Charming and picturesque, this south-central region of Oregon nestled between the Oregon Coastal Range to the west, the Cascades to the east and the Siskiyou range to the south, has attributes both natural and man-made.

Because of its mild climate, it has the advantage of a long growing season, especially for fruits and nuts. In more recent years, it has become known as a wine-producing region. In fall, because of its abundance of hardwood trees, it's a particularly popular destination for many.

Its towns also make it a popular place, no matter what season it is. Ashland of 20.-000, just over the border from California, is as impressive as any place can be. Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University, it's bustling with locals, students and tourists alike, but in a casual, stroll-through-the-park kinda way.

The countryside, surrounded by mountains, is dotted with farms, horses in the pastures outlined by white-picket fences. The Rogue River may not be the main attraction, but it's close to the top with its huge fish population and recreational rapids.

The town of Jacksonville, the oldest in the valley, was born when gold was discovered in the area. With a population of less than 3,000 people, it's not the boom town of yesteryear, but in 1966, it became a National Historic Landmark with more than 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.