illahe lodge and the rogue

Located 36 miles east from the coast at Gold Beach, Oregon, Illahe Lodge is about at the end of the road. It is the farthest upstream one can drive a wheeled vehicle. Only a jet boat can take you farther up river.

So despite the Klondike Fire (burning since July 15th), we decided to take our chances and brave the smoke.  And smoky skies we had for the middle of the trip, along with 90 degree days.

But the fishing was good and the rain that fell on our last full day seemed to come directly from heaven.

We made the transition from our Alameda bubble by spending nights coming and going in Eureka, where our airbnb hosts cooked dinner for us on our return home and helped ease us back into our cocoon.
Avoiding political discussions at Illahe was almost impossible, there was TV reception and wifi. You add to that a fire that has been going on for two and half months and questions from the locals as to it's management and it makes for some interesting thoughts. The usual guests at the lodge are on guided fishing trips, spending only one night, the last of three on the river. This makes for so much work for Coleen, the proprietor, who has had almost no help this summer, it is a wonder how she manages. But somehow she does, cheerfully, too. Staying there for five nights and parking the car made for a holiday that suited us perfectly. And besides we got to listen to Ernie's stories.
Our day consisted of breakfast, a walk to the river, fishing for a few hours, a walk back up the road, lunch, a nap, a walk back down to the river, fishing, a walk back up the road and dinner. No complaints from us. We are planning on going back next year.