Olympic Club offers an authentic railroad hotel experience
1802, 2020

Olympic Club offers an authentic railroad hotel experience

If you’re looking for stunning views from picture windows, wide screen TVs with streaming channels, and a brightly-lit lobby where you can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast, the Olympic Club in downtown Centralia, Washington, is not for you. Heck, if your travel needs require a toilet in your own room, you may want to pass on it as well. And though it doesn’t have an Olympic-sized pool, what the Olympic Club does offer is more historical authenticity than you might expect.

Medicine Creek: In Search of Treaty Tree
0302, 2020

Medicine Creek: In Search of Treaty Tree

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In 1854, the Medicine Creek Treaty between regional Native American tribes and Washington’s territorial government kicked off a years-long conflict that forever changed the story of the Pacific Northwest. Sixty-eight years later, in 1922, the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze plaque commemorating the momentous treaty, upon the single remaining Douglas Fir that remained at the place where the treaty was signed. It became

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Then and Now: Lake Quinault Lodge
0401, 2020

Then and Now: Lake Quinault Lodge

President FDR met with a large crowd of Quinaults in the spacious lobby of Lake Quinault Lodge when he visited there in 1937. The Native American children in traditional dress displayed some of their crafts and treated the president to a presentation by children of the nearby Taholah Indian School as well as a traditional Indian warrior display of strength.

The Wreck of the S.S. Catala
0212, 2019

The Wreck of the S.S. Catala

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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

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Say WA! Part II: How to Pronounce Washington’s City Names
0411, 2019

Say WA! Part II: How to Pronounce Washington’s City Names

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There are 281 official cities and towns in the State of Washington, according to the Washington State Association of Cities, and every one of them has a unique story to tell. Some of them have hundreds of stories…others, perhaps just one major story. All of them have their own character, vibe, ambiance, and backstory, and many of them have weird, interesting or unusual ways they got their names. Why is

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Ryderwood, Washington: The town with two histories
0111, 2019

Ryderwood, Washington: The town with two histories

At the very end of Washington State Route 506 lies a tiny, well-kept community that bills itself as the town with two histories. And both of those histories are pretty darned amazing. Heard of Ryderwood, Washington? Neither had I until I was approached by a representative of their historical society. And the story she told me had me fascinated.

Ryderwood: The Town with Two Histories
0710, 2019

Ryderwood: The Town with Two Histories

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At the very end of Washington State Route 506 lies a tiny, well-kept community that bills itself as the town with two histories. And both of those histories are pretty darned amazing. Heard of Ryderwood, Washington? Neither had I until I was approached by a representative of their historical society. And the story she told me had me fascinated…I decided I had to visit to learn more. The Ryderwood Collection

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Say WA! Part I: How to Pronounce Washington’s County Names
0209, 2019

Say WA! Part I: How to Pronounce Washington’s County Names

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Today, we’re beginning the creation of THE definitive pronunciation guide for Washington State. This will be part one of a three-part series looking at Washington’s notoriously difficult county, city and geographic names, so you’d better favorite these episodes if you want to sound like you’re from here. For this episode, we’ll stick to the tricky county names. Of course, we’ll also have our monthly trivia quiz, and we’ll pepper in

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