Hello, all.
I’m rethinking and refiguring this Substack newsletter. There is so much going on the world (see LA today, National Guard, terrible bills) and it all feels so huge and insurmountable and so I wind up freezing up and not able to respond, for what would I say in the face of such horrible news? How might I support the fight against fascism in the U.S.? Global and National seem pretty daunting, but Local feels possible to me, so I’m turning my attention to living, working, fighting, writing, and sharing local.
This means writing about where I live, how we live here, what our hopes and challenges are, our wins and losses, our quirks and eccentricities. The beauty of the people and the region, and the ways the neighborhood folks I know are making our town (and thus the world) a kinder place. I’m also going to share posts from other writers are who in other locales doing the same thing. Because why not uplift what they are doing for their little regions. Because sometimes that feels like all we have.
Finally, I am hoping to craft some interviews with amazing local folks here in my region (the Rogue Valley of Oregon) and my town (Ashland).
For today, here’s an old overview post I wrote back when we moved to Ashland nine years ago. For every paragraph, there could be tons of words dedicated, and perhaps I’ll deepen this as time goes on.
THE YEAR OF LIVING DIFFERENTLY-ASHLAND 2016
Since I've moved to Ashland, I haven't really spent a lot of time writing or telling stories about the journey. I've been super busy with work and trying to unpack. So I thought I'd tell you a bit about the region, if it's a story you'd care to hear.
Ashland is part of the Rogue Valley which encompasses Jackson and Josephine counties and the cities of Grant's Pass, Gold Hill, Rogue River, Central Point, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, Jacksonville, Medford, Phoenix, Talent, and Ashland for a combined population of (and I'm guesstimating) 200,000. Ashland has about 20k and Medford about 70K.
The Rogue River runs through the valley and is a gorgeous water destination that people raft down, paddle in, and generally freeze their ass in because it's goddamn cold. The Illinois River is a fantastic wild and scenic river as well. Nearby-ish is the profoundly beautiful Crater Lake, and Mount McLoughlin for hiking, as well as numerous mountain lakes and reservoirs near the Pacific Crest Trail.
The PCT is quite popular here and runs along the town (more or less, I am not a good hiker and could not read a trail map to save my life) and we get a lot of thru hikers into the town.
Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival which is 90 years old and is an incredibly popular tourist attraction, bringing in thousands of visitors, not to mention providing ample economic support for the local economy. Physically, Ashland is cute and precious and has views on one side of big green mountains (to the west) and rolling tan velvet looking hills (to the east) which on the other side of leads you towards Eastern Oregon. It is a narrow and long town and feels (to me) to be the most mountainous of the valley. Or, I suppose I should say it feels the most wedged into the side of the mountains.
Ashland is also known for Jackson Hot Springs and our history with the Lithia spring water is long and storied and attracted visitors seeking healing since the town was formed. It’s the type of town that has attracted 60's age hippies and 70's age wanderers, and modern age seekers who like Kombucha, hot yoga, and seasonal weather. It also attracts art lovers who often retire here. We have scuptors, poets, actors, muscians and filmmakers galore.
Ashland has 4 distinct seasons. Right now? It's 105 but 30% humidity and about 55 at night. It snows in the winter. I enjoy chilly air, boots, and hot cider come Halloween. Crisp and cold winter holidays, and often a very snowy February.
Small town life is quieter and there is far less traffic than in Austin, where we moved from. There also are no late night diners or 24 hour grocery stores, unless you head to Medford. There are loads of wonderful foodie restaurants with names like Alchemy and Amuse. Wineries abound.
Ashland has epic parades. The July 4th event is huge and extremely packed with nearly everyone out on a mile stretch into downtown. Southern Oregon PRIDE has an event in early October, the town turns out fully for the Halloween parade, with costumed thousands filling the streets. Finally, there a Festival of Lights Parade that can’t be beat.
There are few mosquitoes, and fewer flies. Not that many wasps that I can see but loads of honeybees. There are however, spiders. Lots of them. Like…every morning there are silvery frothy webs in all the bushes and plant life even though I rarely see the spiders. The spiders I do see are black widows and they live under rocks and on the back sides of houses and general have ugly nests that scream DON'T COME OVER HERE. I don't. I avoid them at all costs.
Lavender plants are ubiquitous. I mean...everyone has them all over everything, along with rosemary, and succulents. But seriously, if you like lavender, Ashland is your jam.
And deer. There are deer. There may be more deer than people as there are very few natural predators. They just amble about having lunch on various plants. They walk down the street. They hang out in the front yard. They look at you like....what? We have one buck in the neighborhood that I've dubbed Mr. Tumnus because while he's not a faun, he was a fawn. And there is a lamppost right next to our house so I wonder.
There was a deer that somehow got all caught up in the 4th of July parade when we got here(see?) and nearly lost it's mind trying to figure out how to get out.
The deer hate lavender so there may be a connection with its popularity.
Oregon is a very white state and was chartered as a whites only stage. Medford was one of the first places to initiate a KKK person in Oregon. Oregon had sundown laws on the books for a long time. The first black actress at Oregon Shakespeare Festival had to be escorted in and out due to those laws. They are now doing huge amazing things with intersectional theater making and I love them. The city has had two Unpacking Racism meetings with 200 people per event and they have been GREAT. The Sunrise Project is in place helping to undo damage. Many activists and advocates fight to stay and thrive here. Much work to do, much is being done.
It's beautiful here, achingly so. And the people are devoted to the town and to the art and life they build here.