a trip on the train ... to ashland and back!

it has been a number of years since i've been to ashland, or, to participate in the oregon shakespearian festival.  so, this was the year, and I decided to go by train!  trying to be very 'green'.  being on the train isn't so bad; it is transferring to a connect off the train that makes you want to change your color to RED!  so, traveling green was a bit of a challenge, but not awful!

i visited old friends and met new ones; the weather was great, and the bed and breakfast i stayed in, blue moon, is something i can highly recommend; restful, quiet, close to downtown, good food, clean and comfortable! 

so it is almost like william shakespeare is on the scene, although he might be scratching his head in amazement!  here's why:
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this picture was taken along the creek that flooded several years ago, adjacent to the festival itself.  the first play i saw was in the evening in the elizabethan theatre, but it wasn't by will ... it was by stephen (soudheim) -- 'into the woods' ... a musical about all those great fairy tales we know -- with a twist!  so fun!  a great evening under the stars....

sunday saw the day begin with worship at first congregational united church of christ, followed by another (non-will) production of a mark bedard adaption of irving berlin and george s. kaufman's musical hit, 'the cocoanuts' ... the marx brothers at their best, with plenty of audience participation, and more laughter than anyone could guess for the sabbath!

evening brought my first will play, 'the tempest', one of the romance plays; with denis arndt doing a very reflective rendering of  prospero, who is on a spiritual journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation .... well done, but listen closely!

one of the reasons i attend the festival at this particular year is to participate in daedalus (based on the greek myth); the festival's hiv/aids benefit; this year's daedalus was dedicated to the researchers and advocates who perished aboard malaysia airlines flight 17; a meaningful time, and a remembrance (the naming) at the end of those remembered who had died of this awful disease; one of my high school classmates associated with the festival was included in the naming.

tuesday brought two delightful will productions.  the first, performed with an almost completely african american/black cast, was 'the comedy of errors', set in the harlem of duke ellington and langston hughes.  this comedy deals with the search of lost twin boys and their twin servants and makes way for the experience of mistaken identities.  loss and separation are re-united!

between shows at blue moon, while sipping on iced tea and delights, i could listen to the soothing sound of water, even though there was caution to be water-wise!  port, a new found experience for me, was also offered in the evening.

but before port, came my final will experience:  the two gentlemen of Verona -- done, effectively and a twist to historical theatre, with an all-female cast!  this is an adventure of finding yourself without losing your friends; a wonderful evening under the stars!

had i not taken the train, letting me off in klamath fall or, where i caught the connection to ashland, i would have missed the beautiful scenery one does not see on highway 5 -- and the beauty which is oregon!  my story of 'traveling green' concludes with these disclaimers; don't be in a rush as you'll encounter delays; you might want to invest in a sleeper car if you want your own space, and when you are traveling, look for a train that takes you directly to your destination, or you might be a bit surprised by the added length of your trip.  aside from that, you get to see some interesting stuff -- even at night!  and, traveling back to san jose, you'll see (the back-end of) the new sports arena for the giants and 49ers...  so, there you have it!  plan your trip on the train, today!