May Day ~ Ashland
Outdoor Elizabethan Stage
The four of us were out the door by 9:00, driving back down the mountain to the charming town of Ashland, home of the Shakespearean Festival. We had pre booked a backstage tour that included the Thomas, Bowman and Elizabethan theaters.
Our guides were outstanding!
Not only did they give us the history of the theater, we also felt like we received a crash course in acting and all that goes into producing a professional production from set design, costumes, language, projection, lighting, green room, auditioning, play selection, and so much more.
No photography was allowed inside the theaters, but we ended the morning at the outside arena and were able to snap a photo there.
Tim, Joanne, Laura, Michael
A lunch in town followed.
And of course we had to have them try the infamous “Lithia Water”
Tasting the Lithia Water
Jan and Mark met us in time for our 1:30 engagement to attend the play, “Sense and Sensibility”. Our guide from earlier in the day, Kate, played the mother. It was such fun to have spent the morning with her and then watch her in action. They had a surprise twist at the end where the performers threw in a variety of hip-hop/modern dance moves that caught us all off guard, and had us in stitches.
After the play we wandered through Lithia Park which is right next door. The azaleas and rhododendrons were in bloom.
Lithia Park
Laura captured this beautiful reflection over the duck pond
I love springtime!
Michael, Tim, Laura, Jan and Mark at the upper duck pond
Michael and Laura in the Japanese Garden
Mark and my sister, Jan
Tim and Joanne in front of the same trees
GRATITUDE MOMENT: We have been so fortunate for our timing to work out perfectly. PLUS, the weather is starting to warm up 🙂
A Note From Abroad 
We are enjoying our surprise get-away SO much!!! Thank you so much. ❤️ We love you both💕
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Yay! It has been wonderful showing you where I grew up.
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A friend and I spent a long weekend in Ashland, Oregon. We loved it! Saw three plays in three days. What an interesting place. As a huge Jane Austen fan, I would have enjoyed Sense and Sensibility. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. xo
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How fortunate you were to see three plays while you were there! We really enjoyed Sense and Sensibility. Returning to So. Oregon in August and am hoping we can see another one then.
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What a fabulous day!!!
The gardens are stunning!!! So beautiful.
I’m sure Michael really appreciated the tour guides information shared on the various aspects of acting, and what happens behind the scenes, since he recently started an acting class. He must have been thrilled. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😃
What a bonus to your already amazing trip. Love seeing you all together.
Joanne, you must be in heaven. Your man, your sister (and hubby) and your dear friends. Love surrounds you all. 😘
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Thank you Brenda. It is such a treat for me to show them my roots and share memories from my childhood. This has been a dream of mine for a long time to someday bring them up here. So excited that it is happening now.
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Another great day! The photo of the reflection in the duck pond was spectacular. Looks like a beautiful place to visit. Does the water taste different?
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I too thought that Laura captured a great shot of the reflection on the duck pond. Yes, Lithia water is naturally carbonated mineral water that is quite strong. A faint supper odor also puts most people off. My hubby actually likes it. I’m on the fence, but can handle it in small doses.
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