Hello from Jacksonville, Oregon!
It feels good to be on the ground in this incredibly beautiful state after a long day of travel.
My alarm went off at 5 a.m. and I caught a flight out of the Jacksonville airport bright and early.
Coffee fuel!
Today’s travels included three flights – from Jacksonville to Charlotte, Charlotte to Denver (Hi Michaela!) and Denver to Medford. My layovers were never more than an hour, so I didn’t have much time to walk around airports and move too much. It has been a day of sitting! I’m feeling antsy and am really looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures.
On the docket for tomorrow? Exploring Harry & David’s orchards. Yes, the Harry & David. To say I’m excited would be a huge understatement.
A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Sandy, the blogger behind The Reluctant Entertainer, about a blogger trip to Oregon to tour Harry & David’s facilities and learn more about the company. My mind started spinning. Harry & David!? They have the best pears in the universe. I compulsively buy their Moose Munch whenever I’m lucky enough to find it in the gourmet foods section of the TJMaxx in Ocala. My family uses their pepper jelly to make my favorite dip over the holidays. Sign me up!
The fact that the trip would allow me to visit Oregon also excited me. I’ve never been to Oregon and am so grateful for the opportunity to visit, especially during the fall. Traveling is something I adore. I am naturally an incredibly curious person (Ryan says I’m like a summer camp kid everywhere we go because I want to SEE and DO everything) and traveling lights me up inside. Sandy’s follow up email said we’ll get a chance to explore Medford and Jacksonville, Oregon a bit on the trip and I am really looking forward to taking in the sights and bringing you guys along for the ride.
I used my travel time today to catch up on reading – both for pleasure and knowledge. I packed my NASM textbook and continued to type up the study guide I’m making for myself as I study for my personal training certification. (My study guide is currently 19 pages long. Ah!)
Aside from studying, I took some time to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks that I began a few weeks ago.
I haven’t read it as regularly as I would’ve liked, so it was nice to have some time to read today. I ended up finishing the book on my flight from Charlotte to Denver and definitely recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in learning more about the history surrounding a woman whose cells became so incredibly important to medicine, aiding in the development of the polio vaccine, cloning and more. The author did a great job making the science-heavy portions of the book both understandable and interesting. The stories about Henrietta Lacks and her family were captivating. Thank you to those of you who recommended this book to me!
I also packed this month’s book club selection, Thirteen Reasons Why, to start reading just in case I finished the book about Henrietta Lacks. I’m hoping to get started on my flights back to Florida on Saturday! Have any of you guys started reading it yet? Thoughts?
Now I’m off to grab a glass of wine with the other bloggers before dinner this evening!
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Glad you got there safely! So jealous you get to tour THE Harry & David orchards! Wowee! I LOVE their pears… My parents always send a box around Christmas, and I always get so excited when they come. Enjoy!!
Jacksonville is lovely. Tiny but historic. Enjoy!
Oh I LOVE Harry & Davids! Their pears are so so good! My dad always orders specialties from them during the holiday season as well. You luck girl! Can’t wait to see pics 🙂
I got the book from the library, but haven’t started it yet. Hopefully tonight?!
SO incredibly jealous that you get to explore the orchards! Have a pear for me.
I started 13 Reasons Why on Sunday and have already finished it – it’s definitely not a “feel good” book but it’s super captivating. Hope you enjoy it, and your trip!
This is the first time I’m participating in the monthly book club. I am loving thirteen reasons why.
I read thirteen reasons why this past spring and really enjoyed it! I can’t wait to see your review 🙂
OOOh I live in Medford! If you would like any recommendations from a local about things to do/see I’d be more than happy to help 🙂 Enjoy your trip!
That’s amazing!!! Harry and David always reminds me of the holidays when my Uncle would send a box to our house!
I love the way you describe travel as lighting you up inside, it so true!
I was in the Denver airport today too! Shoot! Happy travels!
Harry and David is so yummy! There’s actually an outlet near me.
I’ve never read 13 Reasons Why, but as a high school English teacher I’ve read many, MANY book reports on it! It’s definitely popular with my students.
It looks so pretty there!! My sister read 13 reasons why and loved it, I am debating on whether or not I should read it. I hate reading books after my sister spoils them for me!
Omg I’m so jealous you’re getting to tour Harry and Davids! They make the best stuff! Have a blast!
Harry and David!? A trip to Oregon!? You are one blessed lady! Enjoy your trip!! And I loved that book! But I haven’t had a chance to start this month’s book club selection, I ordered it but it hasn’t arrived!
Read Thirteen Reasons Why in less than 24 hours! It was a great read. Couldn’t put it down!
Have a great time! Safe travels.
I went to Portland a few years ago in the summer and it was simply beautiful. I’m sure Oregon is amazing in the fall too! Enjoy yourself!!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
Welcome to my home state! Oregon is the best in the fall, isn’t it? My wedding is here in 3 weeks and I can’t wait for all the pretty fall colors. Enjoy your visit!
Thirteen Reasons Why is very interesting. I’m not sure that I can say I really liked it because the subject matter is so dark, but it’s definitely worth a read.
Oregon is amazing!! Definitely make sure to have some Oregon Pinot Noir. It’s some of the best being made these days!
I read Thirteen Reasons Why last week, it only too me about a day and a half which I was kind of surprised by. I feel like there wasn’t really a beginning and an end, it just was kind of… well.. something to read. I’m not sure I liked it all that much! Oh well
I was born and raised in Oregon. I’ve visited Europe and various states, but I just can’t truly imagine living anywhere else. Have a great trip!
Oregon is so beautiful! I wish I lived there:) I go there every summer on the coast and also, Portland is a great city to explore.
My mum loves you! I am always recommending your books to her and she can’t get enough. She really enjoyed the Hunger Games series and is currently looking for Divergent 🙂
I’m so excited that you’re in Oregon! I’ve lived here my whole life and I swear it’s the most beautiful state in the country. Too bad you don’t get to see Portland!
I hope you have an absolute blast in Oregon. It’s on the very very top of my vacation list!
P.S. I’m studying for the NASM exam too!
I just have to say I LOVE OREGON! Have a blast, post LOTS of pics!
Ahhh the small towns of Oregon. Have fun!
In my microbiology class this week we just used HeLa cells to view chromosomes and my teacher told us the brief story about how her cells end up being used and her family hasn’t benefited. I’d be interested to read the book, how ironic
I’ve started AND finished the book already! I read it all in one day. Sooooo good and such a great message!
I live here in Oregon and I must say that it’s a bummer that you don’t get to visit Bend and Crater Lake! There are about a million things to do outdoors in Bend and Crater Lake has some pretty spectacular hikes. I’m also partial to the weather here in Corvallis, but I can’t say we have a whole lot more than pretty fall colors and a lot of rain. 😉
Glad you made it safely and it sounds like a fun trip!! 🙂 So jealous you are in Oregon. I used to live in Portland..Hope you have a great time 🙂
We had a Harry and David oulet in NC. When it closed, we decided to move away. But they also carried Wolferman’s English Muffins. Chocolate Chip english muffins. Toasted, with PB. YUM!
The Kidless Kroniclesre sweets not me I run to enjoy an Ice cold beer” />
so weird–i JUST moved here like a month ago to Eugene! it’s really really gorgeous, and you’re lucky that the weather is so great right now. just the perfect touch of crisp fall air. enjoy your visit!!
i’m from ashland! right next to medford and jacksonville. enjoy your time in southern oregon. the fall is so beautiful there!!!!!!!!!!!
Ohh! I’ve never tried Harry &David but always used to eye their stuff when I walked by their shop! Hope you have lots of fun! Well, I know you will 😀
Just finished 13 reasons last night. I couldn’t put it down, so I finished it in two nights. @_@
Glad you’re liking Oregon. We make frequent trips from So Cal to Seattle, and every time we drive through Oregon, it’s pretty, but ends up being a bad or scary experience. (I guess something having to do with Oregon people hating Californians) We even almost got run off the road once! My boyfirend and I jokingly count down the miles until we’re in the next state.
Maybe we should try a vacation there and it would be different? Christmas trees can’t be grown by grumpy people, right?
Such a cool opportunity! I love their pears and, well, pretty much all of their stuff. Last year we received one of their gift boxes at the holidays & really enjoyed it. I would love to visit both Oregon & Washington – never been to either. 😉
Oregon looks beautiful! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it. I cannot wait to read all about your adventures with Harry & David! Such an incredible experience, I’m sure! 🙂
I read Henrietta Lacks last year for my book club, and thought it was VERY interesting. As someone who is not scientifically- or medically-inclined, I appreciated the author’s aptitude for making the story accessible to us “regular people” 🙂
Hey, I was curious what you usually like to get at Starbucks. I always get a skinny vanilla latte, which I love but was curious if there are some other healthier drinks you would recommend?
Definitely super jealous of your Harry and David trip! I have family that tends to send my immediate family a box of Harry and David goodies for Christmas, which is always so wonderful. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
I already finished 13 Reasons Why! It is VERY addicting. Great pick for the book club.
I finished it in 4 hours (I had some time to kill on a bus). That being said, I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite. It’s a very interesting read but certainly not feel-good!
Welcome to Oregon Julie! Hope you love it here as much as I do! You picked a perfect time to come. We are having such beautiful fall weather right now!
I just finished reading 13 Reasons Why. Though the subject matter is laden with emotion, the book is incredibly engaging without feeling too “heavy.” In some respects, I wish the book had evoked more emotion. The descriptions are there, but I didn’t quite “feel” it. Perhaps this is because the book is aimed at young adults. The female narrative, despite her obvious pain, is actually quite humorous. I really enjoyed the book and am recommending it to everyone. Its, at minimum, a great, if not important, discussion piece.
What a great opportunity! Harry and David have such delicious treats.Enjoy! I am planning to read 13 Reasons Why since I just discovered your book club.
I was in Oregon this summer!
If you are in Medford & like Burgers, go to Jasper’s Cafe…BEST burgers!!! 🙂
Have fun! Can’t wait to hear more about it 🙂
I read Thirteen Reasons Why in two nights. I couldn’t stop reading it! I read through a sample section of it and knew I had to read it. Hope you enjoy it too!
You amaze me…just wanted you to know! Andyour Harry & David trip looked awesome – can’t wait to hear about it when I see you next week!! xo