After a hearty breakfast, a clean windshield, and all the
ingredients for a classic picnic lunch packed into the back
of our jeep, my guest and I headed south from Gold Beach.
She had marveled at the vistas encountered on her arrival
from the north, and asked "what would it be like if we took
a scenic drive heading south?"
Following four strenuous days of fishing, hiking,
and kayaking, her body was tired and her mind sated with
excitement. A leisurely respite was to the liking of
this transplanted urbanite. Our plan was simple, take
off, no maps, no travel books, only the windshield of the
jeep to guide us, a camera and binoculars for each, our only
accessories.
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Jeep, camera, picnic basket and
binoculars our only tools! Windshield our guide,
and South our only destination! |
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We ventured south on Highway 101,
stopping at each and every turnout, that beckoned us with
vistas, coastal or beach access. And there are many! Not yet out of town, first stop,
the south side of the Rogue River Jetty. Gulls,
roaring ocean, sea lions, and the unique smell of salty air.
11 stops, short hikes, a splendid picnic at Arch Rock, a
full camera, and 29 miles later, we arrived in late
afternoon at Brookings harbor.
A stroll around the port, a
chowder, an ice cream, the setting sun, and we were ready to
head back. Rather than a different route, we chose to
retrace our path. Not surprising, the return trip was
filled with quiet enjoyment, as we passed by each fond
remembrance.
Our drive seemed a perfect
sequence of leisurely moments, blending serenity, driving,
walking, a bit of climbing, a chatty picnic lunch, a steamy
bowl of clam chowder at harbor side, and a blazing orange
setting of the sun.
No matter your starting point,
adventures guided by the visual paradise in the windshield,
await all along, and throughout the Wild Rivers Coast.
Which will be your favorite?
Welcome to America's Wild Rivers Coast,
101 miles of nature's best!
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a "Visual Paradise"