Oysterville
Historic Pearl on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula

Washington is a beautiful state when it comes to natural beauty. The Cascades Mountains, Olympic Peninsula, the Palouse, Columbia Highlands, and Puget Sound Islands can't be beat when it comes to pure natural splendor. But when it comes to charming towns and villages, the Evergreen State comes up lacking. There just isn't much in this department. The state is covered with urban sprawl and many of its rural communities are decaying away. Its enough to make this transplanted New Englander pine for the picture-perfect towns and villages that proliferate in the Northeast.

Fortunately a few community gems do exist in the Evergreen state to help thwart any feelings of homesickness I may get from time to time. Oysterville on the Long Beach Peninsula is one of my favorite Northwest historic burgs. The place feels like it belongs in New England. Comprising of some of the oldest structures in Washington (a couple of homes date back to the time of the Civil War) on picturesque Willapa Bay-this place makes for a nice afternoon diversion. Not much to do though-just while away the time admiring homes and bayside views.

And of course no trip is complete without a stop at the Oysterville Sea Farms to bring home a bucket of sweet Willapa Bay oysters. While you're visiting the village, consider taking a hike at nearby Leadbetter State Park. It's in my new Day Hiking the Olympic Peninsula book due for release this spring. In the meanwhile, you know where you can find me-savoring oysters on the half shell at Oysterville. Aw shucks....