Big Blue Visits: Medford, OR

We had been circling Medford for too long not to be drawn into it. We ducked to the south in wine country, got caught up in Grants Pass antique stores to the west and finally turned the nose of Big Blue toward the food goodies that Medford promises.

Our first stop was still west of Medford, at the Del Rio Vineyard and Winery. It was a incredibly friendly place with both nice patrons and employees. We weren't there long before we were getting advice on other places to stop and discount passes to other wineries in the area. They offered to take our picture together which we rarely get on vacation, and the wine was excellent. We purchased some to enjoy on the trip as well as some to take back to California.




Back on the road, we drove off the glasses of wine to the long, slow solos of some Grateful Dead shows I had brought along. The sun was bright - that bright winter sun that floods your face but you fight to get warmth from. Our next stop was one that had been recommended at numerous stops and we were giddy about trying - The Rogue Creamery.





Inside the creamery awaited delights that would satisfy anyone were price not an option. We were quickly learning that all of the good wine, cheese and beer we brought from California was just dead weight. A note to all people going to southern Oregon: no need to bring the small luxuries, that's what shops like the Rogue Creamery are for.


We were sold on some $25 blue cheese and a couple t-shirts. I managed to skip out of the beer aisle knowing I had enough Pabst to last me the entire vacation in the cooler.

Rogue Brewery at the Rogue Creamery.

How could you not love it?

We continued on to downtown Medford - which looked increasingly tough and increasingly worn. It wasn't trashy or dirty, but it felt like the type of place that people may have chronic down-on-their-luck issues. We hit an antique store that was having huge sales (apparently, October is the time to hit antique shops as all of them seemed to be having sales).


These 2 bugs were on a lot downtown Medford:



And this one...

A Mug VW!

Big Blue: Urban Saint.

Our last stop in the area was to the northeast of town at a vineyard/orchard/winemaker by the name of RoxyAnn Winery. What used to be an orchard, then a vineyard, turned into a winery and sells and pours both their and other local wines. It's actually a great tasting room that has a little of everything to offer (we bought a pumpkin here that we would carve later in the trip). With their diverse selection, this place was a excellent place to hit last before leaving Medford. We loaded up on some good stuff...

EP diggin' the tasting room.

We left Medford waving as the sun set behind us. We were headed north but loaded down with the bounty that Medford can offer. Sun, wine, good cheese, good VW bus and good company - the vacation was starting to really set in...