Question: Wifi Access

Submitted by SAG 4 Driver, "Many folks (myself included) unfortunately do not disconnect from the real world completely during the week. Is it possible to get information on "free" wireless spots in each of the cities we are visting?"

SAG, that is a great question and I imagine many other riders are wondering the same thing. We've included a list of commercial and public sources of "free wifi", but the listings are not guaranteed and may change. In Oregon, most public libraries offer free guest internet access (usually up to one hour per day) on their library computers... and unfortunately the wifi hotspot availability is going to be very limited on your trip in areas like Happy Camp and Glendale.

Before I get to the list of wifi spots, I personally use a Verizon USB satellite/cell tower internet hookup for about $60 a month for direct internet service that doesn't rely on wifi... It can be hot-swapped from one computer to the other and has on-board software. With the device I can connect to the internet anywhere I can get a phone signal. I use the internet for my business and for investment issues every day, and if I were going on the road for a week and didn't have the setup that I do have, I might even try to borrow or "rent" one from a friend/coworker/family member for the week. (After reading some other posts it may seem that I work for Verizon... not true, it's just about the only thing to work out here "in the sticks.")

One other trick I've used in the past, to check on-computer dedicated email (like Outlook) was to create a gmail account through Google, and then have all my regular email forwarded to the gmail account. I could access the gmail system from any public computer in the US... like in a library or computer cafe. I guess it all depends on what you need.

Wi-Fi Hotspots (partial list, may change)

Medford

Central Library
205 S Central Ave
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 774-8689

Red Robin
501 Biddle Rd
Medford, OR 97504

The Branch
628 N Riverside Ave
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 776-6919

Yreka

Best Western Miners Inn (in the lobby)
122 E Miner St
Yreka, CA 96097

Village Grind
400 W Miner St
Yreka, CA 96097
(530) 842-4607

Happy Camp Area

Happy Camp Community Computer Center
Happy Camp High School
Happy Camp, CA 96039
(530) 493-5213
(This location is open from noon to 5:30 p.m., and has computers with high speed internet available to the public. Wifi may not be available.)

Cave Junction Area (Lake Selmac)

Valley Surf Internet
139 S Caves Ave
Cave Junction, OR 97523
(541) 592-4117

Carlos Restaurante
120 N Redwood Hwy
Cave Junction, OR 97523
(541) 592-4553

Grants Pass

Dutch Brothers Coffee
322 NW 6th St
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(541) 476-6358

Island Juice
1610 SW Allen Creek Rd
Grants Pass, OR 97527

PFG Computer
208 NW 6th St
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(541) 659-4790

Blue Stone Bakery
412 NW 6th St
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(541) 471-1922

Good luck SAG, and we'll update this list as more info comes in.