October 28, 2016 – A River Runs Through Brookings

The last time we spent significant time in Brookings we witnessed the tsunami from the Japan earthquake. This time we were in a tsunami coming from the sky. Our first day camping at Harris Beach State Park we got 7” of rain. Nothing will test your camping fortitude and camper construction more than a downpour lasting what seems like forever. We held up well and Scoop gave up only a small leak around the dinette window. On our third day here we were able to remove the whole window in order to install a new sealing strip. Been dry every since.

Best thing to do when the rain won’t stop is to check out the local restaurant and brewery scene. We were happy to find some fine new restaurants have opened and a couple local breweries. Denis’ rainy day activity was making a treasure box for storing our travel trinkets. As the storm departed we were able to get out, enjoy the beaches and hunt for treasures. Denis' rainy day project was making a treasure box to hold our travel treasures.

The Treasure Box

The campground at Harris Beach has a prime row of campsites that not only have spectacular views of the ocean, but include full RV hook-ups including cable TV. I have coveted these campsites since I first saw them years ago, and the day after the storm a couple came open. Denis readily agreed to fulfill my dream and move Scoop to a prime spot. He even got out my reclining camp chair and poured my wine as I enjoyed the pacific sunset. I thought I would go to sleep that night listening to the crashing waves, but instead the sound was Denis’ favorite TV shows.

Prime Harris Beach Spot

Denis was really looking forward to some salmon and steelhead fishing, but the raging rivers have turned the poor guy away. First the rivers were too low for the fish to come in, now they are too high and muddy for good fishing. All we can do is look at the raging river and be thankful that the fish are finally making it home for some good old spawning. The time that Denis would have spent fishing is now spent dragging me to every tackle store he can find in hopes of getting news of fishable waters. He usually only comes away with another lure, fly, bobber, weight, stink bait, etc.