Dec 30 2008
Experience Medford, Or!
This is my hometown. The place I was born and raised. A lot has changed since then.
In the year of my birth (no, I’m not telling when) Medford’s population was around twenty-seven thousand people. Now it has grown to almost two-hundred thousand, and most of that has been in the last fifteen years or so. What has caused such a huge growth spurt? I’m not quite sure, but I have a few ideas.
I think one of the reasons for such growth is the seasons. I’ve been told by newcomers that they love the fact that Southern Oregon, of which Medford is part of, has real seasons. We have four distinct seasons, where not all places do.
Winter can get fairly cold, dipping into the thirties, and summer gets a bit hot with temperatures of over a hundred degrees at times. Spring lasts about three to four months and is typical of an Oregon spring: snow melting off the surrounding mountains, green plants shooting up everywhere, and the intermittent rain. Autumn covers approximately three months; and is picture perfect with its gold, brown, and russet leaves mixed in with the green leaves not wanting to give up their hold on life.
One of the other things that have made Medford so popular is its country atmosphere. Yes, it still has a red-neck feel about it. No, we don’t carry around bows and arrows anymore (haven’t for a long, long time) but it’s laid-back, easy-going style has made it attractive to a lot of people. It also has the added attraction of being a wonderful place to be or visit if you like outdoor activities. There are many things for the out-door enthusiast to do: Walking, hiking, camping, boating, fishing, parks, and out-door concerts are just a few of the things that are fun for the out-door person. And if you’re not the out-doors type we have museums, the famous Britt Festival, and the more famous Shakespeare Festival.
One last item of popularity is the scenery. It has winding streams, wild rivers, picturesque meadows, and majestic mountains that sometimes leave one in awe that there is so much beauty in one place. It is a photographer’s dream! I will post pictures at a later date.
In conclusion, it doesn’t matter what kind of activity you enjoy, there is something for everyone in Southern Oregon.
