Do not miss this event! It's great all by itself, but even better because it happens in Feb, when…read moreyou most need something to break up the doldrums. In case you don't know it, the Klamath Basin has the largest winter population of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. The Winter Wings Festival has become a nationally renowned event, revolving around this phenomenon. Even so, you'll probably only see 700 or so people attending, though it grows every year. For 2013, it runs from Feb. 14 - 17. There are a wide variety of trips out to see bald eagles, and many general birding field trips. Some of these are geared to beginning birders. There are speakers on everything about birding you can imagine, including lots on nature photography. There are activities for kids, vendors, displays, and all kinda stuff like that there. See their Facebook page and/or website for info & registration. Book any field trips you'd like to go on early, because they fill up fast. This is a great event--I highly recommend it!

Came to an amazing performance of "Come From Away." We haven't been back to Ashland's Shakespeare…read moreFestival in over 20 years and some things have changed, while others have not. Most things for the better...the crowds not so much. There were some great options on shows and too little time to see all the ones showing. The Angus Bowmer Theater had great seats. There was plenty of leg room between rows and enough elevation to see over the rows and to the stage. Acoustics were good as well. Only downside were the multiple stairs getting to our seats...but can't complain about the views afforded. Great venue and looking forward to seeing more shows at different theaters.

My first trip to see a play and it was hysterical! World class talent and productions. Right down…read moretown within walking distance of fabulous artisan restaurants. Get your tickets early!

Would you drive 800 miles round trip to see a music festival?…read more This used to be called the Southern Oregon Jazz Festival, but jazz hasn't drawn enough of an audience, and they had to broaden their appeal to include other classes of music. I'm probably one of the few Asian Americans who is a big fan of Cajun, and Zydeco music, along with oldies from the fifties and sixties. My ex from Hong Kong absolutely can't stand Cajun music, which is why she's my ex! We make hotel reservations in Medford, Oregon for the Southern Oregon Music Festival, unable to get a room at festival headquarters, Inn at the Commons, booked up months in advance. Friday mid day the parking lot at the Commons is packed, along with the overflow event lot adjacent on Riverside Ave. We park at the 3 hour multi story garage across the street, and go register at the Commons. The festival has obtained unlimited parking at all street and public garage parking from Friday noon through the entire weekend. When you fork over $180 for two all weekend tickets you can park anywhere! This is one of the very few events without a senior discount. Sacramento once had a half price for seniors 60+ for their Memorial Day weekend music festival, only to find they were losing money, as the majority of their patrons were seniors. And when I turned 60, they changed the half price policy to apply to the shortened final day, having to pay full price the other 3 days. Story of my life -it is what it is. Two of the five venues are at the Commons, but you need a shuttle to get to the other three locations, two of them a mile away. The wife and I find a 24 passenger shuttle just leaving, belonging to a nursing home. Turns out that is the bus, as many of the attendees are at that age! On the bus we meet a guy my age, accompanied by his father. We will see the father on the dance floor, still moving at 94 years! The first events we see are at the NBC Studios 5, across downtown. Looks like an aircraft hanger, with huge hanger doors. Inside, ceilings 30 feet tall, with a 1000+ square foot dance floor. Tom Rigney, in his red boots, and colorful cape fiddles away, with the group Flambeau, cranking out Cajun music, both blues and fast paced dance music, and the occasional waltz. They finish up with the old favorite "Jambalaya". Dozens of couples dancing, even some women-women couples. Don't have a dance partner? No problem, there are dance hosts of both genders, identified by their red badges, who will dance with you. That 94 year old man came all the way from the Castro Valley to dance with these gals! They even have boxes of new dance shoes for sale. Just what the wife needs -more shoes to match up in numbers with Imelda Marcos! Gator Nation follows, having been here 20 + years in a row. Hard hitting Zydeco (black Cajun music) tunes, accompanied by an accordion player. The pace and volume picks up. A band called the Young Bucs comes next, with retro music from the 1950s -do wop music. Hungry? No problem, as the local church serves a great pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on the premises. We catch the shuttle back to the Commons, this one labeled as a senior assist living bus. Next day we are at Howiee's bar, 15 minutes before opening time, in a long line of old folks just like us. Sign says nobody under 21, but the bouncer does not check anyone's id for this crowd! Inside, mirrors on both side walls, lined with beer bottles, with record albums glued to the ceiling. Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings are playing fifties rock, with Dave doing an incredible imitation of Jerry Lee Lewis on the piano, standing on the piano bench, boots on the keyboard, hands rising a foot off the keyboard, while pounding away in a super paced tempo, with such hits as "Whole lot of shaking going on". We end the second day listening to Danny Maika playing the ukulele and guitar, and such songs as "Over the Rainbow", and the Righteous Brothers "Unchained melody". Father from Hawaii and mother from Kentucky, Danny calls himself pineapple moonshine! Final day my wife is into Swing music -music from the big bands of the 1940s, and falls for Carolyn Martin's Swing Band, including western (cowboy) swing music, even though she's not a fan of contemporary country music. Other bands like Midiri Brothers and Wally's Warehouse Waifs are more traditional jazz, and more in tune with the wife. We're certain to come back next year, hopefully with reservations at the Commons, to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, even though I have two left feet, when it comes to dancing!

Buy your tickets online, wait in line. A really long line. The poor person running the check in…read moreline took a ton of unnecessary abuse. Breweries sent barrels of beer, but volunteers from South Siskiyou County were manning the taps and didn't know anything about the beer they were serving or the breweries they came from. Friendly for sure, but it fell way short of their Brewfests in the past and others run in Northern California. If they don't do something different this year we won't return.

ATTN: Beer Lovers…read more Last years had over 30 breweries pouring over 100 craft beers. Although i didnt make it till the end, there was still great beers pouring and phenomenal music filling the grassy Babe Ruth memorial ball field. Looking forward to this years round up of craft beers, great music and new friends. Oh and the weather, a pleasant 70 degrees with shade to be had almost the whole day (i was told)...:)

I stumbled upon this wonderful RV park, in McArthur, CA. Gravel pull-thru sites. Beautiful views…read moreof Mt. Shasta. Surrounded by beauty. Very peaceful. Internet connection is amazing

Beautiful country area! We stayed here while working in the area it was quiet and spacious. The…read morebest part though was the owners! Very pleasant and kind people they go out of their way to know you by name and be accommodating. It felt like we were part of the community even though we were only there for a bit. 100% recommend staying here if you are in the area.