Fall Fun in Southern Oregon

So many things to do and such a beautiful time in Oregon to do them! The Fall season in southern Oregon is a particularly stunning time of year. Here's an October events guide that will give you the latest on 2010 pumpkin patches, haunted houses, harvest festivals--all the seasonal fun things to do with your family and friends. 

And if you are thinking of adult entertainment, check out the "Viva la Vida: Synthesis of Cultures" exhibition at the Rogue Gallery. This exhibition is the centerpiece of a month-long series of cultural presentations and educational programs exploring the traditions of 'Day of the Dead,' an important Latin American holiday that remembers and celebrates the departed. Paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures by 30 prominent Latino artists from the Los Angeles area. Displayed at the Rogue Gallery and Art Center, Medford, Oregon. From October 22 thru November 27, 2010. The Rogue Gallery is located at: 40 South Barlett, Medford OR  97501  or call 541.772.8118 for more information on the exhibit.

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Oregon Craft Beer & Rafting Vacation

July is Craft Beer month and we here at Whitewater Warehouse are getting an early start on 2011's month-long celebration of these incredible Oregon small batch brews. July 17 - 19, 2011 are the dates set for the one and only Rogue River "Raft & Craft" Ninkasi craft beer tasting trip.

Adults pay $950 each (double occupancy--so bring a friend!) for an all-inclusive rafting-lodge-beer tasting holiday. Here's what folks will get for their cash outlay:  three days of outfitted Rogue River rafting and inflatable kayaking with the finest company on the planet; cozy, private cabins (with attached bathrooms/showers) at two different lodges; all meals from lunch the first day through lunch the last day; all government fees; shuttle back over the mountain at the end of the trip; free use of inflatable kayaks or participants can ride our comfy rafts; and, of course, Ninkasi craft brew tastings each evening...and Nin-beers paired with each dinner.

Ginger Johnson, of the famed Women Enjoying Beer website, will be on hand to talk about the various Ninkasi beers that you will be tasting and she will pair those brews with finger foods that complement their unique tastes. Ginger is a champion for the craft beer industry and really knows her stuff. She'll give you interesting insights into the craft beer industry and how it is evolving.

So join this one-of-a-kind Northwest rafting and craft beer tasting vacation. With just 20 seats available, this trip is sure to be sold out before the summer of 2011 starts. Call the friendly folks at Whitewater Warehouse 1-800-214-0579 with questions or to sign up.

Hiking Rogue River History

Whitewater Warehouse offers hiking trips through the Rogue River canyon. You'll experience everything--including history while on this trip.

Golden: A Ghostly Oregon Town

This time of year we start to think about Halloween and any ghostly southern Oregon links that might be associated with this "holiday." Did you know that Golden is a southern Oregon ghost town located near Wolf Creek? Its claim to fame is that the townspeople built two churches but NO saloons! Miners went to Placer and Sunny Valley to "wet their whistles."

Kerby Johnson's website www.western-stories.com details more photos and interesting folklore about the tiny ghost town of Golden. You can read Kerby's research and view photos from Golden's long deserted buildings and streets on the website.

Here's an interesting factoid and photo from Kerby's website research:

Nobody is actually buried here. Most people don't know it but these little wooden headstones are actually leftover props from an episode of "Gunsmoke" that was filmed at Golden.

Thrive: Promotes Southern Oregon's Bounty

It's no secret that we here at Whitewater Warehouse LOVE great food. When we think of top-notch meals, we think of locally grown and produced foods. We believe fresh foods go into making the most memorable meals. Must be why the French and the Italians are so famous and receive 5-star accolades for their focus on seasonal, local-sourced foods.

Southern Oregon's agriculture region might be described as "little Italy" with its dozens of world-class wineries and its emphasis on local, sustainable farming practices. The area is so passionate about eating local that it has developed a theme called THRIVE (The Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy) and a complementary website entitled "Buy Local - Buy Rogue."

THRIVE's mission is to bring community members and locally-owned, independent businesses together to create a more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable economy in the Rogue Valley. The group encourages consumer to vote with their dollars by buying local.

We put together a listing of Rogue Valley farms and southern Oregon wineries. We think you will be stunned when you review the incredible listing of local food producers and wineries that make their livelihood in the Rogue Valley. As THRIVE would say, "Know your farmer, know your food."

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Ashland Oregon's Food & Wine Classic Festival

Southern Oregon is rock'in yet another Fall food festival in early November....Nov. 5 - 7 to be exact. Ashland's Chamber of Commerce is highlighting all the excellent local-sourced foods and chefs by sponsoring the 4th Annual Food and Wine Classic. Patterned after TV's Iron Chef competitions, this 3-day food festival features dinners and desserts, fun in the form of chef competitions, and food/wine/beer educational workshops. 8 local chefs will compete by featuring local farm-fresh foods and artisan food makers' products.

You can sign up for the Food and Wine Classic by clicking here. At the upper end, the cost is $70 per participant. That buys the ticket holder a three-course dinner on Friday night, entry into the chef competition on Saturday, entrance to one workshop per day, and a signature wine glass. If you don't have time for the Friday night dinner, you can purchase a ticket for $35/person and it buys you everything but the Friday night dinner--a pretty darn good value! If you have questions, you can call the Ashland Chamber of Commerce at:  541-482-3486 (ext) 106  Looks like they are just starting to put together lodging packages for the event as well so you might ask about that when you call....

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Oregon Coast Vacations: Chowder, Blues & Brews Festival

Looking for a unique and different Oregon coast vacation? Plus--bonus--this Oregon Coast Chowder, Blues & Brews festival has one of the cutest logos ever (don't you agree?!?)

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 13th annual Fall Festival with award-winning chowder offered from all along the coast of Oregon, the finest blues music that Oregon has to offer and microbrews from some of the best breweries in the northwest! The festival is set for a time of the year where we can expect the most beautiful weather one can imagine on the Central Oregon Coast. 
 
Beginning on Friday afternoon, October 8th, the Florence Events Center will be rocking with "musical delights" performed by the great blues artists of the Western Oregon area.
 
Saturday, October 9th, will highlight the ninth year of the Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-Off where festival goers will have a chance to taste the best chowder the Oregon Coast has to offer from communities extending from Astoria to Brookings. The event will also have delicacies from some 20 food vendors and microbrews from five of Oregon's best microbreweries.
 
The Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-Off People’s Choice tasting starts at 1:00 pm on Saturday and goes until the chowder is gone. For more information contact the Florence Area Chamber at 541-997-3128 or the Event Center at 541-997-1994.

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Southern Oregon Festival "Jazzes" Things Up!

Hit the high notes on October 8, 9 and 10 in Medford, Oregon. The Medford Jazz Festival celebrates its 21st year of booking some of the best in jazz musicians in the country. Lucky attendees will get to enjoy bands with distinctive music and distinctive names such as:  Gator Beat, Cornet Chop Suey, Wally's Wairehouse Waifs and Stompy Jones.

The live jazz music venues will be spread throughout the city of Medford making it easy for listeners to enjoy this upbeat music in whatever atmosphere they choose.

Dancing at the Medford Jazz Festival has always been popular, and in the last few years has really taken off. From the energetic, uninhibited steps of Jump-Jive to the classical, intimate Waltz, the Festival is the ultimate place to dance to live music for three straight days. Each venue features a dance floor and lots of room for watching. The dedicated dancing site features free professional dance lessons, dance exhibitions, great contests, and plenty of seating for spectators.

2010 brings new exciting changes to the Medford Jazz Festival. The biggest is probably the change of names from the Medford Jazz Jubilee to the Medford Jazz Festival. Changing to a "festival" signifies the weightiness of this community event, which is a celebration of the passion for music and the festivities that surround it.

The Medford Jazz Festival is truly a musical event for all ages. Over the years it has stayed true to its Dixieland roots, but has broadened the community and audience appeal by including Zydeco, Swing, Jump-Jive, Big Band and other music that is period-contemporary with the Traditional Jazz era.

Tickets can be obtained through the Medford Jazz Festival's website.  Or dial 1-800-599-0039 for more information!

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Gorgeous Fall in Southern Oregon

Hey, mom, this pumpkin is HEAVY!

What is it about a crisp autumn day in southern Oregon that just puts a smile on your face? The sunshine coupled with cooler air breezes really helps to ripen all the wonderful fall farm produce--including these golden pumpkins in Seven Oaks Farm's pumpkin patch. Southern Oregon has a rich history of family-run agricultural operations. One of these 5th generation family farms is Seven Oaks Farm.  Seven Oaks Farm produces and local-sources fruits and vegetables from June through October.

Right now the fall fruit and vegetables like pears, apples, winter squash and pumpkins are ready for the pick'in...and the Farm has even recently started a delivery service!

Beautiful fresh-farm produce waiting for your family to take home and enjoy!

So expose your family to some fall seasonal fun. Take a drive and check out everything that is growing and going on at Seven Oaks Farm in Central Point, Oregon. You might even make it a family-to-family tradition!

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.