Picks and Pans – In and around Ashland, OR

Oregon Shakespeare Festival is sort of a misnomer, as most festivals are temporary and relatively fleeting presences in a town. The OSF runs from February through November, occupies multiple permanent buildings in town, including the U.S.’s first Elizabethan Theater (a la the Globe), and brings in the major income source for the town of Ashland. We took advantage of Sean’s soon to expire student ID to get student rush tickets, which are available an hour before showtime, on a first come first serve basis for $12 a piece. We saw Paradise Lost by Clifford Odets, a play that was written in 1935 and took place in a Depression era home, detailing the changes that occured in the family over a period of three years. The play seems to have been chosen more for its cultural resonance with our times than for its merits and the hopeful ending seemed a bit cynical in the light of modernity.

After the matinee play, we had a surprisingly tough time finding an open coffee house for our wi-fi needs, so we wandered around downtown searching for a wireless signal. Our sniffing quickly brought us to the Standing Stone Brewing Co., where we enjoyed beer, wi-fi, an easy-going staff and, eventually, dinner.

Before we headed out of town in the morning, we stopped in at Key of C for some coffee and wi-fi. A couple of hours in this cozy spot made it clear that this was a hub for locals hankering for a cup of joe and a famous Key of C homemade bagel.

Thanks to a tip from Sean’s dad, we found ourselves about three stories above the ground exploring the accomodations at Out n’ About, a getaway composed entirely of treehouses. These are not your typical treehouses, though, as they come equipped with full bathrooms, hot water and electricity….but even with all these amenities, it’s clear from the swaying of the room that you are amongst the treetops.