Southern Oregon’s cool waters provide late summer respite from pandemic

With this strange summer of COVID-19 slipping away, my wife and I began plotting a safe and sane Oregon road trip. Someplace within a few hours of Portland that remains relatively uncrowded and unhurried.

The cool waters of Southern Oregon beckoned: the pristine blue of Crater Lake National Park, and the adrenaline-inducing riffles of the wild Rogue River. In between, some pretty cool experiences to match, from wine tasting to fine dining to boutique shopping.