Beach Art, Salmon Run, & A Hot Shower

We survived the night in our tents. Not quite as comfortable as hammocks, but the campground was quiet and we were both tired, so we slept pretty well. After packing up and breakfast, we took to the road toward Nesika Beach. Then it was off on a forest trail by the lonely graves of the Geisel Family, John, John Jr., Henry, and Andrew, ages 45, 9, 7, and 5. They were killed in 1856 by Native Americans during the Rogue R. Indian Wars. We saw no memorial to the the Native Americans killed during that war.

We connected to the historic Old Coast Highway, an old gravel road though the forest, for several more miles. That took us to the Otter Point trail. An overlook on the trail gave a magnificent view of Bailey Beach stretching down to the town of Gold Beach. 160 feet below us were various symbols drawn in the wet sand. Spirals, circles, other symbols were there, some partially washed away by the waves. As we watched a guy walked out on the beach. Using a rake as a paint brush he drew an enormous striped lizard like you might see in Native American rock art. It was fascinating and a bit magical. We continued down to the beach and Cappuccino asked him about it, he just said it was a way for him to relax.

We walked Bailey Beach several miles down to the Rogue River north jetty. When we climbed up on it we were surprised to see 50 to 60 small fishing boats trolling on the river. Apparently the salmon were running and every thing that could float was being employed to try and catch one.

We walked the last mile and a half into Gold Beach, crossing the Rouge River Bridge. We checked into the Motel 6, did laundry and got showers then walked over to a restaurant for dinner. 

We will be moving on south to the Pistol River tomorrow.

Happy Trails…