A Trip Up The Rouge River

Both of our guest couples’ planes were delayed getting here yesterday.  Don and Vivian arrived about 6pm and Pat and Kay didn’t get here until a little after 1am (3am Dallas time).

We were all up by 8am and enjoyed a breakfast of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, toast and coffee.  We were to meet our boat captain at the Port of Gold Beach about 11:30 for our 80 mile jet boat ride up the “Wild” Rogue River. 

The Rogue is one of nine rivers in the US designated as “Wild”.  Tom had reserved places for all six of us several months ago on Jerry’s Rogue Jets. 

 

The “extraordinary six” boarded the boat with Kevin, our guide, along with his first mate, Rue, his dog.  

The “extraordinary” was in reference to a wording on Pat’s hat.

Kevin was very entertaining throughout the entire trip. He gave us lots of history about the river and Jerry’s boats.    Even during this pandemic, the boat was full.  We set out at 12:00 noon for our big adventure.  Out of the harbor, past the midday salmon boats,

under the Patterson bridge

and up the river we go.

We were warned that it would be chilly and there was a possibility you might get wet.  We thought we were prepared for what was to come, little did we know!  

An Osprey was our first sighting.  

The birds were large but their nests were larger.   

Next, we were thrilled to see several bald eagles.  

The river is beautiful and the sights were awesome to see, like these Canadian geese.

And several fresh water springs.

Kevin was masterful at handling the boat.  He could maneuver in and out and around the rocks, kayakers, and other boats never missing a chance to throughly douse us time after time.  We stopped for a leisurely lunch and a break at The Cougar Lane Lodge in Agness, Oregon.  

Agness is a very small town on the river which is virtually only reachable by boat  They get their mail from Jerry’s Rogue Jets from Gold Beach.

Back in the boat and heading back Kevin had several more opportunities to make sure we were all completely soaked!  

On the way back we encountered a harbor seal! 

Kevin pulled the boat over very close to it and we were able to get some good pictures.

 He was sunning himself on a rock, he appeared to have a full belly, so totally contented he posed for pictures until we passed him by.  

We all agreed it was truly a great day and a wonderful river experience.