Brookings Sunset on the California West Coast, Oregon,

Watching a sunset reminds us of the night

that lies before us,

and the Creator of Night and Day.

Rogue River Valley, Oregon

Rogue River, Oregon, USA

Drive along the winding Rogue River under blue skies, gorgeous sun and green forest on HW199 from Brookings to Medford in Oregon, at Rogue Valley.

Mount McLoughlin from Highway 15

View of Mount McLoughlin from Highway 15

Photo taken on Highway 15 near Gold Hill along the Rogue River from Brookings as we get closer to the outskirts of the city of Medford on our long drive from Brookings with Shawn at the wheel and Denise as coordinator/navigator.

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8663532/

WOODEN ART BY THE HIGHWAY - THE BURL GALLERY - Oregon, USA

After having spent 3 days visiting Brookings on the west coast of Oregon and seeing the Klamath Trees of Mystery in California, it was a long drive back to Medford. 

Somewhere midway along Highway 199 from Brookings and Medford, one cannot miss a rustic yard of pure woodland fantasy. It is simply an amazing place to stop by and see some of the phenomenal stuff. 

It is called The Burl Gallery and is located at 24025 Redwood Highway in Kerbyville, Oregon - a former gold mining town south of Grants Pass.Unassuming at first sight it is a paradise for a wood-sculptor and collector alike with artistic and intricate wood-carvings in every theme, shape and size, laboriously carved out from trees. After browsing through the various works of art sprawled over a large area, and taking a short break from the long drive from Brookings, we were back on the road to Medford.

Thanks to Shawn and Denise for this wonderful trip.

To view this and other locations and 'TonFerns Photos' in Google Maps please click on the following links:

http://www.panoramio.com/user/4694906

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/109255225

CAPELLA BY THE SEA - Brookings, Oregon

Capella by the Sea

Azalea Park

Band shell at Azalea Park at Brookings

California West Coast at Brookings

Located in beautiful Azalea Park, the unique Capella by the Sea provides the perfect, intimate setting for weddings, vow renewals, christenings, memorial services and other small ceremonies.  Filled with light and constructed with native wood and stone, the rustic, yet quietly elegant "Capella" offers scenic views of the Port of Brookings-Harbor, Chetco River, and Pacific Ocean, in serene, wooded surroundings.

Built in memory of his beloved wife, Lorraine, Elmo WIlliams donated the Capella to the City in 2009. "It is my hope," Elmo said, "that all who enter here will know the serenity of her spirit and find peace".  Inspired by the work of famous architect, E. Fay Jones, the one-of-a-kind Capella was designed by Jones' associates, architects Maurice Jennings and David McKee, and constructed by local builders Paul Viale, Rich Miller, Mike Owens and mason, Don Scoggins. 

A Memorable and Joyful FOURTH OF JULY Experience in Ashland, Oregon, USA.

A Memorable and Exuberant

FOURTH OF JULY

Experience in Ashland,

Oregon, USA.

Ashland, Oregon, USA.

With thanks to Lori and Dave for reserving a vantage point for all of us on the previous day so that we could watch the entire National Day Parade, seated and up close, with a beautiful view. Thanks to Shawn and Denise for planning out an alternative route from Jacksonville to Ashland, to get to the place, and on time.

A beautiful day that included listening to the delightful and lively family music group 'The College Fund Street Band' that held everyone spellbound with their beautiful songs, followed by a tour of the town and later listening to the versatile sounds and genres of classical, Latin, jazz and classical pop of the band Pink Martini on the slopes of the park on a nearby hill. A wonderful an enjoyable holiday that we will always remember for a long time to come. its music crosses genres such as classical, Latin, jazz and classic pop.

Ashland is a city in Jackson County, in the U.S. state of Oregon, about 13 miles south-west of Medford. It lies along Interstate 5 slightly north of the California border and near the south end of the Bear Creek Valley, an arm of the Rogue Valley.

Quaint, Unique and Peaceful Jacksonville, Oregon, USA

Jacksonville is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, about 5 miles (8 km) west of Medford. It was named for Jackson Creek, which runs through the community and was the site of one of the first placer gold claims in the area. It includes Jacksonville Historic District which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966. We spent 3 days at Plymale Cottage in this quaint and peaceful city where time almost stands still. With thanks to Shawn and Denise, for giving us a brief history of the city, for showing us around and exploring the surrounding areas. Wonderful place.

THE MAGNIFICENT VISTAS OF THE MIGHTY CRATER LAKE

View of Mt. Shasta along the way.
Please click on photo above to see the complete set of pictures. 

An early start for the day. Leaving the quaint town of Jacksonville, near Medford, Oregon. Picturesque countryside before taking on one sweeping curve that deserved another through the mountains leading to Crater Lake. Stopping at The Rogue Gorge - watching milky white waters gushing through 'The Chasm' down the mountain was a sight to behold.

One of natural wonders of the world, the Crater Lake is a caldera in the western United States, located in south-central Oregon. It lies about 128 kilometres driving distance, north by north-west of Medford city. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and is famous for its deep blue color and water clarity.

 The lake partly fills a nearly 2,148-foot (655 m)-deep caldera that is believed to have been formed around 7,700 years ago by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama.

There are no rivers flowing into or out of the lake. It is the deepest in the United States, and one of the deepest in the world.

Crater Lake is also known for the "Old Man of the Lake", a full-sized tree which is now a stump that has apparently been bobbing vertically in the lake for over a century. The low temperature of the water has slowed the decomposition of the wood, hence the longevity of the bobbing tree.

A winding road runs almost right on the rim and around the entire crater giving the viewer a panoramic and breathtaking views of both the lake and the mountains surrounding it. 

Two islands are in Crater Lake; Wizard Island formed from a cinder cone that erupted after Crater Lake began to fill with water, and the smaller Phantom Ship has seven different trees living on it.

I was lucky for having been able to be at a vantage point to capture a boat cruise around the 'phantom ship' in the lake at the right and very moment we stopped at a vista location.

Thanks to Shawn for stopping at all the vista points and Denise for having created this extraordinary adventure for us, where the magnificent views were an excellent treat for me and my camera.