Our excursion today takes us through the Siskiyou National Forest. We drove up Rte 101 N to Gold Beach which looks like a little beach town in Cape Cod. Gold was found here in the mid-1800's thus giving Gold Beach it's name. The town is located where the Rogue River meets the sea. We had hoped to take a Hydro-Jet Boat tour up the Rogue River, but they don't open until May 1.
At the north end of town we turned onto National Forest Road 33 that rolls along the Rogue River and through several wilderness areas. About 30 miles up the narrow forest road we crossed a stone bridge and continued up the side of a mountain with fantastic river valley views. We came around a bend and there was the sign we'd been looking for - "This is it! Agness. Population - Small!" This was our destination. A little further up the road we came to an intersection with the general store on one corner and post office on the other. We were here! This was a town. As we got out of the car one of the local guys sitting on the porch noticed our NH license plate. "Hey" he says "we've been waiting for you - what took you so long!" We all laughed and talked for a while. We bought a cornbeef sandwich from Annie, the storekeeper, and enjoyed the peacefulness of Agness. Later we walked over to the post office to mail postcards and talked with Sandy the Postmaster. We tried to explore the roads leading out of town, but both were dead ends.
Back down NF33 to our next destination Port Orford on Rte 101. Port Orford is a jewel-like coastal village perched on scenic bluffs. Its the oldest established town site on the Oregon coast. The port of Port Orford is one of only six "dolly docks" in the world. Boats berth on the dock instead of in the water. They use giant cranes to take the boats in and out of the water every day. We tried to get there late afternoon but missed the dockings.
Now it's time for dinner and we planned to eat at the Black Forest Sausage Kitchen at the Honey Bear Campground back in Gold Beach. Driving down Rte 101 S to the campground there was a large turkey vulture in our lane. He decided he wasn't moving and Ken decided to play "chicken?"...at the last minute he took off heading right for the car. We got a good close look at him as he just missed our side mirror! Dinner started at 6pm and was served by Mr. Saks who has been running this family business for 30 years. All of this German fare is homemade and delicious. Tonight they served stuffed cabbage (no rice here!), red cabbage, potato pancakes, and brats. Naturally there was German beir and dessert all for $8.95. Normally there is a German band but this was their first weekend open. We talked with Mr Saks and before leaving we bought red cabbage, pancakes, and pate to take home. As we went out the door Mr Saks says to Ken, "Tomorrow we serve Sauerbraten". If we had been within 50 miles we would have gone back. If you're in the Gold Beach area don't miss this wonderful place!
Now stuffed and happy we drove along the rugged coast back to Brookings. It was a fun day and we visited a really unique place.
Pictures: Agness General Store, Rogue River from National Forest Road 33, Rogue River Valley, Port Orford Dolly Dock
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