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Southern Oregon Journal: Winter is a walk in the park Sunday Dec 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune I knew as soon as I looked out the kitchen window she was wrong for once. Before the sun cleared the horizon, all the promise of a clear-sky day lay in the pinky blue yonder. There’s little I love more than trading a day forecasted for freezing fog, with a high maybe brushing 40, for spring-like sun and a warm 64. I guess the wind had a hand in it, but somehow I find comfort knowing that even our best and brightest meteorologists don’t always get it right. All is not predictable. Surprises happen, even in science. This rarified day was like finding a $20 bill in a coat pocket, which doesn’t happen often enough. Well, I couldn’t refuse an invitation with a full-on come hither like that. So, I drove Fiona south to Ashland, enjoying the back roads and singing. I wondered whether Fiona’s thermometer had gone wonky when I looked down and saw 61 looking back. Sunny and 61, not an ice blanket and 40. I scoffed at the jacket lying on the seat beside me. I detoured through Talent so Lane could drive us to Lithia Park, where he often hikes the hills and trails for exercise. I hadn’t visited the park in far too long, and what a jewel it is. Lithia Park got its name from the mineral lithium oxide found in Ashland Creek. I’m glad Lithia is another name for it. Can you imagine saying, 'Let’s go play bongos for change in Lithium Oxide?' I mean, it’s one thing to force the stuff down your throat from the plaza drinking fountain, but performing percussion while bathing in it seems out of the question. Have you tried the “medicinal” Lithia water flowing freely from the plaza fountain? If not, I’m unsure you can honestly call yourself a Southern Oregonian. I’ll admit I partake once in a midsummer night just to reaffirm allegiance to valley culture. Plus, everyone needs to punish oneself with an overtly sulphuric tonic on occasion as a spiritual discipline. It might indicate, at least outwardly, a vestige of discipline remains. I missed the fount this time and headed straight for a trail. The parking lot indicated a crowd, but they must have been Christmas shopping because we had the path mostly to ourselves. I’m still training a formerly injured left foot to walk farther than to the refrigerator and back. It needs to understand much more is expected at this point. As is often the case at the south end of our valley, wind peaked and meandered, making melody with an evergreen choir overhead. It was hard to believe that vivid blue sky was for real and not an airbrushed set. The pine scent was strong in places, and the cushiony trail of decaying leaves and pine needles felt soft and welcome underfoot. A natural trail far surpasses asphalt. I wanted to keep going. Lithia Park claims 93 acres of woods and miles of soul-inspiring hiking trails. They could eventually usher you up to the summit of Mount Ashland if you have the time and oxygen for it, but Lane had a work schedule and I had a grousing foot. There are lots of hiking sites with information about Lithia Park and its trails, from easy to challenging, including a 28-mile-loop for mountain bikes. Or visit the city of Ashland website at www.ashland.or.us/lptrailguide for a self-guided hike with maps and photos. My first thought wouldn’t normally be to walk in Lithia Park in December. But there are times when normal doesn’t fit inside an extraordinary day. And it was well worth a 40-minute drive from Eagle Point to experience the serendipity. — Peggy Dover is a freelance writer living in Eagle Point. Email her at [email protected]. She’d love to hear your Lithia Park memories.