Finding Treasures at Gold Beach

As we make our way north along the Oregon coast, we have a plan of action. We want to camp at one of the many recommended towns we've heard about. Then we'll explore the area of the coast to the south of that town one day, then to the north the next day. When we are satisfied that we have seen all that section of the coast has to offer, we'll move another hour down Highway 101 to another sea side village. The only problem with this plan is that the coast has been dishing up quite a few rainy days this winter and spring. So our stay at Turtle Rock RV Resort lasted a little longer as we waited for the weather to clear a little. But it was a great place to hang out longer! We discovered that our little town of Gold Beach is having a treasure hunt during these winter days.

They have hundreds of these glass floats to hide around town. They have citizens that have volunteered to be "float fairies." Their job is to go to their local beaches to hide a glass float every day for three months. So Denisa has been trying real hard to find one of these treasures on our Turtle Rock Beach.

We have found lots of good hiding places around the rocks on our beach, but no glass balls. We talked to a man that was spending a lot of time walking through the rocks at low tide. We found that he was looking for agates among the many rocks that the tide brings up. He had been searching for four hours that afternoon, and he showed us most of his found treasures of the day.

We also found this tiny treasure--a perfect little yellow flower bouquet, just the size of a finger. It was hiding beside one of those rocks that didn't hide a glass float.

On a rainy afternoon, we stopped downtown at the local myrtlewood factory and store. We would find that there is one of these in every little town in southwestern Oregon. But we were really impressed with the lovely wooden bowls and lighthouses they make here from myrtlewood.

We got a factory tour, and we saw the back rooms where they were making the first cuts straight off a myrtlewood tree log. Then they shape them into very rough bowls, which must be dried thoroughly in this climate-controlled room. All these blanks will be hand-lathed into the final works of art before the summer crowds appear to buy them all.

We talked at length to the owner of the store. We found that as a participating retailer in the treasure hunt, he had a glass float hidden in his store. Denisa was finally successful at finding one! In exchange for her hunting skills, she has two tickets in the town's drawing for $100.

The owner also explained the background of these glass balls. They are actually glass floats, used as flotation devices in the ocean by divers. Instead of these ornamental models, he had a more utilitarian glass float that he had found on the beach. These are actually made by hand in South Korea, and will occasionally make their way across the ocean to this Oregon coast.

The owner told us more about myrtlewood. It is found exclusively in this part of Oregon and northern California. It grows very slowly, so the wood is very hard. He also told us that the largest known myrtlewood tree is about ten miles east of Gold Beach. So given his directions, we went in search of another treasure. Our drive took us along the Rogue River, which we have crossed many times on this interesting bridge.

The Rogue River is famous for its fishing and jet boat rides in this part of Oregon. Even on a rainy day, it's a lovely river.

Our treasure hunt was successful. We drove up a muddy forest service road, and hiked half-mile straight up the side of a muddier mountain to find the world's oldest myrtlewood tree.

Not as impressive in size as the redwoods we have been admiring, this myrtle tree might be just as old. When they lose branches, or even if they are cut down, they regenerate another tree. So even though these branches are only hundreds of years old, it's thought that the base and roots could be up to 2,000 years old.

That's a pretty old and gnarly guy right there. (Talking about the tree--not Mark) That opening in the front of the tree looks big enough to crawl into--wonder who we can talk into seeing what it looks like inside the world's oldest myrtle wood tree?

That would be Mark's job. It was like a big wet cave inside, with plenty of room to move around (and only a few spiders). We had found another treasure!

Gold Beach was filled with treasures! Before we left town, we went back to the beach close to town for one more treasure hunt. Now that we know that the glass floats must be hidden above the high tide line, we were searching in the sea grass. Denisa had circled the entire beach, ready to give up. But that's when she looked down at just the right angle and spotted a green float hidden under the grass! She was so excited at finding one, so you can only imagine her reaction when she also found a red one in the grass nearby.

There's only one float allowed per person, so she gave one to Mark. Back to the visitor's center, we are both now entered in the town's cash drawing. Searchers get to keep floats found on the beach, so now we are looking for a place to store these new treasures. Perhaps red and green will make a good Christmas decoration?

In the meantime, Mark is doing more beach-combing. He found his first two agates--more treasures!

We thought it was just another rainy day, but it was a day filled with the many treasures of Gold Beach, Oregon!