Southwestern Washington

Olympia south to Vancouver
Interstate 5 Travel Corridor
 

Four Days in Grayland, Part 1


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

March 17, 2022

Olympia     Centralia     Chelais     Toledo     Castle Rock     Kelso

Longview     Cowlitz River     Kalama     Woodland     Lewis River

Ridgefield     Vancouver     Clark County     Camas     Washougal    

Columbia Gorge     Cloud Hands Blog     Bibliography    

Four Days in Grayland           
 

 

 

 

Olympia

Olympia Ciity - Wikipedia    Population 46,800     Images  

"Olympia is the capital of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat and largest city of Thurston County.[6][7] It is 60 miles (100 km) southwest of the state's most populous city, Seattle, and is a cultural center of the southern Puget Sound region.   European settlers claimed the area in 1846, with the Treaty of Medicine Creek initiated in 1854, followed by the Treaty of Olympia in 1856. Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859, and as a city in 1882.[8] It had a population of 46,479 at the time of the 2010 census, making it the state's 24th-largest city. Olympia borders Lacey to the east and Tumwater to the south."

Olympia State Capitol

Olympia Museum

Olympia Arboretum 

Tumwater City

Lacey City

Tacoma City

 

 

Centralia and Chelais


Lewis County   Population 76,000   County Seat in Chelais. 

Centralia  Population 18,183  Images

Timber industry, farming, cattle raising, wide range of stores and services, motels, restaurants, cafes, banks, hospital, businesses, tourism. 
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia    WA6 Junction  
Centralia is 84 miles south of Seattle.  
Centralia Outlets Shopping     Business Directory

Centralia: Weyerhaeuser Timber Company   The company owns most of the Willapa Hills forests to the west of Centralia.  

Chehalis  Population  7,259   Images  
Chehalis is 88 miles north of Portland, and 28 miles south of Olympia. 
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia.  About 12 miles north of the I5/WA12 Junction near Mary's Corner. 
Timber industry, farming, city, businesses, tourism.  County Seat of Lewis County. 

Grand Mond   Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark

Lucky Eagle Rochester Indian Hotel and Casino 

Chehalis River    Images   Newaukum River

Chehalis Reservation Confederated Tribes

Native Indians of Southwestern Washington

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Toledo 


Toldeo City   Images     Population 720   Essential services, market, cafe, gas. 

Toledo History

Cowlitz Farm (1820-1890) and Cowlitz Landing   "It was the influences of the Hudson’s Bay Company that brought the first white settler to the Toledo area.  Simon Plomondon is recorded as the first white settler in Southwest Washington around 1820.  Plomondon was an employee of the HBC and started a farm on the Cowlitz Prairie known as “Cowlitz Farm”.  He later went independent and was instrumental in local politics.  The Cowlitz Mission was started in the year 1839 by father Francis Norbert Blanchet and was located about 3 miles north of Toledo on the Cowlitz Prairie.  Plomondon helped Blanchet in his endeavor, which was also encouraged by the HBC.  The Cowlitz Mission ministered to the local Indians and white settlers.  Rumor has it that a town was planned for an area adjoining the Mission, but never materialized."
 

Cowlitz River    105 miles long

Cowlitz River

Cowlitz River Valley Images

Cowlitz River Fishing

Cowlitz Prairie, Cowlitz Farm, Cowlitz Landing and the Cowlitz Mission   Cowlitz Landing on the Cowlitz River was the start of the overland route to Puget Sound. 

Cowlitz River Valley Museum in Morton

Fort Cowlitz (1839-1860)  Cowlitz Farm 

Saint Francis Savior Mission Catholic Church, School, and Convent in Toledo  (1839-) 

Lewis and Clark State Park

Vader City   Population 621  Basic Services

Winlock     Population 1,300  Basic services, Egg farms   Images

 

Mary's Corner   Interstate 5 and US Route 12 Junction.  Route 12 is a major nice wide flat highway trough the broad Cowlitz River valley and over the Cascades to Yakima. 

Mossyrock  Population 769.  Few services.  Mossyrock Lake and Park. 

Ike Kinswa State Park   On Mossyrock Lake 

Mossrock Dam and Riff Reservoir   1968 

Morton   Population 1,200    Images     Basic services 

Cispus River  54 miles long  Tributary of the Cowlitz

Dams and Reservoirs in the Cowlitz River Valley: Mossyrock Dam

Randle    Images   Junction of US12 and Forest Road 25. 

Windy Ridge  I drove up the winding, long, narrow, cliff-side road up to the Windy Ridge viewpoints in 9/2021. 
Spirit Lake still has many logs in the water.  The many lightening struck trees along the road were an impressive sight.   
I drove from La Wis Wis Campground, through Packwood, Randle, Forest Road 25, Windy Ridge Road, Cougar, Woodland, Home.
 

"Randle is a small town in eastern Lewis County, Washington, United States. Randle is located on U.S. Route 12 and is notable as the northeastern access point to the Mount St. Helens Windy Ridge viewpoint, by way of forest service roads that cut through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Randle is located right next to the Cowlitz River and is about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Cispus River, a tributary of the Cowlitz. The rural area surrounding Randle is known locally as the "Big Bottom Valley," which is reflective of the fact that the valley floor in which the Cowlitz River winds westward through Randle is "big"—flat, fertile land that is, in places, more than 3 miles (4.8 km) wide."

Packwood     Population 1,200   Images     Motels, cafes, gas, shops, basic services, tourist center all year. 

La Wis Wis Campground   Photos from my camping trip in 2021. 

Mt. Ranier 

White Mountain Pass

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Castle Rock

Castle Rock City     Population 1,982     Images    Basic Services at Interstate 5 and in town. 

Castle Rock Riverfront Walk, Bicycle Trail along the Cowlitz River

Toutle River  17 miles 

Mt. St. Helens National Park    Tourist Guide   Eruption Photos

The volcanic major eruption in 1980 blocked the Columbia River for two years with debris from the Toutle and Cowlitz River. 

Mt. St. Helens National Park   Visitor Center   We enjoyed our visits to this area many times. 

Historical Highways from Vancouver to Castle Rock

Seaquest State Park

Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo.  Travels in Southwestern Washington State. 

Spirit Lake   3,000 Feet 

Johnston Ridge Observatory

Silver Lake   We have stayed in cabins at this lake twice.  My son put his boat in at their marina.  

Spirit Lake Memorial Highway  Washington State Road 54

Windy Ridge  I drove up the winding, long, narrow, cliff-side road up to the Windy Ridge viewpoints in 9/2021. 
Spirit Lake still has many logs in the water.  The many lightening struck trees along the road were an impressive sight.   
I drove from La Wis Wis Campground, through Packwood, Randle, Forest Road 25, Windy Ridge Road, Cougar, Woodland, Home.

Return to Top Index

 

 

Kelso    

Kelso City   Population 12,975   Images   Full Services   Many industries and commercial buildings by the Copwlitz.   

Kelso Business at Interstate 5 Exit 39. 

Kelso - History

Kelso - History

Three Rivers Mall

Sportsmen's Wharehouse    Camping, hunting, fishing, clothing, shoes and other outdoor supplies 

Cowlitz River    105 miles long

Cowlitz County

"Built on the site of the Cowlitz Indian village of Tiahanakshih, the area that became Kelso was settled in 1847 by Peter Crawford, a Scottish surveyor who laid out the town site in 1884 and named it for his hometown in Scotland. The city's economy is based chiefly on lumbering, fishing, dairying, and fruit growing."

Kelso Port

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Longview


Longview  Population 37,520   Images   CR   By the Cowlitz River (the boundary between Kelso and Longview) and the Columbia River. 

Kelso is part of the Longview, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 102,410. 

Cowlitz County

Museum   

Interstate 5 Exit 39  Exit 39 has a full range of traveler's services:  cafes, motels, stores, shopping, fast food, gas. 

Steamboats on the Lower Columbia River from 1850-

Sacajawea Park and Japanese Gardens

Longview Shopping   A full range of stores, markets, services, shopping, gas, repairs, hospital, etc. 

Three Rivers Mall

Lewis County   Population 76,000   County Seat in Chelais. 

Lewis and Clark Bridge over the Columbia River from Longview to Rainer, Oregon.  Built in 1930. 

Trip from Longview to Westport   Photos and Information 

Longview Port

Cowlitz Indian Nation  Offices and Services

Columbia River Boat Cruising Guide

Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo.  Travels in Southwestern Coastal Washington State. 

Interstate 5 Travel Corridor, Olympia to Longview

Lower Columbia River, North Side, Ilwaco to Washougal 

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Cowlitz River

Cowlitz River   105 miles long.  "The Cowlitz River is a river in the state of Washington in the United States, a tributary of the Columbia River. Its tributaries drain a large region including the slopes of Mount RainierMount Adams, and Mount St. Helens.  The Cowlitz has a 2,586-square-mile (6,698 km2) drainage basin,[5][6] located between the Cascade Range in eastern Lewis County, Washington and the cities of Kelso and Longview. The river is roughly 105 miles (169 km) long, not counting tributaries.  Major tributaries of the Cowlitz River include the Cispus River and the Toutle River, which was overtaken by volcanic mudflows (lahars) during the May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens."

Cowlitz Indian Nation

Cowlitz River    105 miles long

Cowlitz River

Cowlitz River Valley Images

Cowlitz River Fishing

Cowlitz Prairie, Cowlitz Farm, Cowlitz Landing and the Cowlitz Mission   Cowlitz Landing on the Cowlitz River was the start of the overland route to Puget Sound. 

Fort Cowlitz (1839-1860)  Cowlitz Farm 

Cispus River  54 miles long 

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Kalama


Kalama City   Images     Population 2,400    Stores, gas, motel, cafe, antiques, services. 
Adjacent to Interstate 5 with three freeway exits.  South of Longview.

Kalama River     Images     45 miles long. 

Kalama Port

Kalama History

"On Monday, December 22, 1919, a group of Kalama residents meets at the Kalama Business Men’s Club to discuss the formation of a port district. Kalama is located in Cowlitz County in Southwestern Washington, north of Vancouver. After circulating petitions and holding a hearing, Port of Kalama will be formed in an election held on March 17, 1920. Kalama citizens will elect Hite Imus, J. G. Gruver, and F. L. Jenkins as commissioners. The Port of Kalama boasts access to the Columbia River, a railway, and later (1950s), Interstate 5. In the 1920s, the Port will lease property to tie mills, shingle mills, and other timber operators. In the 1960s, it will become a focal point for the area’s wheat industry, leasing a new grain terminal to North Pacific Grain Growers Inc. The Port will also provide the site for a phenol plant for Dow Chemical. In the 1980s, the Port will build its second grain terminal, bringing Peavey Grain Company to Kalama. In 2009, the Port of Kalama’s more than 20 industrial tenants will employ some 900 people."

Kalama Antique Stores

Lewis County   Population 76,000   County Seat in Chelais. 

McMenamins Restaurant and Hotel 

Columbia Gorge Cruises

Columbia River Boat Cruising Guide

Kalama Riverbank Park     Picnic, fishing, totem poles, restrooms, grass, paved walking trail on the dyke

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

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Woodland Area and the Lewis River

 

Woodland City     Population 5,600.     Images   Adjacent to Interstate 5.   A full range of stores, services, markets, motels, etc. 

Woodland, Washington. 

Woodland Library FVRL

Lewis River dams and reservoirs east of Woodland.  This river is 95 miles long.  "The North Fork is impounded for hydroelectricity and flood control in its middle course by Swift Dam, forming Swift ReservoirYale Dam, forming Yale Lake; and Merwin Dam, forming Lake Merwin.

Hulda Klager's Lilac Gardens  

Tsugawa's Nursery in Woodland

La Center City     Population 2,800

La Center City Government

La Center History

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

Ilani Casino and Resort

Lewis River  

Lewis River Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Lewis River Waterfalls

Lewis River Lucia Falls Park

Cowlitz Indian People   Some tribal services in La Center

Cougar    Population 122

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

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

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Clark County


Battle Ground Lake State Park, Clark County, Washington.  Campground, yurts, lake fishing, hiking. 

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.]

Bicycling in Clark County

Clark County Fairgrounds and Event Center

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. 

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

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. 

Parks in Clark County, Washington  Alphabetical List. 

Vancouver Lake Regional Park, City of Vancouver, Clark County

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. 

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. 

Yacolt   Population 1,796   Basic services

Amboy   Population 1,608     Basic services 

Lewis River Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Lewis River Waterfalls

Lewis River Lucia Falls Park

Moulton Falls Regional Park

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Ridgefield


Ridgefield City   Images     Population 4,700   The small town is on a bluff above the lowlands by the Columbia River. 

Ridgefield - Chinook House  Cathlapotle Plankhouse   

Cathlapotle and its Inhabitants 1792-1860.  By Robert Boyd.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon, 2011.  Index, 209 pages, many maps and charts, place name index, detailed bibliography, art work.  FVRL.  Fascinating study of native people living the area from For Vancouver to Ilwaco, on both sides of the lower Columbia River.  I believe there is also one plankhouse reconstructed at Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon.  I visited Native American plankhouses and shelters in Northern California at Patrick's Point State Park. 

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield, Clark County   This large refuge includes an auto tour through the wetlands, sloughs, bogs, and lowlands along the Columbia River.  A few trails from this road are open only in the summer.  Many birds winter here.  A second area of the refuge consists of a walking path over the railroad, a reconstructed Chinoon style plankhouse, and many walking trails through these lowlands (soaked in winter). 

Ridgefield History

Ridgefield Visitors Guide

Ridgefield Library FVRL

Ridgefield Shopping 

Ridgefield Recreation

Ridgefield Information and Travel

Ridgefield Marina    On a slough of the Columbia.  Kayak rentals, small boat launch, mooring, picnic tables, fishing, restrooms, parking lot. 

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

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Vancouver   


Vancouver, City, Washington     Images     Population 187,000.  Incorporated city in 1857. 

Karen and I have lived in the City of Vancouver, in Clark County, in the Southwestern area of the State of Washington, since April of 2017. 
We live in the unincorporated northeast area of Vancouver, Orchards, Five Corners, Sunset. 

Orchards Shopping Center

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, Yurt Camping, and Four Days in Grayland.

Columbia River Renaissance Trail, Vancouver, Clark County

Feral Heathen Restaurant, Brewery, Catering, Winery, Event Housing and Center.  My son is the Executive Chef at the Feral Heathen.   

Fort Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver, Washington

"The Vancouver area was inhabited by a variety of Native American tribes, most recently the Chinook and Klickitat nations, with permanent settlements of timber longhouses.[7] The Chinookan and Klickitat names for the area were reportedly Skit-so-to-ho and Ala-si-kas, respectively, meaning "land of the mud-turtles".[8][9] First European contact was made by William Robert Broughton in 1792,[10][11] with approximately half of the indigenous population dead from smallpox before the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in the area in 1806.[7] Within another fifty years, other actions and diseases such as measlesmalaria and influenza had reduced the Chinookan population from an estimated 80,000 "to a few dozen refugees, landless, slaveless and swindled out of a treaty".[7]"

Clark County Historical Museum

Vancouver Port   Developed in 1912. 

Vancouver Shopping

 

Fort Vancouver National Historical Monument Site

Fort Vancouver (1825-1850) 

Fort Vancouver (1850-1950)

Fort Vancouver (1950-) 

Portland, Oregon, is directly across the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington.  You cross the Columbia River on either the old metal drawbridge on Interstate 5 or the large concrete bride on Interstate 205.  Both cities have large ports and commercial and industrial buildings on the Columbia. 

Fort Vancouver National Historical Monument Site

The first successful agricultural enterprise in the Northwest started in 1825 at Fort Vancouver.  The Hudson Bay Company established and operated this growing community on the shores of the Columbia River.  They raised enough grain and vegetables and fruits (apples) to export.  They started the first herds of horses, cattle, pigs, goats, ducks, sheep, etc.  Unfortunately, the 1830's epidemics killed 90% of the Native Peoples on both sides of the Lower Columbia River. Fort Vancouver was the trade center for buying and selling the pelts of many animals killed by hunters; and exporting them to China and Boston.  They exported and imported via the Columbia River and the Pacific.  Over 600 people were employed at Fort Vancouver. They used the many wide and flat areas around Vancouver for agricultural and commercial development.  European arts and crafts were integrated into daily life by the river.  Vancouver and Portland began to emerge in the 1860's as major business, commercial and industrial centers, and both are still flourishing in 2022. The first ocean going sail and steamboats came to Fort Vancouver in 1836; and the Columbia steamboat made regular runs from Astoria to Fort Vancouver/Portland starting in 1850. 

Steamboats on the Lower Columbia River from 1850-

Maps for Washington State

Cascade Park Library FVRL

Three Creeks Salmon Creek Library FVRL 

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

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. 

Cowlitiz Indian Nation Offices in Vancouver 

Lewisville Park, Battle Ground, Clark County

Parks in Clark County, Washington  Alphabetical List. 

Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater Catholic Church

Vancouver City Government

Clark County Courthouse is in Vancouver  

Bicycling and Walking Trail Maps for Vancouver and Clark County

Sportsmen's Wharehouse    Camping, hunting, fishing, clothing, shoes and other outdoor supplies 

Pearson Air Museum

Walking Trails Map for Clark County

Vancouver Lake Regional Park, City of Vancouver, Clark County

Columbia Gorge Cruises

Columbia River Boat Cruising Guide

Historical Highways from Vancouver to Castle Rock

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Camas   

Camas City   Population 26, 000.  Images 

Camas Paper Mills of Georgia Pacific

Camas Shopping    Downtown Shops and Services

Camas Port


Camas History with Photos  Excellent and detailed. 

"Kamas" or "quamash" are non-Native approximations of the Indian word for a blue-flowered plant of the lily family, the bulbs of which were considered a delicacy by Native Americans from the Great Plains to the Pacific Coast. The plant was abundant where the Washougal River joins the Columbia, and the area was named "La Camas" by French Canadian trappers of the Hudson's Bay Company, who also named La Camas Lake and La Camas Creek (which in later years were shortened to "Lacamas").

Among the Indians who treasured the bulbs were the Watlala, one of several bands of Chinookan speakers referred to collectively by white explorers as the "Cascades people." These small bands appear to have been independent family groups -- fishers, hunters, and gatherers who ranged along the Columbia on either side of its lower rapids. Archaeological digs on Lady Island, separated from the mainland by Camas Slough, have unearthed prehistoric ceramic artifacts that indicate human presence as long ago as 2,000 to 2,500 years."


Camas Brief History

"The naming of "Camas".  Blossoming with clusters of showy deep blue flowers, something like a hyacinth in habit, the Camas Lily was eagerly sought by Columbia river valley Indians, since its bulb was an important part of their diet.  Grown in meadows and marshes, it was harvested in mid-summer and prepared for eating, cooking in primitive baking pits, first being wrapped in swamp grass before contact with hot stones.  When the cooked bulbs were dry, they were reduced to a flour from which bread could be made.  When boiled in water, the bulbs yielded a molasses that was treasured for use on important festival occasions." 

Chinook Indian People 

Camas Public Library

Lacamas Lake Regional Park, Camas, Clark County   Hiking trails, fishing, swimming, kayaking. 

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

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Washougal   


Washougal City  Population 14,000.    Images

Washougal Shopping    Pendleton Store 

Washougal Port 

Washougal Library FVRL

Washougal River   33 miles long.  Includes a fish hatchery and fishing sites. 

Dougan Falls:  There are many Washougal River cascade falls and swimming holes. 

Captain William Clark Regional Park, Washougal, Clark County   Restrooms, trails, exhibits.  Fishing by the Columbia.  Some sandy beaches for wading.  

Bicycling Trails and walking paths (paved) along the River

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, Clark County

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

Washougal Waterfront Park, Washougal, Clark County

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Columbia Gorge


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

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, The Dalles, Oregon


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

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

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

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.

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

Beacon Rock State Park.  Columbia River Gorge. 

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

Columbia Gorge Cruises

Columbia River Boat Cruising Guide

 

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 AssociationThe 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 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 AssociationFort 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.


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. 

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

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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.

Return to Top Index

 

 

 

 

Bibliography, Traveler's Guides, History

 

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


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


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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Fishing the Rivers and Lakes of Washington


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

 

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


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


Maps for Washington State


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Walking - Bibliography.  Research by Mike Garofalo. 


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Vancouver Lake Regional Park, Clark County, Washington.


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


Yakima, Washington


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

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

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


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

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

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

 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

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.


 

Return to Top Index

 

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. 

The Northwest Coast: Or, Three Years' Residence in Washington Territory.  By James Gilchrist Swan.  Adesite Press, 2017, 448 pages. 

 

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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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 Greg Johnston.  Seattle, Washington, Mountaineers Books, 2015.  Index, 318 pages.  ISBN: 9781594859397.  VSCL.  

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. 

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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  By Greg Johnston.  Seattle, Washington, Mountaineers Books, 2015.  Index, 318 pages.  ISBN: 9781594859397.  VSCL.  

Books in my personal home library (VSCL) about travel in Southwestern Washington State. 

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Four Days in Grayland
By Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

Part I: Southwestern Washington
Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, Long Beach Peninsula, Lower Columbia River
A Traveler's Hypertext Notebooks, Guides, and Resources


Part II: Grayland Beach
A Beach Camper's Hypertext Notebook,
Studies, Readings, Activities, Seasons, and Tips 


Part III: Doing and Seeing
   
Photographs, Blog Posts, and Reports from 2021-2022  


Part IV: Reflections of Beachcombers
   
Poetry, Short Essays, Commentary, Quotations   

 

Alphabetical Index


 

The Four Days in Grayland Series began in September, 2021.

 

 

                                

 

 

 

 

Southwestern Washington

 

Grays Harbor


Grayland Beach
 

Willapa Bay
 

Long Beach Peninsula
 

Lower Columbia River from Ilwaco to Vancouver
 

Native Americans in the Area


Northwest Coastal Oregon: Astoria to Cape Lookout


Yurt Camping at Coastal State Parks in the Northwest

 

Four Days in Grayland Homepage


 

 

Alphabetical Index to Four Days in Grayland

 

Aberdeen

Astoria 

Bay Center  

Boating, Charter Tours  (Westport, Ilwaco, Aberdeen, Astoria)

Agate Hunting, Coastal Geology, Rock Hounding  

Beach Camping in Yurts

Beachcombing

Beach Driving  

Beach Picnics

Berries, Cranberries, Wild Berries, Berry Foraging 

Bibliography - General Information for Traveler's and Campers

Bibliography, Information, Reading, Resources

Bicycling  

Bird Watching 

Blog Reports of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Boat Usage, Kayaking, Canoeing

Camas

Camping in Yurts

Camping Notebooks

Canoeing and Kayaking 

Cape Disappointment, Washington

Cape Lookout, Oregon

Centralia 

Chelais 

Chinook

Chinook Indians

Clam Digging

Cloud Hands Blog

Columbia River from Ilwaco to Vancouver

Columbia River Gorge

Cowlitz Indians 

Cranberries, Wild Berries, Berry Foraging 

Day Picnics and Day Camping at the Beach  

Driftwood Gathering, Beachcombing, Agate Hunting, Sea Shell Gathering

Driving on the Beach in Washington

Facebook of Michael P. Garofalo

Fishing

Food and Seafood

Foraging, Beachcombing, Walking

Four Days in Grayland Homepage   

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

Geology Coastal, Rock Hounding, Agate Hunting

Glamping: Camping in Yurts or Small Cabins, Camping Comforts

Gorge of the Columbia River

Grays Harbor

Grayland Beach

Grayland Beach Yurt Camping

Green Way Research Hypertext Notebooks of Michael P. Garofalo 

Hiking Quotations, Sayings, Poems

Hiking Trails

Hoquaim

Ilwaco

Indians, Native Peoples in the Area

Information, Bibliography, Reading, Resources

Intertidal Ocean Shores

Jetty Fishing

Kalama  

Kayaking and Canoeing 

Kite Flying

Lewis River

Libraries

Long Beach City

Logging and Timber Mills Industry

Long Beach Peninsula

Longview 

Lower Columbia River from Ilwaco to Vancouver

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

Michael P. Garofalo Biography

Months and Seasons Activities

Mushrooms Foraging  

Naselle River 

Native Peoples in the Area

Native Peoples - Bibliography

Nehalem Bay 

Ocean Park

Ocean Shores

Oregon - Northwest Coast, From Astoria to Cape Lookout

Oysters

Photographs of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Photography

Pier Fishing

Raymond

Reading, Information, Bibliography, Resources

Reading, Bibliography - General Information

Reports of Monthly Yurt Camping Trips

Ridgefield 

Rock Hounding, Agate Hunting, Coastal Geology 

Seafood and Food

Sea Shell Gathering, Beachcombing, Agate Hunting

Seaside Nature Studies

Seaside Picnics and Day Camps

Seasonal Events

Seasons and Months Activities

South Bend

Southwestern Washington - Travel

Surf Fishing

Swimming, Boogie Boarding, and Surfing  

Timber Industry

Trails and Paths

Vancouver, Washington

Videos from some Yurt Camping Trips

Walking Trails

Walking Quotations, Sayings, Poems

Washington - Southwestern - Travel  

Washougal

Westport

Wild Berries, Berry Foraging, Cranberries 

Willapa Bay

Willapa Bay - Bibliography, Resources, Reading

Woodland

Yurt Camping

Yurt Camping Reports
 

 

 

 

Mike Garofalo at the Klickitat River in Southwest Washington, 2019

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog of Michael P. Garofalo       

Facebook of Michael P. Garofalo    

 

 

 

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

Green Way Research

 

Return to Top Index