treehouse residents around the communal fire pit, preparing dinner in the communal kitchen or at one of the many bbq's, sharing stories of where they are from and how many times they have visited and of course roasting a few marshmallows.

You might expect Out 'n' About to lure mostly families, but there were a surprising number of adult vacationers. It seems that big or small a place like this brings out the kid in all of us.

Out 'n' About Treesort & Treehouse Institute: The treehouses are also open for daily tours and as a stand alone tour is definitely worth a stop.

Tour Hours & Fees: $5.00 per adult and $2.50 per child (12 & under) Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12pm to 2pm on the hour April through October.

Getting there: From I-5 north take Grants Pass exit 58 or From I-5 south take Grants Pass exit 55. Take Hwy 199 to Cave Junction. South of Cave Junction, take a left on Rockydale Road. Make a left at Waldo Road. Make a right on Takilma Road. Turn left on Page Creek Road. Take gravel road to the end. Please respect the neighborhood by driving slowly. Photos & article provided by By Alexa Meisler, editor of the online travel magazine 52perfectdays.com

Feng Shui Home Staging for Grants Pass, Oregon

You don't need to believe in Feng Shui, pronounced fung′-shway′, but using Feng Shui Home Staging when selling your home just may help you sell it faster, which may also translate to selling your home for more money.

Feng Shui Home Staging uses the placement of objects to create positive energy, harmony and a feeling of well-being in your home. Feng shui means "wind water", and the theory is to live in harmony with nature. It is believed to have began in China's West Han dynasty in the third century B.C.

Some of the simple things you can do to incorporate Feng Shui Home Staging into your home are:

1. Make sure the path to your front door is clean and free of clutter. Trim back any bushes near the entrance to your home, they may be sending visitors a message to "stay away."
2. Having a red door or flowing water or fountain creates positive energy. Having a nice flowering plant or bush near Having a nice flowering plant or bush near your front door may also have this positive feeling.
3. Hang some bamboo or wood wind chimes near the right hand corner of your home. They are supposed to bring good luck, receiving their energy from the stars.
4. Remove everything from your foyer to make if feel as spacious as possible, bringing that positive entry inside the door of your home. If there is a wall directly directly in front of you as you enter your home, place a mirror there. The mirror will create a feeling of larger space and a round mirror, which takes its' energy from the sun is said to bring protective powers to your home.
5. When you know your home is going to be shown to potential buyers, open the shades and drapes and make sure your windows are clean. Feng shui philosophy believes sunlight will bring positive energy into your home.
6. It is important that the first room a potential buyer encounters looks as large as possible. In most cases this will be the living room, so be sure the way into it is not obstructed by having to walk around furniture. Remember that first impressions are lasting impressions, Feng Shui believer or not.
7. Keep your kitchen counter-tops clean and free of clutter. Waste-bins should not be visible. The contents of your pantry and cupboards should be neat and orderly. Cinnamon or pine-scents captivate a persons sense of smell and are said to bring "good" Feng Shui. If you know your home is going to be shown, simmer some cinnamon in some water on your stove before leaving (make sure to turn it off before you leave) or find a wall plug-in in a cinnamon or pine scent.
8. If a powderroom or bathroom is visible when you walk into your home, keep the door closed, and for goodness sakes, make sure the toilet lids in all bathrooms are closed. I know some Feng Shui believers feel that leaving a toilet lid open means "money down the drain!"

Overall, Feng Shui Home Staging means keeping your home looking happy, healthy and positive, which translates to keep your home clean and free of clutter. Get all that extra stuff (we all have it) packed up and into storage. Hey, this will give you a big head start on the packing you'll be doing once your house sells anyway.

When doing your Feng Shui Home Staging, keep in mind that you want to engage any potential home buyers in a positive sense of sight, smell and overall feeling of well-being.

1738 NW Highland Ave - Grants Pass, Oregon 97526

Beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1533 s/f home for sale on .19 acre in a desirable NW Grants Pass, Oregon neighborhood. Spacious kitchen featuring newer appliances, cabinets, counter tops and more. Beautiful gas fireplace & oversized utility room. Detached 2-car garage is set back from the road allowing for ample parking. Large rear yard is fenced and private. District 7 Schools and within walking distance to parks and shopping. $173,250. MLS#52905410

For more information regarding Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate - contact Melinda Peterson - Broker Real Estate Cafe 541-659-1620

Geology on the Illinois River Near Grants Pass Oregon

On the east fork of the Illinois River just a short distance from where the East and West forks join.  We keep coming back to this now gentle agua serpent because there's so much to see in the way of Geology on the Illinois River  when the water's down as it is here.

The shapes created by tons of rushing water over the years are incredible.

Here are two rock shapes that were a long ways off the cliff we were walking on. 

The first one appeared to be some piece of a roof structure from across the river. 

I couldn't tell from where I was what it would look like when the camera produced a 12 power image.  We decided to walk down to the water because the image could not be made out with the human eye.

And this one looked lik a large piece of steel because of the evenly formed lines, as if it had come from a corrugated building or possibly even a bridge guardrail.

It took a climb down to the water to prove it was just another piece of Geology on the Illinois River. 

There is so much to see when you come to Grants Pass, whether it's Geology on the Illinois River or the beautiful scenery throughout Southern Oregon.  Welcome home!

Little Falls on the Illinois River Near Grants Pass Oregon

A great time to see this falls is in the Autumn at the lowest water level of the year.

Note the smoothed rocks overhead which means the normal flow is well over where I'm standing.

Soon the mountains will fill with snow and rain and this river will fill once more to its' raging glory. Little Falls on the Illinois River is not as spectacular as other falls, but the sheer beauty surrounding it is well worth the pleasant trip down the well maintained trails.

To feed this powerful river, there are hundreds of gullies like this one,

that flow into the Illinois the entire length of its' course, and during the Spring runoff or anytime after there has been a rain in the mountains, these channels are overflowing with raging torrents, crashing down the hillsides and further swelling the river.

Within a few months there will be little sign of Little Falls on the Illinois River and the majestic beauty will once again be an awesome power driving toward its' rendezvous with the Rogue River, and then the mighty duo rush unstoppable to join the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach Oregon.

Come see Little Falls on the Illinois River when you visit Grants Pass Oregon and please plan to move here and let me welcome you home!