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Now part of the beaten path

Jackson, Josephine counties are part of National Geographic's
Central Cascades Geotourism MapGuide
By Greg Stiles
Mail Tribune
January 20, 2010 5:00 AM

Jackson and Josephine county sites are included in a unique map unveiled Tuesday by National
Geographic magazine and Travel Oregon.

National Geographic's Central Cascades Geotourism MapGuide — its ninth such effort worldwide —
received more than 1,200 nominations for its stylized map of places of interest for tourists discovering
the Oregon and Washington Cascades. About 200 nominations made the cut.

Local spots that have extended entries include Ashland, Jacksonvillle, Eagle Point's Butte Creek Mill,
the Applegate Trail Interpretive Center Museum in Sunny Valley, Prospect Hotel and Wolf Creek Inn.
Among the other area destinations to make the map are Beckie's Cafe, Rogue Creamery, Rogue
National Wild and Scenic River, Rogue River Natural Bridge and Table Rock. Other spots appear on a
Web site (http://thecentralcascades.com/) dedicated to the project.

"This really showcases the Upper Rogue region for what it is and what's available," said Prospect
Hotel owner Fred Wickman. "All too often the valleys and cities get pinpointed for things going on in
their areas. This highlights a geocentric area that's a little bit off the path."

The MapGuide, which can be purchased for $5, points out authentic and sustainable ways to
experience the dynamic landscape, pioneering culture and recreational treasures. It was unveiled
Tuesday at the Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland.

"Geotourism is a fast-growing market of visitors," said Carolyn Hill, executive director of the
Southern Oregon Visitors Association. "The Central Cascade map is such a great fit for Southern
Oregon because it's about the marriage of distinctive destinations with heritage and natural beauty.
Those are some of the most marketable commodities. It would be sufficient to say we will have
significant gains due to this."

Four sites in the Upper Rogue corridor — one of several gateways to Crater Lake — are included on
the map.

"There are millions of people on the planet that turn to National Geographic for their tourism needs,"
said Bob Russell, owner of Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point. "So making the map is a really big deal."

Russell said the Eagle Point Chamber of Commerce recently expanded its horizons, changing its name
to Eagle Point and the Upper Rogue Chamber of Commerce and boosted its membership to 120.

Although it will take a while for maps to be circulated among travelers, Web sites offer immediate
access.

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"I don't know what they use for the exact timetable for sending out the maps to other areas," Russell
said, "but we may be seeing some results of that very soon."

Kent and Sandy Watson acquired Beckie's Cafe and the Union Creek Resort in May 2008. Kent
Watson said he used to doubt the veracity of claims that the cafe's pies had earned international fame.

"I was skeptical, to be honest, when the previous owner told me," Watson said. "Then I got calls from
people overseas — Europe and China — asking if this is where Beckie's famous pies are. It's nice to
know the reputation is getting around."

The Union Creek Resort, just across Highway 62 from the cafe, has long been a stopping place for
travelers en route to Crater Lake National Park. Some folks even like Union Creek's relaxed pace
better than the park.

"We want them to enjoy this historic property and the heritage of our forefathers," Watson said. "A lot
of people's (ancestors) may have traveled the Oregon Trail and come through our property and spent
time here."

For places such as the Rogue Creamery, already making itself known globally, inclusion on the map is
an extra boost.

"This is a really an important designation," said David Gremmels of Rogue Creamery.

"It helps us in our mission of increasing awareness of artisan producers, makers and growers in
Southern Oregon."

The Central Cascades MapGuide will be part of the West Coast edition of the May/June issue of
National Geographic Traveler magazine, as well as available through www.thecentralcascades.com.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail business@mailtribune.com.

What National Geographic's guide says about our area

Here's a sampling of what National Geographic says is in its new Cascades travel guide:

Ashland: The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, outdoor activities, Mount Ashland for skiing, culture and
arts — people who visit often want to move to Ashland. This vibrant community tucked in the shadow
of the Siskiyou Mountains, home to Southern Oregon University, has been voted among the top 10
best small towns to both visit and live ...

Applegate Trail Interpretive Center Museum: What was it like to come to Oregon in a wagon train?
Why is Jesse Applegate regarded as one of Oregon’s first statesmen? What was the geopolitical import
of the Applegate Trail? This stop, easily found off I-5, teaches Oregon history, pioneer history and
lifestyle, and the sheer brawn needed to survive in one of the world’s great migrations ...

Table Rocks: In a region made up of volcanic and glaciation actions, these two formations stand alone.
The “Table Rocks” volcano tubes, observed from the air, show the throat of two extinct volcanoes that
appear to be sheared off at the exact height of each other. The formations also show horizontal scratch

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marks made by glacier shearing; the existing valley elevation surrounding them shows how much
erosion has occurred since that ice age. A trail provides access for visitors ...

Wolf Creek Inn: Built in 1883, Wolf Creek Inn is the oldest continuously operated hotel in the Pacific
Northwest. It is here that Jack London completed his novel “Valley of the Moon.” As an important
stop on the 16-day stagecoach journey from San Francisco to Portland, the Wolf Creek Inn has housed
practically every important person found in the Northwest during the early history of Oregon ...

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