Earthy Ashland: Wine, Sun & Sky

My plan was to post this on Wednesday BUT alas, I Googled too much about "Mel Gibson" and in my quest to hear more and more of his psychotic tendencies, I fell into a Trojan virus and my comp wasn't usable... until tonight. Thank God for IT nerds in my life!!! Thank you for the Virus Scanner.

Anyway! My beloved best friend computer is well again and so I'm ready to take you on a quick, quick trip to Ashland, Oregon (just like the trip I took there last Friday).

{Me en route on the 5 hour solo ride to Ashland. I take pics when I'm bored (or just on days that end in "Y")}

Ashland is the last respectable town in Oregon before the California border (just 14 miles from it). It's quite literally, one of the happiest places I've been. Why was I there? It's The Boy's hometown and his Mother was getting married. That meant a weekend of his family which may have left many Girlfriends running for the door. But with his family? No way.

They are so laid-back, so down-to-earth and ridiculously happy. Everyone that I encountered who is a resident there either makes wine on their land (for instance: his Mom lives on a vineyard) or works with a friend to make wine from the grapes on their property. On top of that… they're cultured. Small town without the stereotype. The city is about art, wine, the earth and… Shakespeare. Yes it is the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival which sells more tickets to more performances of more plays than any other theater in the country.

In a nutshell: it's a beautiful place full of people who are just happy living their lives. While I was there I witnessed Irish dancing, got a pedicure, saw horses, cows and goats, trolled an old book store, dipped my feet in the pool... it was just a happy, simple place and the wedding fit right along side that.

Here's a bit of my 1.5 days before I rushed back to Portland for another wedding. And yes, in case you didn't catch my drift... the town is a bit on the "Hippie" side... but isn't that nice to visit every now and again?:

Here goes it...
The night started with a casual Rehearsal Dinner at a family friend's. It was a very unique house with manicured deck and a pool but also full of unique intricacies.

{View at the Rehearsal Dinner}

{Me and The Boy at the Rehearsal Dinner in our Ashland finest. It was about 95 degrees and my hair doesn't handle that well}

{The Boy and Me enjoy the earthy swings on the porch}

{In the game room of the house}

{I always wear my earthy Maxis in Ashland: they fit, I think they're pretty and they're comfortable!}

{View from dinner}

The next morning: the Bride (The Boy's Mom) wanted to start her day with a Yoga session at her house. Not just Yoga for her but for the entire family to enjoy. So The Boy and I drove up the pastures to her home where we grunted and contorted between child's pose and warrior alongside her Stepmom, Brother, Mom, etc.

{Right before our morning Yoga- When in Rome do as the Ashlanders do...}

{The boy looking at the view from his' Mom's deck}

{Got my Yoga clothes on}

Then... it was all about the wedding:

{Time to get ready for wedding}

{The Venue: The Boy's Mom's house in Ashland}

{The Boy's Aunt, The Boy's Mom (the beautiful Bride) and The Boy, watching the Sunset at the wedding}

{Had to lose my heels at some point...}

But now it's late and I'm tired (per usual) so I will leave you a parting shot of Ashland. As the Sun set over the hills, the entire reception stopped to watch it. That's when the bagpiper from the service, picked up where he left off and played to the Sun as it headed West. It was a touching moment and the perfect nightcap to a beautiful wedding and ceremony... full of all things weddings are supposed to be: Love, Peace, Harmony... and family.

{My view}

I plan on catching up on Blogs all weekend. I miss you all dearly when I can't read your blogs and I ain't just sayin' that.

In other news, I think I fit in too well with the Hippie look.. time for a hair change! Yay!

Happy Friday!