Whenever I travel around this great state of ours, I always try to find a good place to stay that isn’t a Holiday Inn Express or a Comfort/Quality/Sleep Inn. In fact, my preference is to patronize either a local B&B or an historic property that’s been converted into a hotel (see my posts on the Shelburne Inn, the Olympic Club, and the Marcus Whitman). So, on a recent trip to
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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
I recently completed a monumental project that (thanks to COVID) has taken over a year to complete. The Cowlitz County Historical Society received a grant from Cowlitz County Tourism to produce an audio tour that narrates the drive from Castle Rock, WA, to the Johnston Ridge Observatory at the end of State Route 504. As drivers undertake the journey along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, the tour entertains and educates them
I recently had the opportunity to visit Lopez Island in San Juan County. If you have the chance, do stop by the Lopez Island Historical Museum in Lopez Village. You can learn all about the story of the Lopezians (including how to pronounce that word…”low-PEE-shuns”) and see pictures from the island’s past – including this one of their first ferry terminal. One word of advice, however. Despite an eternity as
I’ve always thought that was a strange name for a state park. After all, not too many people may even know what a lime kiln is, let alone how they played a role in developing Washington’s history. As it turns out, the lime kilns on San Juan Island are significant for a number of reasons (which I’ve detailed in another blog post), but the site of the island’s lighthouse within
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.
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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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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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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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The term “ghost town” in today’s time has evolved from its more literal interpretation to describe any small town that has been abandoned or vacated. In fact, there’s a whole culture of folks dedicated to discovering and exploring ghost towns and their history. Most of the time, however, towns devoid of inhabitants have nowhere to grow but older. Not so for old Alder. Join your fearless field guide Erich Ebel