Ashland, Oregon

by Carrie Pålsson

As teenagers, my friends and I would pile into an old, red Chevy Malibu and take a crazy trip over a small-ish mountain at breakneck speeds. Frankly, I have no idea how we survived hairpin turns at 80mph, but we somehow lived to tell the tale.

Our destination was Ashland, a small university town tucked up against the Cascade mountains in Southern Oregon. It lies right on I-5, so sees a lot of diverse traffic from California to the south and the heart of Oregon to the north.

My friends and I were enchanted with the town and would regularly risk our lives (and sometimes our academic standing when we'd decide to go in the middle of a school day) for speedy trip over the mountain. The appeal was simple. We lived in Klamath Falls, an ugly farm town with no beauty and few activities. Ashland was a spot of green and color, full of funky shops and strange happenings. What angsty high school students wouldn't love that? Even as an adult I love to visit the place.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival makes its home in Ashland and has been a major influence in the development of the town. The whole downtown area is dedicated to artsy shops meant to appeal to the tourists who flock to see the plays offered by the Festival. As a teenager I would spend hours in the kitschy Rare Earth, a store dedicated to selling cheap junk of all description. As an adult, I love to peruse the several different art stores that line the main downtown streets. On warm summer evenings I like to take a break from window shopping and watch the free Green Show in middle of the Shakespeare complex. Dancers and musicians entertain the crowd in preparation for the night show in the authentic Elizabethan outdoor theatre.

Lithia Park, a beautiful, green haven that sits behind the Shakespearean theatres, is another major attraction in the already attractive town. Paths wind through the park, inviting visitors to take a leisurely stroll along the creek that runs through the city. There's a happy little pond full of ducks. There are plenty of wide open spaces that are used for picnics and other activities. You never know what oddity you'll encounter in the open areas. Some days it just attracts people with frisbees, but I've also seen mock sword fights, musical jam sessions, a Jesus look-a-like preaching to his "flock," and a twin convention. That's one of the things I love most about Ashland--it's extremely diverse and open to just about anything.

As an English scholar I've seen many of the plays put on by the Shakespeare Festival. They are always top quality, and often interpreted in original ways. In addition to the plays, you can buy tickets to tour the backstage area, which is totally fascinating. There's also a small museum with old costumes and props from past productions. After you've taken a look at the displays, you are welcome to venture into the "interactive" section. They have a ton of old costumes available for people to try on. It's best to go during a school day so you don't have to fight small children for the best costumes!

A new theatre opened up in 2002 and it adds a whole new dimension to the Ashland appeal. Art Attack is a small theatre conceived of by a cutting-edge young couple. I've seen only one play there and am hankering to go back for more. At first I was skeptical when I walked into a small, black room with a simple configuration of chairs lining all four walls, but as soon as the action started I was captivated. Though small, the Art Attack theatre is top notch quality and much cheaper than the more traditional Shakespeare Festival.

All of the drama and funkiness of Ashland is enhanced by the beautiful, sprawling Victorian houses that abound everywhere. Many have been turned into bed and breakfasts, which I'd love to visit someday. Since my parents live a mere hour away I have not had the occasion to stay at any of them.

If you ever find yourself on the west coast and need a fun little place to visit, I highly recommend you check out Ashland, Oregon. If you do a little digging you can find many other activities including water slides, jet boat excursions, and salmon fishing to name just a few. If you want to see a play, make sure you buy your tickets well in advance because they go fast!