Day Nine – A Lazy Day in Ashland

This morning we debated the rest of our trip and decided to extend it two more days rather than to go home tomorrow. We pored over maps while we did a load of laundry in the hotel laundry room.

We have decided to head for the coast. We’ll travel to California’s Lost Coast tomorrow and stay overnight in Shelter Cove. The following day we will go to the Anderson Valley for one night and then head home.

After breakfast, laundry and trip planning, we walked around the town and through Lithia Park. Ashland Creek runs through the park and through the town. The creek’s origin begins on Mount Ashland. Its water eventually feeds into Bear Creek and then into the Rogue River.

On our walk we saw two momma deer with two fawns. They are definitely used to humans.

We met up with Tom’s nephew and his adorable daughter, Maysa. They moved here from Kauai about a year ago and we haven’t seen them for about three years. It was great to catch up and see that they are both settling in well and are enjoying living in the area. Maysa was just a little girl when we last saw her and now she’s a delightful and beautiful thirteen year-old.

We said goodbye to them in the square where they have fountains of Lithia Water which is highly mineralized. Mike tried some (yuck) and Maysa said it “smells like her dog’s butt”. It cracked us all up.

After our lunch with Mike and Maysa, we went in search of a wine bar. No such luck, but we did find a restaurant called the Noble Fox that was having a happy hour Ceilidh. We had a glass of wine and enjoyed some Irish music. It was really fun!

Tom took a well deserved late afternoon nap and then we went for a walk through the town. We stopped for a cocktail on the creekside promenade.

Then we went to dinner at the Thai restaurant which was a nice change from pub food. We’ll go down to the hotel’s sweets and treats offerings once we let the Thai dinner settle a bit.

It was a very nice day of rest and great to reconnect with family. We’re back on the road tomorrow, headed for the Lost Coast!

Cathy’s Barn of the Day Pic…