GeneralManager Lowell Pratt tells me with a humorous twinkle in his
eye. “We don’t know a whole lot about him and his wife, other
than that he was a river guide and a lumber mill worker, that
he hand-picked this choice birds-eye pine you see on the walls
and, rumor has it, that his wife’s ghost makes an appearance
from time to time.”
The lodge was built as a fishing outpost in 1945. In June
of 1964, the lodge was purchased B.A. and Elaine Hanten,
who had come from South Dakota with their three children.
Although B.A. and Elaine have long passed, members of their
family continue the legacy of grand hospitality that they began
45 years ago.
In January of 1964, just after the Hantens arrived, they experienced
one of the worst floods the Rogue has ever seen.
Lowell shows me a faded photograph of the lodge during the
raging flood. Unbelievable! The swirling waters rose higher
than the mantel of the fireplace! With the help of a disaster
fund, they cleaned up and repaired the main lodge and put
the cottages up on stilts where they still stand today.
Lowell shows me a variety of lovely river and creek view
cottages, the rustic guest rooms with real wood fireplaces, a
sprawling vegetable garden that provides fresh organic produce
to the kitchen, hiking trails and a fruit laden mulberry
tree.
“We try to take care of our guests from
the moment theyarrive till the moment they leave. We can get them on a raft
trip from our Rogue River rafting company, book fishing, hiking or bird
watching trips, pick them up from the airport, feed them
gourmet food - and we even set up their fire in the hearth
on chilly evenings so all they need is a match. And, by the
way, did you know that we are an Orvis endorsed fly fishing
destination?”
As the setting sun painted the canyon walls with a rusty
glow, my wife and I chatted on the sprawling lawn above
the river where it bends at Taylor Creek Canyon. We sipped
chardonnay. The cottonwoods shimmered. Fish jumped below
us. We saw a lone blue heron waiting patiently for his
dinner to swim by. A soaring osprey circled, then flew upriver
with a fish in its talons. Rafters meandered by in their
lifejackets and sunburns. The tranquility and majesty of the
setting was an inspiration.
When the dinner bell rang, we headed up to the lodge to
be seated on the deck overlooking the river. The menu was
read aloud and the guests applauded. Our dinner, prepared
by new chef Bruno Jappert, was four courses and delicious.
We were satisfied - and pleased and amazed that something
so wonderful was just up the road. My wife looked at me and
I knew what she was thinking. “Let’s come back soon,” she
says. “Yes,” I say. We will come back…to the big little miracle
lodge on the mighty Rogue.
By David Evans
For more information on Morrison’s Lodge and Rogue River Fishing
call (800) 826-1963 or visit www.MorrisonsLodge.com
Also along the way will be plenty of chances to see wildlife such as ducks and ducklings, river otters, deer, hawks, eagles and osprey. 
Dave, Hannah, the fabulous cooks, and Richard the shuttle driver. Thank you for yet another great adventure! This was my fourth time on this trip with you, and each time has been amazingly unique. Everything was absolutely perfect. Your team was very accommodating as always. They went out of their way to make sure each guest was having the time of their lives. During our trip, we came upon another rafting company that was attempting to assist a rafter and his son who had gone out on their own. After watching how poorly they (the other rafting company) handled the situation, I would never attempt this trip with anyone but Rogue River Raft Trips. The experience level can not be beat. And you guys are the only ones who can handle Ruth!! A special thanks to Larry and Pablo. Although everyone
without exception was awesome, they helped to put this trip over the top and exceed all our expectations. We cannot wait for next year. I am sending out pictures and a newsletter to everyone in my email list, and encouraging them to make Morrison's a must do in their vacation plans. Thank you again. See you next summer, Pam Griffin 
(LA or San Diego), and that goes the same for Jake and Johnny as we have room and you are all most welcome in our home!
The morning of day two at Black Bar Lodge
Whether you are paddling together, taking a hike in the wilderness or enjoying a sumptuously prepared meal at the end of a fun filled day, you will find lots of opportunities to share with your family. 
You only need to look at one river, the “wild and scenic” Rogue River in Southern Oregon. Three day lodge trips are unique to the Rogue River rafting experience. Our popular 
in the midst of an exhilarating white water adventure, a three-day lodge trip is your perfect vacation escape!
for 
in Pleasanton, CA last weekend. The consensus from most people we spoke with is that people are searching for mini vacations. These mini vacations all usually a couple days and only one tank of gas to reach the destination. Morrison’s Lodge is only one tank of gas from Portland, OR, Reno, NV and San Francisco, CA. Let our office help you plan a vacation package just right for your travel budget.
Adventure Vacations close enough to drive to is a trend were seeing in 2009. Many people these days are working on doing more with less. In adventure travel it has forced families to get more creative when planning the summer vacation. Most people we talk with are trying to keep it close to home. We hear time and time again that guest are looking for a vacation that is less than 200 – 400 miles from their home. Morrison’s is very centrally located on the Rogue River just outside of Merlin, Oregon. We are easy to access off of Interstate 5 and close drive from several major cities.
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