Galice burned today

June 8, 2021

My earliest fond memory of Oregon burned today.

The Galice Resort is gone.

My first trip to Oregon came sometime between age 11 and before I was old enough to drive. My father had recently remarried and I was too young to not resent my stepmother. A few times she mentioned we would go to Galice, so I figured it was special. I always think of her when I go there, and am glad she thought to bring me there.

I don’t recall details, but I know we ate lunch or dinner while overlooking the Rogue River. I never counted the number of times I’ve returned in the past 50 years. Why would I; it was always there.

A day or so before it closed for 10 days during the Taylor Creek Fire of 2018, I spoke with the owner about why folks might not be coming out. She said the air was clear of smoke and people could breathe fresh air, but nobody would venture forth.

I told her I lived in Grants Pass and was hesitant because a shifting wind might create a gauntlet of flame on the two-lane road on my way out or back. I vowed to return once the fire danger was clear. It was then that I confided that I had once lost a small-claims suit against them for an incident in their parking lot more than 20 years earlier and that I have been coming back since before then.

She remembered hearing from the relative who represented them in court that day, telling her that I was a nice person. It was an amicable experience, and summer has never been complete without a meal at the Galice Resort.

After the Taylor Creek Fire no longer threatened them, Anne and I returned a few days after they reopened; the owner had told me that the loss of revenue was really difficult for them, and we wanted to support them before they closed for the season.

Today’s fire was from a possibly faulty electrical issue, but it’s too soon to know. The owner’s daughter called 911 and fled with a couple of others; they managed to salvage a few rafts and a shuttle van before escaping.

Right now, I suspect many in the valley are pretty numb. I sure am. We were going to have lunch there this past weekend but changed our minds, knowing we had plenty of time before they closed for the season.

Summer hasn’t even started yet, and now it feels over.