Monday, February 13, 2012

Another deceased Orca washes ashore here.

It's whale migrating season.  Glimpses of the giant mammals are usually confined to shooting spouts of water out on the sea horizon.  However, we have had our share of sad whale demise washing up on the local beaches.

This past weekend, a 12 ft female Orca washed ashore. The whale experts are performing tests to determine the pod home and cause of death of the little gal.

(photo by Ron Malast in the Chinook Observer here)


Last month a 39 ft Sperm Whale and also a 13 ft newborn Gray Whale washed ashore.  We saw another Orca - but a small baby only weeks old in November.

In 2006, a 54 ft Humpback Whale was a sad but majestic sight. I blogged about it HERE.



Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Great ocean views at Cape Disappointment


A few weeks before Brian Cantwell of Seattle Times came out to Cape Disappointment, I posted on Jan 7, 2012 about Waikiki BeachCape D's Lighthouse, and North Head Lighthouse.  

His article about Cape Disappointment gives some great info and tips.



During winter storms — or cold-season sun breaks — Cape Disappointment State Park offers some of the best viewpoints on the Washington coast.

Seattle Times Outdoors editor

ILWACO, Pacific County — If you're a glutton for winter storms, and peering down from cliff tops into chasms of lashing saltwater makes you really feel alive; or if you simply love gazing out on a seascape of dimpled waves and watery blue sky swept clean by a howling nor'wester — Cape Disappointment is plainly misnamed.
"Cape D," as locals call it, is no disappointment to the winter thrill-seeker.
"This is one of those places where, when you get a good, solid winter storm, it can remind you of how small you are!" says Stephen Wood, a park ranger and interpreter at Cape Disappointment State Park.
But it's not a small place. The 1,900-acre park edging the fishing village of Ilwaco, at the mouth of the Columbia River, includes two of the state's most scenic lighthouses, two miles of ocean beach, a hidden niche called Deadman's Cove, and a surfer's hangout called — no kidding — Waikiki Beach (more about that in a moment).


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Clam Digging in Long Beach, Washington with Kenny Osborne

Kenny Osborne is a lifelong resident of our beach community.  You can find more about Kenny on this Real Estate page here.

Like many of us here, Kenny serves on a variety of community organizations.  He is on the Chinook Water District Board, Pacific County Planning Commission, and Friends of Chinook School.  Kenny is the President of Sea Resources, Inc - the Historical Fish Hatchery in Chinook Washington.  I am the Vice Pres of this group of community volunteers.  We operate the oldest Salmon Hatchery in Washington State.

Kenny loves to travel with his camera and frequently sends us photos of the Chinook Watershed, Pacific Ocean and local wildlife.  So I was delighted when his sister went Clam Digging with Kenny this past week - and the result was a fun little video.


Saturday, December 31, 2011

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

  by Nansen Pihlaja Malin
, a photo by Nansen Pihlaja Malin on Flickr.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

I've been dreaming... of oysters and a knife!

I am dreaming of this incredible handmade oyster knife.






































Chris Williams lives in South Carolina and grew up spending much of his time on the water.  Always looking for functional knife - he started making custom knives. Chris traded his career in investment banking for a small shop and a grinding wheel.

The Edisto Oyster Knife is named for the briny Carolina Lowcountry oysters of Edisto.

I really need this knife.
Cost $250.
WilliamsKnife.com

Garden and Gun gave Williams Knife Co their 2011 Made in the South Award.
Here is their little video with Chris Williams at work.


Saturday, November 19, 2011

Will you be my bride? A little video.

video
The photographer, Sara Gray (mentioned in post below), put this little video together for the Bride and Groom.

A Wedding Anniversary

One year ago, our oldest daughter was married here at the beach.  We chose to do everything (flowers, food, decor, invites, etc etc) ourselves and the result was a stunning four day event that was affordable and personal. Everyone pitched in and helped.  It was tons of work and provided even more memories.

Over the next week - I will post some of the incredible details.

Here is a wonderful slide show of the professional photos by Sara Gray Photography.  We highly recommend Sara to anyone.



Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Cranberries are ready!

Our area of SW Washington State is similar to the marshes of Cape Cod.  We have had cranberries growing since 1872. 

This past week, The Seattle Times did a story on the bogs just a few short blocks away from us. You can read it here.

A berry good bog | Northwest Wanderings




Oktoberfest in Chinook

 The annual fundraiser to support Friends of Chinook School restoration of the historic school and gym. We enjoy attending the dinner with silent and live auctions, music and many local friends.












http://www.friendsofchinookschool.org/index.html