Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 100

Thing To Do: Jacksonville Museum of Southern Oregon History, Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville Museum of Southern Oregon History 206 N. Fifth St., 541-773-6536. This stately brick building surrounded by green, green lawn was originally the town courthouse. Don't miss the magnificent oversize cuckoo clock displayed just inside the front door or the fascinating 3-D stereopticon show.



A Children's Museum is adjacent, inside a former jail. The gift shop stocks wonderful locally made souvenirs such as coloring towels, wood yoyos, and heavy wood rolling pins.

Thing To Do: Applegate Valley Wine Trail + Troon Vineyard, Jacksonville, Oregon

Applegate Valley Wine Trail 

The sun is said to shine here 300 days each year.





Troon Vineyard 1475 Kubli Rd., in Grants Pass, 541-846-9900. Zins and Cabs love the weather here and thrive at Oregon's seventh-oldest winery. Your first taste is free.



image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Sights to See: cashew factory, Takuapa Town, Thailand

I was amazed by this sight near Phuket in Thailand. These people remove the cashew nuts from their messy shells with this old-fashioned lever machine that operates like a Mexican citrus juicer. The fresh-roasted nuts are worth going all the way here to buy











video c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Great Sleeps + Good Eats: Jacksonville Inn, Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville Inn 175 E. California St., 800-321-9344, 541-899-1900. 8 rooms + 4 cottages. Some fireplaces. Full breakfast. Three of the past five presidents (George H., George W., and Barack Obama when he was campaigning) have stayed and eaten here, and you can too! Built in 1861 of locally quarried sandstone--specks of gold are visible in the mortar—this old-timer provides luxurious accommodations and acclaimed dining. Rooms vary from historic with 19th-century charm in the hotel (with rustic vintage brick walls, floral wallpaper, and lace curtains) to spacious detached cabins a few blocks away (with a king size canopy bed, a fireplace, and a Jacuzzi for two). Choose the Presidential Cottage and you can sleep in the same bed as George W. Hotel room #5--an airy high-ceilinged corner room overlooking the main street—has two natural brick walls. A vanity sink is in the room—sort of a modern version of the 1800s pitcher and bowl—and the toilet and shower are in a small enclosed space. The merely functional linens don't have high thread counts and the dated bedspread screams to be replaced with a fluffy comforter, but oak antiques add to the vintage ambiance and books galore and a flat-screen TV provide diversion. The check-in area doubles as a wine shop, dispensing everything from an inexpensive cold bottle of spring water or a $3 bottle of wine up to a collector's wine costing thousands of dollars; bicycles can be borrowed June through September. Order the included breakfast from a full menu featuring an omelette and scramble of the day as well as eggs Benedict.

The inn's basement Dinner House (B-L-D daily) has several cozy brick-walled interior rooms as well as a large outdoor patio that is delightful in good weather. The kitchen uses fresh herbs and spices grown organically in the inn garden and is known for its fresh seafood, stuffed hazelnut chicken, rack of lamb, lentil soup, and a delicious house salad dressing. Desserts are noteworthy, especially the signature Hazelnut Meringue Torte—a heavenly concoction of hazelnut meringue, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries. The wine cellar holds more than 2,000 bottles, and picnic baskets can be packed to go.



image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats & Sleeps: Jacksonville Inn, Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville Inn 175 E. California St., 800-321-9344, 541-899-1900. 8 rooms + 4 cottages. Some fireplaces. Full breakfast. Three of the past five presidents (George H., George W., and Barack Obama when he was campaigning) have stayed and eaten here, and you can too! Built in 1861 of locally quarried sandstone--specks of gold are visible in the mortar—this old-timer provides luxurious accommodations and acclaimed dining. Rooms vary from historic with 19th-century charm in the hotel (with rustic vintage brick walls, floral wallpaper, and lace curtains) to spacious detached cabins a few blocks away (with a king size canopy bed, a fireplace, and a Jacuzzi for two). Choose the Presidential Cottage and you can sleep in the same bed as George W. Hotel room #5--an airy high-ceilinged corner room overlooking the main street—has two natural brick walls. A vanity sink is in the room—sort of a modern version of the 1800s pitcher and bowl—and the toilet and shower are in a small enclosed space. The merely functional linens don't have high thread counts and the dated bedspread screams to be replaced with a fluffy comforter, but oak antiques add to the vintage ambiance and books galore and a flat-screen TV provide diversion. The check-in area doubles as a wine shop, dispensing everything from an inexpensive cold bottle of spring water or a $3 bottle of wine up to a collector's wine costing thousands of dollars; bicycles can be borrowed June through September. Order the included breakfast from a full menu featuring an omelette and scramble of the day as well as eggs Benedict.

The inn's basement Dinner House (B-L-D daily) has several cozy brick-walled interior rooms as well as a large outdoor patio that is delightful in good weather. The kitchen uses fresh herbs and spices grown organically in the inn garden and is known for its fresh seafood, stuffed hazelnut chicken, rack of lamb, lentil soup, and a delicious house salad dressing. Desserts are noteworthy, especially the signature Hazelnut Meringue Torte—a heavenly concoction of hazelnut meringue, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries. The wine cellar holds more than 2,000 bottles, and picnic baskets can be packed to go.



image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Travel Videos: the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England

This video promises to explain the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England, which it does, but the question is, can you or I comprehend it? And it didn't explain why I saw The Queen on the paper money in Fiji a few weeks ago.

Sights to See: Jacksonville, Oregon

The drive to this historic town, located about 10 miles from downtown Ashland, passes through some of Oregon's beautiful backcountry farmland. The first town in America named a National Historic Landmark, Jacksonville delightfully retains its 19th-century charm. Wood and brick buildings dating from the early 1850s line the main street that is now filled with art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants. A free map outlining a walking tour of the historical buildings is available in many of the shops, and you can also tour the town on a motorized trolley.

Once a booming gold town--the Gold Rush here began at nearby Daisy Creek in 1851--and prosperous agricultural center, its decline slowly began when the railroad bypassed it in 1883. Now visitors strike gold of sorts in galleries and boutiques that inhabit the vintage buildings.

Good Eats: Thai street vendors in action, Ayutthaya, Thailand

The Thais love these green crepes.













videos c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Thai street vendors in action

The Thais love these green crepes.













videos c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Thai street food in action

The Thais love these green crepes.













videos c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers