subject: Two Jewels In Southern Oregon [print this page] The Oregon ability to embrace both nature and cultural experiences makes for quite a picturesque ambience indeed.The lush green forests, serene lakes like the Crater Lake, Mt Hoods majestic beauty and the mystique of the Oregon Caves provides a great scope for fun things to do in this state.
Being in sync with nature through activities like river rafting down rapids, whale watching at Depoe Bay or simply climbing the sand dunes on the Oregon Coast, enhances the fun of being in a natural setting. As people say, nature never disappoints. In this article, we will explore two wonderful Southern Oregon attractions that offer unique cultural heritage and adventure possibilities.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
First and foremost, there is the Tony-award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival [OSF] which is dedicated towards showcasing the life and works of the acclaimed English playwright, William Shakespeare. With a mammoth budget exceeding $26 million, almost 800 annual performances which are revered by crowds numbering 40,000 and above, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a major cultural attraction in the state of Oregon.
Held in the City of Ashland, in Oregons southern region, just 5 hours south of Portland Oregon; and 2 hours north of San Francisco California; the OSF captivates, regales, and at times, grieves its audience with popular Shakespearean creations such as Julius Ceasar, Measure for Measure, Loves Labour Lost and Henry IV, Part II.
Other plays, although unrelated to Shakespeare, yet equally entertaining include To Kill A Mockingbird, Pirates of Penzance and The Imaginary Invalid. Although theatre holds prime focus in the gist of things, the OSF has a diverse array of activities and events to lure visitors who might be indifferent to the art of the thespian; such as the Backstage Tour, which explains the trappings of the illustrious repertory theatre and the history behind it; and other offstage events like the Daedalus Project, Feast of Will and the Festival Noons among others. In a nutshell, the OSF is a must visit for every visitor who is planning on a trip to Ashland, not to mention the Shakespeare aficionados that are legion.
Crater Lake National Park
Another pristine example of natures glory in Oregon is Crater Lake, situated in Klamath County, only 90 minuets from Ashland. As a caldera lake, Crater Lake owes its existence to an unnatural eruption that occurred in 4680 BC, when Mount Mazama blew up in spectacular fashion to form the lake. Reports say that the eruption is estimated to have been 42 times more powerful than St Helenas blow-up in 1980. Since then, this lake has been feared by some and revered by all, partly for the strange myths that talk of a catastrophic battle between the Gods in Native American legend, but mostly for its unique setting with the serene bluer-than-thou waters that are present here. As a national park, Crater Lake, now attracts several thousand visitors to its gates every year.
Interesting fact here: at 1958 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA and the 7th deepest in the world. In case you are planning on going here for a summer tour, here are a few things you should look out for.
Wizard Island: This is a prominent island within the lake, formed as a result of the eruption. It is impossible to miss, and you could probably spend some time on the island itself, courtesy a boat ride. The feeling of being surrounded by the splendid blue waters of the Crater Lake on all sides is something that can make even the most poetical of scribblers run out of words, so there is no point of trying here.
Old Man of the Lake: A tad more difficult to discover is the Old Man of the Lake, a floating piece of a hemlock log inside the lake that has managed to stay upright for more than a century. It travels around quite a bit, owing to the wind currents, and surprisingly rapidly at that.
Other than soaking up the beauty that envelops this natural gift, there is plenty of activity that one can indulge in, such as scuba diving, fishing and day hikes. Just take care not to bump your head against the Old Man of the Lake while you are at it.
