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....

What's the Ark for Noah?

In Seattle today we passed the record for the wettest November on record. Just shy of 12 inches now-and we are only half way through the month. At this rate we just may beat the December 1933 record of 15.33 inches for our wettest month ever!

It has been crazy here. The flood damage to roads and trails has been catastrophic. My job as a guide book writer has just gotten more difficult. Thanks Mother Nature! The pictures above (shot in a normal winter at Leadbetter Point State Park on the Long Beach Peninsula) may just be representative of what NW hikers have to look forward to in the next few months. Perhaps a trip to the American Southwest may be in order for a few of you out there. Stay Dry!

New Wilderness in New Hampshire?

While the new Democrat-controlled Congress will almost certainly be better for our environment than the present house; (except perhaps for immigration reform. How can you protect our finite resources when you have an uncontrolled and unsustainable immigration policy?) the old congress may still pull a green surprise. Congressman Jeb Bradley (R-NH-1) a proponent of wilderness in NH and VT is still trying to pass his wilderness bill for the White and Green Mountain National Forests.

Unfortunately, this Granite State Republican, an avid hiker and champion of wilderness, lost his reelection bid to an unknown who ran primarily against the war (but does she have anything to run for? Does she have any substance or is she just a knee-jerk leftie?). Mr Bradley still has a short window of time to pass a wilderness bill to help leave my home state with a lasting legacy. We're pulling for you Jeb. In the senate, Judd Gregg and John Sununu, both Republicans also support this legislation. Here is one last stand for the Republicans to redeem themselves on environmental issues. "W" will sign it. What are you waiting for? And Washington State members of congress, what are you waiting for? The obnoxious obstructionist rancher from Stockton (Richard Pombo) is done! Ciao chooch! Let's get a Kettle Mountain Wilderness now! Andiamo!

Snow is Falling

After being inundated with rain, the Cascade Mountains are now being blanketed in snow. So, what does this mean? It's time to trade your hiking boots in for snow shoes and skies. But unfortunately, many of our favorite winter haunts are currently inaccessible due to recent flood damage. Like Paradise at Rainier for instance (pictured left). The Nisqually entrance (actually all of the park's entrances) is currently closed. Hopefully, if Congressman Norm Dicks, whose district includes the majestic mountain lands himself as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee-he'll be able to wrestle some bacon-I mean funding our way-and fast-so that we can once again enjoy our mountains. In the meantime-pick up the December issue of Outdoors Northwest and read my feature article on snowshoeing in the Pacific Northwest's National parks.

Ode to the Commode

My humble beginnings as a Northwest Outdoors Writer started at the University of Washington. While attending that fine institution (BA History 1994, Masters Ed 1997) I wrote a weekly column for The UW Daily called, Go Take A Hike. One of my most memorable pieces and one that I am fondly remembered for is my Ode to the Commode-a celebration of crappers and privies in the backwoods. Now, 10 years later with a whole lot of new privies to rejoice over, I'm contemplating writing a new version of this Dear John proclamation. And perhaps as soon as I get a load off of my mind, I will! But in the meantime you can read the original right here, compliments of the Daily's archives.

Update from original article: Alas the Park Butte butt rester no longer exists, but the fine Winchester crapthedral (above) still greets weary buns.