I have an odd question..please answer
Sep 18th, 2002 | 04:59 AM
#1
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I have an odd question..please answer
Hi!!
My name is Bill. In August, I spent a week in Portland and enjoyed it very much. The pictures do the real thing no justice it is simply beautiful. The people of Portland should be proud..the city was clean and comfortable.
Originally, I had been hoping to drive down the entire West Coast on I-5 from Portland to Los Angeles, but unfortunately I only had enough for Portland. I really wanted to take that drive as I wanted to see as much of the West Coast as possible.
My question is an odd one, but I am hoping someone out there can give me an honest, fair answer. Can someome please tell me what it is like crossing from Oregon into California on I-5 compared to when you cross from Georgia into Florida on I-75? The reason I'm asking is because when you cross from Ga into Fla, there is definitely a feeling I cannot describe..kind of like it was well worth thr trip. Anyone who has driven over the Ga-Fla line will know what I'm trying to say. I wanted to ask for an honest opinion cause I'm hoping it's the same kind of experience.
Also while we're on the subject, can someone please compare Medford or Ashland to Valdosta, Ga? I know these questions are kind of out there, but to me going from Ga into Fla is one of the most rewarding experiences in this country, and I wanted to know how similar the Oregon-California crossing on I-5 compares, in terms of experience. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and answering my question.
My name is Bill. In August, I spent a week in Portland and enjoyed it very much. The pictures do the real thing no justice it is simply beautiful. The people of Portland should be proud..the city was clean and comfortable.
Originally, I had been hoping to drive down the entire West Coast on I-5 from Portland to Los Angeles, but unfortunately I only had enough for Portland. I really wanted to take that drive as I wanted to see as much of the West Coast as possible.
My question is an odd one, but I am hoping someone out there can give me an honest, fair answer. Can someome please tell me what it is like crossing from Oregon into California on I-5 compared to when you cross from Georgia into Florida on I-75? The reason I'm asking is because when you cross from Ga into Fla, there is definitely a feeling I cannot describe..kind of like it was well worth thr trip. Anyone who has driven over the Ga-Fla line will know what I'm trying to say. I wanted to ask for an honest opinion cause I'm hoping it's the same kind of experience.
Also while we're on the subject, can someone please compare Medford or Ashland to Valdosta, Ga? I know these questions are kind of out there, but to me going from Ga into Fla is one of the most rewarding experiences in this country, and I wanted to know how similar the Oregon-California crossing on I-5 compares, in terms of experience. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and answering my question.
Sep 18th, 2002 | 06:00 AM
#3
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Oh, I disagree.
I know what Bill is asking.
I've been to southern Oregon and northern CA, but have never crossed over I-5.
Sure, the vegetation and 'feel' change from Ore to CA, but my sense is that the transition is not dramatic and sudden.
There are many state lines at which the terrain and such change very quickly.
Personally I don't like northern Florida or Georgia because the humidity drives me nuts, so that shades my perspective of the scenery.
I'll take OR/CA any day over GA/FL.
I know what Bill is asking.
I've been to southern Oregon and northern CA, but have never crossed over I-5.
Sure, the vegetation and 'feel' change from Ore to CA, but my sense is that the transition is not dramatic and sudden.
There are many state lines at which the terrain and such change very quickly.
Personally I don't like northern Florida or Georgia because the humidity drives me nuts, so that shades my perspective of the scenery.
I'll take OR/CA any day over GA/FL.
Sep 18th, 2002 | 07:03 AM
#4
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To me Valdosta is a "real" farming community. I've never been sure what Medford is !! Yes some farms but now mostly a suburb of Ashland.
Ashland very busy tourist area due to the Shakespeare theaters and some winter sports.
Highway 5 into Ca. is not really impressive. Lots of "green" on Oregon side on to a high plains type of landscape--very dry in summer.
Maybe I take the crossing area for granted, having been over it many times. However, IMO nothing like the Fla-Ga.
Hope this helps.
Ashland very busy tourist area due to the Shakespeare theaters and some winter sports.
Highway 5 into Ca. is not really impressive. Lots of "green" on Oregon side on to a high plains type of landscape--very dry in summer.
Maybe I take the crossing area for granted, having been over it many times. However, IMO nothing like the Fla-Ga.
Hope this helps.
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Sep 18th, 2002 | 08:39 AM
#9
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Interesting question, Bill.
I've only crossed from FL to GA on I-95 so can't comment on I-75; however I've crossed from OR to CA on just about every road that goes there, umpteen times, and frankly that "special feeling" (relief? excitement?) tends to hit me northbound rather than southbound.
On I-5 the whole CA-OR border area is mountainous, then one falls into the Sacramento River Valley (southbound) or the Rogue River Valley (northbound), both of which are big agricultural and multicultural areas. Mt. Shasta dominates the landscape on the CA side, which is otherwise quite arid and open. On the Oregon side, Ashland is a small, artsy community located amidst a very conservative region, one of the local names for which is "Little Dixie." The CA side is no liberal hotbed either, especially by the time you get to Redding.
North from the Rogue Valley, you get into timber country all the way to Eugene, from which the Willamette Valley continues through agricultural land to Portland. South from Redding, the Central Valley offers sensory deprivation (or traffic through Sacramento) for about 600 miles until you get to the Great Wall of Smog somewhere around the Grapevine.
What does happen somewhere between Redding and Medford IMO is that California culture is replaced by Northwest culture, and the peculiarities of each (car-fixations, tree-hugging, etc.) get more pronounced the farther south or north you go, until they reach their pinnacles in LA and Seattle.
California is so big and spread out that Hollywood or Russian Hill seem a zillion miles from Yreka, so if the "feeling" you speak of is one of entering a big, metropolitan, diverse, tolerant place, I think it needs some real imagination to capture that feeling on the freeway coming from Oregon. But frankly, crossing into Florida from Georgia, the thought of South Beach or Fort Lauderdale seemed equally remote to us.
I've only crossed from FL to GA on I-95 so can't comment on I-75; however I've crossed from OR to CA on just about every road that goes there, umpteen times, and frankly that "special feeling" (relief? excitement?) tends to hit me northbound rather than southbound.
On I-5 the whole CA-OR border area is mountainous, then one falls into the Sacramento River Valley (southbound) or the Rogue River Valley (northbound), both of which are big agricultural and multicultural areas. Mt. Shasta dominates the landscape on the CA side, which is otherwise quite arid and open. On the Oregon side, Ashland is a small, artsy community located amidst a very conservative region, one of the local names for which is "Little Dixie." The CA side is no liberal hotbed either, especially by the time you get to Redding.
North from the Rogue Valley, you get into timber country all the way to Eugene, from which the Willamette Valley continues through agricultural land to Portland. South from Redding, the Central Valley offers sensory deprivation (or traffic through Sacramento) for about 600 miles until you get to the Great Wall of Smog somewhere around the Grapevine.
What does happen somewhere between Redding and Medford IMO is that California culture is replaced by Northwest culture, and the peculiarities of each (car-fixations, tree-hugging, etc.) get more pronounced the farther south or north you go, until they reach their pinnacles in LA and Seattle.
California is so big and spread out that Hollywood or Russian Hill seem a zillion miles from Yreka, so if the "feeling" you speak of is one of entering a big, metropolitan, diverse, tolerant place, I think it needs some real imagination to capture that feeling on the freeway coming from Oregon. But frankly, crossing into Florida from Georgia, the thought of South Beach or Fort Lauderdale seemed equally remote to us.
Sep 18th, 2002 | 09:46 AM
#10
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I've driven the OR/CA thing more times than I can count(eaily over 200)...and its always been no big deal. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE all the mountains and such...but I have never felt like the change from one state to another was eventful. Maybe because I am just so used to the area.
I have also LIVED in SE GA, about a mile off of I95. We used to joke that we were entering civilization when we got to FL. It was like crawling out of a hole and entering a better area.
BTW, lived in Portland too...glad you enjoyed that wonderful city
I have also LIVED in SE GA, about a mile off of I95. We used to joke that we were entering civilization when we got to FL. It was like crawling out of a hole and entering a better area.
BTW, lived in Portland too...glad you enjoyed that wonderful city
Sep 18th, 2002 | 04:32 PM
#11
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Bill,
When are you planning on doing this trip? I want to make that drive as well and have wondered about how much time you should allow if you want to hit all the major cities. Has anyone else made the drive? What would you suggest doing or skipping?
When are you planning on doing this trip? I want to make that drive as well and have wondered about how much time you should allow if you want to hit all the major cities. Has anyone else made the drive? What would you suggest doing or skipping?
Sep 18th, 2002 | 07:53 PM
#12
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Major Cities on I-5 worth hitting. Hmmm. I think there is Sacramento and Los Angeles. And though I spent a few years in Sacramento, I would not consider it a "destination". If you want a scenic drive take 101. Cut over on 5 through Salem, OR see some of Oregon wine country and cruise down the coast. I have driven from Salem to San Francisco in one day, but you may want to stop and see Mendocino or the Redwood country.
Sep 19th, 2002 | 12:22 AM
#13
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I-5 is NOT a coastal route.You will never see the Pacific on I-5. If time is not a factor use 101 or even 1. Crossing from OR to CA on I-5 is very ho hum. In the most northern part on CA there is a strong separatist movement to form a new stata called "Jefferson". You will see many signs refering to this - ignore them. The 1st town in CA you will enter from OR on I-5 is Yreka which has only one claim to fame - the Yreka Bakery is one of the very few business palindromes. If you fear palindromes; avoid I-5.
