09-15JUL11 - Various, WA (vacation time w/the kids)

Saturday, 09JUL, we depart Kittitas & drove along beautiful Highway 410 over Cayuse & Chinook Passes to Packwood, WA, on the west side of Mt Rainier National Park. In previous BLOG entries about our return to WA state this year, we noted that western WA had one of the wettest winter/springs on record. This resulted in record snow levels in all of the mountain passes. So what? – you may ask. Well in WA state only two passes are kept open all year, I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass & US-2 at Stevens Pass. All others (Cayuse, Chinook, White, North Cascade, etc) are closed 01NOV hopefully to reopen before MAY. But because of the record snow many of these passes were still closed before the Fourth of July weekend! Needless to say this had very negative consequences on the economies of the towns along the effected highways who earn the majority of their income from tourists once the passes are open.

Packwood is just down the road from Ashford, WA, where we explored Mr Rainier National Park from last year (see below BLOG entry). After setting up camp Dan & the kids headed into the Park, leaving Corrie to recuperate from the long drive. Upon arriving at the National Park Dan realized that visiting Mt Rainier on a summer weekend may not be the smartest thing to do. He decided to skip many of the sites we visited last year & head straight to the Paradise Visitor Center; hoping to beat everyone else to the most popular spot in the Park. The whole way up to Paradise Dan & the kids kept passing signs stating – “no parking at Paradise, park here & take shuttle busses”. Dan being Dan, ignored the signs & promptly found the only empty parking spot at Paradise! Although it was enjoyable to view Paradise Lodge, Box Canyon, & Grove of the Patriarchs; the crowds were too large & detracted from the experience.

http://theryanrvexpress.blogspot.com/2010/06/15-17jun10-ashford-wa-mt-rainier.html

http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm

Sunday we were up early to head to Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Thanks to the record snow this year, Crystal Mountain was also breaking records with skiing into the middle of July! For many years in the 70s Dan & his friends skied every chance they got, even night skiing several times a week. Crystal Mountain took a little effort to get to being on the backside of Mt Rainier, but it was their favorite. So to be a part of history Dan decided to get back on skis for the first time in fifteen years; while Joe opted for snowboarding. While the boys were skiing the ladies explored the few shops at the base of the mountain, & also drove to the Sunrise Visitor Center back in the National Park. A little after noon the boys were beat & called it a day. The ladies rejoined the boys at the Summit Lodge, where we all sat outside & enjoyed the view of four of WA’s five volcanoes. Then it was back to the RV to rest & recuperate all afternoon until dinner. This RV park had nifty way to sell firewood; for $5 they delivered the firewood to your RV site along with a metal tub to burn it in, & then come by in the morning to clean up! So after dinner it was a family campfire with S’mores for dessert.

http://www.crystalmountainresort.com/

Monday, 11JUL, we headed to Copalis Beach, WA; which entailed more scenic driving along highway US 12. After setting up camp we head to the beach for a walk. Then it was off to Ocean Shores for a drive on the beach. The beach entry points for cars have big signs warning how easy it is to get stuck in the sand, & not to call the police for a stuck car – call a tow truck company (especially if the tide is coming in & your car may become flooded!). Even on our short drive we saw two cars get stuck & the police drive right by without offering assistance. Safely making it off the beach we headed into the town of Ocean Shores for a little shopping at Sharkys “tourist” store; followed by a visit to a seafood market for fresh crab, clams & oysters. Dinner was fresh crab & BBQ oysters topped w/butter & parmesan cheese, & then back to the beach to view the sunset.

Tuesday around lunch time we decided to explore the towns of Aberdeen & Hoquiam; of course Dan had a list of eccentric sites to photograph, including brand new memorial to Kurt Cobain front man for the band Nirvana & supposed starter of the “Grunge” music movement. Cobain was from Aberdeen & apparently spent large amounts of time hanging out under a bridge on the Wishkah River. Unfortunately it appears that he couldn’t handle the fame & committed suicide. Just this APR the city dedicated a small memorial to Cobain next to the bridge, & we saw evidence that people from all over the world have already visited & left messages to Cobain.

Then we walked around the central part of both towns. Aberdeen’s, & the twin city of Hoquiam’s, economy are based on fishing & timber have be in recession since the late 70s & things haven’t gotten any better. Aberdeen has stars of fame for residents embedded in the sidewalk that have made a mark beyond Aberdeen (like Cobain; & John Elway NFL quarterback, Douglas Osheroff Nobel recipient, etc). Dan made the connection between the stars in the sidewalk & the “artwork” fences around nearby trees. Each tree is surrounded by a metal fence made of art that upon closer examination was always based on a “theme”. For example, John Elway’s star is next to a tree & the fence has many items representing football. Another tree was surrounded by a fence with many sword fighting scenes, & it turns out that the individual commemorated in the nearby star was an Olympic fencer from Aberdeen & trained many movie stars for sword fighting scenes. Also the town of Aberdeen has interesting surrealistic “animals” & “plants” decorating electric boxes. Lastly Dan discovered an alley way that was covered in some very interesting graffiti.

After returning to the RV Dan & Joe took off for a driving tour of the beach towns of Seabrook, Pacific Beach, Moclips & Taholah (Quinault Indian Reservation). Seabrook is a 2003 planned beach community that appears to be modeled on the award winning planned beach community in Seaside, FL (see our 11JAN09 BLOG), but not nearly as well done. On their return they did a little more beach driving, & stopped to view & photo some of the “political” signs of Craig Heiller. It appears he has some ongoing “feud” w ith almost everyone in the county & local gov’t. You can check out his website below but be warned – he minces no words!!! While driving on one of the beaches Joe & Dan discovered the only private airport in the USA where small planes can land on an oceanside beach (when the tide is out!). Dinner was fresh steamed butter clams; & although we thought we had more than enough, they quickly disappeared. That night Corrie & Dan headed for the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino to support the local Tribal economy.

http://copaliscub.wordpress.com/

Wednesday morning we made the long drive back to Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Thursday morning Dan & Joe headed to property to do some work but were chased away by heavy rain; meanwhile the ladies headed to the town of Snohomish to explore. That evening was an excellent “farewell” dinner at Ivar’s seafood restaurant in Mukilteo (or as Corrie always says – McIvars). Friday was spent finishing packing for the kids return to Louisiana, the return of the pop-up trailer, & then off to airport where thankfully the kids were able to board their flight with no problems this year.

Another great time together, that was too short, & it will take us at least a week to recover from!