Remember that alpaca sweater you saw in a store? How would you like to have a close look at the animals that grew the fleece that turned into the yarn that made that sweater? Head for Alpacas at Lone Ranch, where owners Richard and Renate Gyuro maintain a herd of about 50 of these unique animals. For a terrific family outing, you can experience these gentle, mystical animals by … [Read more...]
#75 – Butte Creek Mill Antique Gallery
Adjacent to the Butte Creek Mill & Country Store in Eagle Point, which burned down in 2015 and is scheduled to reopen this year, is an 1895 cheese factory that has been converted to an antique store. The store offers an incredible collection of antiquities including toys, old-fashioned signs, country store materials and much more. Proprietor Bob Russell brought 14 truck … [Read more...]
#76 – Butte Creek Mill & Country Store
APOLOGIES: THIS LOCATION HAS CLOSED. A broad overhang threw shadows over the front loading dock that led into the Butte Creek Mill. A wooden bench on the dock allowed visitors to sit a spell while taking in the clacking and humming of pulleys and belts working the mill’s machinery. The aroma of freshly crushed grain wafted out the open doors to the street. A trip to the Butte … [Read more...]
#77 – Eagle Point National Veterans Cemetery
Visiting a national cemetery is a chance to walk among headstones that chronicle American history, an opportunity to remember and honor the nation’s war heroes and a place to say a last farewell to family and friends. National cemeteries in the United States were introduced during the Civil War, near the battlefields, military hospitals and campgrounds of the war. In 1862, … [Read more...]
#78 – Scenic Route from Eagle Point to Mt. McLoughlin
First-time visitors to Medford and Eagle Point inevitably want to know the name of the cone-shaped mountain that dominates the skyline there so strikingly. It’s Mt. McLoughlin, a volcanic peak in the Cascade Range that rises to an elevation of 9,499 ft. It has a hiking trail leading to the summit, but for the less strenuously inclined there’s an enjoyable alternative, an easy … [Read more...]
#79 – Willow Lake
If you look at enough descriptions of Willow Lake, you’ll find the word “escape” popping up again and again. It seems that Willow Lake is the perfect place to escape to, no matter what it is that you’d like to get away from. It is tranquil, picturesque, off the beaten path, and for the ardent lover of the outdoors, a whole lot of fun. Nestled at the foot of Mt. McLoughlin, the … [Read more...]
#80 – Agate Lake
A beautiful and popular recreational destination just outside of White City, Agate Lake County Park is 216 acres of natural beauty that include 3 miles of lake frontage. It is perfect for fishing, swimming, picnicking, agate hunting or just taking in the view of Mt. McLoughlin while enjoying a peaceful day by the lake. Black-tailed deer can be found here, and over 190 species … [Read more...]
#81 – Trail Creek Tavern Museum
Depending on who you talk to, the old Trail Creek Tavern was the embodiment of a Wild West saloon, complete with fistfights and shootouts, or a watering hole with live music and a clientele that sometimes got a little too rowdy, or a little too loud, or both. In any event the tavern, which opened in 1934 shortly after the end of prohibition, failed to get its license renewed … [Read more...]
#82 – Parks Near Shady Cove
Take the time to stop and enjoy the beauty of nature at nearby state recreation areas. Casey State Recreation Site is a day-use area that makes a perfect, relaxing stop off Hwy 62. Have a picnic among the trees. Raft the river or bring along your rod and reel and see if you can snare some salmon, steelhead or trout. Nearby, you can take yourself on a self-guided tour of the … [Read more...]
#83 – Lost Creek Lake & Marina
When looking for a fun time out on the water, there is no need to look any further than Lost Creek Lake and Marina. Lost Creek Lake is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, and with 3,430 acres of surface area it is the largest lake in the area. The lake is a popular wakeboarding and jetskiing area, and with sturdy afternoon winds it is a popular sailing, windsurfing and … [Read more...]
#84 – Mill Creek Drive Scenic Waterfalls
If you like waterfalls, the Upper Rogue Region is a great place to visit. Here are a few spectacular falls located off Hwy 62, in or very near Prospect: Barr Creek Falls and Mill Creek Falls: Take Hwy 62 to Mill Creek Dr. and follow it through the town of Prospect to the Mill Creek Falls Trailhead, about 1.5 miles south of Hwy. 62. A parking area on the left has a trail going … [Read more...]
#85 – Prospect Historic Hotel
Drop in for a fascinating tour of this historic building. Linger a little longer and book a room for yourself to discover beautiful Prospect. Additional lodging is available right behind the hotel in the family and pet-friendly modern motel. The hotel assists and supports a number of local events like the Mill Creek Memorial Festival, a day-long event honoring our veterans on … [Read more...]
#86 – Avenue of the Boulders
The Avenue of the Boulders is located on Mill Creek Drive, the scenic road that parallels Hwy 62 into the quaint town of Prospect. At this location the Rouge River drops some 75 feet and creates truly spectacular water scenery as the water flows down and around these magnificent boulders. The Avenue can be viewed directly from the Mill Creek Drive Bridge where it crosses the … [Read more...]
#87 – Union Creek Resort
Enjoy rustic comfort for an unforgettable experience in a comfortable historic cabin in the Rogue River National Forest. Just 23 miles from Crater Lake National Park, historic Union Creek Resort proudly offers 23 unique cabins and vacation rentals, a Lodge with nine beautifully restored rooms, a game room and fireside library, Beckie’s Café, a BBQ chuck wagon and ice cream shop … [Read more...]
#88 – Natural Bridge & Lava Tubes, Natural Bridge Falls
One of nature’s many wonders is found at the Natural Bridge. The mighty Wild & Scenic Rogue River disappears into a hole in volcanic rock, and emerges some 200 feet downstream. Your visit to the Natural Bridge provides unique opportunities for observing and interpreting one of this area’s most fascinating features. It’s hard to believe your eyes when you stand above the … [Read more...]
#89 – Rogue River Gorge Trail
See and hear the powerful, gushing waters of the Wild & Scenic Rogue River as it courses through a narrow channel – as little as 10 feet in places – of basalt lava at this breathtaking, awe-inspiring sight. The Rogue River Gorge, across Hwy 62 from Union Creek Resort, features cascading waterfalls at the head of the gorge and churning, rushing waters through ancient lava … [Read more...]
#90 – Crater Lake National Park
On a trip to Crater Lake, Oregon’s only National Park, you will be transported into a magical wonderland with an explosive volcanic past. The deep blue lake is surrounded by sheer cliffs almost 2,000 ft. high. Take a boat tour over the surface of this marvelous lake, or hike the rim of the gigantic crater that holds the water. There are trails that meander through the park’s … [Read more...]