Traveling the Road to Paradise on the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway

When Dr. Jason Heald, of Roseburg, Oregon, penned the words to the song, "The Road to Paradise," in honor of the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway, little did he know that he would inspire a Jaguar car tour to wind its way in October through "every curve and swale" in order "to find the time, to see nature in detail."

A Line of Jaguars [1]

"The Golden Leaf Tour," an activity of the Jaguar Owners Club of Oregon, was launched in Southwest Oregon, a 250-mile rendezvous with the road. The happy faces and joyful spirits of these motoring enthusiasts were not squelched by the rain, the overcast skies or the coolness. Instead, recent rains had lifted the level of rivers, increased the abandon of waterfalls pouring forth in generous proportions and enriched the greens, reds and yellows of autumn foliage.

Warm and friendly mountain lodges provided social interaction opportunities for drivers and passengers, coupled with gourmet meals, prepared with care, for which the establishments were known.

Jaguar Participants at Crater Lake National Park [2]

This was not just a Sunday afternoon drive. This was a dedicated 2-day outing and overnight retreat with sightseeing of waterfalls, hiking the Western Oregon forests, and the chance to take a guided pontoon boat tour on Diamond Lake. A highlight was the drive to Crater Lake Rim on the Volcanic Legacy All-American Road to an elevation of 7100 feet above sea level. With lunch at Crater Lake National Park in the Historic Crater Lake Lodge, they watched a few snowflakes descend in the cool mountain air, signaling the official passage of fall.

Rushing Waters at Natural Bridge [3]

The Union Creek Historic District, built in the 1930s during the era of the Civilian Conservation Corps, beckoned with its lower elevation and fresh huckleberry pie. Then, despite the rain, the thundering waters of the Rogue Gorge and unique, underground, river at Natural Bridge, called to the drivers to take a break and see nature’s power close-up. That's where Jason's song echoed in the minds of the people as they sought "to find the time, to see nature in detail."

"The road to paradise isn't always a straight line" -- and the road to happiness isn't always straight, either. I think Jason would be proud to know he set the tone for a heart-warming and inspirational journey on the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway for twenty-six adventurers. Like the unfurling petals of a newborn plant, nature has a way of lifting the wings of the human spirit -- and filling the soul with song. The national scenic byway is a grand avenue toward that end: "The road to paradise."

For more information about Southwest Oregon, visit www.VisitRoseburg.com. For more information about the Jaguar Owners Club of Oregon, visit www.JOCO.org.