P-heads in Ashland, OR

[addictionMS]

I am thinking about moving to Ashland, Oregon, and wondered if there were any P-heads on the board living there who could give me some insight into the place. I am planning on visiting this weekend to look around and would love a tour guide.

I am driving at Thunderhill tomorrow planning to leave my car and trailer at the track and haul ass up to Ashland for a day or two.

Jim

[Scott Clarke]

Jim-
I don't know of any in Ashland, although I bought my car from a resident of that city. There are a few of us here in Eugene, but it is a ways away. Ashland is a very nice small town, with a vibrant downtown and great scenery. The road east out of town is said to be very nice. It would be a good place to drive a 911. Most of the car activity would occur in nearby Medford. Ther is a go-cart track there that hosts autocrossess. All in all, I'd say its a nice pace, but a little isolated.
-Scott

[GrindingGears]

I would agree with scott clarke's post...

[JTO]

addiction,
I lived for years in Medford. Scott is right about the scenery and great driving roads. High summer temperatures and mountain passes put a premium on good oil cooling!

Ashland is unique in ways that may or may not appeal to you. Some refer to it as "Little San Fransisco". The town has a strong "black arts" contingent, if you know what I mean (read: witches), that stem from the Shakespear culture that resides there.

The town is very expensive housing wise which has forced families to relocate to Medford and the surrounding area. Due to this, public schools are suffereing badly.

My wife teaches summer session at Southern Oregon University and likes the community quite well, from the outside.

Sorry if this sounds negative. It all depends on your preferences.
Troy

[addictionMS]

Thanks to all for the input, not too much bad news there, I am living in San Jose, CA (actually Morgan Hill), so housing looks cheap relative to here, Thunderhill is still 3 hours away, Portland is closer than today so I can go there for some racing, we are used to hot days in the summer.

I will keep an eye out for the "Little SF" influence this weekend, however we have no kids, and none are in the plans, plus we are thinking about a house on a 20+ acre lot out of town, so we only need to visit town for food as long as USP can deliver car parts....

Jim

[makaio]

Originally posted by JTO

High summer temperatures

In Oregon , no way. High temps are 115 F. in the shade here in Red Bluff.

Ashland is a cool town. If I could talk the wife into moving, I would be living in Oregon and commuting to work.

Jim, you'll be passing right through Red Bluff on your way (40 minutes North of Thunder Hill), let me know if you need to stop for a beer. I've got cold Saint Pauly's girl in the fridge.

[addictionMS]

So the question I have is leave Willows after the day at the track and head north or go Saturday morning, I would guess there will not be any traffic either time, Since I am planning on driving to Thunderhill Friday morning leaving at abot 2am, I am thinking breakfast in Red Bluff would make more sense,

While I am thinking about it, anything you need from the Bay Area? I will a lot of room in the back of the truck, and lots of spare car parts in the attic...

Jim

[Superman]

I'm sure you will be gathering amulets and protective spells before you go. (hehehehehe)

I've heard that there is quite a bit happening in Ashland when they do the Shakespeare thing. Lots of plays and music and so forth. NOt just Shakespeare. I'm not a thespian myself, nor particularly cultured, but I do like being in places where creative stuff is going on.

[addictionMS]

This is starting to sound like a fun trip, I guess I will need to find some porsche part that can fend off the evil spirits, I am open for suggestions, the truck should be protected, it will have a spare set of race tires, Fuchs, so they should ward off the spirits, but what about me, I will not even have a Porsche key with me since the race car does not take a key, so I will need to pick out a part to pocket and keep with me....

Jim

[Superman]

I'm told that the most spiritually powerful and positive Porsche part you can take would be a "banana" swing arm from the rear suspension of a 911. But it does no good to just carry in in your pocket. Instead, you have to put it in your underwear.

[addictionMS]

drivers side or Passenger side....

jim

[jim72911t]

addictionMS wrote:

Thunderhill is still 3 hours away

You're really pushing it if you make it to T-hill in three hours from Ashland. I'm 40 minutes northeast of T-hill and about 4 hours south of Ashland. But you are right, it's doable.

As far as Ashland goes, I spent some time there a number of years ago when an old college buddy moved after graduation. If you like small towns (which I do), you'll like Ashland. It's got a cute downtown, a beautiful city park, and skiing 30 minutes up the hill.

I didn't know about the housing prices; however, compared to California, it will seem cheap.

Good luck,
Jim

[pwd72s]

Ashland, Orygun is Sausalito...moved N. a few hundred miles. 'Nuff said.

[Doug Zielke]

Ashland is sooo pretty.
Do they still have a Jazz Festival every year?

[DanTheCat]

If you're driving a fun car, you really should take a drive out highway 66 (greensprings) up to the top of the ridge. One of my favorite roads ever. I used to pass cars on the way down on my road bike.

Let's see... It's been a while since I spent much time at home, (yes, I grew up in ashland) but if you like small towns you should like ashland. I'm a small town person, and living in the bay area is killing me. Unfortunately the california influence is kinda noticeable in the high housing prices and such. Ashland always had a pretty heavy hippie vibe (local organic juice company, local tofu factory that my mom used to buy tofu from, etc.) but now it's kind of been yuppied up in places. Definitely very SF feel, I would say. (little liberal island in a sea of conservatism, basically)

I would still live there at the drop of a hat if I could, though. (and if my parents didn't live there... )

Lots of great outdoor opportunities. Lots of forests, very close skiing, freaking fantastic cycling, both road and mountain, plenty of good rivers for whitewater or fishing...

Then there's Medford just down the road with all the big stores you could ever need. Mostly. Just 15 minutes from ashland.

While it's not as hot as red bluff, breaking 110 once in a while during the summer is not too surprising. Also usually get at least a few inches of snow in the winter once or twice. And the roads are graveled with volcanic rocks, so no nasty salt to deal with. (i'm never moving to the east coast just for that reason alone!)

Seeing how I was a local, I've only been to shakespear a few times. But I terrorized the theatre-goers on a regular basis! I can't really give much info about nightlife and all that either, as I was not old enough. We always have great fireworks on the 4th, though!

The go-cart track is awesome, but the only four wheeled vehicle I've driven around it was an 80cc shifter cart. Hot damn!!! I mean, hot DAMN!!!!!!

Um, did I miss anything?

Which direction out of town are you looking? I'm jealous.

Dan

[Randy Webb]

Aka Ashram, aka Hashland. You'll think it's cheap there...

It's a nice town and much more cultural than one would expect. A micro-SF, sure, or a mini-Eugene.

Air quality is not the best but better than Calif.

[K. Roman]

When in Ashland, Don't forget to drink the Lithia (water).

Great town if your into 420!

[makaio]

Jim, if by chance you check in or you have not left yet, you could park your race car and trailer at my house. That way you don't have to leave it unattended at T-Hill.

[addictionMS]

FYI, Thunderhill to Ashland, 208 miles, 3hours 10 minutes, never more than 5mph over the posted, driving a 3/4 ton diesel Dodge Ram.

Funky little town....


Jim

PS thanks for the offer, but I have a trailer lock, and have pretty heavy trust in PCA members who were at the track looking after my sleeping beauty. We are all home now safe and sound.

[JTO]

addiction,

Glad you had a safe trip. Funky town, yes it is! What did you think of the place you checked out?

If you are into hunting, there's some great deer hunting (and bear hunting) in the area around Mt. Ashland and Soda mountain. I have always done well there.

Take care,
Troy