Got up early and drove home. Took a lot of backroads, listened to podcasts. Some gorgeous landscapes in Oregon. I couldn’t take a picture but I’ll need to plan it out next time I’m in the area. The region of Lookout Point lake was dramatic. On the whole I drove from Ashland to Crater Lake, then proceded around to Eugene. Of and on I-5 to Salem and finally getting off it to get home.

It’s nice driving 99 between Medford and Ashland now. From the fires that came here a few years ago, today you see young trees and nascent forests. It was good to see my sister and my brother in law today, if only briefly. They are innundated with cats. And I could settle into Lithia park later this afternoon again to lay and read my book. Finally getting to a climax. Found a Root Beer that’s locally brewed and low in sugar.

Lithia park is a lovely park. Perhaps the ideal of what a park should be the archetype by which all other parks should be compared. Convenient parking, a lovely waterway snaking through the space. Tons of wildlife! Often deer, I know I saw a turtle last time I was here. It’s conveniently located next to the Shakespeare Festival, Downtown Ashland. Ashland has a lot that reminds me of Astoria. Similar vibe.

It’s amazing that I can drive the majority of the state in a day. I can take my time too. I now want a better understanding of this state. An idea of the geographic regions. It is so vast. Maybe a map that included the ecoregions, the economic drivers. Perhaps showing the largest elements of of economic activity in each county. I’m curious about the railways too. Further, demographic information would be interesting to explore.