0304, 2023

Exploring Maritime Washington

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I am proud to announce the publication of my new book, Exploring Maritime Washington—a History and Guide. Each of the places covered in its pages has a connection to Washington’s maritime history, whether a popular tourist destination or a hidden gem known only to longtime locals. Exploring Maritime Washington provides visitors with a fun and easy way to enjoy each community while learning about Washington’s nautical history. By visiting and

0212, 2019

The Wreck of the S.S. Catala

Washington Our Home
December 2, 2019
Disasters, History, Pacific Ocean, Podcast
14
8692

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I’ve spent a lot of time in Ocean Shores, Washington, over the years…hiking around Damon Point, rock-hopping at the north jetty and exploring the Coastal Interpretive Center (which is absolutely worth seeing, if you ever get the chance). But one of the more memorable moments in my Ocean Shores experience was getting to “discover” a shipwreck as the tempestuous weather began shifting the dunes and slowly exposing its hull at

2304, 2014

Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors

Washington Our Home
April 23, 2014
Family, Mt. Rainier, Recreation, Western Washington, Wildlife
0
1149

In a split second, I knew it was a bald eagle as it shot by about ten feet overhead. I had never been that close to one in flight before. The unmistakable white markings, yellow beak and talons and gargantuan wingspan that easily distinguished it from the more common ravens and falcons in Ocean Shores were clearly visible just before it disappeared over the roofline as quickly as it had materialized.

0408, 2013

Charter fishing the waters off Westport

Washington Our Home
August 4, 2013
Family, Fishing, Pacific Ocean, Recreation, Western Washington
0
2029

For Fathers’ Day 2013, my dad had gotten the two of us a fishing excursion on Westport Charters in Westport, WA. Father’s Day is in June, but we had to take our trip in early August thanks to the Legislature being unable to complete its business in three consecutive sessions (yes, it still smarts). I had been looking forward to this trip for two reasons: I was anxious for some

2708, 2012

Ascending Saint Helens, Part 3 of 4: More than a mountain

Washington Our Home
August 27, 2012
Family, Gear, Hikes, History, Mt. Saint Helens, Recreation, Western Washington
1
1964

I was almost five years old when I rode on my father’s back during a hike on Mt. Rainier one sunny Saturday afternoon. During that walk, he paused for a moment while viewing the distant, lofty, snow-capped peak to the southwest, speculating aloud on the possibility of one of the 18 volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Range ever erupting. It was May 17th, 1980, and the next morning the world

2108, 2012

Ascending Saint Helens, Part 2 of 4: Rock-hopping at the jetty

Washington Our Home
August 21, 2012
Family, Gear, Mt. Saint Helens, Pacific Ocean, Recreation, Western Washington
0
2170

After deciding to climb Mt. Saint Helens in early 2012 and committing myself by actually purchasing the permits back in February, Dad and I had been training for the climb for months as the ascent date approached. It wasn’t until August finally arrived that we fully realized the gravity of the task we were about to undertake and upon reevaluation, found ourselves lacking in several training areas. When deciding to

2008, 2012

Ascending Saint Helens, Part 1 of 4: Gaining in elevation

Washington Our Home
August 20, 2012
Eastern Washington, Family, Gear, Hikes, Recreation
0
1494

It was early February of this year when I decided I was going to climb Washington State’s Mt. Saint Helens and peer into the mile-wide crater of the active volcano. As a native Washingtonian, summiting every snowcapped peak in the state had been on my bucket list for longer than I can remember. Years ago, I asked my father – another native Washingtonian with a love for the outdoors –

1206, 2012

Flag Day parade in Ocean Shores

Washington Our Home
June 12, 2012
Family, History, Pacific Ocean, Western Washington
0
1622

You don’t see a whole lot of Flag Day parades anymore these days. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find half a dozen people who even know what Flag Day is. For those still wondering, Flag Day is a United States commemorative day (not yet an official holiday) that falls every year on June 14, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of

2505, 2012

The Power of the Pacific Ocean and the Passage of Time

We began building our Ocean Shores home in 2008. When we moved our borrowed 5th wheel trailer to the construction site in October of that year, we started daily beach walks. The beach nearest our home is part of the Oyehut Wildlife Recreation Area, managed by the WDFW as a subunit of the John’s River Wildlife Area nearer to Westport, Washington. Almost immediately upon taking these walks, we started seeing

2401, 2012

Tag Archives: Ocean Shores