Books/Information History Notes Weather Maps Seasons and Months Blog Reports
Grayland Beach Westport Willapa Bay Grays Harbor My Driving Tours Beach Nature Studies
Beachcombing Beach Terrain Bird Watching Clam Digging Day Picnics Food Washington
Kites Oysters Mushrooms Native Indian Cultures Photography Reading Cloud Hands Blog
Surf Fishing Swimming Walking Yurt Camping Oregon Four Days in Grayland
Coastal Camping
in a Yurt
Yurts, Yurt Campsites, Campgrounds with
Yurts
For camping at Coastal Northwest State Parks during the Year, I think a Yurt is just dandy for one or two people.
First, you are in a State Park in Oregon or Washington campground in a forest of shore pines or old growth, adjacent to sand dunes, and can easily walk to the beach. State Parks are usually in quite beautiful locations, and most have sandy walking trails and paved park roads for biking. There are many local sightseeing options and outdoor activities possible near these State Parks. Most State Park campgrounds are near small tourist towns offering restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, gasoline, and other store supplies and services needed by campers. Nearness to Beauty!!
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. A canvas Yurt is a circular domed tent 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. It has a skylight ceiling vent, screened windows (closed or open), hardwood floors, heavy canvas and plastic covers, and an interior lattice work of wood for side strength, and a locking door. It has a 120 AC electrical outlet, one small light (60-100 watts), and a small wall electric heater. It has a padded bunk bed and a padded futon couch bed, and a small low table, and sometimes wood chairs and table.
Third, at $51-$90 to reserve a Yurt per day it is cheaper than a typical cottage, B&B, motel or hotel room cost ($130+) in Ocean Shores, Aberdeen, Westport, Long Beach, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, or Tillamook. Yurt rates vary in Washington and Oregon depending upon weekend or weekday rates, off season or summer season rates, 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 specialized handicapped access options. Bringing a dog to a Yurt costs an extra $10 to $15. Also, by using the on-line reservations system you can plan your trip locations 6 months in advance. Typically, I spend $160 for three nights, Monday to Wednesday. Check in time is 4 pm, and Check out time is 11 am.
Fourth, all the Yurts I have used are clean, neat, and simple. Each Yurt site usually has a small to large raised covered deck outside the front door. The Yurt site includes a standard large picnic table and a fireplace pit, usually both on a large concrete pad. There is usually a nice paved gravel or asphalt driveway in front of the Yurt that can accommodate two vehicles. There is room for a tent at many, but not all, Yurt campsites. The canvas window covers can be rolled up or down for ventilation purposes.
Fifth, for camping all year, you must use a Yurt. Very few people camp in tents from October to March in these coastal State Parks, except on dry cool weekends. The majority of the very few campers in these Parks during the wettest cold off-season are staying in nice trailers of all sizes, RVs, truck campers, vans, or the Yurts. A Yurt enables you to easily cope with low temperatures, steady and gusty winds, and steady or intermittent rain showers. The spacious interior (for one or two persons) provides ample space for inside activities, crafts, table games, reading, and hobbies for the long winter nights.
Sixth, Yurt camping during the off-season is really nice because the campgrounds, trails, and beaches are often nearly empty and very quiet. If you prefer solitude then camp on the coast during the off-season. Seasonal tourist flow is relative to children's school schedules: so summer months, major holidays, and no school in session means the coastal campgrounds will be filled and all Yurts reserved many months in advance. In the summer months, my wife and I stay in hotels, resorts, motels, cabins, and VRBO homes. Also, during when clam digging is open, the sandy coastal areas can be quite busy; but the campgrounds have very low attendance during the cold wet months, and you don't see many families with children.
Other Important Yurt Campground Considerations:
You cannot cook inside a Yurt; you must cook at the outside picnic table. The picnic table is on a paved concrete pad. Some folks bring pop-up covers (10'x10') to place over the table or fireplace area if it is drizzly and damp. You can eat at the picnic table or on the covered porch. I eat many tasty and nutritious uncooked foods inside the Yurt; and sip hot coffee or tea inside the Yurt (bring a thermos).
Cooking and eating at your Yurt campsite can save you money and travel time. Or, again, many State Parks on the Northwest Coast are near small towns with restaurants, cafes, fast food takeout places, grocery stores with hot foods, espresso outlets, etc. You can eat out all the time and never cook anything if that is your preference. I often eat seafood dishes at local restaurants and cafes for lunch or dinner.
A Yurt does not have a toilet. You must use the public restrooms. There are public restrooms nearby. These restrooms are usually neat and clean, and offer hot showers for a fee. 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. I never pee on the ground outside the Yurt. During the busy summer season, these beach campgrounds get sometimes cluttered and knarly because of too many people; from October to May these public campgrounds are perfect and usually empty, except for daytime clamming dates.
A Yurt does not have water inside the Yurt. There are numerous public water spigots in the campground. I bring water bottles. Many Yurt campsites have a water spigot right at the Yurt campsite below the RV hookup post.
You cannot smoke inside a Yurt. You can smoke (tobacco or cannabis) on the Yurt deck, picnic table, or by the fireplace. Always be very careful with smoking during the warmer and dryer summer season.
You may or may not be allowed to make a wood fire in the fireplace. There is often a ban on any kind of camp fires during the warmer and dry summer season. Keep your fireplace area neat and clean and organized. Local stores and sometimes the campground hosts have firewood to sell. On those cool dry winter days, a campfire can be quite pleasant. Always tend your campfire properly, safely, and reasonably. Extinguish with water when needed.
Leave your Yurt campsite, usually before 11 am, exactly as it looked when you arrived. Sweep the floor of the Yurt before you leave. Look under the beds and table for your belongings. It should be clean and neat. Remove all your trash bags. Clean up the fireplace and picnic table areas. Check three times to make sure you have removed ALL of your belongings and packed them in your vehicle. I use a Ford Escape Titanium 2018 for travel. Warm up your car. Do a final Yurt campsite inspection. Take some pride in your good Yurt campground skills!
Tips for Solo Yurt Campers
1. Bring More Lights and Using Electricity
Bring More Electric Lights! The lights in all the Yurts I have stayed at
have one light inside and one outside on the porch. The Yurt's interior
light is, for me, totally inadequate for reading, games, or crafts. You
should bring a 120AC lamp and cords.
I have lots of electronic gear: Samsung Cell Phone G32 5G, Kindle reader, HP laptop computer, Samsung tablet, chargers, lights, cords, Jackery powerbank, cameras, USB cords, etc. Since the Yurt has one 120AC dual outlet, you can run a hot water pot on the porch and heat water for your thermos; or, any other simple undemanding AC appliance. I use a Jackery Power Station unit to run my lights, laptop, and charging on any portable table or wood table irrespective of location.
I bring a 20' extension cord, 6" cord, and multiple plug in box. The wood table is often at the side of the Yurt opposite the electrical outlet. I have flashlights and USB lanterns.
With the Jackery Power Station, I can set up basic electrical anywhere for my needs. It has USB, 12V, and AC outlets (low wattage).
2. Bring Appropriate Clothing for Coastal Camping
From October to May:
Bring clothing that can be used to keep you warm, keep you dry, keep you
protected from the wind, and keep you safe.
I bring a raincoat, rain pants, waterproof boots, rain hat, and umbrella.
Bring enough clothing so that if and when you get wet, and you will, you will
have more dry clothing to change into at the Yurt. Clothing dries slowly
in the beach weather.
You bring your own bedding, covers, blankets, play and recreational gear, food box, kitchen supplies, clothing, indoor activity gear, sports equipment, towels, shoes and supplies.
3. Bring Portable Tables
Yurts vary as to the size, shape, or even presence of a wood table, e.g., Grayland Beach Yurts have no tables. I have one small side table (2"X2"x20"), and two small portable desk like tables (2"x3"x27"). I take one side table and one desk table on each trip. If I'm with others, I bring two desk tables. These are handy to set up inside the Yurt, outside on the Yurt porch or campsite area, at the beach, or anywhere needed. I use the light Redcamp portable tables.
The wood table is often at the side of the Yurt at the opposite end of the room from the electrical outlet and wall electrical heater. When needed and possible, I just move the wood table closer to the heater and plug; and put it back where it was when I leave. Or, I set up my portable table and portable chair closer to the heater and outlet. With the Jackery Power Station, I can set up electrical anywhere on a portable table.
With 14 hours of darkness in the winter, you'd better have a table and chair in the Yurt to work and play on!
Yes, there is always a large wood picnic table just outside the Yurt. I prefer my softer portable chair to the hard picnic table seat, but both will work. However, when the weather is inclement and the outdoors is wet, I prefer to sit in my portable chair on the Yurt porch or inside the Yurt.
4. Bring Portable Chairs
Most Yurts have two wooden chairs at the table that you can sit at for work and play. Some Yurts will not have chairs or tables. A few yurts will have four chairs and a larger table to sit at. Therefore, knowing this, I am prepared by bringing two sturdy portable chairs.
These are handy to set up inside the Yurt, outside on the Yurt porch or Yurt campsite area, at the beach, or anywhere needed. I am big man (250 lbs), therefore a good, sturdy, strong, and easy to set up outdoor chair is essential for my coastal camping trips. I use the Ever Advanced lightweight folding director chair. An extra cushion for the rump makes them quite nice.
You bring your own bedding, covers, blankets, play and recreational gear, cooking kitchen supplies, food, clothing, indoor activity gear, sports equipment, towels, shoes and supplies. I bring kites, fishing equipment, canned food, fruit, nuts, extra clothing, special Bogs muck boots, cane, etc.
5. Bring Food
I am a solo four season Yurt camper. I eat uncooked foods at the Yurt, and dine out at local restaurants. I rarely stay more than 3 nights and 4 days at a coast Yurt campsite.
For eating, I bring dried fruit and fresh fruit, V8 juice cans, conservas (canned seafood), nuts, cookies, candy, jerky, crackers, carrots, etc. I bring food items that I don't have to refrigerate to preserve, or cook to eat.
I do boil water in an electric pot. I save the hot water in a thermos. I enjoy moca coffee and teas. I've tried a few dried commercial foodstuffs reconstituted with boiling water, e.g., Top Ramen and others, and use them occasionally.
All my good hot meals are at local restaurants.
I seldom bring kitchen equipment to use to cook at the picnic table, and I don't enjoy cooking or cleanup. I don't bring an ice chest, cooking utensils, pots, stove, extra propane, cleaning supplies, more food, ... just thinking about it makes me chore-tired and gives me Ford Escape SUV space packing anxiety.
If you are into cooking, the outdoor Yurt campsite picnic table provides adequate space for such delightful activity. When I camp with my son, the current Executive Chef at the Feral Heathen Restaurant in Vancouver, he brings a big stove and plenty of cooking gear, and we use the picnic table a lot. We have some big feasts! We have also cleaned razor clams late into the night on a Yurt campsite picnic table lit up by my Jackery Power Station.
6. Bring Everything - In Your Vehicle
I drive a 2018 Ford Escape Titatinum SUV. It's a medium sized Sport Utility Vehicle with All Wheel Drive.
You might drive a vehicle with plenty or room (e.g., a truck, a large SUV, a station wagon, a van); or, a vehicle with far less cargo room.
The point here is that Somehow you have to Fit ALL your travel gear safely
in your vehicle. Then you have to safely unpack all your gear at the
Yurt.
Repack your vehicle at the Yurt and then unpack all your gear at your home base.
Pack and Unpack - Twice!
Can you see out your back vehicle window when driving to your Yurt campsite? Are all items in your vehicle secured in place? Is your gear safe from rain while driving? Can anything spill or is a dangerous substance that you are carrying?
How can you most effectively and efficiently use the cargo space in your vehicle? First, reduce what you bring. Just not cooking saves me cargo space. Bad weather predicted: no need to bring firewood, kites, fishing gear, etc. Maybe I don't bring those seldom used items (e.g., waders, fancier clothes, muck boots). Use your ebook reader and leave books at home.
I favor putting my gear in bags. Each bag contains a specific kind of item. For example, I have a large green nylon bag for my Coleman 6lb King Size sleeping bag, inflatable pillow, regular pillow, and towel. I have a large black nylon bag for most of my clothes for the 4 day trip. One long blue nylon bag holds all my kites. There are smaller specialized bags for cameras and accessories, laptop and accessories, electronic gear, fishing gear, cosmetics/first aide, etc. I use a personal briefcase (called a 'Murse' or messenger bag) for many personal and business items. Most big bags are soft and squishable. The smaller bags are often padded, sturdy, but softer. I have two blue hard plastic containers for foods, electric water pot, and eating utensils, paper towels, etc., and probably could reduce to one food container.
I don't pull any trailers or carry bikes. I don't have a hitch or rooftop rack. I pack everything inside my SUV and can see out the back window.
Your interests and needs for equipment and gear for safely enjoying your solo all year Yurt camping adventures might vary greatly from mine. Nevertheless, figuring out how to load and carry all this gear will test your skills, patience, and pocketbook.
7. Bring a Friend
I normally go Yurt camping by myself. I enjoy the solo time. I favor off season camping at empty campgrounds.
However, for over two decades, I have sometimes stayed in a single Yurt with another person, usually my wife, Karen, or son, Mick. I think two adults in one Yurt is about my comfort limit for Yurt camping. We have booked up to three Yurts at one time in the summer for family gatherings. I have seen families with two adults and three young children enjoying camping in a Yurt. When summertime Yurt camping, you spend much more time outdoors, sometimes late into the night, and more people like to join you then for summer time fun activities. Your budget may also necessitate compromises around sleeping arrangements.
You can put a tent up on a Yurt campsite. I believe that 6 people can occupy a Yurt campsite. Some friends will want to stay in a local motel and then join you during the day at your Yurt campsite for eating, campfire, beach walks, etc.
8. Reserving a Yurt Campsite
Yurt Campsites on the Northwest Coast
Pacific Beach State Park, Pacific Beach, Washington
Bay View State Park, Padilla Bay, Mt. Vernon, Washington
Dosewallips State Park, Hood Canal, Brinnon, Washington
Twin Harbors State Park, Westport, Washington
Grayland Beach State Park, Grayland, Washington
Bay Center KOA, Bay Center, Washington
Cape
Disappointment State Park, Ilwaco, Washington
Fort Stevens State Park, Astoria, Oregon
Nehalem Bay State Park, Manzanita, Oregon
Cape Lookout State Park, Netarts Bay, Tillamook, Oregon
Beverly Beach State Park, Depot Bay, Oregon
South Beach State Park, Newport, Oregon
William M. Tugman State Park, Eel Lake, Florence, Oregon
Sunset Bay State Park, Charleston/Coos Bay, Oregon
Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon, Oregon
Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon
Parks in Oregon with Yurts or Cabins
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.
Here are some photographs of Yurts at Nehalem Bay State Park in Oregon:
In 2022, I plan to Yurt Camp for four days and three nights at various coastal locations in Washington and Oregon.
"Grayland Beach" is a my general way of referring to camping in a
Yurt at a coastal State Park. Yurt camping at the beach will be the central point for my explorations
places like Twin Harbors, Grayland, Willapa Bay, Long Beach Peninsula,
Cape Disappointment, Fort Stevens, Nehalem Bay, Cape Lookout, etc.
Here are My Reports on Yurt 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.
I strongly recommend that you use the online
reservation system to reserve a tent campground site or yurt
campground site at the State Parks in Washington and Oregon. For
example, the campground
was full of RVs and trailers 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). Daily rates for Yurts vary with the
seasons, weekdays or weekends, pets or no pets, extra cars, etc.
Other Yurt Campsites in Washington
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.
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, practicing string figures, 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 a bottle of 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 F
º]. 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.
In 2022, I plan to
Yurt Camp for four days and three nights at various coastal locations in
Washington and Oregon. "Grayland Beach" is a my general way of referring to camping in a
Yurt at a coastal State Park. Yurt camping at the beach will be the central point for my explorations
places like Twin Harbors, Willapa Bay, Long Beach Peninsula, Nehalem
Bay, etc.
Here are
My Reports on Yurt 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.
I strongly recommend that you use the online
reservation system to reserve a tent campground site or yurt
campground site at the State Parks in Washington and Oregon. For
example, the campground
was full of RVs and trailers 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.
Northwest Coastal Camping Clothing
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). Daily rates for Yurts vary with the
seasons, weekdays or weekends, pets or no pets, extra cars, etc.
Looking North from Grayland to Westport
Looking South from the Westport Jetty to Grayland
Grayland Beach 2021-2022
Grayland Population 953 SS The Grayland Community has two markets, cafes, stores, gift shops and services that are are all located along coastal Washington Highway 105. Be careful when parking off narrow WA105. Slow Down!
There are many country homes and cranberry fields east of WA105. The many back roads east of WA105 in Grayland are very quiet, picturesque, and free of traffic ... great for bicycling or long walks. Whereas, West of WA105 are houses, cabins, State Parks, sand dunes, and the seashore.
The Grayland Beach Community is 6 miles south of the large Westport marina and Westport city, and 10 miles north of the small Tokeland marina. From Grayland to Raymond it is 27 miles to the southeast, and from Grayland to Aberdeen it is 23 miles to the northeast. The scenic road from Westport to Raymond, WA105, was completed in the 1960's.
In 2022, I plan to camp four days and three nights at Grayland Beach State Park every
month. I will stay in a Yurt (winter) or a
tent.
My Reports.
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.
This webpage will cover my exploration of the beaches of Grayland State Park,
the area 30 miles north and south of Grayland, Westport, from Grayland to
Aberdeen (WA105), and from Grayland to Raymond (WA105).
Grayland Beach: Google Maps
"There are those to whom place is unimportant,
But this place, where sea and fresh water meet,
Is important—
Where the hawks sway out into the wind,
Without a single wing beat,
And the eagles sail low over the fir trees,
And the gulls cry against the crows
In the curved harbors,
And the tide rises up against the grass
Nibbled by sheep and rabbits….
I sway outside myself
Into the darkening currents,
Into the small spillage of driftwood,
The waters swirling past the tiny headlands."
-
Theodore Roethke, The Rose, 1964
"Once in his life a man ought to concentrate his mind on the remembered
earth, I believe. He ought to give himself up to a particular
landscape in his experience, to look at it from as many angles as he can, to
wonder about it, to dwell upon it. He ought to imagine that he touches
it with his hands at every season and listens to the sounds that are made
upon it. He ought to imagine the creatures there and all the faintest
motions of the wind. He ought to recollect the glare of moon and all
the colors of the dawn and dusk."
- N. Scott Momaday
Grayland Village Images SS
Camping at Grayland Beach State Park Images Reservations A yurt site costs $80 per night, and a tent site $25 per night in 2021.
Grayland Beach SP Images Grayland Beach SP Printed PDF Brochure Westport SS
Grayland Beach SP is just four miles south of Twin Harbors State Park
Grayland Beach: My Cloud Hands Blog posts about Grayland Beach with commentary and photographs.
Grayland Stores: The Local Market,
Grayland ACE True
Value Hardware Store,
Pomegranate Gifts. Westport Stores
Grayland Food: Wheelhouse Restaurant, Long's Bar/Grill, The Local Market. Other stores were closed. Westport Shop & Kart Supermarket
Grayland Cranberries: Cranberry Road Winery Cranberry Museum Furlow Pickers 1933 Cranberry Bogs Driving Tour in Grayland Cranberry Coastal Bogs
Washington's Cranberry Coast. By Sydney Stevens for the Pacific
Coast Cranberry Research Foundation. Arcadia, 2014, 128 pages.
Images of America Series.
History of the cranberry farmers in Grayland and Long Beach.
Grayland: Food/Cooking Westport Timberland Library Bicycling Walking Beachcombing Fishing or shopping in nearby Westport.
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: Tai Chi and Chinese Yoga by Michael P. Garofalo. I camp at Grayland State Park, mostly in mid-month. For Qigong (Chi Kung, Chinese Yoga) I practice the Eight Section Brocade. I practice the Yang Style of Taijiquan using the Long 108 Form and the Short 24 Form and the Eight Immortals Cane Form. My Qualifications? Grayland: Taoism. Let's walk the tide line at Grayland and talk Taoism. Sit in the shade of shore pines and savor the sayings of Lao Tzu. Ponder Process Philosophy.
Grayland Beach State Park Clam Digging at Low Tide SEE Clam Digging
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.
Grayland Beach SP Images Westport SS
Grayland Beach SP Printed PDF Brochure
Reservations Made Online
This campground is very popular in the summer months and during clamming
season. Over 90% of people camping here during the rainy season (from
October to April) are using trailers, truck camper shells, RVs big and
small, vans, etc. I make reservations well in advance for a nice yurt.
Why? Affordable and sheltered from 72 inches of rain.
Yurt Camping at Northwest Beaches and Northwest Outdoor
Activities and Travels
Photographs, Blog Posts, Doing/Seeing
Reports from Michael P. Garofalo
1st Yurt Camp: 2021 September
Reports
1
2
3
Yurt Campsite at Grayland Beach State Park, WA, for two nights
Booked
Booked = Reserved Online in Advance
Near Grayland, Westport, Aberdeen, Tokeland, Raymond
2nd Yurt Camp: 2021 October
Reports 4 5 6 7
3nd Yurt Camp: 2021 October Reports
8
9 10
11
Yurt Campsite at Grayland Beach State Park, WA, for three nights Booked
Near Grayland, Westport, Aberdeen, Tokeland, Raymond, Pe El, Vader
4rd Yurt Camp: 2021 November
Reports 12 13 14 15
5th Yurt Camp: 2021 December
Reports
16a
16b
17
18
19
Yurt Campsite at Cape Disappointment State Park, WA, for three nights
Booked
Near Long Beach, Seaview, Ilwaco, Naselle, Chinook
6th Yurt Camp: 2022 January
Reports 20 21 22 23
7th Yurt Camp: 2022 February
Reports 24 25 26
27
Yurt Campsite at Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon, for 3 nights
Booked
Near Netarts Bay, Sand Lake, Pacific City
8th Camp: 2022 March
Reports 28 29 30 31
9th Camp: 2022 April
Reports 32 33 34 35
10th Camp: 2022 May
Reports 36
37 38 39
Yurt Campsite at Pacific Beach State Park, WA, for three nights
TBD
Near Pacific Beach, Mocrops, Copalis Beach, Ocean Shores, Aberdeen
11th Camp: 2022 June
Reports 40 41
42 43
Yurt Campsite at Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon, for three nights
TBD
Near Newport, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, Siletz River
12th Camp: 2022 July
Reports 44 45
46 47
Yurt Campsite at Bay Center KOA, Washington, for three nights
TBD
Near South Bend, Raymond, Tokeland, Ilwaco
Four Days at Grayland, Campsite by the Sea, On a Corner of the Sea
Grayland Beach SP Yurt Campsites Video of All Campsites My Photos
Grayland Beach SP Weather Current Weather Report and Week Ahead Predictions for Grayland Grayland averages 76 inches of rain each year.
Grayland Beach SP 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, string figure playing, using waders, cell phone usage, staying warm, ... For rest, I sit and stare, sit or lay down in my beach tent, play games, 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. I enjoy reading books like: The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans, by Cynthia Barnett. I stay in a tent, a yurt, or a cottage or motel by the sea.
My favorite drive from Vancouver to Grayland Beach is from Longview to Westport, Tour 1.
Another alternative is to drive north on the Interstate 5 Freeway from Vancouver to Chelais, for 79 miles, an easy and safe drive. Then, drive west on WA Road 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, rolling hills, and encounter very little traffic. Then, drive northwest on WA 105 along the beautiful coast road from Raymond through Tokeland and north to Grayland, for 27 miles. Total distance: 158 miles, about 4 hours of easy driving with very little traffic from Chelais to Grayland. An easy effort for my Ford Escape.
Grayland Beach Nature Studies
(Grayland Beach SP Trail 2 to the Surf; Camping at Yurt 80)
The elevation of Grayland is 26 Feet, probably at WA105. Roughly, a 1 foot rise per 100-200 feet inland from the shoreline.
Zone 1
Charts Above : Zone D, Back Dune, Hind Dunes, Tertiary Vegetation Zone.
Highway WA105, Grayland Community, Homes, Businesses, State
Parks, Services, Lodging, etc., in about 1,000 -2,000 yards both east and
west of WA105 on flat ground. On the flat ground up to 2 miles east of
WA105 there are primarily cranberry bogs. The bogs start at North
Cove, Smith-Anderson road, and go all the way down to the Westport area - about
8 miles.
There are mixed trees and shrubs and charming small homes on some of the back roads east of WA105.
Trees in the Willapa Hills. Reference
Sources: e.g., A Naturalist's Guide to the Hidden World of the
Pacific Northwest, PND 2016, p.253 for the Shore Pine insect Community.
Zone 2
Charts Above: Zone D, Back Dune, Hind Dunes; some Zone C, Fore-Dune Area;
C & D Tertiary and Secondary Vegetation Zone.
Grayland Beach State Park - Shore Pine Forest
Shore Pine Forest, ferns, Barrow Lake (swamps/ponds/marshy areas), deciduous
trees in sunny areas along campground roads.
The campground area is within a
shore pine
(pinus contorta) forest. These trees "are highly adaptable and
can grow from dunes and bogs to rocky hilltops and are tolerant of low
nutrient conditions and salt spray."
Campground Map
Reference Sources: e.g., PND 2016, p.253 for
Shore Pine Community.
Zone 3
Charts Above: Zone B, Mid Zone, Incipient Dune.
Mixed low flowers, shrubs, sand dunes, fewer trees more low
plants
In this area, the trail is narrow, and with many plants on either side.
Reference Sources: e.g., PND 2016, p.253 for
dune communities.
Zone 4
Above Charts: Zones B & A, Primary Vegetation Zone
Grass, sand, extreme high winter storm tide wood debris,
beachcombing little, no trees or shrubs, some vines
Just follow all the previous footprints and walk your way to and from the
campground. Walking in sand can be strenuous for some.
You can safely walk anywhere here.
"Ammophila (synonymous
with Psamma P. Beauv.) is a genus of flowering
plants consisting of two or three very similar species of grasses.
The common
names for these grasses include marram grass, bent grass, and beach grass."
Reference Sources: e.g., PND 2016, p.253 for
dune communities.
Zone 5
Charts Above: Zone A, Fore Dune, Beach Berm
Sand, no plants, beachcombing better, storm tide debris.
Reference Sources:
Zone 6
Charts Above: Zone A, Fore Dune, Beach Face; Beach Berm, Surf Zone.
Average High Tide Line, Swash Zone, Beachcombing Prime.
This Zone has some Vehicle Drivable areas closer to shore in firm wet sand - walkers
should stay alert.
To find your way back to Trail 2 look up at the five large wind turbines in
the low hills east of Grayland. Aim your walk at the two turbines on
the right, follow all the previous foot prints in Zone 5 until you see the
big Trail 2 post. Just follow all the previous footprints and huff and
puff across the long way back to camp. Or, use your binoculars to spot the
big Trail 2 post to help you getting back to camp.
Reference Sources: e.g., New Beachcomber's
Guide to the Pacific Northwest, 2019, BG 2016
Zone 7
Charts Above: Zone A, Fore Dune, Beach Face; Beach Berm, Surf Zone.
Average Low Tide Line in Surf Zone
During the clamming season the low tide line and minus low tide line are
filled with people digging clams. Surf fishing in 1 to 2 feet of surf
is common.
This is where you get your feet wet, and beware of sneaker waves.
Search here for sand crabs and ghost shrimp.
Reference Sources:
Zone 8
Charts Above: Nearshore Bar, Nearshore Berm.
Ocean, Underwater, Sub-tidal
From the shoreline to about 500 yards into the ocean it ranges from 2-10
foot deep, at 1,000 yards from the shoreline the ocean is 20-30 feet deep,
and at 3,000 yards it is around 30-40 feet deep.
Immensity: It is 4,700 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Grayland to
Vladivostok, Russia.
Reference Sources:
Agate Hunting on the Washington Coast. By M. J. Grover.
2021, 108 pages.
Beachcombing Tips Magazine Top Spots Northwest
Pacific Northwest Beachcombing Grayland Beach
The Beachcomber's Companion: An Illustrated Guide to Collecting and Identifying Beach Treasures. By Anna Marlis Burgard. 2018, 128 pages.
Beachcomber's Guide to the Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest. By J. Duane Sept. Harbor, 2009, 224 pages.
Beachcombing at Miramar: The Quest for an Authentic Life. By Richard Bode. 1997, 208 pages.
Beachcombing the Pacific. By Amos L. Wood. Schiffer Publishing, 1987. Index, 225 pages. VSCL.
The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline. By Steve Trewhella and Julie Hatcher. 2015, 304 pages.
The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest guide to the flora and fauna of the inter-tidal areas of beaches.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Hidden World of Pacific Northwest Dunes
Books on Beach Activities and Coastal Nature Studies
5 Best Beachcombing Beaches in Grays Harbor
Beachcombing is very interesting for those closely following the changes of the tides each day, the major seasonal differences, the intensity of storm conditions, and the biotic communities by the seashore.
Just walk the beautiful beaches of Grayland. Savor the enjoyment in walking outdoors by the sea shore.
To be a fisherman is to first cast your bait into the water; to be a beachcomber is first to walk.
Beachside Day-Use "Campsites" or Picnic Sites
All wide sandy beaches from Moclips to Cape
Disappointment
Drive to a Beachside Picnic Site (sort of a Day-Use "Campsite"):
You can usually day camp from 8 am to 5 pm; weather, tides, season, and surf conditions
permitting. You cannot camp on the beach at night.
Know the tide information and surf conditions and expected weather. What season are you in? What at storm conditions? Know the current legal rules and regulations regarding driving in the area you are in. Are you on public land or private land? Know what your vehicle can do and cannot do on the firm moist beach sand. Avoid getting stuck. Drive safely a short distance to the selected beach "campsite." The vast stretches of the dry sand dune environment are for walker's only.
"Recreational use is the province of the Washington State Parks and
Recreation Commission. The commission has established driving
regulations to protect the beach and its visitors. A "drivable beach"
is defined as the area of firm, wet stand upland from the clam beds over
which the tide ebbs and flows daily. This area is considered hard
enough to support the weight of an ordinary passenger vehicle and provide
traction for the tires. The dry sand area is everything upland from
the water line, except for this strip of firm wet sand that is designated as
drivable beach. Parking is permitted only in the landward 100 feet of
the drivable beach."
- Amos L. Wood, Beachcombing the Pacific
Obviously, you can carry a lot more recreational and comfort gear in a car to a day use "campsite" or picnic site. At Grayland Beach I can drive to the beach on gravel Cranberry Road, then up to a half mile or so north or south on hard packed sand to a nice spot. I rarely drive more than a half mile from the gravel roads. I drive slowly and carefully in my Ford Escape AWD Titanium. This Ford SUV can carry enough for two people for beach day camping. When tent camping alone I set up my beach day camp as follows:
Use your vehicle as a shield against the cool ocean wind and sand spray. I also set up a small pop-up beach nylon half-tent. I have a low chair for the half-tent and a good higher camp chair. I have a Therma Rest self-inflating mattress for the back of my Ford Escape. Sometimes, when it is cold and windy, you will enjoy sitting or lying in your vehicle. I use wool blankets and warm clothing for beach day camping.
I bring my kitchen box, food box, and water. I use a one burner butane Coleman stove for cooking.
I bring surf fishing and clam digging gear. I bring gear for nature studies while walking the shore lines both at high and low tides. I bring stuff for my sit still hobbies: reading books, listening to MP3's, using my cellphone, playing string figures, tying fishing rigs, using the camera, flying kites ...
I don't burn wood at the beach. I keep and leave my campsite clean and neat.
Walking to Day-Use or Hourly-Picnic Use "Campsite": Wide sandy beaches are common at Ocean Shores, Twin Harbors, and Long Beach. It can be a very long walk from your tent campsite or a parking lot to the shore. Walking in sand is more strenuous. Thus, carrying a filled backpack, a low chair, and a half-tent, food, water ... and walking through sand dunes and beaches would challenge many an older person's (I'm 75) arms and legs. Thus, if you want to carry more while walking to the beach for a day campsite you will prefer (even as a solo tent camper) using a small beach wagon-cart. Better yet, at Grayland Beach, I drive to my selected beach "day campsite."
Beaches on the Washington Coast
Bicycling on long bike paths, quiet country roads, on dirt trails, on quiet coastal city streets, or on big tire bikes on the sandy shore ... all readily available in the Region.
A Birder's Guide to Coastal Waqshington. By Bob Morse, 2001. Featuring Ocean Shores, Long Beach Peninsula, Forks, Westport, Tokeland, and 160 Birding Hot Spots. Detailed coverage of birding locations near Westport and how to get there. Excellent resource! RWMorse, 2001, 270 pages, ring-bound. VSCL. FVRL
Pelagic Boat Trips for watching oceanic seabirds out of Westport Marina in the summer months.
Bottle Beach State Park Near Westport SS Bird Watching Area, Mudflats, Swamps
Birds of the Pacific Northwest. By John Shewey and Tim Blount. Timber Press Field Guide, 2017, 560 pages.
Johns River Wildlife Area Images Near Westport SS History Game Farm Road off 105 Walking trails, boat launch, bird watching.
Birds of Washington Field Guide. By Stan Tekiela. Adventure Pubs., 2001, 332 pages.
Jetties, marina, and pier in Westport.
American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of Washington. By Dennis Paulson and Brian Small. Scott and Nix, 2020, 368 pages.
Jetty and small marina and wetlands around Tokeland. Tokeland Population 200 Willapa Bay Images
In the Spring, many birds flock to the shallow waters and river estuaries of both Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.
Clam Digging
Clam Digging Razor Clams Washington State Fish and Wildlife
Clam Digging Razor Clam Rules and Best Beaches for Digging
Clam Digging Seasonal Schedule [Sept-Dec 2021]
Clam Digging Tides Grays Harbor
Clam Digging and Crabbing in Washington. By John A. Johnson. Adventure North Publishing, 1997, 125 pages. VSCL.
Clam Digging and Crabbing in Oregon. By John A. Johnson. VSCL.
Clamming in the Pacific Northwest. By Ken Axt. Frank Amato, 2016, 88 pages. VSCL.
Clam Digging Reports of Michael P. Garofalo
Clam Digging Grayland and Twin Harbors This stretch of beach is referred to in books as the 'Twin Harbors' Beaches.
Preparing and Cooking Razor Clams
The Secret Life of Clams: The Mysteries and Magic of Our Favorite Shellfish. By Anthony D. Dredericks. Skyhorse, 2014, 286 pages. FVRL
Clam Digging Tools: Waist waders with attached boots. Waterproof
top as needed. Waterproof and warm gloves, hat, and warm clothing.
Cylindrical clams digging tube (metal or plastic) and a clam shovel (11'x31").
Headlamps for night clamming. Mesh basket for holding razor clams.
Snacks in your pocket. Friends to have fun with at the seashore. Your
fishing license in your jacket.
If you work at shellfishing and have some luck then you will need: A clam
opening knife and cutting pad. Pot in camp big enough to clean and
cook clams, oysters, or crabs. Surf fishing for redtail surf perch is supposed to be very good using clam baits on the high tide
immediately after the razor clammers have dug at low tide.
Driving Tours of Mike Garofalo
Tour 1:
Longview to Westport (WA4, US101,WA105)
Columbia River, Willapa Bay (East and North Sides of the Willapa Bay),
Raymond, Grayland, Westport
Driving west and north for 131 miles.
Tour 2: Westport to Aberdeen (WA105)
Tour 3: Westport to Raymond (WA105)
More Notes on Driving From Vancouver to Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay
Fishing, Surfcasting, Jetty
Fishing, Pier Fishing
Fishing Washington State Fishing Regulations NS SS
Fishing: The Complete Guide to Surfcasting: Tackle, Technique, Species, Locations and More. By Joe Cermele. Burford, 2011, 288 pages. VSCL.
Grayland Beach and Twin Harbors Beach Surf Fishing
Surf Fishing Grayland Images
Fishing from the North Jetty in Ocean Shores Ilwaco Jetty and Docks Cape Disappointment Jetty South Jetty in Westport
Fishing in freshwater rivers, streams and lakes in Washington
Fishing Biography: Casting Into the Light, 2019. A fisherwomen's lifetime of fishing adventures and friendships and surfcasting around Martha's Vineyard MA. TRL
How to Catch Redtail Surf Perch UTube 2 oz round weight, Gulp Sandworm Nereis Camo dried, # 2 hook, 2 hook rig
Light Tackle Surf Perch Fishing. J. D. Richey. 2014, 52 pages. VSCL.
11 Best Beaches for Surf Perch Fishing in Washington and Oregon
Redtail Surf Perch - Wikipedia
Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide. Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.
Westport: Fishing from the South Jetty in Westport.
Tokeland Population 200 Willapa Bay Images Small marina, jetty, boat ramps, RV parks. Shoalwater Casino. Restaurant. Historic hotel.
Westport: Fishing and crabbing from the Docks, Boardwalks, and Pier at Westport.
Fishing My surfcasting rod is an 11 foot Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod, 4 piece. Reel: KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III Spinning Reel. Line: Kast King Braided line, 30 lib, 327 yards, Moss Green. Tackle box with surf fishing and jetty fishing gear. I have a valid current Washington fishing license and shell fishing license.
Surf fishing for redtail surf perch is supposed to be very good using clam baits on the high tide immediately after the razor clammers have dug at low tide.
Casting into the Light: Tales of a Fishing Life. By Janet Messineo, 2019. Surf fishing in Marthas Vineyard, MA.
Food, Cooking, Eating, Campsite Cooking, Food Markets, Seafood Markets
When camping at Grayland Beach, I tend to cook and eat fish or shellfish.
Westport has three seafood markets. Merino's at the docks has a seafood market and I have eaten their fish and chips take out many times while in Westport. I like Bay Tokeland has Nelson's Crab Specialty Market. Goose Point and Ekone Taylor Oysters are in Bay Center on Willapa Bay.
All the small towns in the area have food markets with foods to compliment seafood dishes and campground cooking.
The Magic of Tinned Fish: Elevate Your Cooking with Canned Anchovies,
Sardines, Mackerel, Crab and Other Amazing Seafood. By Chris McDade.
Artisan, 2021, 208 pages. VSCL. Recipes, history, resources,
online ordering. VSCL.
The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook: Salmon, Crab, Oysters and More. By Naomi Tomsky. Countryman Press, 2019, 256 pages. VSCL.
Flannel John's Razor Clam and Oyster Cookbook: Tastes from Willapa Bay and the Long Beach Peninsula. By Tim Murphy, 2016, 52 pages.
Hook, Line and Supper. By Hank Shaw. H & H, 2021, 336 pages.
The Tinned Fish Cookbook. By Bart van Olphen. Experiment, 2020, 144 pages.
Sea and Smoke: Flavors from the Untamed Pacific Northwest. By Blaine Wetzel and Joe Ray. Running Press, 2015, 272 pages.
Oysters Clams Redtail Surf Perch
Shell Fish Canned: I enjoy eating tin canned shellfish (Conservas: Mussels, Oysters, Crab, Clams, Sardines, Salmon, Mackerel, etc.) from canners such as Jose Gourmet from Lisbon, Portugal; Ramon Pena from Galicia, Spain; Ekone Oysters from Willapa Bay, Washington; Nelson's Crab, Willapa Bay; Bela sardines from Portugal; etc.
Forks Population 3,500 OP Olympic Park Region
Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo
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
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 Johns River Road off 105 Walking and biking 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, wood raised trail in swamps/sloughs.
Shifting Sands Nature Trails in Twin Harbors State Park near Westport
Willapa Hills State Park Trail Near South Bend-Raymond, and 56 miles to Chelais. Former railroad route
Where to Walk the Beaches in Grays Harbor
Native American tribes have used the Grays Harbor region for 2,000 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 some of my research about the indigeneous native peoples of southwestern Washington State.
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
Native Peoples of Southwest Washington. By Michael P. Garofalo
Kite Flying
The wide, flat, sandy beaches of Southwestern Washington are excellent
locations for flying
kites. From Copalis to Ocean Shores, from Westport to Grayland, from
Ocean Beach to Long Beach ... miles and miles of wide flat beaches for
flying kites. A very popular Spring and Summer sport along coastal
Washington.
There are retail stores and gift shops that sell kites in Ocean Shores, in Westport, and in Long Beach. I thought Ocean Shores Kites had a wide inventory of kites. There is Wind World in Long Beach. I have purchased kites from The Kite Company in Newport, Oregon; and from Into the Wind in Boulder, Colorado.
Long Beach is famous for its World Kite Museum. They host many events. They host the Washington State International Kite Festival every third week in August. They have many exhibits and video tours. Online collections of photographs. We attended the Kite Festival in 2018.
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 Grayland or Cape Disappointment are very wide and there is plenty of room for safe kite flying. Since you can drive on many wide sandy beaches in Southwestern Washington, you can easily set up a beach day camp for kite flying and other activities.
Stunt Kites: A Complete Flight Manual of Maneuverable Kites. By David Gomberg. Cascade Kites, 1994, 89 pages. VSCL.
Kites for Everyone: How to Make and Fly Them. By Margaret Greger. Dover, 128 pages, 2006. VSCL.
The Magnificent Book of Kites. By Maxwell Eden. Black Dog, 466 pages, 1998. VSCL.
Libraries
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). Any book or video from these libraries are included in my many bibliographies and reading lists.
Mushroom Foraging
Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. By Steve Trudell and Joe
Ammirati, 2009.
I have watched many people hunting for mushrooms at both Twin Harbors and Grayland Beach State Parks. There were even signs at Cape Disappointment about not picking mushrooms.
Music
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 ...
Native American tribes have lived in the Grays Harbor region for over
2,000 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.
Native Peoples of Southwest Washington. By Michael P. Garofalo.
Oysters in Willapa Bay
Oyster History on Willapa Bay, Schooner Trade, Boom Years, Fishery to Farm. The Sou'wester Fall, 2005. By the Pacific County Historical Society, South Bend.
Willapa Bay and the Oysters. By Nancy Lloyd. Oysterville Hand Print, 1999, 61 pages.
Oysters: A Celebration in the Raw. By Jeremy Sewall and Marion Lear Swaybill. Abbeyville Press, 2016, 216 pages.
The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Temptation. By Rowan Jacobsen. Booomsbury, 2016, 304 pages.
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
Events, Activities, Celebrations, Cycles, Traditions, Highlights,
Scheduled, Seasonal Cycles
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
January
Weather: 12 inches of rain total from 18 days.
Quotations and Poetry for
January
Yurt Camping
Storm Watching
Fewer tourists at the coast, no tent campers, cold and wet days.
February
Weather: 8 inches of rain total from 15 days.
Quotations and Poetry for
February
Yurt Camping
Storm Watching
Fewer tourists at the coast, no tent campers, cold and wet days.
March
Weather: 8 inches of rain total from 17 days.
Quotations and Poetry for
March
Yurt Camping
Whale 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
April
Weather: 6 inches of rain total from 14 days.
Quotations and Poetry for
April
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
Yurt Camping
May
June
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 Yurt Camping
Reading
Children are out of school for summer vacation. Busy
season at beach.
July
Weather: 1 inch of rain total from 3 days.
Quotations and Poetry for July
Walking
Kite Flying
Fishing
Yurt Camping
Boat trips for watching birds on the ocean
Children are out of school for summer vacation. Busy
season at beach.
August
Weather: 2 inches of rain total from 3 days.
Quotations and Poetry for
August
Walking
Kite Flying
Fishing
Yurt Camping
Boat trips for watching birds on the ocean
Some kinds of wild berries are ready for harvesting.
Children are out of school for summer vacation. Busy
season at beach.
Kite flying International Festival in Long Beach
September
Weather: 4 inches of rain total from 7 days
Cranberries,
Cranberry harvesting
Quotations and Poetry for
September
Surf Fishing for Red Tail Surf Perch
Clam Digging Variable Season
Walking
Kite Flying
Fishing
Yurt Camping
Salmon runs in the rivers
Some kinds of wild berries are ready for harvesting
Fewer tourists at the coast.
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
October
Weather: 7 inches of rain total from 13 days.
Cranberries Cranberry harvesting,
Festival Fun Run/Walk
Quotations and Poetry for
October
Surf Fishing
Kite Flying
Clam Digging Variable Season Halloween
Yurt Camping
Salmon runs in the rivers
Some kinds of wild berries are ready for harvesting
Fewer tourists at the coast, except for clam digging approved days.
November
December
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
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.
Swimming, Boogie Boarding, Wading, and Surfing
Cold ocean water all year. The average annual water temperature on the coast in Westport is 52°F. Summer high of 57°F in the surf.
The seasonal air temperatures are often too cold for wading, splashing, and playing in the crashing cold waves.
Only hardy and determined people can stay in this environment for long. Nearly all of the people doing these surf sports are wearing wetsuits.
No lifeguards. Unpredictable surf conditions. Rogue waves. Warnings at every beach road entrance that it is dangerous to get in the surf.
I've seen surfers at the south jetty at Westhaven State Park in Westport. I have seen some waders in the shallow surf and some boogie boarders in the summer from Long Beach to Ocean Shores.
The beaches are flat, sandy, and appear to give good footing. Surf pounds straight to sandy shores.
Sometimes, I will walk the sea shore in shallow water when exploring tide changes. I have wading boots for walking in wet places. I also have used full waders when clam digging and surf fishing.
I have never waded, swam, body surfed, boogie boarded, or surfed in Washington or Oregon. The last time I body surfed was in 1997 at Bolsa Chica Beach and Huntington Beach, California.
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.
Average annual water temperature on the coast in Westport is 52°F, by the seasons: in winter 49°F, in spring 50°F, in summer 57°F, in autumn 54°F. Minimum water temperature (46°F) in Westport it happens in March, maximum (59°F) in August.
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 Sightseeing An extensive hypertext Visitor's Guide to Westport
Westport: Grays Harbor Lighthouse State Park A long paved bike path connects to light house, Westhaven and Westport docks.
Westport: Maritime Museum
Westport - A History By Kate Kershner
Westport: Pier, Float Dock 20, Fisherman's Boardwalk Images
Westport SEE ALSO Fishing, Clam Digging, Cranberries, Crabbing, Jetties, Kites, Beachcombing
Westport Lodging Chateau Westport Resort is the largest. Plenty of RV parks, B&B, and homes for rent.
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 Weather: Current Weather Report and Week Ahead Predictions for Westport Westport averages 76 inches of rain each year.
The River Pioneers: Early Days on Grays Harbor. By Edwin Van Syckle. Pacific Search Press and Friends of the Aberdeen Public Library, 1982, index, 423 pages. FVRL. Excellent coverage of the life of Indians in the area, the development of the area from 1820-1920, geography, settlement locations, noted pioneers, economy, etc. Nice photographs from the era. Mr. Van Syckle was writer and editor for the Aberdeen Daily World newspaper for 50 years.
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.
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
General Notes
Willapa Bay Images WB
Willapa Bay is in Pacific County with a Population of 20,920.
Willapa Bay: Willapa Hills
Willapa Bay: Detailed Map
Willapa Bay
Estuaries
There are many estuaries
at the mouths of the various rivers that flow into
Willapa Bay, and the Bay itself is an estuary.
"Willapa Bay is a major estuary on the Pacific Coast and at mean high tide encompasses approximately 70,400 acres (28,500 hectares). An estuary is defined as the area near the mouth of a river, or rivers, in the case of Willapa Bay, where oceanic tidal waters and freshwater currents collide and mix. Biologically, estuaries are among the most productive environments on earth and provide important habitat for a large variety of organisms. This high productivity is due basically to physical and biological processes unique to estuaries. Dissolved organic nutrients from detrital (dead plants and animals, and excrement) material enter the estuary from inflowing rivers. Saltwater pushed along the estuary bottom by the incoming tide brings in other nutrients of marine origin. Currents and tides circulate fresh and salt water, distributing and, to a certain extent, trapping dissolved and suspended matter. Deposition of these substances fertilizes the estuary and plant life flourishes. This plant life includes grasses, rushes, sedges of estuarine marshes, benthic algae (diatoms), epi-benthic algae, and eelgrass on intertidal sediments. Some plants are fed upon directly by fish and wildlife but most die and enter the food chain in the form of detritus or partly decomposed plant material. This detritus, suspended in the water and deposited on the bottom, is a high-quality food for consumers because of its high nutritional value. A number of studies have shown that many species of fish and invertebrates feed wholly or partially on detritus. Therefore, detritus feeders are the critical link between plant production and the production of higher consumers. Consequently, the ultimate ecological value of primary production in marshes occurs when detritus of marsh plant origin enters the food web of the estuary." Willapa Estuary
"An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body
of brackish
water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a
free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between
river environments and maritime environments and are an example of an ecotone.
Estuaries are subject both to marine influences such as tides,
waves, and the influx of saline water and to riverine influences such as
flows of freshwater and sediment. The mixing of seawater and freshwater
provides high levels of nutrients both in the water column and in sediment,
making estuaries among the most productive natural habitats in the world."
"Estuaries are a happy land, rich in the continent itself, stirred by the
forces of nature like the soup of a French chef; the home of myriad forms of
life from bacteria and protozoans to grasses and mammals; the nursery,
resting place, and refuge of countless things." - Stanely A.
Cain
Willapa Bay Climate 90 inches of rain each year in South Bend on Willapa Bay.
South Bend Climate 90 inches of rain each year. 30% of the oysters consumed in the USA come from Willapa Bay. Westport Climate
Northwest Washington Coast Ecoregion
Trees in the Willapa Forest: Coastal Temperate Rainforests, Late-successional coastal lowland forest
Logging in the Willapa Hills
"Willapa Bay is a bay located on the southwest Pacific coast of Washington. The Long Beach Peninsula separates Willapa Bay from the greater expanse of the Pacific Ocean. With over 260 square miles (670 km2) of water surface. Willapa Bay is the second-largest estuary on the United States Pacific coast. Early settlers called the bay Shoalwater Bay and this name is found on old maps and charts of the region. Willapa Bay is fairly shallow: more than half of its surface area lies in the intertidal zone, and half of the volume of water inside it enters and leaves with every tide. The bay is an estuary formed when the Long Beach Peninsula, a long sand spit from the Columbia River to the south, partially enclosed the estuaries of several smaller rivers. It is a ria, which formed after the rise in sea level at the end of the last ice age flooded several small river valleys." - Wikipedia
Information, Bibliography, Sources, Readings about Willapa Bay
Coast Country: A History of Southwest Washington. By Lucile McDonald.
Long Beach, Midway Printery, 1989. Index, 183 pages. TRLS = Timberland
Regional Library System, WA [I pick up my reserved books and videos as
the Westport Branch of the TRLS.].
The Historical and Regional Geography of the Willapa Bay Area, Washington. By Jean Hazeltine. South Bend, 1956, 308 pages. FVRL
Shoalwater Willapa., By Douglas Allen. Snoose Peak Publishing, South Bend, WA, 2004. Index, notes, sources, 286 pages. TRLS.
Telling Our Stories: Voices of Grays Harbor. By students of the Evergreen State College, Grays Harbor Campus. Gorham Printing, Centralia, WA, 2012. 155 pages. TRLS.
A Tidewater Place: Portrait of the Willapa Ecosystem. By The Willapa Alliance, Long Beach, WA, 1993. Color photographs and text, 50 pages. TRLS.
Willapa Bay: The Longstreet Highroad Guide to the Northwest Coast has good coverage on Willapa Bay.
Willapa Bay Blog Reports and Photographs by Michael P. Garofalo.
Maps of Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay
Information, Books, Guides, Reference Books, Field Guides, Handbooks
Grayland Beach, Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, Olympic Peninsula, and the Pacific Northwest
Useful Books for Your Vehicle While Traveling:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. By Peter Alden and Dennis Paulson. Knopf, 1998, 488 pages. Regional Guide (Washington and Oregon): birds, animals, trees, wildflowers, insects, weather, nature preservers, etc. This is a handy, small, and sturdy field guide for enthusiasts of natural history studies. Over 1,500 small colored photographs, some maps and drawings. I carry in my car along with camera, binoculars, magnifying glass, tools, and walking backpack (with 10 essentials) and recreational supplies. VSCL.
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 Escape. An essential tool for travelers. Very convenient to use. Since I drive on paved roads, this book provides sufficient detail for my needs. Handy for home study.
Also, use more detailed maps, as needed, such as good County maps,
topographic maps, walking and hiking guides, fishing guides, birding guides,
local tourist maps, etc.
And, Google NAV and Google Maps on your cellphone can really provide
detailed information and directions.
Useful Books for Your Picnic Table by the Sea
The Flora and Fauna of the Pacific Northwest. By Collin Varner. University of Washington Press, 2018, 462 pages. Over 1,000 outstanding large photographs of 800 species of the most frequently observed plants and animals of the region. What you are likely to see in Washington and Oregon from the seashore to 60 miles inland. This book is oversized and heavy - like a large photography book on your coffee table at home. VSCL.
The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest. By J. Duane Sept. Harbor Publishing, 2019, 416 pages. Covering the Pacific Northwest most common shoreline-dwelling flora and fauna. Focused on the kinds of inter-tidal marine life you might find on the shorelines of Washington and Oregon. Hundreds of colored photographs and good descriptions. Handy book for your backpack when heading out to walk the shore an hour before low tide ends; and the glossy paper stock would probably hold up in field conditions. VSCL.
Bring any book you like to enjoy at your sunny picnic table or comfy camp chair.
Nature Studies in Grayland Beach, Willapa
Bay, Grays Harbor, the Olympic Peninsula, and
the Pacific Northwest
Useful Books for Your Campsite or Home Study
A Birder's Guide to Coastal Waqshington. By Bob Morse. Featuring Ocean Shores, Long Beach Peninsula, Forks, Westport, Tokeland, and 160 Birding Hot Spots. R. W. Morse Co., 2001, Index, 249 pages, spiral bound text. VSCL. Detailed coverage of birding locations and how to get there.
Beachcombing SEE Beachcombing
A Coast of Scenic Wonders: Coastal Geology and Ecology of the OUter Coast of Oregon and Washington and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. By Miles O. Hayes, Jacqueline Michel, and Joseph Holmes. Pandion Books, 2020, 229 pages.
The Flora and Fauna of the Pacific Northwest. By Collin Varner. University of Washington, 2018, 462 pages. VSCL. Outstanding photographs, larger size.
Grayland Beach Nature Studies. By Michael P. Garofalo. 2021-
More Northwest Coastal Field Guides
National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. By Peter Alden and Dennis Paulson. Knopf, 1998, 488 pages. This is a handy and sturdy field guide for enthusiasts of natural history studies. I carry in my car along with binoculars, magnifying glass, and supplies in my backpack. VSCL.
Natural History of the Pacific Northwest Mountains. By Daniel Mathews. Timber Press Field Guide, 2017, Index, 583 pages. VSCL.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Hidden World of Pacific Northwest Dunes. By George Poinar Jr. Oregon State University, 2016, 288 pages. VSCL. PND 2016
The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest. By J. Duane Sept. Harbor Publishing, 2019, 416 pages. VSCL. BG 2016
The Northwest Coast: A Natural History. By Stewart T. Schultz. Timber Press, 1990, index, 389 pages. VSCL.
The Northwest Coastal Explorer. By Robert Steelquist. Timer Press, 2016, 282 pages. Overview of key features with pictures and text. VSCL.
Plants of the Pacific Northwest. By Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon. Partners, 2004, 528 pages.
Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast: An Illustrated Guide to Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. By Eugene N. Kozloff. University of Washington, 1983, 378 pages. A technical scientific presentation. VSCL.
Seashore of the Pacific Northwest. By Ian Sheldon. Lone Pine, 1998, 192 pages. VSCL.
The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans. By Cynthia Barnett. W.W. Norton, 2021, 432 pages. VSCL.
Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. Tracking and Identifying Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates. By David Moskowitz. Timber Press, 2010, 364 pages. VSCL.
Books in my personal home library (VSCL) about Washington State.
Automobile Traveling in Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, the Olympic
Peninsula, and the Pacific Northwest
Useful Books for Home Study and Your Automobile Library
History, Events, Accommodations, Highlights, Sightseeing, Cities, Parks
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 Escape. An essential tool for travelers. Very convenient
to use. Detailed!
The Last Wilderness: A History of the Olympic Peninsula. By Murray Morgan. University of Washington, 2019, 262 pages. VSCL.
The Longstreet Highroad Guide to the Northwest Coast. By Allan and Elizabeth May. Atlanta, Georgia, Longstreet Press, 2000. Index, 370 pages. VSCL. For both home and filed use.
Moon Olympic Peninsula: Coastal Getaways, Rainforests, Waterfalls, Hiking and Camping Travel Guide. By Jeff Burlingame. Moon Travel, 2021, 256 pages. Covers the coastal towns and travel highlights from Forks south to Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and Illwaco. For home and field use. VSCL.
Washington's Pacific Coast: A Guide to Hiking, Camping, Fishing & Other Adventures
By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Like a Local. By Nancy Blakey. Sasquatch Books, 2018, 256 pages. VSCL.
Pacific Northwest, Fodor's Travel. 22nd Edition, 2020.
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.
Books in my personal home library (VSCL) about Washington State.
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 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.
Beachcombing, Kite Flying, Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing, Walking,
Camping and other Seashore Activities in
this Region
Grays Habor, Willapa Bay, Olympic Peninsula, Pacific Northwest
Beachcombing Fishing Digging Razor Clams Oysters Kites Walking
The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline. By Steve
Trewhella and Julie Hatcher. Princeton University Press, 2015, 304
pages.
The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest. By J. Duane Sept. Harbor Publishing, 2019, 416 pages. VSCL.
By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Like a Local. By Nancy Blakey. Sasquatch Books, 2018, 256 pages. VSCL. Roughly arranged by the four seasons. Good on Puget Sound coastal activities. Coastal activities, projects, sightseeing, events.
The Flora and Fauna of the Pacific Northwest. By Collin Varner. University of Washington, 2018, 462 pages. VSCL. Outstanding photographs, larger size.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Hidden World of Pacific Northwest Dunes. By George Poinar Jr. Oregon State University, 2016, 288 pages. VSCL.
More Northwest Coastal Field Guides
The Northwest Coastal Explorer. By Robert Steelquist. Timer Press, 2016, 282 pages. Overview of key features with pictures and text. VSCL.
Washington's Pacific Coast: A Guide to Hiking, Camping, Fishing & Other Adventures
Books in my personal home library (VSCL) about travel in Southwestern Washington State.
Deeper Reading
Landscape and Memory. By Simon Schama. Vintage, 1995, 655 pages. VSCL.
The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans. By Cynthia Barnett. W.W. Norton, 2021, 432 pages. VSCL.
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.
In 2022, I plan to Yurt Camp for four days and three nights at various coastal locations in Washington and Oregon.
"Grayland Beach" is a my general way of referring to camping in a
Yurt at a coastal State Park. Yurt camping at the beach will be the central point for my explorations
places like Twin Harbors, Willapa Bay, Long Beach Peninsula, Nehalem
Bay, etc.
Here are My Reports on Yurt 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.
I strongly recommend that you use the online
reservation system to reserve a tent campground site or yurt
campground site at the State Parks in Washington and Oregon. For
example, the campground
was full of RVs and trailers 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). Daily rates for Yurts vary with the
seasons, weekdays or weekends, pets or no pets, extra cars, etc.
I think a Yurt is just dandy for one or two people. You bring your own bedding, covers, play and recreational gear, cooking kitchen, food, clothing, gear and supplies.
First, you are in a campground in a forest of shore pines, adjacent to sand dunes, and can easily walk to the beach. State Parks are usually in quite beautiful locations, and most have walking trails.
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. 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 small light, and an electric heater. It has a padded bunk bed and a padded futon couch bed, and a small low table, and sometimes wood chairs and table.
Third, at $65-$85 a night to reserve a Yurt it is cheaper than a typical cottage, B&B, motel or hotel room cost in Ocean Shores, Westport, Long Beach, or Aberdeen. 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.
Fourth, all the Yurts I have used are clean, neat, and simple. Each Yurt site usually has a small to large raised covered deck outside the front door. The Yurt site includes a picnic table and a fireplace pit, usually on a large concrete pad. There is usually a nice paved driveway in front of the Yurt that can accommodate two vehicles. There is room for a tent at most Yurt campsites. 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.
Fifth, cooking and eating at your Yurt campsite can save you money and travel time. 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.
I bring extension cords and small electric lamp for reading, two nice portable chairs, an electric hot water pot, books, a small side table, a small portable table (2"x3"). I have lots of electronic gear: cell phone, Kindle reader, laptop computer, chargers, lights, cords, Jackery powerbank, camera, etc. I bring bedding, covers, play and recreational gear, cooking kitchen, food, clothing, gear and supplies.
Both Yurt and many tent campsites do have major RV and trailer electrical and water services for $30.00 more.
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. I don't pee on the ground outside the Yurt.
A Yurt does not have water inside the Yurt. There are numerous public water spigots in the campground and at Yurt campsites. I bring water bottles.
Yurt Campsites on the Northwest Coast
Pacific Beach State Park, Washington
Twin Harbors State Park, Washington
Grayland Beach State Park, Washington
Bay Center KOA, Washington
Cape
Disappointment State Park, Washington
Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon
Nehalem Bay State Park, Oregon
Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon
Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon
South Beach State Park, Newport, Oregon
Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon, Oregon
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.
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, practicing string figures, 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 a bottle of 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.
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. 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.
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)." 
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.
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.
Bridge
of the Gods - Ancient Avalanche. Cascade Locks area of the Columbia
River.
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.
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
Day Hiking, South Cascades: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams,
and the Columbia Gorge.
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
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
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.
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.
Maryhill Museum. Near Dalles,
Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
Maryhill State Park.
Moon Olympic Peninsula.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Native Americans of Northern California, Oregon and Washington
Indian Peoples of the Northwestern United States of America
The Chinook Indians: Traders of the Lower Columbia River. Robert H. Ruby and John A. Brown. University of Oklahoma Press, 1988, 372 pages. VSCL.
By William Bright. Berkeley, California, University of California Press,
1993. Index, 202 pages. ISBN: 9780520080621. VSCL.
A Guide to the Indian
Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. By Robert H. Ruby, John A. Brown,
Cary C. Collins. Norman, University of Oklahoma, Third Edition, 2010.
Index, 415 pages. ISBN: 978-0806140247. FVRL.
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
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.
Mount Shasta, California: Bibliography, Links, Lore, Quotes. Myth
and Legends, Native American, Spiritual Vortex, Sacred Mountain, Mystical Mountain, New Age and NeoPagan Lore. By Mike Garofalo.
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 American Museums, Historic Places, Cultural Sites in the United States
Native Peoples of the Olympic Peninsula: Who We Are. Edited by Jacilee
Wray. Second Edition. University of Oklahoma, 2015, 224 pages.
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.
Standing Ground: Yurok Indian Spirituality, 1850-1990
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.
Wisdom of the Elders: Sacred Native Stories of Nature. By David
Suzuki. Contributions by Peter Knudtson. Bantam Books, 1993, 274
pages.
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.
Quinalt Cultural Center and Museum, Taholah, Washington
Yurok Villiage, Patrick's Point State Park, Trinidad, California
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, near Dalles, Oregon. Plateau Indian Nations.
Native American Arts and Crafts
Activities
Enjoy Anywhere, All Ages, Non-Electronic, Hands-On
Strings on Your Fingers. By Michael P. Garofalo. Hypertext document from 2003-2011.
Coloring Books
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.
Art play
with crayons, pencils, pens.
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.
Natural History of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington
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.
Deserts (National Audubon Society Nature Guides)
Edible and Useful Plants of
California. By Charlotte Bringle Clarke. Berkeley, University of
California Press, 1977. ISBN: 0520032616. VSCL.
Field Guide to Oregon Rivers
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
The National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest
By Peter Alden and Dennis Paulson. New York, Alfred Knopf, 1998.
Index, resource lists, guides, maps, and color illustrations, 448 pages.
ISBN: 0679446796. VSCL.
Natural History of the Pacific Northwest. By Daniel Mathews.
Timber Press, 2017. Index, 584 pages. ISBN: 978-1604696356.
VSCL.
Northern California Gardening: Bibliography, Links,
Resources, Notes
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 Northern and Central California
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.
Our Home, Gardens and Yard in Red
Bluff, California, North Sacramento Valley Lists of animals and
plants in our area. Birds, weeds, mammals, trees ...
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.
British Columbia, Canada
Canada: Coast to Coast in Canada's
Great Cities, Mountains, Parks, and Attractions. By Corey Sandler.
Chicago, Illinois, Contemporary Books, 2001. Index, maps,
appendices, 329 pages. ISBN: 0809226539. VSCL.
Notes on My Day Hiking Adventures
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.
I write about these short travel adventures in my Cloud Hands Blog. Follow the adventures by the Category Labels: Oregon, Southwestern Washington, Washington, Travel
In 2006, my brother Philip and I hiked 11 miles to the top of North Dome in Yosemite National Park.
A Brief Biography of Michael P. Garofalo
This webpage was last modified, revised, reformatted, improved, or updated on November 20, 2021.
This webpage (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay) was first published on the Internet on October 1, 2021.
2017-2022 Vancouver, Clark County, Columbia River Valley, Washington, WA
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,
1998-2017 Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, California
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.
Walking - The Ways of Walking - Homepage
Paths to Fitness and Well Being
Cloud Hands: Taijiquan, Bagua, Xing Yi, Swordsmanship
© Green Way Research, Vancouver, Washington, 2017 -
Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 1998-2017
Mike Garofalo at the Klickitat River in Southwest Washington, 2019
Return to the Alphabetical Index of Mike Garofalo's Hypertext Documents
