Northwest Coastal Oregon, Explorations and Reflections, By Michael P. Garofalo.

Astoria Population 9,500 A small town with many tourist attractions. There are many motels, restaurants, cafes, grocery, museums, theaters, historical sights, marina, docks, hospital, gas, stores, services, supplies.

Clatsop County Population 38,000 The Clatsop County Courthouse is in Astoria. Astoria is the largest city in Clatsop County.

"Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state of Oregon and was the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.[7] The county is the northwest corner of Oregon, and Astoria is located on the south shore of the Columbia River, where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean. The city is named for John Jacob Astor, an investor and entrepreneur from New York City, whose American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site and established a monopoly in the fur trade in the early nineteenth century. Astoria was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on October 20, 1876. he city is served by the deepwater Port of Astoria. Transportation includes the Astoria Regional Airport. U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 101 are the main highways, and the 4.1-mile (6.6 km) Astoria–Megler Bridge connects to neighboring Washington across the river."

I drive Oregon Road 30 from Ranier to Astoria, take the Lewis and Clark bridge to Longview, and then down Interstate 5 to our home in Vancouver, Washington.

Motels, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, boardwalks, bike paths, rentals, grocery, museums, marina, docks, hospital, gas, stores, services, supplies.

A very busy town for tourists coming from Portland. On flat land and rolling hills near the shore. On US 101.

Motels, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, boardwalks, bike paths, rentals, grocery, museums, marina, docks, hospital, gas, stores, services, supplies.

South of Seaside on US101 are many hills, rugged river canyons, and steep forested cliffs and mountains all the way to Cannon Beach.

Nestled in a cove along a rugged coastline. Many very nice new homes. On US 101.

Motels, restaurants, cafes, grocery, gift shops, gas, stores, services, supplies.

Both north and south of Cannon Beach are many hills, rugged river canyons, capes, and steep forested cliffs and mountains all the way to Nehalem Bay.

Some grand ocean views from high up on the hillside on US101 as you get close to Nehalem Bay at Mt. Neahkahnie.

Manzanita City Population 400. Motels, restaurants, cafes, banks, grocery, gas, supplies. Images On US 101.

Manzanita Restaurants "You can enjoy a farm-to-table experience at several local restaurants; A Mighty Thai, Big Wave Cafe, Bread & Ocean, and Neahkahnie Bistro just to name a few. Each serves seasonal, regional items year-round. The area also features more conventional food offerings, including pizza, Mexican cuisine, casual fine dining, pies, pastries, contemporary and old-fashioned candy, ice cream and seafood."

The Big Wave Restaurant On Highway 101 at Manzanita main street corner. I enjoy their fish dishes.

Neahkahnie Mountain "This peak is an inspiring place, where the Tillamook tribe believed their most powerful god resided. In fact, the name Neahkahnie comes from their words Ne ("place of") and Ekahnie {Ekone] ("supreme deity")."

Four Days in Grayland By Michael P. Garofalo. Camping and travel adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

I have camped in a Yurt at Nehalem Bay State Park five times in the last two decades.

Fishing, crabbing, walking beach dunes and shore, kite flying, river side exploring, mountain trails hiking, kayaking.

Tillamook City Population 5,300 Images On US 101 and at the junction with Oregon 6 that heads east to Banks, and then on Oregon 26 into Portland. Also, the 101 junction with Oregon Road 131 heading west to Netarts.

Motels, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, grocery, banks, museums, dairy farms, lumber industry, library, creamery, hospital, gas, stores, services, supplies.
The Tillamook area has over 149 dairy farms on green flat land east of the bay.

Tillamook Indian People The Tillamook are a Native American tribe from coastal Oregon of the Salish linguistic group. The name "Tillamook" is a Chinook language term meaning "people of [the village] Nekelim (or Nehalem)",[1] sometimes it is given as a Coast Salish term, meaning "Land of Many Waters". The Tillamook tribe consists of several divisions and dialects."

"The bay is protected from the open ocean by shoals and a 3 mi (5 km) sandbar called the Bayocean Peninsula. It is surrounded closely by the Coastal Range except at its southeast end, where the town of Tillamook sits near the mouths of the Kilchis, Wilson, Trask and Tillamook rivers, which flow quickly down from the surrounding timber-producing regions of the Coastal Range to converge at the bay. The short Miami River enters the north end of the bay. The small fishing village of Garibaldi sits near the cliffs opening of the bay in the ocean. The rivers that feed the bay are known for their prolific steelhead and salmon runs. The mixing of freshwater from the rivers with the ocean's saltwater makes the bay an estuary.

The name "Tillamook" is Coast Salish word meaning "Land of Many Waters", probably referring to the rivers that enter the bay. At the time of the arrival of Europeans, the area along the coast was inhabited by the Tillamook and other related Coast Salish tribes. Historians believe they entered the area around the year 1400 and Lewis and Clark estimated the population in 1805 south of the Columbia River along the coast at approximately 2,200."
- Tillamook Bay

Three Arch Rocks off the shore at Oceanside. "These spectacular sea stacks are composed of the Grande Ronde flow of the Columbia River Basalts, which reached the ocean 15.6-17 million years ago. They were once part of Maxwell Point. Each of the three largest stacks (Storm Rock, Finley Rock, Shag Rock) is an arch and there are six smaller rocks."

"Oregon is blessed with the vision of former Governor Oswald West who legislated that all of Oregon’s coastline be accessible to everyone. This was remarkable foresight given the state’s sparse population in 1911. More than 150 years later we appreciate his commitment to beauty beholden to all."

"Another common question about our sandy beach is, “Why does sand squeak when you walk on it?” The answer is that the music is caused by friction from the sand grains rubbing against each other as we apply weight through our footsteps as we scoot our feet through the sand. However, there are certain conditions to be met. The type of sand that squeaks is usually a silicate, a feldspar, or a carbonate, the grains must be rounded (no sharp corners or edges), they should be around 300 micrometers in diameter, and they squeak best when they are dry (moisture on the grains acts as a lubricant, decreasing the friction)."
- Jim Young, Oceanside, Oregon

Many options for walking and hiking in this part of the rugged Oregon coastline.
Cape Lookout State Park is on the north end of the Netart's Spit, which is the west side of Netarts Bay.
Along the portion of the Trees to the Sea Byway, along Oregon Road 131 (Whiskey Creek Road, Cape Lookout Road).
For a market and cafe near this State Park go north 5 miles along the east side of Netarts Bay to the village of Netarts.

Cape Lookout State Park, My Yurt Camp: 2022 February Reports Weather 53-60F High, 33-387F Low, no rain, patchy clouds, wind at 10 mph.

Four Days in Grayland By Michael P. Garofalo. Camping and travel adventures in the Pacific Coastal Northwest.

Forest Plants on Cape Lookout Peak Trail: red adler, sitka spruce, salmonberry, salal, evergreen huckleberry, skunk cabbage, western hemlock, western red cedar.

"Cape Lookout is a sharp rocky promontory along the Pacific Ocean coast of northwestern Oregon in the United States. It is located in southwestern Tillamook County, approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Tillamook, just south of Netarts Bay. The promontory extends 1.5 miles (2.4 km) perpendicular to the coast, and is approximately 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide at its base, tapering as it extends outward from the coast. Cape Lookout State Park is located on the north side of the promontory, which is part of the Siuslaw National Forest. Cape Lookout Road travels past the base of the cape. Cape Lookout is a member of Tillamook's Three Capes Scenic Drive. he Cape Lookout Trail is a popular hiking trail, extending 2.5 miles (4.0 km) through Sitka spruce forest to the tip of the promontory. The cliff-top hiking trail offers views of Cape Kiwanda and Cascade Head to the south as well as Cape Meares, Three Arch Rocks, and Neahkahnie Mountain to the north.[2] Migrating whales can also be seen, generally from December through June, as they pass the end of the cape.he Cape Lookout Trail is a popular hiking trail, extending 2.5 miles (4.0 km) through Sitka spruce forest to the tip of the promontory. The cliff-top hiking trail offers views of Cape Kiwanda and Cascade Head to the south as well as Cape Meares, Three Arch Rocks, and Neahkahnie Mountain to the north. Migrating whales can also be seen, generally from December through June, as they pass the end of the cape. he cape was named on July 6, 1788 by British fur trader John Meares, who was sailing south from Nootka Island,"
- Wikipedia

Alphabetical Index to Four Days in Grayland

Aberdeen

Astoria

Bay Center

Boating, Charter Boats for Fishing or Tours (Westport, Ilwaco, Aberdeen, Astoria)

Agate Hunting, Coastal Geology, Rock Hounding

Beach Camping in Yurts

Beachcombing

Beach Driving

Beach Picnics

Berries, Cranberries, Wild Berries, Berry Foraging

Bibliography - General Information for Traveler's and Campers

Bibliography, Information, Reading, Resources

Bicycling

Bird Watching

Blog Reports of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Boat Usage, Kayaking, Canoeing

Books, Suggested Reading, Best Books

Camas

Camping in Yurts

Camping Notebooks

Canoeing and Kayaking

Cape Disappointment, Washington

Cape Lookout, Oregon

Castle Rock

Centralia

Charter Boats for Fishing and Tours (Westport, Ilwaco, Aberdeen, Astoria)

Clark County Population 425,000 Cities: Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground

Cloud Hands Blog By Michael P. Garofalo. Blogging since 2005.

Columbia River from Ilwaco to Vancouver

Columbia River Gorge

Counties in Southwestern Washington

Cowlitz County Population 102,000 Cities: Longview, Kelso; Columbia River, Mt. St. Helens, Cowlitz River, Cascades

Cowlitz Indian Peoples

Cowlitz River

Cranberries, Wild Berries, Berry Foraging

Day Picnics and Day Camping at the Beach

Driftwood Gathering, Beachcombing, Agate Hunting, Sea Shell Gathering

Driving on the Beach in Washington

Facebook of Michael P. Garofalo

Fishing

Food and Seafood

Foraging, Beachcombing, Walking

Fort Vancouver, Hudson Bay Company, 1825-1850, History

Four Days in Grayland Homepage

Four Days in Grayland Photographs and Blog Posts (Most Recent First)

Geology Coastal, Rock Hounding, Agate Hunting

Glamping: Camping in Yurts or Small Cabins, Camping Comforts

Good Books, Reading Lists, Bibliography

Gorge of the Columbia River

Grays Harbor

Grayland Beach

Grayland Beach Yurt Camping

Grays Harbor County Population 74,000 Cities: Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Montesano

Green Way Research Hypertext Notebooks of Michael P. Garofalo

Hiking Quotations, Sayings, Poems

Hiking Trails

Hoquiam

Ilwaco

Indians, Native Peoples in the Area

Information, Bibliography, Reading, Resources

Interstate 5 Travel Corridor from Olympia to Vancouver, Driving South

Inter-tidal Ocean Shores

Jetty Fishing

Kalama

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kelso

Kite Flying

Lewis County Population 75,000 Cities: Centralia, Chelais

Lewis River

Libraries

Long Beach City

Logging and Timber Mills Industry

Long Beach Peninsula

Longview

Lower Columbia River from Ilwaco East to Washougal

Marinas and Docks: Westport, Tokeland, South Bend, and Ilwaco

Michael P. Garofalo Biography

Months and Seasons Activities

Mushrooms Foraging

Naselle River

Native Peoples in the Area

Native Peoples, Lower Columbia River, North Side - Bibliography

Native Peoples Northwest - Bibliography

Olympia south to Vancouver, Interstate 5 Travel Corridor

Oregon - Northwest Coast, From Astoria to Cape Lookout

Oysters

Pacific County Population 23,000 Cities: Raymond, South Bend, Long Beach, Ilwaco

Photographs of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Photography

Pier Fishing

Raymond

Reading, Information, Bibliography, Resources

Reading, Bibliography - General Information

Reports of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Ridgefield

Rock Hounding, Agate Hunting, Coastal Geology

Seafood and Food

Sea Shell Gathering, Beachcombing, Agate Hunting

Seaside Nature Studies

Seaside Picnics and Day Camps

Seasonal Events

Seasons and Months Activities

Shellfish (Clams, Mussels, Oysters) and Seaweed

South Bend

Southwestern Washington - Notebooks, Studies, Travel

Southwestern Washington Home Alternate A

State Park Yurt Camping

String Figures, String Games and Play (he he)

Surf Fishing

Studies in Southwestern Washington

Swimming, Boogie Boarding, and Surfing

Timber Industry

Toledo

Trails and Paths

Vancouver, Washington

Videos from some Yurt Camping Trips

Wahkiakum County Population 4,000 Cities: Cathlamet, Skamokawa

Walking Trails

Walking Quotations, Sayings, Poems

Washington - Southwestern - Travel

Washougal

Westport

Wild Berries, Berry Foraging, Cranberries

Willapa Bay

Willapa Bay - Bibliography, Resources, Reading

Woodland

Yurt Camping

Yurt Camping Reports

Counties in Southwestern Washington

The geographical focus area of my Notebooks for Four Days in Grayland

Clark County Population 425,000 Cities: Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground; Columbia River, Cascades

Cowlitz County Population 102,000 Cities: Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock; Columbia River, Mt. St. Helens, Cowlitz River, Cascades

Grays Harbor County Population 74,000 Cities: Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Montesano; Chelais River, Grays Harbor

Lewis County Population 75,000 Cities: Centralia, Chelais, Pe Ell, Toledo, Packwood; Forestry, Agriculture, Chelais River, Cascades

Pacific County Population 23,000 Cities: Raymond, South Bend, Long Beach, Ilwaco; Willapa Bay, Long Beach Peninsula, Columbia River

Wahkiakum County Population 4,000 Cities: Cathlamet, Skamokawa; Columbia River, Willapa Hills, Grays River

The total population of these six Counties is 703,000 Except for Clark County, all of other five counties are in rural, forested, riverside or marine areas, famlands in valleys. Five of these six Counties have only small cities.

List and map of the Counties in the State of Washington

In contrast, the City of Portland, Oregon, across the Columbia River from Vancouver, has a population of 650,000; Mulnomath County, which includes Portland, has a population of 735,000, and the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 2,753,000.

Our two married children lived in Portland from 2000-2016 while we lived in Red Bluff, California, from 1998-2017. We traveled extensively in Oregon from 1999-2019. All our family now lives in Vancouver. Since my wife and I have lived in Vancouver, Washington, in the northeast Orchards neighborhood, from 2017-2022, we have traveled far more in Southwest Washington as well as the Columbia Gorge, and throughout Washington.

To drive south on Interstate 205 or 5 from Vancouver into Portland involves encountering considerable traffic and reduced speeds. It is 50 miles of urban and suburban development, and heavy traffic, from my home in Vancouver to Wilsonville, Oregon, and the start of the agricultural Willamette Valley. Most of the roads to the Oregon coast are very busy with business and tourists from larger Oregon cities heading to the beach.

To drive north on Interstates 205 or 5 from Vancouver is far easier, more scenic, with far less traffic, and faster. Interstate 5 and 205 meet just north of Vancouver in the Salmon Creek area. Interstate 5 follows the Columbia River from Vancouver to Longview. You can see the Columbia River from Woodland to Longview. The views include rivers, forest, hills, mountains, farmlands. The key roads to the coast for me are WA 4 and WA6, and both have little traffic, spectacular rural or riverside scenery, and driving through forests and farms.

So to get to my imaginary and the real "Grayland Beach" I drive north into Southwest Washington.

Michael P. Garofalo

Mike Garofalo at the Klickitat River in Southwest Washington, 2019

Cloud Hands Blog of Michael P. Garofalo

Facebook of Michael P. Garofalo

Return to the Alphabetical Index of Mike Garofalo's Hypertext Documents

Green Way Research

January 23, 2022

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Long Beach Peninsula

Coastal Southwestern Washington State
Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports
By Michael P. Garofalo

January 8, 2022

Bramble: A bramble is any rough, tangled, prickly shrub, usually in the genus Rubus, which grows blackberries, raspberries, or dewberries. "Bramble" is also used to describe other prickly shrubs such as roses. Wikipedia

"Ilwaco: this town was named for the son-in-law of Chinook Chief Comcomly, Elowahka Jim which then became Ilwaco. ... The name “Mukilteo” means “good camping ground.” Nahcotta: this community is named for Chinook chief Nahcati who was friendly with the American settlers when the town was established in 1888."

"Ocean Park was once a station on the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company, a narrow gauge railroad that ran along the Long Beach Peninsula from 1889 to 1930.[4] One of the oldest buildings in Pacific County is the Taylor Hotel building, built in 1887, currently in use as Adelaide's Cafe and Yarnshop named after Adelaide Taylor, the wife of the original hotel owner. The oldest building in Ocean Park is the Lamberson Cabin, built in 1883 by Buell Lamberson. The cabin has been kept in private family ownership through the generations for the use of Lamberson descendants."

The Columbia River channel begins at the Columbia River bar and continues five miles upriver at a depth of 55 feet and a width of 2,640 feet. After which, it maintains a depth of 43 feet and a width of 600 feet for 100 miles to the Portland Harbor.

The Quinault Indian Nation is a federally recognized tribe of Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Hoh, Chehalis, Chinook, and Cowlitz people. They are a Southwestern Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Bridge of the Gods, Mountains of Fire: A Return to the Columbia Gorge. Text and photos by Chuck Williams. Elephant Mountain Arts, Hood River, Oregon and Friends of the Earth. 1993, 191 pages. Excellent coverage of the Native Peoples of the Columbia River from John Day Dam to Astoria. Nine-tenths of the Native population along the river died from communicable diseases from 1800-1840. History of European settlement from 1830 to 1900 is chronicled. An excellent collection of photographs. FVRL = Fort Vancouver Regional Library System.

Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians. By Hilary Stewart. University of Washington, 1984, index, 192 pages. Detailed illustrations and a few photographs. TRL.

Legends of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. By Roy I. Wilson. Cowlitz Indian Tribe, 1998, 401 pages. VSCL.

Native Americans of the Pacific Coast: Peoples of the Sea Wind. By Vinson Brown. Happy Camp, 1985, 272 pages. FVRL.

Peoples of the Northwest Coast: Their Archaeology and Prehistory. By Kenneth M. Ames. Thames and Hudson, 1999, 288 pages. FVRL.

Stone, Bone, Antler and Shell: Artifacts of the Northwest Coast. By Hilary Stewart. University of Washington, 1996, 140 pages. FVRL.

Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, Or, Trade Language of Oregon. By George Gibbs, 1863. Cramoisy Press, New York. DCJ Gibbs 1863. Free public domain Kindle E-book. Sagwan Press, 2015, 88 pages. VSCL.

Chinuk Wawa: Kakwa nsayka ulman-tilixam laska munk-kemteks nsayka / As Our Elders Teach Us to Speak It. By the Chinuk Wawa Dictionary Project. 400 pages, 2012. Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Oregon. FVRL.

Making Wawa: The Genesis of Chinook Jargon. By George Lang. UBC Press, 2018, 216 pages.

The Chinook Jargon and How to Use It: A Complete and Exhaustive Lexicon of the Trade Language. By George Coombs Shaw. Franklin Classics, 2018, 88 pages. VSCL.

Grayland Birding: Midway Beach Road "Located just south of Grayland Beach State Park, the beach access area near Midway Beach Road is a popular spot for shorebirds migrating through the region. In the spring months, there will be over twenty species of shorebirds in this area, highlighted by the “Streaked” Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs that frequent this stretch of beach. Even in the off-season, huge flocks of pelicans have been spotted near this area, which is quite rare to see this far north. With eagles constantly flying around and the occasional blue heron sighting, Midway Beach is a fun place to avoid the more crowded parks and have a great time birding."

Grayland Beach Area Vehicle Access Roads to Drive on the Beach: Midway Beach Road, Cranberry Beach Road, Bonge,

Grayland Beach Area Vehicle Parking Closer to Shore [all have restrooms except for North Cove]: Tokeland, North Cove, Westport Jetty, Westport Lighthouse.

Grayland Beach Beachcombing: "Grayland has hands down the best beachcombing in the Grays Harbor County. Grayland is part of a 12 mile stretch of sandy beach line with plentiful sand dollars, driftwood, bullwhip kelp, sea creatures, cool rocks, shells and incredible amounts of flotsam. The locals host an annual Driftwood art and Glass float hunt each year. Because of this, beachcombing can get competitive, especially after a big storm. Arrive early to inspect the high tide line and follow the tide out. You can drive on this beach, but beware of soft sand at the beach approaches to the north. The best shell and driftwood collections are to the south. Cross a few streams and you will soon find the sand scattered with driftwood, moon shells and periwinkles." 5 Best

Grayland Beach SP Surf Fishing SEE Surf Fishing Nearby Westport has many jetty, dock, boardwalk, pier, and charter boat fishing options.

Forks Population 3,500 OP Olympic Park Region

Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo

Four Days in Grayland Index

Four Days in Grayland, Part I Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay: A Traveler's Hypertext Notebook and Guide

Four Days in Grayland, Part II Grayland Beach: A Camper's Hypertext Notebook, Studies, and Comments

Four Days in Grayland, Part III Photographs, Blog Posts, and Notes from 2021-2022

Four Days in Grayland, Part IV Reflections of a Beachcomber: Poetry, Short Essays, Reports, Commentary, Quotations

Return to Top Index

Hiking, Walking, Hiking Trails, Walking Paths, Bicycle Paths, Beachcombing

Ocean Beaches, 15 miles of wide sandy beaches and sand dunes from North Cove to Westport.

Johns River Wildlife Area Images Near Westport SS History Game Farm Road off 105 Walking trails, boat launch

Walking Quotations, Reflections, and Information. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo.

Westport State Park - Westport Light Trail Images Westport Dunes Trail SS

Bottle Beach State Park Near Westport SS Bird Watching Area, Mudflats, Swamps

Willapa Hills State Park Trail Near South Bend-Raymond, and 56 miles to Chelais. Former railroad route

Return to Top Index

History

Native American tribes have lived in the Grays Harbor region for over 8,000 years. They were expert fishermen, hunters and gatherers. They made good canoes, were expert sea fishermen, and could travel considerable distances by canoe. They built more weather secure wood homes inland for winter, and temporary shelter camps near shorelines, rivers, and lakes for better seasonal hunting and gathering. They knew when the bird migrations, or peak razor clam times, or best kelp beds, or seasonal salmon runs would provide more needed food for eating and drying. The abundant local natural resources for food, and the ingenuity and customs of these hardy people provided life for countless generations.

Native American coastal tribes in the Olympic Peninsula, Chelais River Valley, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay areas included: Chelais, Chinook, Clatsop, Copalis, Cowlitz, Hoh, Makah, Klallam, Muckleshoot, Niqqually, Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Shoalwater Bay, and Willapa. Here is a list of some of the books I have read about Native American People and the Cultures of the coastal Northwest.

On May 7, 1792, a Yankee commercial sailing ship from Boston arrived in Grays Harbor. The Captain of this merchant vessel was Robert Gray. He and Captain George Vancouver were exploring and documenting this area at the same time in separate sailing ships. Later that year, Captain Gray, in his ship Columbia, crossed the bar and entered the Columbia River at Astoria. The Spanish, Russians, French, British and Americans were all fur trapping in these areas from Vancouver Island to the Columbia River.

By 1805, President Jefferson had the Lewis and Clark Expedition survey and document American interests from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Northwest Pacific coast. Fort Vancouver Washington was founded in 1825 by The Hudson Bay Company. The Treaty of 1818 and Oregon Treaty of 1846 between England and USA were significant. All the Olympic Peninsula covered in this webpage became a Territory of the USA in 1848, and Washington became a State of the USA in 1889.

Settlement by Europeans began in the 1850-1870's in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay coastal areas. The Europeans developed many fishing, lumber, farm, commercial, retail, shipping, tourism, professional and other businesses. Tourism in Ocean Shores, Aberdeen, Westport, Long Beach and Ilwaco has been important since 1960. However, Northwest coastal winters are wet, cold, windy, and only for tougher tourist souls. It is very hard to make a living in these small coastal towns of the Olympic Peninsula, so incomes, opportunities, and populations are still low in the area.

Documentation, maps, research, books, libraries, Net ... The Native American Cultures of the northwest coast were fishermen, hunters, and gatherers. They had no iron tools. They were preliterate cultures of storytellers, singers, dancers, and chanters. The Europeans coming after 1790 were sailors, traders, merchants, farmers, explorers, as well as storytellers, singers and dancers; and, a few were writers, map makers (William Clark), accountants, administrators (John McLoughlin), scientists (David Douglas), reporters, and book users. The University of Washington was founded in 1861. What I can know about the past rests largely on my reading research, travels to museums and locales, and my curiosity. This webpage primarily covers Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.

The Last Wilderness: A History of the Olympic Peninsula

The Pacific Northwest: An Interpretive History By Carlos Arnaldo Schwantes, 1996.

Coast Country: A History of Southwest Washington. By Lucile Saunders McDonald, 1966.

Contested Boundaries: A New Pacific Northwest History. By David J. Jepsen and David J. Norberg. Wiley-Blackwell, 2017, 416 pages. FVRL

Return to Top Index

Kite Flying NS SS WB

Kite Store: Ocean Shores Kites, and one store in Westport

The wide beaches of Ocean Shores and Twin Harbors are excellent for flying kites.

Stunt Kites: A Complete Flight Manual of Maneuverable Kites. By David Gomberg. Cascade Kites, 1994, 89 pages. VSCL.

Kites: I own a variety of kites. I fly single string kites. I fly two string stunt kites. Yes, you can learn to launch a site by yourself. The beaches at Twin Harbors or Ocean Shores are very wide and there is plenty of room for safe kite flying.

Return to Top Index

Libraries in the area are part of the Timberland Regional Public Library System. Besides nice, clean, and comfortable facilities these public libraries offer books, media, Net access, magazines, etc. Often, the local public library has information on local history, recreation, travel, and natural history. I worked for the County of Los Angeles Public Library System from 1974-1998. I currently have library cards at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (FVRL) and the Timberland Regional Library System (TRL).

Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. By Steve Trudell and Joe Ammirati, 2009.

Music Playing I own a wide variety of albums in MP3 format that I loaded on a memory chip into my cellphone. I bring earphones and a small USB bluetooth speaker.

Musical Instrument Playing: My harmonicas [C, Am] Bring your guitar, flute, harmonica ...

Return to Top Index

Native American tribes have lived in the Grays Harbor region for over 8,000 years. They were expert fishermen and canoe travelers. Such tribes in the Olympic Peninsula and Chelais River Valley and Grays Harbor included: Chelais, Chinook, Copalis, Hoh, Makah, Klallam, Muckleshoot, Niqqually, Quinault, Shoalwater Bay. Here is a list of some of the books I have read about Native American People and Cultures of the Northwest. Read more History of Native Americans in this area.

Return to Top Index

Photography: I have all the gear for a Canon Single Lens Reflex camera. I own a Samsung A20 cellphone with a very good camera. Eventually, by the end of 2022, all the photographs in Four Days in Grayland will have been taken by either Michael P. Garofalo or Blanche Karen Garofalo. I use software from Corel Paint Shop Pro 2020.

Seasons and Months

Winter Season

Damp, cold, an average of 47F high, and often rainy weather. Bring your rain gear.
Beachcombing, Clam Digging Crabbing Reading Walking Quotations and Poetry Fishing
Put on good (examples): rain pants, rain coat, boots, and warm clothes and use an umbrella to go walking and beachcombing.
If your walking in the surf or shallow rivers or surf fishing you might need chest waders.
Use indoor facilities (museums, libraries, stores, cafes/bars, your car) to deal with the rain, wind, chilly days, and fog of the coast.
If you don't have hobbies to do while just sitting indoors, then get some. Nature Studies
Take care when driving on wet roads and encountering pooled water on WA105; and take care in fogging mornings.
Storm Watching

Spring Season
May and June have mild, an average of 56F high, and fairly clear weather.
Bird Migrations Clam Digging Beachcombing Fishing Kite Flying Walking Bicycling
Festivals/Contests Quotations and Poetry Nature Studies Reading

Summer Season
The weather is pleasant, an average of 65F high, and rain free.
Fishing Tourists/Families Kite Flying Beachcombing   Surfing Walking
Bicycling Festivals Quotations and Poetry   Nature Studies   Tent Camping   Reading

Autumn Fall Season
The weather is pleasant in early Autumn, and colder and wetter in later Autumn. A range of 52F to 67F highs; and 7 to 18 days of rain each month. Bring your rain gear.
Activities Quotations and Poetry Nature Studies Fishing Reading Clamming Season Beachcombing

By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Like a Local by Nancy Blakey, 2018. Roughly arranged by the four seasons.

Every Month of the Year: Beachcombing, Fishing, Camping, Reading, Observing, Learning, Exploring, Your Hobbies

January
Weather: 12 inches of rain total from 18 days.
Quotations and Poetry
Yurt Camping
Storm Watching

February
Weather: 8 inches of rain total from 15 days.
Quotations and Poetry
Yurt Camping
Storm Watching

March
Weather: 8 inches of rain total from 17 days.
Quotations and Poetry
Yurt Camping
Whale Watching

April
Weather: 6 inches of rain total from 14 days.
Quotations and Poetry
Fishing in the many rivers and streams that flow into Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor
Bird Migration Peak - Bottle Beach, Midway Road, Estuaries
Fishing
Whale Watching

May
Weather: 3 inches of rain total from 7 days.
Bird Migration Peak - Bottle Beach, Midway Road, Estuaries
Fishing in the many rivers and streams that flow into Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor
Quotations and Poetry Walking Kites Fishing
Whale Watching

June
Weather: 2 inches of rain total from 7 days.
Quotations and Poetry Walking Kites
Fishing Tent Camping

July
Weather: 1 inch of rain total from 3 days.
Quotations and Poetry Walking
Kites Fishing
Tent Camping
Boat trips for watching birds on the ocean

August
Weather: 2 inches of rain total from 3 days.
Quotations and Poetry Walking
Kites Fishing
Tent Camping
Boat trips for watching birds on the ocean

September
Cranberries, Cranberry harvesting
Quotations and Poetry
Weather: 4 inches of rain total from 7 days.
Surf Fishing for Red Tail Surf Perch
Clam Digging Variable Season
Walking Kites Fishing
Tent Camping
Salmon runs in the rivers

October
Cranberries Cranberry harvesting, Festival Fun Run/Walk
Quotations and Poetry Surf Fishing
Weather: 7 inches of rain total from 13 days.
Clam Digging Variable Season Halloween
Yurt Camping
Salmon runs in the rivers

November
Weather: 13 inches of rain total from 18 days.
Quotations and Poetry Surf Fishing
Yurt Camping
Storm Watching

December
Weather: 12 inches of rain total from 18 days.
Quotations and Poetry
Yurt Camping
Christmas activities and lights
Storm Watching

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Storm Watching, Winter Storms, Extreme High Tides, Flooding

Storm Watching Article in The Daily News about a November 60 mph wind storm wave surge with photo of the Westport Tower by Greg Jacobs.

Where to Storm Watch on the Grays Harbor Coast and Tips for Storm Watching by Douglas Scott.

Twin Harbors Beaches are those sandy, wide, ocean facing beaches from Westport to Tokeland. Westport is on the south shore entrance to Grays Harbor and Tokeland is on the north shore entrance to Willapa Bay. Hence, the area is called "Twin Harbors." Midway Road Beach, Grayland Beach State Park, Twin Harbors State Park, and Westhaven State Park are all parts of the Twin Harbors Beaches Area. Clam season announcements refer to Twin Harbors regulations.

Weather, Climate, Air, Clouds, Fog, Wind, Rain, Frost

Annual Climate or Weather Patterns in Westport or Ocean Shores in Grays Habor

Month High Low Rainfall Inches Rain Days

January 47 38 12 18

February 50 38 8 15

March 53 40 8 17

April 56 42 6 14

May 60 46 3 10

June 64 50 2 7

July 67 53 1 3

August 68 54 2 3

September 67 51 4 7

October 60 46 7 13

November 52 41 13 18

December 47 37 12 18

"Occasionally also termed "Cool-summer Mediterranean climate", this subtype of the Mediterranean climate (Csb) is a less common form of the Mediterranean climate. As stated earlier, regions with this subtype of the Mediterranean climate experience warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 22 °C (72 °F) during its warmest month and an average in the coldest month between 18 and −3 °C (64 and 27 °F) or, in some applications, between 18 and 0 °C (64 and 32 °F). Also, at least four months must average above 10 °C (50 °F). Cool ocean currents and upwelling are often the reason for this cooler type of Mediterranean climate. The other main reason for this cooler type is the altitude. Winters are rainy and can be mild to chilly. In a few instances, snow can fall on these areas. Precipitation occurs in the colder seasons, but there are a number of clear sunny days even during the wetter seasons. Csb climates are found in in the Pacific Northwest (namely western Washington, western Oregon and southern portions of Vancouver Island in British Columbia." - Wikipedia

Current Weather Report and Week Ahead Predictions for Westport Westport averages 76 inches of rain each year. Westport Climate

The summer high in August is around 68 degrees. The winter low in January is 38. There are 127 sunny days in Westport. Westport gets some kind of precipitation, on the average, 193 days per year or 53% of the year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. Westport averages 1 inch of snow a year.

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Westport

Westport Population: 2,100 SS Google Map Images

Westport is a busy small fishing port. The marina features a long wide boardwalk, many gift and food shops on Westhaven Drive, and many beautiful boats moving in and out of the docks. There are many jetties and rock groins that were built to protect the Westport Harbor area. Around the marina are many cabins, motels, and RV parks. Warehouses and fish processing plants set a backdrop for the marina. There is fishing from the south jetty, harbor jetty, boardwalks, docks, and a quite long pier. In this area is a dramatic four story observation tower, lighthouse and a maritime museum.

Westport Weather: Current Weather Report and Week Ahead Predictions for Westport Westport averages 76 inches of rain each year.

The marina features many highly regarded charter fishing boats and services. Westport Charter Fishing Services Images of charter fishing out of Westport.
I've read that some boats charter out for whale watching and bird watching. Back in the 1890's, Westport Harbor welcomed sea vessels hunting whales. Westport Marina is the largest on the Pacific Coast of Washington.

"Westport is the "sports fishing capital of the world" and can be quite busy during the summer salmon, halibut, and albacore tuna season. Salmon fishing is also done in the boat basin as is crabbing for Rock and Dungeoness Crabs. Surf fishing for Sea Perch occurs along the southern beaches and jetty fishing for Sea Bass, Greenling, Perch, and Ling Cod is common. Whale watching trips both inside the harbor and on the ocean are popular from early March through May." - Bob Morse

South of the Westport marina is Montesano Main Street with services, supplies, supermarket, banks, stores, cafes, coffee, churches, schools, library, medical, motels, etc., all for a working class city of 2,100 people.

There is surfing and boogie boarding at the south jetty. Westhaven State Park. Picnic areas, restrooms, beachcombing, surf fishing, beach trails, surfing.

The majority of the in-land homes and apartments are older, smaller, showing the effects of the sea climate, and humbler. Small is beautiful, and affordable for family median incomes of $41,000. A few large beautiful homes and big condominiums in prime high dune locations overlooking the sea near the Lighthouse area.

I tent or yurt camp at Grayland Beach State Park, and sometimes at the larger Twin Harbors Beach State Park. Both are close to Westport.

Westport is 25 miles southwest from Aberdeen. Westport is 33 miles north of Raymond. Westport is 6 miles north of the Grayland Beach Community.

You are allowed to drive safely, weather and tides permitting, on the "driveable beach" from the Westport Lighthouse to Grayland's Cranberry Beach Road.

On a clear day you can see across the bar of Grays Harbor (5 miles) to the many large condominiums, large expensive homes, big hotels and extensive development on Ocean Shores that were built after 1990. Also, from the Westport tower you can see off into the north the the Quinault River mountain ranges.

Westport Harbor Images

Westport Sightseeing An extensive hypertext Visitor's Guide to Westport

Westport Images SS

Westport: Grays Harbor Lighthouse State Park A long paved bike path connects to light house, Westhaven and Westport docks.

Westport: Maritime Museum

Westport Timberland Library

Westport: Pier, Float Dock 20, Fisherman's Boardwalk Images

Westport SEE ALSO Fishing, Clam Digging, Cranberries, Crabbing, Jetties, Kites, Beachcombing

Westport Restaurants

Westport Lodging Chateau Westport Resort is the largest. Plenty of RV parks, B&B, and homes for rent.

Westport Seafood Markets

Westport: Things to Do Activities

Westport: Twin Harbors State Park

Westport: South Jetty Fishing SS

Westport Winery and Garden Resort SS 13 miles east of Wesport on WA105

Westport Viewing Tower

Westport Weather: Current Weather Report and Week Ahead Predictions for Westport Westport averages 76 inches of rain each year.

Nearby Attractions for Westport

Bottle Beach State Park Near Westport SS Bird Watching Area, Mudflats, Swamps

Grayland Beach State Park 6 miles south of Westport. Beach access, picnic, restrooms. My Campsite by the Sea!

Johns River Wildlife Area Images Near Westport SS History Game Farm Road off 105 Walking trails, boat launch, river estuary

Tokeland Population 200 Willapa Bay Images Small harbor, boat ramps, jetty, RV parks. Shoalwater Casino. Restaurant. Historic hotel.

Storm Watching

Day Trips from Westport [Round Trip]

Aberdeen Area 60 miles

Ocean Shores Area 96 Miles

Quniault Lake and Quinault Rain Forest Area 150 miles

Raymond and South Bend Area 90 miles

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Comments, Notes, Topics, Introduction

Traveling from Vancouver to Westport or Ocean Shores

We live in Vancouver, Washington, a suburb of Portland Metro. We are a retired couple in our mid 70's.

The first way to get to Westport (Tour 1) is as follows: From Kelso-Longview to US101 near Naselle via WA4 it is 62 (100 km) miles. From Naselle to Raymond it is 36 miles (57 km), and from Raymond to Westport on WA105 it is 33 miles (53 km); for a total driving distance of 131 miles (210 km). These are all well maintained State and Federal highways, wide, nicely paved, generally flat, with ample turnout options, and small communities and towns (Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Rosburg, South Bend, Raymond and Westport) for supplies and services along the roads.

This is very scenic drive that will take you along the north side of the Columbia River, through the Willapa Hills, winding along fertile river valleys, weaving along the east and north sides of the dramatic wide Willapa Bay, passing over numerous beautiful river estuaries, looking around in the small coastal towns, and finally cruising by the wide straight beaches of Westport.

The second way we can drive to Ocean Shores or Westport is as follows: Drive north on the Interstate 5 Freeway from Vancouver to Olympia, for 100 miles. Drive from Olympia to Aberdeen on a divided four lane highway, WA 8 and WA 12, for 50 miles. Drive from Aberdeen to either Ocean Shores or Westport, two lane highway, for about 25 miles. A total distance of 175 miles, one way, for a 4.5 hour drive or less. This route can be very busy with heavy traffic going to and from the Ocean Shores and Aberdeen areas from the big cities of Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle. You can take WA 12 from Centralia to Elma and save some driving distance to Ocean Shores, and avoid the Olympia area traffic congestion. There are a number of scenic alternate routes to get to Westport.

The third way we can drive to Westport is: Drive north on the Interstate 5 Freeway from Vancouver to Chelais, for 79 miles. Drive west on WA 6 though Pe Ell to Raymond, for 52 miles. You will drive on an excellent two lane road (WA 6) through lovely forested country and agricultural valleys, and encounter very little traffic. Then, drive northwest on WA 105 along the coast from Raymond through Tokeland and north to Westport, for 33 miles. Total distance: 164 miles, about 4 hours of easy driving with very little traffic from Chelais to Westport. I camp at Grayland Beach State Park or Twin Harbors State Park, both within 6 miles south of Westport. This drive is more peaceful, less stressful, and more beautiful than the drive to Ocean Shores.

A round trip to either Westport or Ocean Shores from Vancouver, and some local driving, is around 400 miles. My Ford Escape AWD Titanium can get around 25 mpg. Current regular gasoline prices can go up to $4.00 a gallon. Therefore, gasoline costs for this 400 mile round trip adventure run about $65.00.

US Highway 101 is THE ROAD in the Olympic Peninsula region.
It is a two lane road the entire distance on US 101 from Ilwaco to Olympia, 352 miles. Slow down and enjoy the drive. Be careful when coming upon bicyclists. Be careful of cross traffic from little roads, lanes, and driveways. Drive north from Ilwaco on the Columbia River up the Willapa Bay, then to Raymond, then Aberdeen (70 miles). Drive north from Aberdeen to Hoquiam, Lake Quinault, Forks, and Lake Crescent (141 miles). Drive east to Port Angeles, Sequim, and Discovery Bay (55 miles). Drive south on US 101 down the Hood Canal to Hoodsport, Shelton, and Olympia (86 miles). I grew up in the Bandini barrio in East Los Angeles in 1950 just four blocks from US 101.

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Coastal Camping

In 2022, I plan to camp four days and three nights at Grayland Beach State Park every month. I will stay in a yurt (Oct-Mar) or a tent (Apr-Sep).
Therefore, Grayland Beach will be the central point for my explorations of the southern side of Gray's Harbor and the northern side of Willapa Bay.
Here are My Reports on Camping.

I go camping in a tent or yurt by myself in both Washington and Oregon. I mostly camp on the Washington coast. I go camping with Karen, my wife, sometimes, in a Yurt. We are experienced campers. We also travel and stay together yurts, cabins, cottages, B&B, motels, hotels, casinos, and resorts on the Washington and Oregon Coast.

Four Days in Grayland, Part I Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay: A Traveler's Hypertext Notebook and Guide.

Four Days in Grayland, Part II Grayland Beach: A Camper's Hypertext Notebook, Studies, and Comments.

Four Days in Grayland, Part III Reports and photos of my Grayland Beach camping adventures.

Four Days in Grayland, Part IV Reflections of a Beachcomber: Poetry, Short Essays, Commentary January 2022-

I strongly recommend that you use the online reservation system to reserve a tent campground site or yurt campground site at the Grayland Beach State Park. The campground was full all the times I have visited Grayland Beach. You will need to think and plan ahead. During peak summer usage, during kite flying events and contests, during peak low tide clamming season dig openings, surf perch fishing contests, salmon runs, etc., the beaches and coastal cities are always very crowded and the campsites are far less or not available. I always reserve a yurt campsite or tent campsite online many months ahead of time.

State Parks varing during the "off season" of "lower" usage (September 15 - May 15 each year) often it is first come first served only with no reservations for tent campsites (e.g., Ocean City SP).

Ocean City State Park. Here are some images of the campground. This is a good campground that is very close to Ocean Shores. There are beautiful forested campsites. It is quiet. You can sometimes reserve a campsite online for $25.00, but at other times first come first served. There are some full utility campsites. No yurts or cabins. From the campground you can take a long walk to the beach. Lot's of marshes and swampy areas near the campground. There are many streets that lead out to the beach in Ocean Shores, and you can drive on the beach in Washington. The campground is about four miles from the Ocean Shores business center. My Camp: 2021 08 18-20. NS

Twin Harbors State Park Westport. This is a busy, large, and decent campground close to Westport. Here are some images of this campground. April, Karen, Mick, and I have stayed in nice clean wood cabins and camped at Twin Harbors SP for two years. Shore pines. We plan to do clam digging, fishing, nature walks, seaside exploring, kite flying, sumptuous meals, dog walks, hunting for mushrooms, chit chat, drinking, staring at the waves ... My Camp: 2020 08. Our Camp: 2020 10 4-7. Our Camp: 2021 10, 3-6. SS. A campsite here costs $25 a night, and a wood cabin or Yurt rental for $80.00. Nearby Grayland State Park is also an option for the Westport area.

Grayland Beach State Park My 'Campsite by the Edge of the Sea.' Grayland Beach and Community. Westport You can book specific Yurts and campsites all year online.

Bruceport County Park South Bend Wallapa Bay Lovely setting on cliffside but mostly rough, small, unleveled campsites.

Cape Disappointment State Park WB Ilwaco Yurts and tent campsites.

Fort Stevens State Park Oregon Astoria Yurts and tent campsites.

Nehalem Bay State Park Oregon Manzanita Yurts and tent campsites.

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For camping at Grayland Beach State Park
during the colder and wetter months of November through March,
I prefer using a Yurt (@ $80 per night).

I think a Yurt is just dandy for one or two people. First, you are in a campground in a forest of shore pines, adjacent to sand dunes, and can easily walk to the beach. Second, I prefer a Yurt so as have a secure place to stay warm and dry, off the ground, out of the wind, and out of the rain. Third, $80 a night to reserve a Yurt is cheaper than a typical cottage, B&B, motel or hotel room cost in Westport or Aberdeen. Fourth, all the Yurts I have used are clean, neat, and simple. Fifth, cooking and eating at your Yurt campsite can save you money and travel time. Sixth, you can avoid contact with other people during in this COVID pandemic.

A canvas Yurt is a circular domed tent 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. It has a skylight vent, screened windows (closed or open), hardwood floors, heavy canvas and plastic covers, and a locking door. It has a 120 AC electrical outlet, a light, and an electric heater. It has a padded bunk bed and a padded futon couch bed, a small table, and sometimes wood chairs. I bring a extension cord and small electric lamp for reading, a comfortable chair, and a small portable table.

Each Yurt site has a small to large raised covered deck outside the front door. The site includes a picnic table and a fireplace pit. There is usually a nice paved driveway in front of the Yurt. There is room for a tent and most Yurt campsites.

Rules vary in Washington and Oregon about how many people can reserve and use a Yurt site, adding tents to a Yurt site, adding extra cars to a Yurt site, adding an RV or trailer or truck and boat to a Yurt site, adding pets to a Yurt site, etc. Some Yurts have handicapped access. I costs me $80.00 per night to reserve a Yurt site at Grayland Beach State Park (no extra fees/taxes).

You cannot cook inside a Yurt; you must cook at the outside picnic table. You can eat at the picnic table or on the covered porch.

You cannot smoke inside a Yurt. You may or may not be allowed to make a fire in the fireplace. There is often a ban on any kind of camp fires during dry seasons.

A Yurt does not have a toilet. You must use the public restrooms. There are public restrooms nearby. In a tent or yurt I have secure containers for safely storing my urine; so that I don't have to make any nighttime trips outside the yurt to pee. Some of us old people need to pee more often at night. Dispose of your black/yellow water in the morning in the public restroom. Use simple, clean, smell free, and dry alternatives.

A Yurt does not have water inside the Yurt. There are numerous public water spigots in the campground and at Yurt campsites.

Both Yurt and many tent campsites do have major RV and trailer electrical and water services for $30.00 more.

You bring your own bedding, covers, play and recreational gear, cooking kitchen, food, clothing, gear and supplies.

Beach Activities I enjoy: Sitting and staring, thinking and day dreaming, walking around, reading, photography, surf fishing, clam digging, long vigorous walks, practicing Taijiquan or Qigong, beachcombing for little treasures, kite flying, frolicking in the surf, playing games, doing nature studies, playing a harmonica, smelling the sea, listening to the waves, writing, working with tools, reading, using waders, staying warm, ... For rest, I sit and stare, sit or lay down in my beach tent, lay on the cushion in the back of my my Junior RV Ford Escape or sit inside the Escape for warmth, doze and sleep. I have a stove, teapot, and hot water for tea and coffee and instant foods. I bring a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, dried fish or beef, good bread, and goodies to eat; and, bring a couple of grams of cannabis and apricot brandy.

You are allowed to drive your automobile on Washington coast beaches. This is a significant advantage. I don't drive far from the gravel road entrance to get to a quiet empty spot to set up my day beach camp. My AWD Ford Escape, Junior RV, handles beach driving with ease. At Grayland Beach State Park, there is a paved and gravel road from 105 to the beach called Cranberry Beach Road that is adjacent to the north side of Grayland Beach State Park.

Beach Day-Use Campsites NS SS

Be prepared at all times with plenty of good outdoor clothing to make you safe and comfortable in the cool, windy and damp environment of the Northwest seashore. It is often cold, foggy, breezy, and overcast and the sea temperatures are low [55 Fº]. Only a few diehard surfers in wetsuits brave swimming in the jetty summer swells at Westport. This ain't Huntington Beach in SoCal! Plan to dress for cold weather!! Wear sturdy shoes for long walks and beachcombing; and waterproof boots for wading in the water. Waders might be needed for clam digging and surf fishing. Bring some rain gear, towels, poncho. If you get wet, clothes dry slowly or not at all; therefore, have plenty of warm outdoor clothes to change into if you get wet. The proper clothing can make outdoor activity comfortable and ready for adventures in all kinds of coastal weather.

SUV RVing: How to Travel, Camp, Sleep, Explore, and Thrive in the Ultimate Tiny House. By Tristan Higbee. 2016, 115 pages. VSCL.

Traveling and Car Camping: Equipment Choices, Checklists, and Organizing Ideas for Your Tent Camping Trips. By D. W. Penn. 2019, 143 pages. VSCL.

Yurt Camping in the Northwest

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Bibliography - Washington

Karen and I have lived in the City of Vancouver, in Clark County, in the Southwestern side of the State of Washington, since April of 2017.

I write about these short travel adventures in my Cloud Hands Blog. Follow the adventures by the Category Labels: Oregon, Southwestern Washington, Washington, Travel, Camping.

Maps for Washington State

We have traveled a number of times in the State of Washington and have stayed in motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, cabins, yurts, or campgrounds in the following cities or areas: Bay View State Park near Mr. Vernon, Bellingham, Cape Disappointment State Park, Kalaloch, Lake Crescent, La Wis Wis Campground near Packwood, Long Beach, Horseshoe Lake below Mount Adams, Kanasat-Palmer State Park near Enumclaw, Grayland Beach State Park near Westport, Kennewick, Leavenworth, Seattle, Seaview, Skamokava, Spokane, Spirit Lake near Mt. St. Helens, Toppenish, Twin Harbors State Park near Westport, Vancouver, Wenatchee, Whidby Island, Winthrop, and Yakima.

An Explorer's Guide: Washington. By Denise Fainberg. Woodstock, Vermont, Second Edition, 2012. Index, 512 pages. ISBN: 978-0881509748. VSCL.

Atomic Frontier Days: Hanford and the American West. By John M. Findlay and Bruce W. Hevly. Emil and Kathleen Sick Book Series in Western History and Biography. University of Washington Press, 2011. Index, bibliography, notes, 384 pages. ISBN: 978-0295990972. FVRL. The story of the Hanford nuclear products production plants (1942-1990) and toxic nuclear waster storage (1950-) along the Columbia River; and the development of the nearby cities of Richmond, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington.

Beacon Rock State Park. Columbia River Gorge.

Blog Posts to the Cloud Hands Blog by Mike Garofalo regarding travel adventures in Washington State.

Backroads & Byways of Washington: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions. By Archie Satterfield. Woodstock, Vermont, The Countryman Press, 2010. 165 pages. ISBN: 9780881508253. VSCL.

Battle Ground Lake State Park, Clark County, Washington. Campground, yurts, lake fishing, hiking. Nearby Moulton Falls is popular. Images. Lewisville Park, a Clark County Regional Park, is just a few miles north of the City of Battle Ground - a lovely riverside park. [I once watched at this park a few people being Baptized in the river on a summer day.]

The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest. By J. Guane Sept. Harbor Publishing, 1999, 244 pages. VSCL.

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Bridge of the Gods - Ancient Avalanche. Cascade Locks area of the Columbia River.

Here is the "Bridge of the Gods Legend" told by the Klickitats.

"In their tale, the chief of all the gods, Tyhee Saghalie and his two sons, Pahto (also called Klickitat) and Wy'east, traveled down the Columbia River from the Far North in search of a suitable area to settle. They came upon an area that is now called The Dalles and thought they had never seen a land so beautiful. The sons quarreled over the land and to solve the dispute, their father shot two arrows from his mighty bow; one to the north and the other to the south. Pahto followed the arrow to the north and settled there while Wy'east did the same for the arrow to the south. Saghalie then built Tanmahawis, the Bridge of the Gods, so his family could meet periodically. When the two sons of Saghalie both fell in love with a beautiful maiden named Loowit, she could not choose between them. The two young chiefs fought over her, burying villages and forests in the process. The area was devastated and the earth shook so violently that the huge bridge fell into the river, creating the Cascades Rapids of the Columbia River Gorge. For punishment, Saghalie struck down each of the lovers and transformed them into great mountains where they fell. Wy'east, with his head lifted in pride, became the volcano known today as Mount Hood, and Pahto, with his head bent toward his fallen love, was turned into Mount Adams. The fair Loowit became Mount St. Helens, known to the Klickitats as Louwala-Clough which means "smoking or fire mountain" in their language (the Sahaptin called the mountain Loowit)."

Bridge of the Gods. Columbia River bridge near Cascade Locks and Bonneville Dam.

Bridging a Great Divide: The Battle for the Columbian River Gorge. By Kathie Durbin. Oregon State University Press, 2013, 312 pages, Index, bibliography, notes. VSCL.

Cape Disappointment State Park near Seaside and Ilwaco, Washington. I've camped at the state park before, and stayed at a motel and cabin in Seaside. We attended the kite festival in Seaside in August of 2018. I once went to the emergency hospital in Ilwaco in 2017.

Contested Boundaries: A New Pacific Northwest History. By David J. Jepsen and David J. Norberg. 2017, 388 pages.

La Center Bottoms Natural Area, Clark County, Washington. Near the town of La Push.

Clark County, City of Vancouver, Washington. Local travel for us. We live in the unincorporated northeast area of Vancouver, the Orchards area. Fort Vancouver was established in 1825. Washington became a State in 1889. The new Vancouver Grand Street Pier and Waterfront.

Columbia Gorge Getways: 12 Weekend Adventures, From Towns to Trails. By Laura O. Foster. Towns to Trails Media, 2019. 266 pages. Hikes in Clark County are covered on pages 22-35. VSCL.

Columbia Gorge Interpretative Center Museum. Near Bridge of the Gods and Skamania Lodge.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum; Official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Columbia River Gorge Association. The Dalles, Oregon.

Columbia River Gorge: National Scenic Area. 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition. Photography by Peter Marbach. Text by Janet Cook. Woodburn, Oregon, Beautiful American Publishing Co., 2011. 112 pages. ISBN: 978-0898028775. VSCL.

The Complete Hiker, Revised and Expanded. By John Long and Michael Hodgson. International Marine, Ragged Mountain Press, 2nd Edition, 2000. Index, 243 pages. ISBN: 9780071358188. VSCL.

The Dalles, Oregon. The Dalles Dam was built on the Columbia River in 1957. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum; Official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Columbia River Gorge Association. Fort Dalles military outpost from 1838-1866. This particular area was a major Native American trading center for at least 10,000 years; and also near the traditional Celilo Falls fishing site. Population: 13,600. Images.

Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge. By Craig Romano. Seattle, Washington, The Mountaineers Books, 2011. Index, 287 pages. ISBN: 978-594853685. VSCL.

Day Hiking North Cascades: Mount Baker, Mountain Loop Highway, San Juan Islands By Craig Romano. Seattle, Washington, The Mountaineers Books, 2008. Index, 356 pages. ISBN: 9781594850486. VSCL.

Day Hiking, South Cascades: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and the Columbia Gorge. By Dan A. Nelson. Photography, B&W, by Alan L. Bauer. Seattle, Washington, The Mountaineers Books, 2007. Day Hiking Series. Index, 284 pages. ISBN: 9781594850455. VSCL.

Day Hiking in California, Oregon and Washington. A hypertext notebook by Mike Garofalo.

Druid, Nature Religions, and New Age Spirituality, Mysticism, and Travel in Nature. Place and Spirituality. Wee Folk, Devas, and Nature Spirits.

Ecomysticism: The Profound Experience of Nature as Spiritual Guide. By Cal Von Essen, M.D.. Rochester, Vermont, Bear and Co., 2007. Index, bibliography, 274 pages. ISBN: 9781591431183. VSCL. Druid and New Age Spirituality, Mysticism, and Travel in Nature.

Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History. By Ruth Kirk and Carmela Alexander. Seattle, University of Washington Press, Revised Edition, 1995. Index, Reading List, 543 pages. ISBN: 0295974435. VSCL. An excellent travel guide for automobile travelers in Washington.

Fishing the Rivers and Lakes of Washington

Flyfisher's Guide to Washington. By Greg Thomas. The Wilderness Adventures Flyfisher's Guide Series. Wilderness Adventures Press, 2013. 500 pages. ISBN: 978-185106582. VSCL.

Fort Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver, Washington

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Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Southern Trail Guide. Mt. Adams Ranger District. Seattle, Washington, Northwest Interpretive Association. 76 pages. VSCL.

Hidden Washington: Including Seattle, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula, Cascades, and Columbia River Gorge By Eric Lucas. Berkeley, California, Ulysses Press, 5th Edition, 2005. Index, 406 pages. ISBN: 1569754861. VSCL.

Hiking the Columbia River Gorge: A Guide to the Area's Greatest Hiking Adventures. By Russ Schneider. Revised by Jim Yuskavitch. 253 pages. Helena, Montana, Falcon Guides, 2004, Third Edition, 2014. VSCL.

Hiking Washington's Mount Adams Country. By Fred Barstad. A Guide to the Mount Adams, Indian Heaven, and Trapper Creek Wilderness Areas of Washington's Southern Cascades. Helena, Montana, Falcon Books, 2004. 234 pages. ISBN: 0762730900. VSCL.

Hood River, Oregon, Columbia River Gorge. Population: 7,100. Images.

Kayaking Alone. By Mike Barenti. Published by the University of Nebraska Press, 2008, 244 pages, bibliography. This book tells about kayaking alone for 900 miles from Idaho's mountains to the Pacific Ocean. He follows the Snake River from the mountains of Idaho until it reaches the confluence with the Columbia at the Tri-Cities Area of Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick. The Yakima River also meets the Columbia in this area. The author was a reporter for the Yakima newspaper for a number of years. Then, he travels down the Columbia through the Gorge and then past Portland, Longview and onto Astoria. He has many comments about the fish situation in the Columbia, the many dams, and the development of "civilization" along the Columbia. He interviews many people on his solo journey in a kayak. FVRL.

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The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery. The Abridgment of the Definitive Nebraska Edition. Edited with an introduction by Gary E. Moulton. Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 2003. EBook. VSCL.

The Longstreet Highroad Guide to the Northwest Coast. By Allan and Elizabeth May. Atlanta, Georgia, Longstreet Press, 2000. Index, 370 pages. VSCL.

Maps for Washington State

Maryhill Museum. Near Dalles, Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Maryhill State Park.

Moon Olympic Peninsula. By Jeff Burlingame. A Moon Handbook. Avalon Travel Pub., 2nd Edition, 2015. Index, 216 pages. ISBN: 9781631210068. VSCL.

Nature Religions, Druids, and New Age Spirituality, Mysticism, and Travel in Nature. Place and Spirituality. Wee Folk, Devas, and Nature Spirits.

The New Complete Walker: The Joys and Techniques of Hiking and Backpacking By Colin Fletcher. Alfred A. Knopf, 1968, 1974. Index, 470 pages. ISBN: 0394480996. VSCL.

The North Cascades Highway: A Roadside Guide to America's Alps. By Jack McLeod. Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2013. Index, 104 pages. ISBN: 978-0295993164. VSCL.

North Cascades: The Story Behind the Scenery. By Saul Weisberg. KC Publications, 1988. 48 pages. ISBN: 978-0887140211. VSCL.

Olympic National Park and Peninsula. By Nicky Leach. A photographic collection. Olympic Peninsula: A Timeless Refuge. Mariposa, CA, Sierra Press, 1998. 32 pages. ISBN: 0939365677. VSCL.

The Olympic Peninsula. By Ericka Chickowski. Moon Spotlight Books. Avalon Travel, 2009. 100 pages. ISBN: 9781598802719. VSCL.

The Pacific Northwest: An Interpretive History. By Carlos Arnaldo Schwantes. Revised and enlarged edition, 1996. Lincoln, Nebraska, University of Nebraska Press, 1989, 1996. Index, bibliography, 568 pages. ISBN: 978-0803292284. Professor Schwantes, Ph.D., is a field historian and author. VSCL.

Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations: RV and Car Camping Destinations in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. By Mike Church and Terri Church. Rolling Homes Press, 3rd Edition, 2012. 608 pages. ISBN: 9780982310120.

The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour. By Donald Olson. The 60 best gardens to visit in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, 2014. Index, 300 pages. ISBN: 978-160469-4512. VSCL.

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Parks and Places we have visited near our home in Vancouver, Washington:

Captain William Clark Regional Park, Washougal, Clark County

La Center Bottoms Natural Area, near Woodland, Clark County

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, The Dalles, Oregon

Columbia River Renaissance Trail, Vancouver, Clark County

Lacamas Lake Regional Park, Camas, Clark County

Lewisville Park, Battle Ground, Clark County

Orchards Community Park, Clark County A nearby (2.5 miles away) park where I walk in the forest. A nice circular path takes about 25 minutes of walking to complete.

Oxbow Regional Park, Multnomah County. Camping, fishing, hiking by the Sandy River.

Parks in Clark County, Washington Alphabetical List.

Portland Rose Garden, Multnomah County, Oregon

Portland Japanese Garden, Multnomah County

Portland Nursery. Both Division and Stark Nurseries.

Portland Parks and Recreation Finder, Multnomah County

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield, Clark County

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, Clark County

Vancouver Lake Regional Park, City of Vancouver, Clark County

Washington Park, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

Washougal Waterfront Park, Washougal, Clark County

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Paradise Point State Park, Clark County. Near the Ailani Casino. Located along the Lewis River. Interstate 5 nearby makes noise. Camping, hiking, swimming, fishing.

Photographing Washington: A Guide to the Natural Landmarks of the Evergreen State. By Greg Vaughan. Alta Loma, CA, Photo Trip USA Pub., 2013. Index, 317 pages. ISBN: 9780916189198. Vancouver Public Library.

Quick Escapes: Pacific Northwest. By Marilyn McFarlane. Guilford, Connecticut, The Globe Pequot Press, Fifth Edition, 2001. Index, 323 pages. 32 Weekend trips from Portlant, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. ISBN: 0762709405. VSCL.

Ridgefield, Washington. Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

A River Lost: The Life and Death of the Columbia River. By Blaine Harden. W.W. Norton and Co., Revised 2012. 288 pages. ISBN: 978-0393342567. VSCL.

River of Promise: Lewis and Clark on the Columbia. By David L. Nicandri. Dakota Institute Press, 2009, index, bibliography, notes, 349 pages. FVRL. This library book is part of the Keith McCoy Northwest History Collection funded through the Fort Vancouver Regional Library [FVRL] Foundation of Clark County, Washington.

The Spokane River. Edited by Paul Lindholdt. University of Washington Press, 2018. Index, biographies, reading list, 282 pages. FVRL.

Song Upon the Rivers: The Buried History of the French-Speaking Canadiens and Métis from the Great Lakes and the Mississippi across to the Pacific. By Robert Foxcurran, Michael Bouchard, Sebastien Malette. Baraka Books, 2016. 448 pages. ISBN: 978-1771860819.

Travel Checklist. Here is my 2003 Ford Explorer travel gear and camping gear and hiking gear Checklist from February 2019. Excel format.

Traveler's History of Washington: A Roadside Historical Guide. By Bill Gulick. Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton Press, 2005. Index, 559 pages. ISBN: 0870043714. VSCL.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. By Stephen E. Ambrose. Simon and Schuster, Touchstone, 1996. 521 pages. Paperbound book. VSCL.

Walking - Bibliography. Research by Mike Garofalo.

Washington Photographs by John Marshall. Text by Ruth Kirk. Oversized table book. Portland, Oregon, Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co., 2003. 160 pages. ISBN: 978-0932575647. VSCL.

Washington Byways: 56 of Washington's Best Backcounty Drives. By Tony Huegel. Berkeley, California, Wilderness Press, 2003. 164 pages. ISBN: 0899972993. From the Vancouver Public Library.

Washington Lake Maps and Fishing Guide. By Bill McMillan. Edited and illustrated by Esther Appel. Frank Amato Publications, 2012. 48 pages. ISBN: 978-1571884770. VSCL.

Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Lonely Planet Series. By Brendan Sainsbury, Celeste Brash, John Lee, and Becky Ohlsen. Lonely Planet Press, 2017. Indexes, 480 pages. ISBN: 978-1786573360. VSCL.

Washington's Northern Cascades Camping & Hiking By Tom Stienstra and Scott Leonard. A Moom Spotlight Series Book. Avalon Travel Pub., 2010. Index, 205 pages. ISBN: 9781598805710. VSCL.

Washington's Pacific Coast: A Guide to Hiking, Camping, Fishing & Other Adventures By Greg Johnston. Seattle, Washington, Mountaineers Books, 2015. Index, 318 pages. ISBN: 9781594859397. VSCL.

Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide. By Doug Rose. Frank Amato Publications, 2013. 87 pages. ISBN: 978-1571885135. VSCL. Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.

Washington's Best Fishing Waters. Wilderness Adventures Press, 2nd Edition, 2007. 161 pages. ISBN: 978-1932098525. VSCL.

Washington Wild Roads. 80 Scenic Drives to Camping, Hiking Trails and Adventures. By Seabury Blair Jr. Seattle, Washington, Sasquatch Books, 2012. Index, 251 pages. ISBN: 978-1570618154. VSCL.

Washougal, Washington. On the Columbia River near Vancouver, WA. Waterfront Park. Captain William Clark Park. Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Water Falls

White Salmon, Washington, Columbia Gorge. Across from Hood River. Population: 2,200.

The Wild Cascades, Forgotten Parkland. By Harvey Manning. San Francisco, California, Sierra Club, 1965. 159 pages. VSCL. Beautiful photographs, color and B&W, of the Cascades.

Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine: The Portland-Vancouver Region's Network of Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas. By Michael C. Houck and M. J. Cody. Corvallis, Oregon, Oregon State University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011. Index, 427 pages. ISBN: 9780870716126. VSCL.

Woodland, Washington. Lewis River dams and reservoirs east of Woodland. Hulda Klager's Lilac Gardens.

Vancouver Lake Regional Park, Clark County, Washington.

Views Washington. A Collection of Photographs by Chris Jacobson. Emeral Point Press, 2006. 48 pages.

Yakima, Washington

We have traveled a little in the State of Washington and have stayed in motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, yurts, campgrounds, or cabins in the following cities or areas: Bay View State Park near Mr. Vernon, Bellingham, Ellensburg, Kalaloch, Lake Crescent, La Wis Wis Campground near Packwood, Long Beach, Horseshoe Lake below Mount Adams, Kanasat-Palmer State Park near Enumclaw, Kennewick, Ocean City State Park near Ocean Shores, Seattle, Seaside, Skamokava, Spirit Lake near Mt. St. Helens, Spokane, Vancouver, Toppenish, Twin Harbors State Park near Westport, Wenatache, Whidby Island, Winthrop, and Yakima. We purchased a home in Vancouver, Washington, in June of 2017.

In June of 2019 we enjoyed at trip to northern Washington. Day 1: Vancouver to Bellingham via Interstate 5 and 405. Good views of Mt. Ranier. Day 2: Bellingham via 9 to Sedro-Woodley, then on Route 20 through the North Cascades National Park, over Washington Pass, and down to Methrow River Valley and the town of Winthrop. Day 3: Twisp, Okanogan, Omak, apple orchards, Lake Chelan, Columbia River, Wenatchee. Day 4: Apple orchards everywhere, Route 2, Levingston, Monroe, Seattle, Olympia, Vancouver.

In November of 2019, we traveled to Kennewick, Hanford Reservation, and Ellensburg.

VSCL = Valley Spirit Center Collection, Vancouver, Washington. Home library collection of Mike and Karen.

FVRL = Fort Vancouver Regional Library of Clark County, Washington.

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Maps of Washington

I have always enjoyed reading and using maps since I was a child. I used the Bandini Branch of the County of Los Angeles Public library when I was a child. The library was three blocks from my childhood home in Bandini, unincorporated East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. I used many maps in books at this library. I went to St. Alphonsus Elementary School K-8, from 1951-1959, and this school was three blocks from the old East Los Angeles Library near Garfield High School. I was the Librarian III In-Charge of the new East Los Angeles Library on 3rd St. (Fetterly) from 1975-1980. I used many maps from these libraries in my youth, and my brother Paul and I owned many maps.

When I travel in my Ford Explorer, I always carry a variety of paper maps, guides, books, and pamphlets. I have a Sumsung Galaxy 7 cell phone, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A, and a Garmin GPS eTrek 30X for electronic access to information, maps, ebooks, photos, documents, and directional apps. I keep a Discover Pass and other passes, licenses, and official documentation ready on hand in the Explorer as I travel.

I carry various good magnifying glasses, and use one to read maps. A lamp and flashlight for safety, and for map and book reading at night or dim light conditions are essential. A notebook with writing tools is also carried. Here is my 2019 travel and camping Checklist.

I now use the following maps and travel guides for the State of Washington:

Clark County, Washington. GM Johnson City Map Series. Vancouver, B.C., 2015, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-770684300. VSCL. I have one copy for home use, and I keep another copy in the Ford. This is an excellent map for the County in which we now live. An essential tool. A traditional folding map. Good detail on backcountry roads.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. National Geographic Map, Trails Illustrated, Topographic Map, 2009.

Washington Road & Recreation Atlas Landscape maps, recreation guides, detailed roads, and public lands. Santa Barbara, California, Benchmark Maps, 2015. Index, 126 pages. Oversized map book. ISBN: 970929591988. VSCL. I keep this map in my home library, in the travel section. An essential tool for travelers. Very convenient to use.

Washington: DeLorme Atlas and Gazetter. Detailed topographic maps, back roads, recreation sites, GPS Grids. Yarmouth, Maine, DeLorme Publications, 2016, 12th Edition. Indexes, 104 pages. ISBN: 0-89933329X. VSCL. An oversized map book. I keep this map in my Ford Explorer. An essential tool for travelers. Very convenient to use.

Maps I Use. By Mike Garofalo. 2019-

Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. National Geographic. Trails Illustrated Topographic Map. 2010.

Washington State Map by Rand McNally. Easy to read oversized print. Some city maps. 2013. ISBN: 0528882104.

Washington State Map by G.M. Johnson Publishers. Includes maps of many cities. ISBN: 9781770682900.

Washington State Scenic Byways Road Map

Oregon/Washington Map. American Automobile Association (AAA). Updated on a regular basis.

Tour Book Guide Washington. American Automobile Association (AAA). Updated on a regular basis.

The American Automobile Association (AAA). They offer many detailed maps of areas and cities in the State of Washington. Free to AAA members, or sold to non-AAA members. Very useful travel guides and trip planning services are also available to AAA members. I use dozens of their maps and guides.

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I use two electronic navigation devices. First, I use my Samsung Galaxy 7 cell phone. A variety of cell phone applications can help with navigation, orienting, mapping, travel routes, travel guides, information, emergencies, communications, phone, text, email, etc. Second, I use a Garmin eTrek 30X Handheld Navigator GPS device. The Garmin GPS is a full featured GPS device and equipped with applications for navigation, orienting, mapping, routes, directions, travel records, geocaching, specialized maps, games, survival, hiking, etc.

Here are three books I use on the subject of GPS, navigation and maps:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching. Editors and staff on Geocaching.Com. Alpha Press, 3rd Edition, 2012. 368 pages. Explore the Latest Adventures in the Exciting and Popular GPS Adventure. ISBN: 978-1615641949. VSCL.

Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter, and GPS. By Bob Burns and Mike Burns. Seattle, Washington, Mountaineers Books, 3rd Edition, 2015. Index, 190 pages. ISBN: 978-01594859458. VSCL.

Using GPS. By Bruce Gibbs. Falcon Guides, 3rd Edition, 2014. 87 pages. Basic Illustrated Series. ISBN: 978-0762750818. VSCL.

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Traveling the Rivers of Washington: Sightseeing, Fishing, Nature Studies

Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide. Edited By Doug Rose. Frank Amato Publications, 2013. 87 pages. ISBN: 978-1571885135. VSCL. Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.

Washington's Best Fishing Waters. Wilderness Adventures Press, 2nd Edition, 2007. 161 pages. ISBN: 978-1932098525. VSCL.

Washington Lake Maps and Fishing Guide. By Bill McMillan. Edited and illustrated by Esther Appel. Frank Amato Publications, 2012. 48 pages. ISBN: 978-1571884770. VSCL.

Flyfisher's Guide to Washington. By Greg Thomas. The Wilderness Adventures Flyfisher's Guide Series. Wilderness Adventures Press, 2013. 500 pages. ISBN: 978-185106582. VSCL.

Columbia River (Lower): Bonneville to Pacific Ocean including Portland. Fish n Map Company. Detailed maps. Waterproof plastic.

Oregon River Maps and Fishing Guide. Edited By Doug Rose. Frank Amato Publications, 2014. 88 pages. ISBN: 978-1571885142. VSCL. Many rivers flow north from the Oregon Cascades into the Columbia River: Willamette, Sandy, Hood, John Day, Deschutes. Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.

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Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. By Robin Wall Kimmerer. Milkweed Editions, 2013, 390 pages. VSCL.

Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest By Ella E. Clark. Illustrated by Robert Bruce Inverarity. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1953, 2003. Glossary, 225 pages. ISBN: 9780520239265. VSCL.

Ishi In Two Worlds. A biography of the last wild Indian in North America. By Theodora Kroeber. With a foreword by Lewis Gannett. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1961, 1989. Bibliography, 255 pages. ISBN: 0520006755. Ishi, the last surviving member of the Yahi tribe, wandered into Oroville, California, in 1911. His people had been hunted and killed by white Christians who wanted their land and hated heathens. VSCL.

Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest. Selected by Katharine Berry Judson. Introduction by Jay Miller. Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1997. 145 pages. ISBN: 0803275951. VSCL.

Native Peoples of the Northwest: A Traveler's Guide to Land, Art, and Culture. By Jan Halliday and Gail Chehak. In cooperation with the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians. Seattle, Sasquatch Books, Second Edition, 2000. Index, appendices, map, 319 pages. ISBN: 1570612412. An excellent handbook for traveling to Native American reservations, museums, cultural centers, historical sites, businesses, festivals, artists, tours, etc., in the Northwest including British Columbia. VSCL.

Native Ways: California Indian Stories and Memories. Edited by Malcolm Margolin and Yolanda Montijo. Berkeley, Heyday Books, 1995. Index, 127 pages. ISBN: 09305887378. VSCL.

Shasta Indian Tales. Compiled by Rosemary Holsinger. Illustrated by P. I. Piemme. Happy Camp, Naturegraph Pub., 1982, 2006. 48 pages. ISBN: 0879611294. VSCL.

String Figures and Games from the Native Peoples of the Northwestern United States. By Mike Garofalo.

The Wintun Indians of California: And Their Neighbors By Peter M. Knudtson. Happy Camp, California, Naturegraph Pub., 1977. Index, 95 pages. Includes map of the tribal territory in the North Sacramento Valley in Northern California. ISBN: 087961062X. The Nomlaki group of the Wintu peoples lived in the Red Bluff and Corning area in Northern California. The remnants of these people now operate the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. VSCL.

We have visited many Native American museums in these areas:

Makah Indian Museum, Neah Bay, Washington.

Maidu Museum and Historic Site, Roseville, California.

High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon: Plateau Indian Nations: Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, Yakama, Spokane and Colville.

Native American Arts and Crafts Activities
Enjoy Anywhere, All Ages, Non-Electronic, Hands-On

Totem Poles: Coloring Pages for Kids and Kids at Heart. By Hands on Art History. 54 pages. VSCL.

Northwest Native Arts: Creative Colors 2, Volume 2. By Robert Stanley. 24 pages. VSCL.

Pacific Northwest Art: Coloring Pages for Kids and Kids at Heart. By Hands on Art History. Volume 15. 54 pages. VSCL.

Playing a portable musical instrument. Native American flutes, drums, and songs provide many challenging and uplifting musical options. Or, a simple Hohner harmonica, a German product after 1857, or a small guitar or ukulele, can open doors to pleasures galore. When Lewis and Clark's Discover Corps traveled in 1805, Victor, a guide for the regiment, played the violin well, and would entertain at meetings and parties with Native Peoples along their travels to the Pacific Ocean. Listening to well played music delights and is popular with most people. It might have increased Victor's popularity with attractive young native women.

These many tribes living along the fecund Columbia River valleys were completely wiped out by waves of viral and bacterial epidemics from 1815-1850. Whole villages died from smallpox, imported by some European. These Native Americans had lived in the areas of southwestern Washington, north of the Columbia River, from Portland to Longview, for over 5,000 years or more.

All About Weeds. By Edwin Rollin Spencer. Illustrated by Emma Bergdolt. New York, Dover Publications, 1940, 1957. ISBN: 0486230511. VSCL.

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers - Western Region By Richard Spellenberg. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1979, 1988. ISBN: 0394504313. VSCL.

Birds of Northern California. By David Fix and Andy Bezener. Lone Pine Field Guide. Lone Pine Pub., 2000. Color illustrations, range maps, index, 384 pages. ISBN: 155105227X. VSCL.

Edible and Useful Plants of California. By Charlotte Bringle Clarke. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1977. ISBN: 0520032616. VSCL.

Field Guide to Oregon Rivers By Tim Palmer. Corvallis, Oregon State University Press, 2014. Index, resources lists, 319 pages. ISBN: 978-0870716270. VSCL.

A Field Guide to Pacific States Wildflowers By Theodore F. Niehaus and Charles L. Ripper. Peterson Field Guide Series. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1976. ISBN: 0395216249. VSCL.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park: A Complete Guide By Jerry and Gisela Rohde. Illustrated by Larry Eifert. Includes the Avenue of the Giants Tour. Eureka, California, Miles and Miles, 1992. Index, 297 pages. Good information on natural history of this forest. ISBN: 0936810254. VSCL.

Plants and Animals of the Pacific Northwest. An Illustrated Guide to the Natural History of Western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. By Eugene N. Kozloff. Seattle, University of Washington Press, Greystone Books, 1976. Index, color photographs, bibliography, 264 pages. ISBN: 029595597X. VSCL.

Roadside Geology of Oregon. By Marli B. Miller. Missoula, Montana, Mountain Press Publishing, Second Edition, 2014. Index, 386 pages. ISBN: 978-0878426317. VSCL.

Roadside Geology of Washington. By Marli B. Miller and Darrel S. Cowan. Photographs by Marli B. Miller. Missoula, Montana, Mountain Press, Second Edition, 2017. Index, 278 pages. ISBN: 7-0878426775. VSCL.

Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast By Eugene N. Kozloff. An illustrated guide to Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Seattle, University of Washington Press, 1973, 1993. Index, black and white illustrations, 370 pages. ISBN:0295960841. VSCL.

Southern California: Geology Field Guide Series. By Robert P. Sharp. Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co., 1972, Revised edition, 1976. Index, 208 pages. ISBN: 0840312725. VSCL.

Stokes Backyard Bird Book. The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Understanding the Birds in Your Backyard. By Donald and Lillian Stokes. Rodale Press, 2003. Index, 312 pages. ISBN: 1579548644. VSCL.

Washington Rocks! A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Evergreen State. By Eugene Kiver, Chad Pritchard, and Richard Orndorff. Missoula, Montana, Mountain Press, 2016. Index, 130 pages. ISBN: 978-0878426546. Excellent photographs. VSCL.

Weeds of the West By Tom D. Whitson, Editor. Authors: Tom D. Whitson, Larry C. Burrill, Steven A. Dewey, David W. Cudney, B.E. Nelson, Richard D. Lee, and Robert Parker. Newark, California, The Western Society of Weed Science, 1992. 630 pages. ISBN: 0941570134, Revised in 1992. Excellent color photographs of all the plants described. VSCL.

The first long day hike I remember is walking down from Glacier Point to the Yosemite Valley floor (4 miles) when I was around 11 years of age. I backpacked on the High Sierra Trail from Sequoia National Park to Mt. Whitney Portal (72 miles) when I was 19. I day hiked all the mountains around Los Angeles and San Bernardino in my younger years. I've hiked in the many desert areas of Eastern California, Nevada, and Arizona. I stayed in Bishop and day hiked in the Eastern Sierra every autumn in my 50's. We lived in Red Bluff, California, from 1998 to 2017, and have day hiked scores of times in Northern California and Oregon.

My current personal fitness program in 2019 includes: walking, light weightlifting, taijiquan, and gardening. I am now 73 years of age. Because of heart disease and diabetes, my exercise activity is less than in my 50's and 60's. My days of hiking up to the top of 10,000 foot mountains are likely over forever.

In 2006, my brother Philip and I hiked 11 miles to the top of North Dome in Yosemite National Park.

The Ways of Walking
Strolling, Sauntering, Meandering, Walking, Day Hiking, Wandering, Backpacking, Trail Hiking, Cross Country Hiking

This webpage was last modified, revised, reformatted, improved, or updated on October 12, 2021.

This webpage (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay) was first published on the Internet on October 1, 2021.

Portland, Portland Metropolitan,Willamette River Valley
City of Vancouver, Washoughal, Camas, Ridgefield, Woodland, Columbia River Valley, Kalama, Longview,
Battle Ground, Lewis River Reservoirs, Randle, Cougar, Yakima,

Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, Northern Central California, U.S.A.
Cities in the area: Oroville, Paradise, Durham, Chico, Hamilton City, Orland, Willows, Corning,
Rancho Tehama, Los Molinos, Tehama, Proberta, Gerber, Manton, Cottonwood,
Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, and Redding, CA, California.

Northwest Coastal Oregon
Astoria to Cape Lookout on US101

Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports
By Michael P. Garofalo

February 14, 2022

Long Beach Peninsula

Coastal Southwestern Washington State
Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports
By Michael P. Garofalo

January 8, 2022

The Ways of Walking
Strolling, Sauntering, Meandering, Walking, Day Hiking, Wandering, Backpacking, Trail Hiking, Cross Country Hiking

Month	High	Low	Rainfall Inches	Rain Days

January	47	38	12	18
February	50	38	8	15
March	53	40	8	17
April	56	42	6	14
May	60	46	3	10
June	64	50	2	7
July	67	53	1	3
August	68	54	2	3
September	67	51	4	7
October	60	46	7	13
November	52	41	13	18
December	47	37	12	18

Northwest Coastal Oregon Astoria to Cape Lookout on US101 Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports By Michael P. Garofalo

February 14, 2022

Long Beach Peninsula Coastal Southwestern Washington State Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports By Michael P. Garofalo

January 8, 2022

The Ways of Walking Strolling, Sauntering, Meandering, Walking, Day Hiking, Wandering, Backpacking, Trail Hiking, Cross Country Hiking

Northwest Coastal Oregon
Astoria to Cape Lookout on US101

Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports
By Michael P. Garofalo

Long Beach Peninsula

Coastal Southwestern Washington State
Four Days in Grayland, Part I

Travel, History, Studies, Notes, Reading, Reports
By Michael P. Garofalo

The Ways of Walking
Strolling, Sauntering, Meandering, Walking, Day Hiking, Wandering, Backpacking, Trail Hiking, Cross Country Hiking