All content & photos: Copyright© 2008,
Jan Hight. All rights reserved.
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1997 Jan's Journeys West Coast Roadtrip! Mon. afternoon 9/15/97 thru
Wed. morning 9/17/97 Tue. 9/16/97 We’re at the Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, a marvelous hideaway perched
above the Rogue River at a secluded site 7 miles from where the river joins the ocean. Tu
Tu’ Tun (pronounced too-toot-in) is an Indian term referring to "people by
river". The Tu Tu Tuni were part of the Rogue Indian tribe, and they established a
camp at the picturesque spot where the Lodge currently stands.
The grounds of the Lodge also include a 4-hole pitch and putt (clubs and balls are available in the main building), the heated lap pool, horseshoes and croquet, hiking along the riverbank, flower gardens, and wildlife/bird watching. Jet boats that tour the Rogue River pick up guests at the Lodge's dock; the staff will be glad to assist with reservations, and they have extra jackets available for those chillier days. We didn’t take the trip on this visit, but we definitely will on a future return after hearing about it from other guests. Other nearby recreational activities include fishing (naturally), golf, trail rides, and boat rentals. We spent today touring the coastline between Gold Beach and Brookings. Although it covers just a short distance (about 27 miles), the drive provides a wealth of glimpses at the rugged Pacific shore. I’m going to let John’s photos tell the story themselves...text really isn’t needed. The one warning I have is...watch out for the big, butt-biting bee in the "facility" at the arch rock viewpoint (it was bad enough being in a glorified outhouse; then I was terrorized by this crazed bug!!).
>>Next Stop -- Gingerbread Mansion Inn, Ferndale, CA
Copyright © 1997 - 2008: Jan Hight
Published -- September 27, 1997 |
Now this is
the Jan-method for "roughing it at a rustic lodge"...wine and hors
d’oeuvres followed by gourmet meals, goose down comforters and pillows, luxurious
towels made by a British company that supplies the queen, heated pool on a scenic
terrace...life in the "wilds" is fantastic!!
Owners Dirk and Laurie Van Zante have incorporated the rich history and natural
beauty of the area, as well as the bounty of local foods, into their first class Lodge.
Dirk’s mother and step-father designed and built Tu Tu’ Tun, which they opened
in 1970. Laurie’s mother was a guest in the mid-70s....you’ll have to hear their
story of the union-in-the-making. The happy ending/beginning was their 1977 wedding in
front of the main building’s stone fireplace and their purchase of the Lodge in 1980.
They have since undertaken a complete remodeling project (in 1993), and the gracious
result is the beautiful accommodations which guests enjoy today.
All
guestrooms (16 total plus 2 suites) have private patios or balconies overlooking the
Rogue. In addition to the thick towels and down bedding, fresh flowers brighten the rooms
which are decorated with wood accents and include all of the amenities of a fine resort.
There are no TVs, but there is a phone in each room...a necessity we required at each of
our destinations
so that
we could upload these entries to "Jan’s Journeys", not to mention checking
e-mail for the messages we’ve been receiving from the new friends we’ve already
made on our Roadtrip! Some rooms have fireplaces and some have outdoor soaking tubs,
unjetted so they won’t spoil the pleasant silence. Rooms are named for famous fishing
spots on the Rogue; we’re in "Bony Point", a site carved out by high water
during pioneer times in which bones were found indicating a small Indian burial ground
(thus "bony"). Many complimentary extras are also available in addition to the
rooms' features; just ask the front desk if you need something...they’ll most likely
be able to comply with your request.
The main building contains that very special, aforementioned stone fireplace
plus comfy nooks for reading or chatting with other guests, a pool table, player piano,
library, and bar...encircled by windows which bring the outside views into the warm indoor
comfort. Day-long offerings of coffee, tea, cookies and fruit are available on the terrace
or just inside the building.
The dining room is also located in the main building. Guests have the option of
adding meals to the price of their room rate. This is something I strongly suggest;
the very reasonable additional charge is money well spent!!! I originally liked the idea
of not having to decide where to eat, make reservations, then drive to the restaurant etc.
After having experienced the culinary art that is presented at each meal, I can’t
imagine a better place to dine! Breakfast begins with a buffet of homemade breads and
muffins, fresh fruit, and terrific granola; and a hot entree follows. A lunch basket is
available for purchase for those who want to take the Lodge’s delicious food along on
their daily expeditions. 
Hors
d’oeuvres (which might include stuffed mushrooms, tempura or other yummies) are
served around the fireplace or on the terrace each evening, and wine or cocktails are
available for purchase at the bar. After this sociable gathering, dinner is served in the
dining room at convivial round tables, each seating eight. An outstanding four-course meal
is served; each luscious dish swivels between the dinner-mates on large lazy susans in the
middle of the table. The presentation is superb, and the food tastes every bit as good as
it looks! While enjoying entrees such as freshly-caught 
Chinook salmon grilled over a mesquite fire,
guests have a wonderful time talking with each other...dinner can be a rather extended
affair, with a lot of laughter and animated conversations floating through the room! When
everyone finally finishes feasting, the well-fed gang moves to the terrace where fire pits
are lit. Last night as we sat around the fire with an almost full moon overhead and a bit
of mist swirling around the huge trees, someone said "Pinch me; this scene is too
perfect to be real"....that pretty well describes it!!!
So this is luxury along the Rogue River....as I said, my kind of
"fishing lodge"!! Besides the natural splendor of its setting, Tu Tu’ Tun
Lodge is very special due to the affinity that Dirk and Laurie have for their guests;
they’re definitely "people" people, and their love for what they’re
doing is apparent in every detail of Tu Tu' Tun. If you want to escape to this marvelous
river retreat, you can call them at 800-864-6357, send an e-mail to 
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