July Happenings and the Rogue River

After our long journey to parts East, we were pretty tired.  But after we recovered from the trip, and some stomach bug or food poisoning that laid us low for a week (ended up in the ER getting rehydrated--thanks for saving us, Carol!) we had some gatherings and took some hikes.

Dressed up Beer--Thanks Uncle Jerry

My 4th of July Bouquet

Went to Art and the vineyard and bought art and drank wine

Birthday boat trip with Neil and Carol on July 7

Happy Birthday sunset--Welcome year 62

Beautiful Brice Creek

The ole swimming hole

Jeff and Freddy enjoy the rest

We did lots of swimming in Dorena Lake

Well, some of us swam.

Cool and misty Spirit Falls

Finally able to eat again--it's not overrated.

Jeff enjoys the mist

The camper had been out of commission.  There was a recall on a part, which Jeff took out.  We finally got a replacement and Jeff installed it, but we weren't sure it was really working.  We decided a shakedown cruise was in order, and it was blazing hot in the valley and we wanted to get away from the heat.  We decided to go to Gold Beach and take a jet boat ride up the Rogue River.   We planned on camping at Humbug Mt. again, but it was too far away from GB to get up and make it to our 8:15 AM departure.  So we returned to an RV resort up the Rogue that we had scouted in March.  It was nice--right on the river, but didn't have much privacy and no electrical hook-up. 

We soon found out that the new part (electrical splitter which charges the battery in the camper) was not working.  Thank goodness we had gas for cooking and refrigeration, and plenty of flashlights.  The only other negative of the campsite was the harried mother down the beach who was camping with 2 small children.  She yelled at them for a solid 3 hours and not once did either of them do what she told them to do.  Maybe a hint that what she was doing wasn't working.....but it was hard to hear.  Finally sleep took the little rowdies and the silence was welcomed!

On the Beach

Boat going up the Rogue

Our View

Jet boat going down the river--that's us tomorrow

Freddy found the Rogue to his liking

wonderful spaghetti with lots of veggies for dinner

The next day we got up early to meet our boat at the dock, and also meet Sandy Jo, who was dog sitting Freddy for the day.  The brave woman was at the dock with her huge Crown Victoria station wagon to meet us.  Freddy did not want to stay with her, but we hooked him into the back seat and I was thankful for his new harness which holds him securely. We were going to pick him up at her house when we got back.  Finally we got on the boat and headed up the river.  

The bridge at Gold Beach

The lone fisherman

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle nest with Eagle in residence

River Otter--we saw three of them and boy are they cute!

The placid part of the river

Our pilot, Chris--a great driver!

Osprey Nest

 We went up the river to Agness and had a bathroom break, then went up further to whitewater where we went through rapids and got nice and wet.  I was amazed that the boat could go so smoothly through such shallow water.  The boat carried at least 30 people and could go through 6 inches of water. 

After the whitewater, we went back down to Agness and had lunch at a lodge.  It was served family style and the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and home grown veggies were soon consumed and topped off with ice cream and blackberry topping!  What a feast.  Our companions included a 5th grade girl named Emily and her dad Alex and grandma, another Kathy.  We had a lot of fun talking to them and the other people on the boat.   Then it was back on the jetboat for the quick trip down the river to Gold Beach. 

Our new friend Emily and her iPad

Some of our wet companions--we sat in front behind the windshield and they got most of the water

Doe, a deer, a thirsty deer....

Back down the river and under the bridge.  Lots of fishers were after salmon

Happy and wet jet boaters

If you are reading this and you haven't taken the jet boat trip up the Rogue, we highly recommend it.  Smooth, fun and exciting, the trip was worth every penny and a few more.  We had a blast!

So when we got back, we called Sandy Jo and were so happy when we got to her house and found 1) that Freddy hadn't totally freaked out and 2) that he hadn't destroyed her house, garden or herself.  All were safe and sound.  We were greeted with lots of enthusiasm from both Freddy and Sandy and soon loaded up and headed for Humbug Mt. State Park to try and get a camping spot for the night. 

When we got there, it looked like every spot was taken, but we talked to the camp host and got the last spot with electric hook-up.  Yay!  It was close to the highway and surrounded by other campers, but we settled in and cooked a wonderful meal of sausages, potatoes, fruits and veggies and after finishing up with a few marshmallows, climbed into the camper, watched a couple of episodes of Doc Martin and gratefully hit the sack. 

The next morning we drove up the coast highway to Bandon and then took the route from there to Roseburg and up 1-5 to home.  The heat hit us hard after three days of 60's.  The weather at the coast was so nice and cool!

Now we are getting ready for another trip....this time to Eastern Oregon to Jon and Sharon's ranch at Flora and from there....who knows?  Time for another adventure!