Day 5.

Another excellent night sleep provided by our dearest friend Linda. She invited us in due to the heat, as nighttime might still be warm. It was supposed to be 100 yesterday but ended up in the 90s. Linda is an amazing storyteller, speaker, writer and runs a book club out of her home. She was having 18 people over to read and discuss so we went off to explore Ashland, Or. We found Waffle Barn for breakfast, and the famous Lithia Park. Lithia Park was built in 1892 and seems it is right out of a storybook. The designer, John McLaren, who also designed Golden Gate park in Ca, was commissioned in 1914. He created a community place, including all normal park aspects, but with an enchanting flair. A bit of the forest was preserved in the center of town, where we were sure we would see fairies and unicorns but instead found ducks, turtles, and dragonflies. The park is 100 acres and 1.5 miles long. We walked for an hour and only made it halfway. The name comes from a local spring found in 1907 that contains Lithium or "happy water." The city piped the Lithium water in to the park, and yes we tried it. It's horrible. Very salty, bitter, alkaline in taste. It did not make us happy. Back in town, we found Tree House books, with an actual secret vault of young adult books in back, the kids loved it. We had a simple roadside lunch and found a swimming hole at the end of the park. The water was fresh and cold, a good reprieve from the heat. And Good Luck to the poor soul that had built a cool little cave of tree branches and set up camp there. While we played he was asked to pack up and move on. I actually did enjoy the butterfly art he made and hung in the tree, and at least they let him finish his lunch. Later that night, out to brewery dinner and we attended a free concert "On the Green" by Eight Dollar Mountain. Bluegrass and pretty groovy. These shows are the preview for the outdoor play that takes place at the replica of the Globe Theater. The plays are Shakespeare and otherwise and are a destination for people all over the world. The evening ended with games and catching up back at the house. Thank you Linda for your hospitality and everything you have done for me. You are a treasured friend and I hope to see you again soon. I owe you a trip to the tea house.