Sometimes snow sweeps in like a thunderstorm. At other times it looks like this, a big gray-white cloud that oh so slowly settles lower and expands in your direction. After a while, the mountain in the distance fades away. A short time later, tiny snowflakes fall, then larger ones. That’s what happened here a little while ago. Quietly, calmly, not a breath of wind. Like someone turned a dial and the air got thick and wet.
Snow Line Dropping
This shot taken a couple of hours before it actually snowed
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We had a sorta white Christmas, also. A mini-blizzard for a little while, but it is just too warm during the day, and we are only at about 2600 feet. However, the mountain tops are quite white and there is even a municipal ski place on Mt Ashland where the town turns out, especially parents and kids. And there is a skating rink downtown. I can really see you folks liking this place, especially with the two pianos.
It’s snowing now. Probably added a couple of inches since I posted that picture. What do you mean about the pianos?
I mean that people with pianos would probably feel at home in Ashland, more than most places. There is an active theatre scene here because of the Shakespeare Festival and the University (of Southern Oregon) that I think I need to go get involved in, maybe as a volunteer in hope it could lead to a job. A lot of folks retire here, but I am struck by how many old-timers have lived here for 30-50 years, which makes for a rich culture, especially in the arts and the alternative healing arts, too.
Tons of music here – I will pay attention more to the classical concerts and if there is a symphony. I have lived here a year and been a total hermit, but now it is time to bust out and meet some people. I had that ankle injury last February (the day before my birthday) that laid me up half the year, and it still hurts to walk too far, but not too bad. I missed some good festivals and shows right in town.
And the NPR radio station is great. The predominant genre is probably alt/folk or americana/world, but there is kirtan music, hip hop, rock, and all of it. Being right off of I5 is a big plus, and everyone loves Ashland for the food, the co-op, the good panhandling, liberal atmosphere. Rents are astronomical, though, of course – $1500-$1700 minimum for a two-piano house, and $280,000 -$320,000 minimum to buy, on average. There is already a bit of a migration from California gobbling up the good growing land.
The University and tourism are the main industries, other than growing. There is a lot of food grown here. I am still trying to figure out if it is a healthy place. There is a temperature inversion that makes for bad air in the summer, especially during the forest fires. I drive to Mt Shasta for water, but there is a good spring here near the town. I just prefer Mt Shasta water and feel blessed that I get to drink it. The landscape is similar to yours, I think, somewhat.
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