A Visit with Susie and Mike in Medford, OR

Susie and Mike have been our hosting friends since we attended training together in April of 2013.  We have worked and visited together in the Florence area for 2 years.  Susie and I share a love of historical novels and she invited me down to see some Oregon history in her home area.  I had no idea what  perfectly preserved towns and buildings we would see.

Our first stop was the Butte Creek Mill, the oldest continually operating mill west of the Mississippi River, in Eagle Point.  All of the milling equipment can be viewed on 2 different levels.  Most amazing to me were the huge hand hewn and pegged timbers and the sound of the creek rushing in the lower level to power the mill.

The entrance foyer is  pictured here with all the mill goods of an earlier time--an amazing display!
There is a wonderful mill store too that sells all their flours, grains and cereals and many other specialty foods and kitchen tools.  I got their no sugar -no salt pancake and waffle mix and it makes the best pancakes I have ever made.

Just down the road from the mill is a restored covered bridge the town moved to the Creek for a walkway.  Picture pretty- isn't it!

On the edge of town an original pioneer family home is still standing.  A community group gives it lots of TLC as you can see.  It looks move-in ready!!!  and yes the sun does shine in Nov. in Oregon.

Susie shared a trilogy of books by Jane Kirkpatrick (All Together in One Place) with me.  Some of the story took place in Jacksonville, OR.  Visiting the town is like stepping back in time.  Even the advertising signs of the past still remain on the brick walls of the buildings and none of them were altered.

Susie and Mike frequented the Jacksonville Tavern in their double date years so you know that's an old place!!  Both sides of the street have these amazing brick buildings.  I loved this town!!  The Jacksonville Inn gets top ratings for their gourmet food and lodging.  At the edge of town the Britt Outdoor Theater has musical productions all summer, all kinds of music.  Sounds like fun to me!!!

Look at Jacksonville Presbyterian Church!!  How unique is that!  I would love to see the interior some day.

The more we wandered around the more Susie thought of other places to visit in the area.  We just didn't have enough time!  I'll do another blog on our trip to Ashland about 10 miles south

Here's wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving and harvest celebrations.