Before we head out, where are we headed?
A Little Bit About Ashland
On Saturday, July 28 MMSC’s co-founders, Robert (Bob) Miller and Christine (Mom) Crawfis, are heading off to Ashland, Oregon. For those of you who know us, you will understand only too well what draws us to Ashland.
- Our children (Noah, Joshua and Jacqui. Liz is traveling to Oregon with us.)
- Our grandchildren (Stella, Zoe and Nellie)
- Good food.
- Several independently-owned bookstores.
- And of course, great theatre at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
But for those of you who may be interested, here’s the Quick Facts portion of the program.
Ashland is located in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges, about 15 miles (24 km) north of the California border on Interstate 5. As of July 1, 2011, the city had a total population of 20,255. It is the home of Southern Oregon University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Ashland is 350 miles north of San Francisco and 285 miles south of Portland in an area once proposed to become the State of Jefferson. It is 90 miles (140 km) from Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument.
And a little bit about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
One of America’s oldest Elizabethan theatres, the Elizabethan Stage is named for a queen and the glorious age in which Shakespeare wrote. Beneath a canopy of stars, in the comfort of the Allen Pavilion. Seats 1,190.
Ashland is well known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), which brings thousands of visitors to the city every year. The festival has grown from a small summer outdoor festival in the 1930s to a full season which stretches from February to late October, incorporating Shakespeare and non-Shakespearean plays in rotating repertory at three theaters.
- The Elizabethan Stage
- The Bowmer Theater
- The New Theater
OSF sells more tickets to more performances of more plays than any other theater in the country. In a typical year, OSF sells more than 350,000 tickets and attracts over 100,000 tourists.
This summer our plans include OSF performances of Animal Crackers, Medea – Macbeth – Cinderella, Party People, All The Way and The Very Merry Wives of Windsor, Iowa. Details to follow.
So, that’s the low-down. Now it’s time to figure out how to get two weeks worth of clothing into one small suit case a piece. Don’t really fancy paying that $25 per checked bag thing. It’s been a long time since either of us used a laundromat. Might be time to stock up on quarters, eh? Check back again on Friday to see how the packing turns out!
Thanks for checking in…
Chris and Bob
