Medford, Oregon: When the Coffee's Hot and the Rain's Just a Whisper
the first thing i noticed when i rolled into medford was the way the air felt-not too cold, not too warm, just this weird in-between that made my skin tingle. i just checked and it's 2.69°c there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. i wasn't sure what to expect-medford's not exactly the kind of place that screams "tourist hotspot," but that's exactly why i came. i needed a break from the big city chaos, and medford felt like the kind of town that would let me breathe without judging me for it.
i stayed in this tiny airbnb near downtown, and let me tell you, the host was a character. *she kept leaving me notes about where to find the "best" coffee, but honestly, i think she just wanted me to leave her place. i ended up at this little spot called Rogue Coffee Roasters, and yeah, it was good. not life-changing, but good enough to make me sit there for three hours pretending to work on my laptop while actually people-watching.
one thing i heard from a local-let's call him Mark, the guy who wouldn't stop talking about his sourdough starter-was that the Medford Railroad Park is a hidden gem. he said it's not just for train nerds, which, okay, i'm not a train nerd, but i went anyway. and honestly? it was kind of charming. old locomotives, a tiny museum, and this weird sense of nostalgia that hit me like a ton of bricks. i didn't expect to like it, but there i was, snapping photos like a tourist who'd just discovered their passion for trains.
if you get bored, Ashland and Grants Pass are just a short drive away. i didn't make it to Ashland this time, but i heard from a barista (who was way too enthusiastic about her kombucha) that it's worth the trip for the Shakespeare festival alone. Grants Pass, on the other hand, i did visit. it's smaller, quieter, and honestly, i preferred it. the Rogue River runs right through it, and there's this bridge that's perfect for sunset photos if you're into that kind of thing.
weather-wise, medford in winter is...interesting. it's not snowing, but it's not exactly warm either. the humidity was at 85%, which made everything feel a little damp, like the air was holding its breath. i kept thinking about how different it must be in the summer-hot, dry, and probably perfect for hiking. but in winter? it's more of a "bundle up and drink coffee" kind of vibe.
one thing i didn't expect was how much i'd enjoy just walking around downtown. there's this weird mix of old and new-historic buildings next to trendy boutiques, and somehow it works. i spent an afternoon wandering through the Medford Central Library, which is honestly one of the most beautiful libraries i've ever seen. the architecture alone is worth the visit, and they have this incredible local history section that i got lost in for hours.
i also heard a rumor-from a woman at the farmers' market who was selling homemade soap-that the best time to visit medford is in the spring. she said the Britt Festival in nearby Jacksonville is a must-see, and that the wildflowers in the Table Rocks area are unreal. i didn't get to experience it myself, but i'm already planning a return trip.
medford isn't flashy, and it's not trying to be. it's the kind of place that sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you're already thinking about when you can come back. it's got this quiet charm that's hard to put into words, but easy to feel.* and honestly, that's exactly what i needed.
