MAPS • EVENTS • HIKES • HISTORY • ROAD TRIPS
FJORD GRINDS
Six mountain bike zones around Hood Canal – 27
COVER STORY – 23
Author Craig Romano takes us on a reflective journey to Lena Lake
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Elevate Your View
TAKE IT TO 18,OOO' AND ENJOY THE ASCENT. Rachel Hansen, Editor With our feet on the ground, we take for granted our daily views. Aerial images have the ability of turning our perception of everyday life into something richly beautiful, providing us with an alternative view of our vistas, although we already instinctively appreciated their beauty.
This appreciation becomes even more poignant as we begin to slow down with summer's end. A sense of expectancy hangs in the air as we drag reluctant children from their beds to make an early morning trek back to their classrooms. The clear crisp days are fresher and the first storms of the season are exciting. As trees take on a blanket of gold amongst the cedars and firs, it is comforting to retire indoors to a blazing warm fire to enjoy hte fall of the earlier evenings. Yet don’t let the inclement weather keep you inside – dodge the rain drops as you enjoy one of the most beautiful times of the year around the fjord. Fall is the best time of the year for shellfish and the best place to try them all – raw or cooked– is at OysterFest in Shelton, WA. Rain or shine there is sure to be a great time with neighbors and family at this event that serves as a major fund raiser for hundreds of local non-profits in the area.
If you want to try the freshest oysters possible stop in at one of the farms in the area. Taylor Shellfish offers a variety of seafood at their retail location as does Hama Hama in Lilliwaup. Check out our suggestions on page 39 to get you on the public beaches harvesting your own. Don't miss the Quilcene Fair and Parade on September 14. This event illustrates exactly why you have to stay grounded and appreciate the beauty of a small town. Facing cancellation in 2018, volunteers rallied and made it better than ever – chock full of heart and community. Feeling like there's still plenty of adventure to be had? We are so pleased that Danielle Baker, mountain biking writing guru, took the time to visit Hood Canal and share some of the established "zones." Danielle and I go way back – both of us were raised in Bamfield on Vancouver Island. It's exciting to work with her profession-
Information, contribution, and advertising (360) 427-5599 or email rachel@nwevent.org Publication is produced quarterly by IMAGE IN ACTION DESIGN PO Box 622 | Shelton, WA 98584 Available FREE throughout the Northwest © 2019 | no reprint without permission.
ally nearly two decades later. Apart from learning mountain biking lingo, like "flowy" and "punchy climbs," it's great to get that "alternative view" of an area we all love. Check out Stella Wenstob's latest article as she tracks the movements of Ed Ricketts and his connection to our area. Wenstob holds a Master's of Anthropology and her meticulous research shines through in her gentle unbiased manner of telling the story. Our front cover is graced with a striking image provided by acclaimed guidebook writer, Craig Romano. We are honored that Craig is a regular contributor to the Fjord. The beauty is all around us. From a 737 at 18,000 feet, at the summit above Upper Lena Lake, the muddy trail rides in the Skok Valley, or in front of our fireplaces. Remember to appreciate all the alternative views as you lament the end of summer and thanks for supporting the Fjord.
Cover Image Author Craig Romano takes us on a reflective journey to the two Lena Lakes. Full story page 23.
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"Our Town, Our Family"
QUILCENE FAIR & PARADE
Saturday, September 14, 9:00 – 4:00 PM 294715 Hwy 101 Quilcene, WA
Quilcene breathes new life
INTO ANNUAL FAIR & PARADE
Bonnie McNight Last spring the survival of the Quilcene Fair & Parade was questionable, it very much looked like it would be canceled. When word circulated in Quilcene of its possible demise, numerous volunteers came forward to breath new life into it. And, happily, the 2018 event was a great success.
Fair Schedule SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 | Quilcene, WA CAR AND MOTORCYCLE SHOW FOOD & VENDORS PARADE (Hwy 101) SALMON BBQ LUNCHEON GAMES FOR KIDS SCHOOL GARDEN & WSU ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITS BELT SANDER RACING FOOTBALL GAME
9:00 - 4:00 9:00 - 4:00 11:00 NOON 12:00 - 4:00 12:00 - 4:00 12:00 - 4:00 12:00 & 3:00 1:00
Last year the attendance was high and Owing to 2018's success, the fair was able to share proceeds with South Jefferson smiles abounded. There were many comLittle League, Quilcene Brinnon Dollars ments about how great the fair and parade for Scholars, Quilcene School Robotics were. The parade was well over an hour Program, Weekend Nutrition Program, long with dignitaries, logging trucks, tracFKA Backpacks for Kids, and the JefferMusic at the School tors, vintage cars, floats from festivals and KALEN WOLFE 12:00 - 2:00 son County 4-H After School Programs parades in nearby towns, fire trucks and THE BIG BEAR BAND 2:00 - 4:00 in Quilcene and Brinnon. The 2019 fair groups of students and community memtheme, Our Town, Our Family, was adapted bers proudly walking the route. Donations Community Street Dance 5:00 - 9:00 from a student's suggestion as it reflects poured in from local businesses, providing that supportive nature of the Quilcene and FREE - featuring the Big Bear Band - located behind prizes for the raffle including an entire Brinnon communities. theatre on Old Church Rd - across from post office. logging truck loaded with a winter supply of firewood for a lucky family. 5 FJORD
CREDIT: VIVIANN KUEHL
The cadre of volunteers started organizing events early this year and there are great things planned to engage the community and welcome visitors. Food concessions, arts and activities, and vendors will return, including the popular Quicenery Photography exhibits, and new vendors and events are joining this year's line up. Check out the chainsaw carver hosting demonstrations and selling his work and view the colorful tie dyed bus. Hwy 101 will be closed at 11:00 AM, from the Post Office to U.S. Bank, to host the annual parade that involves the entire community and visiting floats and displays. The 2019 raffle will once again include the $5 tickets for truckload of firewood. Now combined with a donation of a load of gravel. At noon, don't miss the grilled salmon BBQ. The Reeves family has again donated a load of wild caught Alaskan salmon for the luncheon hosted on the school grounds.
There will be live music at the school throughout the day. At noon, Kalen Wolfe takes the stage followed by Port Orchard's The Big Bear Band at 2:00 PM. The Big Bear Band plays a fun selection of Classsic Rock and Blues favorites. This year, they will continue the entertaintainment after the fair at the first annual Quilcene Community Street Dance from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The dance will be located behind the Old Theatre Building across the road from the Post Office on Old Church Road. Bring your camp chair for when your dancing feet get tired, and maybe your cooler, too – but no alcohol please. This is a family event.
The Big Bear Band performs on the school stage at 2:00 PM and then again for the Quilcene Community Street Dance at from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
Also popular is the Car and Motorcycle Show hosted from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Participants are also encouraged to include their veicles in the parade. Prizes will be awarded and there will be a 50/50 raffle (visit quilcenefair.com for application).
Entries for the Arts and Crafts Show can be turned in at the Exhibit Hall (school gym) between 3:00 and 6:00 PM on Friday, September 13, the day before the fair and parade. Contact Linda Lindquist for more information, (360) 774-6855.
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CREDIT: VIVIANN KUEHL
Other events will continue on Sunday as part of the Quilcene Community Festival Weekend. The Oyster Races will be starting and finishing at Worthington Park, there will be tours of the Worthington Mansion, and a free concert by the Jack Dwyer Band at Linger Longer Stage along with a beer garden and food vendors For more information on the fair and parade, visit quilcenefair.com.
2019 Dignitaries
Grand Marshal - Frank Redmon, Superintendent, Quilcene School District King & Queen - Patricia & Trey Beathard. Superintendent of Brinnon School District and Coach/ Teacher at Quilcene High. “Model Rangers"- Charlie and Patty Baker. A special category recognizing long term educators who retired from Quilcene School in June 2018 after careers dedicated to the students, Charlie is a science teacher and Patty a paraeducator. Teacher of the Year - Jim Weller, math teacher at Quilcene School. Citizens of the Year - Sandy Peterson and Bob Rosen. Sandy is director of the Brinnon Community Center and Bob of the Quilcene Community Center
Hood Canal, Wash.
Let us be your guides. Photo:KLAAS IMAGES
Vote for People’s Choice at the Quilscenery Photo Contest display, also in the Exhibit Hall, WSU Master Gardeners and the Quilcene Brinnon Garden Club will be displaying helpful gardening tips. Belt Sander Racing is back, there are special activities for kids and the school garden will be open for self-tours. Interested in football? Come cheer on the Quilcene Rangers at 1:00 PM as they play their rivals from Crescent School District.
Quilcene Munns Since 1888. For four generations the Munn family has made their home along Hood Canal. Today, brothers, Bruce & Jim Munn, are happy to help you find your Canal home and share their experience & knowledge of the area with you. The Munn Brothers specialize in properties in the Lake Leland, Quilcene and Dabob Bay areas along the Hood Canal. Stop by their office for maps, tide tables and local insight. Visit munnbros.com to sign up for email notifications of available properties. Contact Jim or Bruce today to find your perfect place. Experience counts.
294843 Highway 101 Quilcene WA
360-301-4700 Jim Cell 360-301-4026 Bruce Cell
Jim Weller, with Board Bob Rosen and Sandy munnbros.com 7 Chair, Paul Mahan Peterson
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EVENT CALENDAR MONDAYS:
Game Night at the Starlight Lounge Mondays, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Little Creek Casino Resort, 91 W SR 108, Shelton
THURSDAYS:
Tribute Band Night at Little Creek Casino Thursdays, 8:00 PM, Starlight Lounge
FRIDAYS:
TUESDAYS:
Country Dance Night at the Casino Tuesdays, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Little Creek Casino Resort, 91 W SR 108, Shelton Industry Night at the Starlight Lounge Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Little Creek Casino Resort, 91 W SR 108, Shelton Different decade every week
WEDNESDAYS:
Karaoke at Little Creek Casino Wednesdays, 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM 91 W State Route 108, Kamilche
Bloody Mary and Breakfast Burrito Bar Sundays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM El Sarape Cantina, 324 W Railroad Ave, Shelton
Live Music at the Union Square Deli Fridays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 310 E Dalby Rd, Ste 100, Union
REOCCURING:
Live Music at Alderbrook Resort Fridays, 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union
Shelton Farmers Market Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Belfair Farmers Market Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bent Bine Brewery Kill The Keg Wednesday Wednesdays, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Bent Bine Brewery Tap Room, 23297 SR 3, Belfair
Social at 2 Margaritas Sundays, 7:00 – 10:00 PM 5121 Hwy 106, Union
Trivia Night at Bent Bine Brewery Fridays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Brewery Tap Room, 23297 SR 3, Belfair
SATURDAYS:
Gathering Grove Dinner Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm | $95 Alderbrookresort.com
SUNDAYS:
Karaoke at the Cantina Saturdays, 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM El Sarape Cantina, 324 W Railroad Ave, Shelton
Live Music at Loggers Landing Loggers Landing 295023 Highway 101, Quilcene September 7, 8:00 PM: Louie's World Karaoke September 14, 8:00 PM: The Shivering Denizens September 20, 8:00 PM: Jack Dwyer September 21, 8:00 PM: Louie's World Karaoke September 28, 8:00 PM: Forest Beutel Live Music at Disco Bay Detour Disco Bay Detour, 282332 Highway 101, Discovery Bay. Sip on local craft cider, beer, kombucha, wine, or espresso while you enjoy a show in a space designed to enhance the sound of music! September 6, 7:00 PM: Never Come Down September 23, 7:00 PM: Doom Lagoon September 27, 7:00 PM: Piney Gals
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SEPTEMBER
Owl Visit at Potlatch State Park September 7, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM . 21020 N US Highway 101, Potlatch State Park Meet West Sound Wildlife Shelter’s owl ambassador. FREE, explorehoodcanal.com Coast Salish Wool Weaving Saturday, September 7, 1:00 PM 710 W Alder Street, Shelton Master weaver sa'hLa mitSa Dr. Susan Pavel will discuss the woven regalia of our region, which spans from the Columbia River northward to Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. She will share her world view that is the spiritual context by which all of her Coast Salish weavings are woven from. trl.org Concerts in the Woods – Adam & Chris Carroll September 7, 7:30PM 923 Hazel Point Road, in Coyle Texas songwriter born and raised, Adam Carroll takes the events of ordinary lives and turns them into deeply moving, often humorous songs. Free Entrance Day in State Parks September 8, all day at all State Parks Discover Pass is not required. The Martian’s Guide to the Red Planet, Part #1 September 9, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave, Port Hadlock Prof. Shivetts will discuss the history of writing and making films about Mars. Comparing NASA-science approach used in the bestselling novel The Martian by Andy Weir to the 2015 film adaptation by Ridley Scott. Shivetts will expand discussion, September 16, in The Martian’s Guide to the Red Planet Part # 2. Discover Mason County Treasure Hunt September 14, 10:00 PM - 4:00 PM Explore communities and attractions during this fun one day event. Proceeds benefit local students through the Skookum Rotary Scholarship Fund. Registration $25. Details and registration link visit explorehoodcanal.com/events/treasure. Life of Salmon Talk at Potlatch State Park September 14, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM . 21020 N US Highway 101, Potlatch Short, guided hike along Potlatch Creek to discuss the creek's salmon runs and the life cycle of this miraculous fish. FREE. explorehoodcanal.com Quilcene Fair and Parade September 14, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 294715 Hwy101, Quilcene Local vendors, live music, gardeners' corner, art, crafts, belt sander races, chainsaw carving, car show, evening street dance , and more! The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM. There will also be a football game and raffle. quilcenefair.com
2019 Sip & Sail Gala: Havana Nights September 14, 3:30 PM – 11:00 PM 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA Board the Lady Alderbrook for a sunset cruise around Hood Canal. Enjoy views, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a silent auction. Then, as the sun sets, return to Alderbrook Resort & Spa to enjoy live entertainment and some of the best cuisine from Resort chefs. Proceeds benefit Summit Pacific Medical Foundation. $175 Dinner & Cocktail Cruise ticket, (360) 346-2345 Skunk Island Blues Festival Saturday, September 14, 1:00 -7:00 PM 310 Hadlock Bay Road, Port Hadlock Lost in the Shuffle 1:00 – 2:30 PM, Hounds of Townsend 2:30 – 4:00 PM, Harlem Ren 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Badd Dog Blues 5:30 – 7:00 PM. $20. Chef Troy’s famous pig roast buffet, $30. Beer garden featuring Port Townsend Brewing Company. (360) 390-4017 14th Annual NCCU Community Salmon BBQ September 14, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 951 E Dalby Rd, Union, WA "Best Salmon BBQ ever” Tickets are available at the NCCU Office M-F 9-3. Adults $18advance purchase ($20 at the door), children 6-12 $12, kids 5 and under FREE. thenccu.org Oyster Half-Marathon, 10K Run, & 5K Run September 15, All day Linger Longer Stage, Quilcene Historical Museuet, Quilcene Oyster Races Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids’ Sprint – plus tours of the Worthington House, food vendors and live music. Three different courses offering a glimpse of Quilcene’s natural wonders for runners of all levels, all in one day! Race routes cross the Little Quilcene River and pass by tidewater where the Quilcene oysters flourish. quilraces.com The Martian’s Guide to the Red Planet, Part #2 Monday, September 16, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave, Port Hadlock Shivetts will review his previous lecture, then take the discussion beyond The Martian by exploring other Science Fiction writing and film. Preserving the Taste of Summer September 17, 6:30PM -8 :30PM 294952 US Highway 101, Quilcene Learn the essentials of food safety while canning and preserving. Dianna Wiklund will discuss freezing, drying, storing, and pickling, and include tips on emergency preparedness. Space is limited, register at jclibrary.info or call (360) 385-6544. Canal Cook Out: Snout to Bivalves September 19, 6:00 PM 5101 E Hwy 106, Union, WA Savor local food and drink at the Union City Market. Book your ticket online at alderbrook.com or call (360) 898-3500 for more information. $45
Inside the Fall
FJORD ISSUE 10 | VOLUME 3 QUILCENE FAIR - 5 EVENT SCHEDULE
On and around the Fjord - 8
OYSTERFEST – 15 Cannery Row Connections RICKETTS & the Canal - 19 COVER STORY: THE LENA LAKES Craig Romano takes us on a hike to explore these two hikes - 23
MOUNTAIN BIKING: 6 Hood Canal zones for your next ride - 27
FALL RECREATION Adams shares outdoor ideas -30
GOLF OVERVIEW Golfing Opportunities - 36
KEEP IT WILD Local outdoor writer, Douglas Scott outlines the best "spots" for viewing wildlife on the Canal – 52
SALMON VIEWING Fall is trhe perfect time to catch a glimpse ( and smell) of the salmon returning to the local rivers – 55
FANTASY FOREST Save the date - 57
ROAD TRIP TIME! - 58
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Water Sounds 20th Annual Native Art Auction September 21, 2019 at 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM Skookum Creek Event Center 91 State Route 108, Shelton, WA Features work by both renowned and emerging Native Artists, music and a Native American traditional feast. Proceeds benefit the Squaxin Island Museum Library and Research Center.
Loren and Mark International Guitar Duo September 19, 7:00 PM Shelton High School Auditorium,Shelton New Zealand native Mark Mazengarb and Loren Barrigar, known for their unique musical chemistry and sensitive musicality, will be performing live . Single tickets to this performance are $30 (adults), children under 18 admitted FREE. 2019-2020 season tickets are available for $70 for 7 concerts. For more information call 360-426-1842. lorenandmark.com Concerts in the Woods – Rupert Wates September 21, 7:30PM 923 Hazel Point Road, Coyle Concerts are all ages and admission is by donation. Rupert Wates has been a full time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited.
Kaitie Wade Live at El Sarape Cantina September 27, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 324 W Railroad Ave, Shelton Star Viewing at H.J. Carroll Park September 27, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 9884 State Route 19, Chimacum Amateur astronomers of all ages are invited to explore the wonders of the universe through telescopes, while Battle Point Astronomical Society members point out objects in the sky and explain what you are seeing. Dress warmly. This program may be affected by weather conditions. 3rd Annual Traveler Trail Run September 28, 10:00 AM 7211 N Lake Cushman Road, Hoodsport This is a 5-mile trail race with some challenging hills and unbelievable views goes through a mature forest laying in the foothills of the Olympic Mountain Range. hoodcanalevents.com
WE ARE
Peggy Herring Book Talk September 28, 2:00 PM Mason County Historical Society Museum 427 W Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA Writer Peggy Herring, author of "Anna, Like Thunder" will discuss her book at the museum. Allyn 2019 Oktoberfest September 28, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM 18560 E State Route 3, Allyn Featuring local seasonal microbrews, Oktoberfest commemorative cup, live music, and excellent German themed foods. People's Choice and Committee Choice Prize for participating brewers. $20 includes cup and brewery sample. $5/beer Little Creek Casino Oktoberfest September 28, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 91 W State Route 108, Shelton, WA Tickets are $20.00 and includes a commemorative mug and 8 tasting tickets. Union Pumpkinfest October 1921 E State Route 106, Union All October celebrate the harvest festival that takes place in the heart of autumn culminating on Halloween weekend at Hunter Farms. visitunion.com
Community Powered#PUDPROMISE
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Knowledgeable Concerts in the Woods – Cavort with Tami Curtis October 20, 3:00 PM 923 Hazel Point Road, Coyle Hear an intimate concert in a beautiful room “at the end of the earth.” Concerts are all ages and admission is by donation. Tami performs Celtic music with fiddle, guitar, whistles, bodhran, & vocals. OysterFunk October 4, 6:00 PM 250 W Sanderson Way, Shelton Get ready for OysterFest festivities with oysters, food, beer, and The Varmints. This event is 21+ only. $5 entry. OysterFest October 5 – 6, S 10 - 6, S 10- 5 250 W Sanderson Way, Shelton Also known as the Washington State Seafood Festival this event celebrates our marine bounty with seafood, live music, interactive marine displays, Washington wineries and microbreweries and a host of activities, including the annual Oyster Shucking Championships.It will keep the whole family busy all weekend. $7/person, kids 7 and under are free, free parking and shuttle. oysterfest.org Shuck & Share 5K Run October 6, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 3600 Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton Get your appetite revved on OysterFest Sunday in Shelton. All entries in the family-friendly 5K Run/Walk include a free ticket to OysterFest. All proceeds go to Project Share, an assistance program helping hundreds of lowincome families with their electric bills. pud3.org/run
Canal Cook Out: Canal Boil October 17, 6:00 PM 5101 E Hwy 106, Union, WA Savor local food and drink at Union City Market. $45 alderbrook.com or (360) 898-3500. Power of the Purse Dinner and Auction October 18, 6:00 PM 91 W State Route 108, Shelton Annual event themed to empower family survivors who have faced domestic violence and sexual assault. Program emceed by Jerry Farmer, Roxy 94.5. With special guest Chuck Cox, father of the late Susan Powell. $65/ Dinner and Wine included. Bazaar & Craft Market October 19, 10 AM – 2 PM 525 W Cota St, Shelton Kick off you holiday shopping early this year and help those in need. This event has been created to support Love INC. Llyn DeDanaan Book Talk October 26, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 427 W Railroad Ave, Shelton Writer and anthropologist, Llyn DeDanaan discusses her book, Katie Gale, soon to be out in paperback, and her research on the first American female aviator Mary Riddle. FREE Little Creek Halloween Party October 26, 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM Skookum Creek Event Center 91 W State Route 108, Shelton Celebrate and scare at the annual spooktacular Halloween Party and Costume Contest! $5,000 in costume contest prizes.
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North Mason Chamber Catapult Competition at Hunter Farms October 26, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 1921 E State Route 106, Union Find out just how far a pumpkin can fly! Wood crafted catapults and trebuchets compete in an annual competition of skill, accuracy, and showmanship. The contest takes place in the pumpkin patch, rain or shine. Watch ‘em hurl! Denim & Diamonds October 27, 4:00 PM 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA The 16th annual Denim & Diamonds fundraising event presented by the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund. Dinner presented by Alderbrook Resort Chef Ben Jones, wine and beer, live, silent and dessert auctions. $50. masongeneral.com Union’s Annual Halloween Harvest Festival & Trunk or Treat October 31, 4:00 - 6:00 PM 951 E Dalby Road, Union New Community Church's festival is
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fun for the whole family! Put on your favorite costume and head to the NCCU parking lot for treats, then come inside for a fun evening of games and refreshments! This is a safe and fun way to treat “kids of all ages.” This is a long-time tradition celebrated by the Union Community. thenccu.org Halloween Spooktacular Oct 31,all day Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA Join merchants for trick or treating in the downtown stores and businesses. Additional family friendly events hosted in Evergreen Square. Martha Reed Foundation Chowder Cook Off November 2, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 701 E Pine St, Shelton Sample some of the best chowders our area restaurants and amateurs have to offer. Live and silent auctions and beer and wine. Think you have an award winning recipe? MarthaReedFoundation@gmail.com to register! Free entry, Sampler Cards are $10 for tastings. FJORD
Concerts in the Woods – March to May Band November 3, 3:00 PM 923 Hazel Point Road, Coyle Seattle-based “orchestral folk” duo makes the most beautiful music you’ve ever heard with a harp, a guitar and sometimes piano, plus rich vocal harmonies. Their haunting lyrics and mellifluous melodies stay with you long after the show is over. Concerts in the Woods – The Lasses November 10, 2019, 3:00PM 923 Hazel Point Road, Coyle The Lasses are Sophie Janna and Margot Merah, an Amsterdam duo singing traditional folk and original songs with intricate harmonies. Songs from the Celtic and American traditions and beautiful original songs. With honest, effective arrangements on bodhrán and guitar, the voices takes the center stage. Free Entrance Day in State Parks Monday Nov 11, all day at all State Parks Discover Pass is not required. Fantasy Forest Father-Daughter Night Out November 15, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM 525 Cota Street, Shelton Event includes dinner, silent auction, gift shop, portrait packages offered by Cooper Studios. $40/person. masongeneral.com
Burlap to Cashmere | Nov 15, 7:00 PM
Burlap to Cashmere Live November 15, 7:00 PM 3737 Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton Resurrecting the storied Greenwich Village music scene, Burlap to Cashmere draws from influential artists such as Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, and Bob Dylan. With a unique sound and energetic live shows, the band rose to critical acclaim and went on to sell a half million records. A folk music revival. $30 (360) 426-1842
re disTillery C ® a w d r a h o. The Gift Shop . Tasting Room . Tours 206-300-0877 • hardwaredistillery.com 24210 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport, WA
AFJORD 12 water-logged "kitchen" as the tide recedes.
17th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner November 16, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 951 E Dalby Road, Union Enjoy an annual Thanksgiving feast hosted by New Community Church of Union. Dinner is free with a donation of non-perishable food items and/or cash, which will be given to the local area food banks. Roasted turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, and pie. Bring your family and friends— all are welcome. thenccu.org
JOIN C L U B
Concerts in the Woods – Don Alder November 17, 3:00 PM 923 Hazel Point Road, Coyle Don Alder‘s unique style of playing incorporates fingerpicking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a wall of sound. He is often referred to as sounding like a four piece band. Don’s music is his own unique weave of deeply textured melody and story. Lyrical and compelling, his original songs are notes of exploration – some passionate and haunting, some hard-driven, others light and teasing. Canal Cookout: Wild Game November 21, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Union City Market, Union Savor local food and drink at our marina venue, Union City Market. $45 alderbrookresort.com or (360) 898-3500 Business Luncheon & Confections Auction November 22, 2019 at 11 AM – 1:30 PM 91 W State Route 108, Shelton Annual Fantasy Forest tree display, tempting desserts, and delicious luncheon. Please call (360) 427-3623 for ticket and event information. Reservations Required. Fantasy Forest: Barrels and Brews November 22, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM 91 W State Route 108, Shelton Enjoy Pacific NW wines, craft beers, live music from The Varmints, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and participate in the silent auction. Proceeds support Mason General. $50 Fantasy Forest: Gala and Live Auction November 23, 2019 at 5 PM – 10 PM 91 W State Route 108, Shelton Event elements include No Host Bar & James Bond007 Theme. IFiberOne News' Jeff Slakey will serve as the event auctioneer. Proceeds benefit the Mason General Hospital. Tickets ($175) must be purchased in advance. (360) 427-3623.
Alderbrook Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet November 28, 12:00 - 7:00 PM 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA Give thanks for the abundance of the year at the Canal's annual, NW tradition. Advance reservations required, $65 per adult, $25 per child ages 4-12, complimentary for children ages 3 & under. alderbrookresort.com Alderbrook Tee Lighting Ceremony November 29, all day events 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA Kick-off the holiday season at our annual, NW Tradition as Santa turns on the Christmas tree to caroling, drumlines, and fireworks. alderbrookresort.com Alderbrook's photos with Santa November 30 -December 22,Saturdays & Sundays 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA Capture the spirit of the season by taking your photo with Santa in Alderbrook's festive lobby Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. Santa Photos & Cocoa Cruises with Santa November 30 -December 22,Saturdays & Sundays 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA Enjoy a holiday cruise aboard our private yacht, the Lady Alderbrook! Enjoy stories, cookies, and cocoa with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays from Thanksgiving to Christmas until Santa returns to the North Pole. Saturday cruises: 1-2PM & 2:30-3:30PM / Sunday cruise: 1-2PM / cruise is $15 for children, $20 for seniors, $25 for adults. Reservations recommended as space is limited, alderbrookresort.com.
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southsoundoysters.com
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Through a unique partnership, our shellfish are available through Hama Hama Oyster Co. and are featured in restaurants all over the world. We are pleased to join other local farms to support the Marine Education Science Society at the 2019 OysterFest by providing and shucking fresh oysters on the half shell. Join us in sponsoring marine education. Stop by and slurp a few!
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OYSTERFEST 2019 | OCT 5-6
For locals, OysterFest is a tradition. For visitors, it’s a chance to indulge in the seafood dishes for which the Pacific Northwest is best known. Since 1982, Skookum Rotary’s OysterFest has been a premier event and economic force in Shelton, WA. On the first full weekend in October, Skookum Rotary will stage its 38th annual OysterFest, home to the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships as well as Washington State’s official seafood festival. Just $5 gets you in the gate at 6:00 PM Aw shucks. It looks simple enough – insert, well as speed. The winners of each receive cash prizes and a seat at nationals. with the band taking the stage at 7:00. This twist, flick, repeat. However, if you’ve ever year’s entertainment is a regional favorite, attempted to shuck an oyster, you know On Friday evening, the three-year tradition The Varmints, who’s Rock n’ Roll sound it’s anything but easy. OysterFest hosts the of OysterFunk by Shelton Rotary Club and cover of classic bands such as CreeWest Coast Oyster Shucking Champitakes place in the 21+ beer garden, catering dence Clearwater Revival get the crowd onships, the preliminary event to the US to locals and OysterFest RVers alike. Oysmoving. Shelton Rotary uses the proceeds shuck-off at St. Mary’s Oyster Festival in terFunk boasts live music, fresh shellfish, from this event for their Christmas Giving Maryland. More than 6,000 oysters are and several Pacific Northwest Microbrews Program and Youth Scholarships as well as opened over the weekend so shuckers can to choose from. contributing to other community compete in speed shucking and half shell organizations. shucking, which involves presentation as 15 FJORD
OysterFest officially begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday and hosts family-friendly opportunities throughout the weekend with interactive water quality exhibits, free entertainment, and live music. For those looking for adult activities, dozens of Washington State wineries and Pacific Northwest microbreweries certainly know how to do their thing. Combine this with the food vendors offering unique delicacies make this a festival to arrive to both hungry & thirsty!
Apart from the great food and desserts, there is much to ‘sea’ and do at OysterFest for the whole family. The Shelton Scale Ship Modelers display their beautifully detailed model ships that cruise across a large water tank. There are remote control airplane demonstrations, educational exhibits including the marine touch tanks filled to the brim with Pacific sea creatures. The kiddie train runs continuously throughout the day and Kids Area hosts a variety of engaging shows all weekend.
OysterFest is located 250 W Sanderson Way, Shelton on Sanderson Field, 1/2 mile north of Shelton, west of US Highway 101. Locals know that the best way to get to OysterFest is through the free (and continuous!) shuttle service. Free parking areas and pick-up points are conveniently located throughout Shelton. Signage is evident for the closest shuttle spot for you.
Skookum Rotary ensures that OysterFest is a fundraising event for other organizations. Each food vendor is volunteering their time on behalf of a Mason County nonprofit. That means that every bite gives you a boost of karma! In addition to traditional fair foods like corndogs, pretzels and the like, of course, you’ll find salmon, shrimp, and oysters galore prepared every which way. For dessert, be sure to try the locally made Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.
While the events begin on Friday, campers and RVers begin arriving as early as Wednesday. Campers come from as far as Southern California and British Columbia, many being “regulars” who make the trek annually. The campgrounds have a friendly, party atmosphere with some fairly elaborate group areas. Sites are $35/night and includes admission for two. Onsite registration opens on Thursday at noon and campers may stay as late as Monday.
Admission $5, 21+ OysterFest Saturday, 10 – 6:00 PM and Sunday 10 – 5:00 PM. The cost of admission is $7, children 7 & under are free. FREE parking & shuttle bus. With the exception of service dogs, animals are not permitted on the OysterFest grounds. Maps, tickets, RV reservations, entertainment schedules, and more available at oysterfest.org.
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The details OysterFunk Friday, 6 – 10:00 PM,
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Shuck & Share 5K WALK/RUN
7211 N Lake Cushman Road Hoodsport, WA 98548 skokomishpark.com 360.877.5760 Over 100 Camp & RV Sites • Hiking Trails Fishing • Boating • Kayaking • Biking Picnic Areas • Boat Launch
LODGING
Hundreds of walkers/runners show up each year to participate in the Shuck & Share 5K Walk/Run, happening on OysterFest Sunday. Proceeds from the race help fund Mason County PUD 3’s Project Share program. Project Share is a customer-funded program helping families in crisis situations who need help paying their electric bills. Through the generosity of donors, more than 300 low-income families are helped each year. As other sources of aid continue to dwindle, more customers rely on Project Share for assistance. For more than 30 years, Mason PUD 3 customers and employees have generously funded Project Share. The Shuck & Share Walk/Run began in 2014 as a way to raise awareness (and funds) for the program.
The run attracts about 200 runners each year and raises approximately $3,000 for the program. Mason PUD 3 employees and local community members volunteer their time to organize the race each year. Success relies on volunteers and sponsorships from about 30 local businesses. This year’s 5K takes place on October 6 at 8:00 AM, located at the Huff N’ Puff across from the Shelton High School. It is a nice, flat, 5K loop. You do not need to be a PUD 3 customer to participate, simply donate, or register for the 5K at www.pud3.org.
21660 US HWY 101 Skokomish, WA 98584 wfresort.com 360.877.9422 8 Rooms • 4 Cabins • 16 RV Spaces 2-Bedroom Deluxe Condo Suite
FUEL
19390 US HWY 101 Skokomish, WA 98584 Located Next to Lucky Dog Casino 360.877.2024 Fuel • Snacks • Groceries $1 Fountain Drinks • $2 Bags of Ice
Additional Run Information
Race Fee: 15 years and over $25 ($30 on race day), 14 years and under by donation. Packet pickup is Friday, October 4 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Mason PUD 3, 2621 E. Johns Prairie Road. Or on race day beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the registration tent. If you have questions about the Shuck & Share 5K Run, contact Wendi Kirk at 360-426-8255, ext. 5326. Race registration includes a cool swag bag and free ticket into OysterFest.
skokomishtourism.com
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All about the Oysters The not so secret – secret to good oysters – is safe handling. From the moment you purchase, insure that they are kept cold and fresh – on ice or covered with a damp cloth in the fridge to keep them moist. Fresh oysters must be alive just before consumption or cooking. Tap on the shell– a live oyster will close up and is safe to eat.
Olympia
The native oyster to Washington State, the Olympia oyster is a half dollar size with a metallic finish. The Olympia oyster fishery ran from the mid-1800s until about 1915 supplying California’s demand for oysters. The oysters were harvested from shallow bays of southern Puget Sound and Willapa Bay until pollution and over harvesting caused a collapse of the wild fishery.
Pacific
Native to Japan, farmers began experimenting with the Pacific oyster in 1904. Washington began importing seed in commercial quantities in the 1930s. This practice of importing seed lasted for over 45 years. The Pacific is now an important commercial species on the West Coast. Beginning in the 1950s researchers began to study Pacific reproduction to reduce the dependence on seed imports. Since the 1970s local shellfish growers have relied on hatcheries for the production to meet the demand for NW oysters.
Kumamoto
The Kumamoto has a small deep cup and a sweet meat that is prized by raw oyster consumers. Brought to WA from Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, they are unable to reproduce in Northwest waters so growers rely exclusively on hatchery stock. The prized cup of the Kumamoto oyster and its limited supply has growers altering growing practices to create cupped Pacific oysters to meet half shell market demands. Growers use flip or tumble bags to chip the shell of the Pacific and force it into a deeper cup. Specialty oysters with names such as Kusshi, Shigoku, Sea Cow, Blue Pools, Chelsea Gems, and Baywater Sweets, are the result.
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Virginica
The decline of the Olympia oyster opened the door for the import of the Virginica from the east coast in the early 1900s. The eastern oysters did not adapt well to NW waters and experienced large die off when transplanted. There are still beds of Virginicas raised by WA shellfish farmers.
Connections to Cannary Row RICKETTS & HOOD CANAL Stella Wenstob Historians thrill at tracking the movements of pioneering marine biologist Ed Ricketts. Most notably following him on his journey to the Sea of Cortez with close friend, writer John Steinbeck. Although it is wel-documented that Ricketts visited Washington and made multiple trips to the British Columbia coast, it has recently come to light that he spent six weeks near Hoodsport on Hood Canal and the hunt is on to find the location of his lab. Ed Ricketts, pioneering marine biologist and ecologist, is famous as the inspiration for Steinbeck’s literary immortalization as the hard-drinking philosophizing “Doc” in his novel Cannery Row. Ricketts’s stimulating intellect and philosophies made his laboratory in Monterey Bay a sort of intellectual haven attracting Henry Miller, James Fitzgerald, Joseph Campbell, along with John Steinbeck.
Above, Edward F. Ricketts, (1937) In his laboratory; Top, at Point Wilson Lighthouse In Port Townsend WA (1930) Jack Calvin photos, Pat Hathaway Archives
Steinbeck’s depiction of his friend has led to an overshadowing of the very real scientific contributions Ricketts made to marine biology of the West Coast, but Ricketts’ 1939 Between Pacific Tides (written with Jack Calvin) is a seminal work on the intertidal ecology of the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, inspiring generations of marine biologists. It is now in its fifth printing.
Although Ricketts’ research is primarily associated with outer coast marine landscapes, new research is coming to light that demonstrates the Olympic Peninsula was also studied by Ricketts. Prompted by the 1930 photograph of Ricketts examining seaweed under the gaze of the Port Townsend lighthouse, historian Michael Kenneth Hemp traced Ricketts time spent on the Olympic Peninsula in a revised edition of Cannery Row: The History of John Steinbeck’s Old Ocean View Avenue published in July of this year. In 1942, while the Second World War denuded the area of able-bodied men, Ricketts and his companion Toni Jackson spent six weeks in Hoodsport collecting sea creatures for Pacific Biological Laboratories – a lab Ricketts ran out of Monterey Bay providing marine specimens to museums and universities around the world.
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Ricketts described Hoodsport unmercifully in a letter to a friend as “a sweet dead town” populated by Douglas Firs and habituated by damp weather (quoted in Renaissance Man of Cannery Row: The Life and Letters of Edward F. Ricketts, edited by Katharine A. Rodger 2002). Hemp’s research tracks down the general location of Ricketts’ cabin and provides details from oral history research that had before been lost.
Left, Ricketts & Steinbeck pilot the Baby Flyer to the mother ship, Western Flyer (above) on their voyage to the Sea of Cortez . Photo credit: Joel Hedgpeth, The Outer Shores, Part 2, courtesy Mrs. William H. Brown.
The Western Flyer Hemp’s revised edition also includes a history of the iconic Western Flyer. Built in Tacoma as a purse seiner in 1937 by Martin Petrich, Sr. of the Western Boat Building Company, she was worked out of Monterey Bay as a sardine boat.
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In 1940, Steinbeck hired the boat and crew for a six-week voyage to the Gulf of California (the inland waters between the Baja Peninsula and Mexico). The voyage was a new project, an exploratory expedition conducted by Ricketts and Steinbeck with the goal to produce a book of the voyage .
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Ricketts in his lab, photo Salinas Public Library
Steinbeck had just published the controversial Grapes of Wrath (1939) and was suffering the pangs of fame and angry critics. He wanted an escape. The prospect of a sea voyage and a turn to non-fiction writing appealed to him. Ricketts was hungry for new adventure. During the voyage, six hundred specimens were collected and stored in the ships’ capacious hold. Sixty of the specimens were discoveries to marine science. Ricketts boasted to Steinbeck that, “it would be an understatement for me to say that this little trip of ours is growing to be an important expedition and that out of it are coming some fairly significant contributions to invertebrate zoology, to marine sociology and even – I wouldn’t be surprised – to human thought”(quoted in Eric Enno Tamm’s 2004 Beyond the Outer Shores: The Untold Story of Ed Ricketts, the Pioneering ecologist who inspired John Steinbeck and Joseph Campbell). The Sea of Cortez: A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research (1941) written in collaboration between Ricketts and Steinbeck is a testament to their deep friendship. Although it was not an overnight success, the royalties barely covering the
cost of voyage itself, the book has had a slow and steady influence on the development of marine biology putting forward a holistic theory of ecology documenting the interconnectedness of humans, biology and the environment that has ignited many a scientific mind. The Western Flyer served as a functional floating research station and a metaphorical hub for Steinbeck and Ricketts – almost a character in the book herself – as Steinbeck and Ricketts considered: “Apparently the builder of a boat acts under a compulsion greater than himself. Ribs are strong by definition and feeling. Keels are sound, planking truly chosen and set. A man builds the best of himself into a boat—builds many of the unconscious memories of his ancestors.” With the tragic death of Ricketts by train crash, much of the romance in the story of his life was accentuated and the heroic qualities of his character has bred a cult-like following among literary and scientific academics – who are loving known as ‘Ed Heads’. These fans undertake pilgrimages to Cannery Row and the site of Rickett’s Pacific Biological Laboratories.
alderbrookresort.com
360.898.2145
3rd Annual Traveler Trail Run Cushman celebrates the end of summer with a portion of this year's event proceeds raised to support the Park Foundation. Slated for September 28, the course runs along the trails of Skokomish Park, located on Lake Cushman above Hoodsport. This is a 5-mile trail race with some challenging hills and unbelievable views through a mature forest in the foothills of the Olympics.
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#BeTheTraveler while you unplug and reconnect with the allure of the Pacific Northwest. Thanks goes to Skokomish Tourism for providing support and access to the course. Register for the Run online at hoodcanalevents.com.
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Since 2015 restoration work has been underway at the Shipwrights co-op in Port Townsend of the elderly Western Flyer providing another mecca for Rickett and Steinbeck junkies.
discover our world.
Visiting
OysterFest? -6 OCTOBER 5 A SHELTON, W Stop by the marine touch tanks near the entrance and check out some of the creatures that fascinated and inspired Ricketts. While you 're there , try some of the fresh oysters on the half shell and meet the local farmers who raise them. Proceeds support marine education and the 2019 OysterFest marine touch tank displays. Thank you!
Like most old wooden fishing boats, the Western Flyer has led a storied life of refits for different fisheries from sardines, perch, black cod, salmon, king crab, and shrimp. She was bought and sold and worked from Monterey Bay right up to Alaska. Along the way her name was changed to Gemini throwing history buffs off her trail for a while. In 1986, Bob Enea, the nephew of the boats’ first captain and owner Tony Berry (who was also part of the crew on the voyage to the Sea of Cortez), recognized the boat in Anacortes by its sign WB4044. He partnered with Hemp of the Cannery Row Foundation to buy the working boat from its owner Ole Knudson. At first, they were refused. When she was retired from sea work the negotiations were reopened, but Hemp and Enea’s finances fell short. The boat was sold in 2011 to the real estate developer Gerry Kehoe who had unpopular plans of incorporating her into a restaurant. In 2012, the boat sank at her anchorage under the Anacortes Bridge. She was risen successfully, only to have her sink again in 2013. This time she stayed under for six months. When raised she looked like a gray ghost, shrouded in the strange algae and sponges Ricketts would have delighted in cataloging. Her hold was once again home to creeping invertebrates (but now outside of their collection jars) with her sides encrusted in barnacles and her decking rotted with tube worms. She was purchased in 2015 by the Californian businessman and marine geologist John Gregg for $1M. Gregg is quoted to have said that the boat “is arguably worth nothing,” but this project is a labor of love and a homage to the inspiration the Sea of Cortez has had on Gregg’s life. Gregg’s vision was to refurbish the Western Flyer into a working research vessel that will act as a floating classroom and a continued inspiration to budding marine students.
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Tom Banse, knkx.org
"When raised she looked like a gray ghost, shrouded in the strange algae and sponges Ricketts would have delighted in cataloguing. " Since 2015 this dream has raised $5 M through grants and donations and become unified under the Western Flyer Foundation (westernflyer.org). The restoration work led by Chris Chase is halfway done with a potential finish date in 2020 and sea trials proposed for the Spring of 2021 with a Pacific Northwest tour later that year. In 2022, she will return to her home port of Monterey Bay and will retrace the Sea of Cortez voyage. Although on the surface Ricketts and Steinbeck had little to do with the history and shaping of the Olympic Peninsula, it is demonstrated by the research of Hemp and the Western Flyer Foundation that the connections are not only historical. These connections are actively being reworked and enlivened as restorations and pursued oral histories work to rebuild our understanding of the past. Individuals inspired by the writings and lives of Steinbeck and Ricketts pay homage through pilgrimages to the Shipwrights co-op in Port Townsend to touch the boat which carried and stimulated those great minds. A boat of hallowed literary and scientific ground, or as John Gregg says, “a place where lightning struck.”
Hike Lena Lake
SAME NAME - DIFFERENT ADVENTURES
Craig Romano Gracing the Hamma Hamma Valley are two lakes sharing the name Lena. But aside from the name, they are strikingly different from each other. The hike to Lower Lena is an easy kid and dog friendly jaunt through old growth forest. The hike to Upper Lena is a grueling and demanding grunt to a stunning high basin within Olympic National Park. Seasoned backpackers take to the upper lake and often set out afterward to scramble surrounding craggy peaks or head out on a rugged high country route.
Lower Lena entertains first time hikers and newbie backpackers often testing their gear and skills for the first time. Expect plenty of company at the lower lake and a good chance for solitude at the Upper Lena.
Feature Columnist
Craig Romano Award winning author and outdoors writer who has authored and co-authored of more than 20 books including Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd Edition (Mountaineers Books), which features 136 hikes on the Olympic Peninsula. craigromano.com
5960-foot Mount Bretherton rising above and reflecting in the Upper Lena Lake. Craig Romano photo 23 FJORD
Lower Lena is suitable for families and pets. Craig Romano photo
Hit the Trail
Both lakes use the same approach. On a very well-trodden path head off in second-growth forest. The way immediately climbs, but the grade is gentle. Lena Creek can be heard crashing in the distance.
Lena Lake Continue up the trail and eventually enter groves of beautiful old growth forest. The trail nears Lena Creek and then crosses it on a solid bridge. You might be dismayed however to be standing on a bridge spanning a dry rocky draw. What happened to the creek? It often makes a subterranean passage beneath all of those mossy rocks. Now continue hiking working your way around and below a ledge. The trail then continues to climb coming to a junction at 3.0 miles. If you’re lower lake bound, bear right and within no time come to an inviting ledge granting a wonderful view of Lena Lake 100 feet below.
Upper Lena Lake If you’re more interested in a wilder setting, skip the trip to Lower Lena and from that first junction, head left. Immediately notice how much lighter the tread is now. Bear left at the next junction and begin following Lena Creek through spectacular primeval forest. At just over 4.0 miles the trail enters Olympic National Park. Dogs are prohibited from this point on—and if you plan to camp at Upper Lena you must have a backcountry permit (issued at Hoodsport Visitor Center and other Olympic National Park ranger stations). Until this point the climbing has been fairly moderate, but that is all about to radically change.
The trail continues alongside Lena Creek heading up an increasingly tighter valley. After crossing a tributary creek on a log bridge the trail gets downright nasty! Prepare yourself for an insanely steep climb up a rocky, rooty, and at times brushy course. It’s arduous and physically taxing, and when soaked by rainfall it can be treacherous. A good set of trekking poles will come in handy. The climbing eases after you carefully negotiate a ledge and clamber up a steep rocky bed of big rocks, Once again come to and cross Lena Creek, which may be following a subterranean passage here as well.
To reach the shoreline continue and descend passing busy campsites. You’ll eventually come to a junction with a trail leading back to the trail heading for the upper lake. Head right and reach the shoreline. The trail crosses Lena Creek and continues towards The Brothers—but that’s more of interest to climbers. You’ll figure out in no time that Lena Lake is one of the most popular hikes in the Olympics. Be sure to Upper lake has alpine views and spectacular autumn colors. Craig Romano photo treat this heavily visited place with care and FJORD 24 to practice Leave No Trace ethics.
unique hand-crafted items • local artists • pottery • painting • gifts • featuring artist Harro Scharbau
SUNSHINE CREATIONS NORTHWEST .
Local Art & Other Treasures O
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Located less than 20 minutes from OysterFest ( 12 miles) in historic waterfront Hoodsport! Open Monday thru Saturday 9-6 | Sunday 10-6
24252 N. US HWY 101, Hoodsport WA Continue through open attractive oldgrowth forest groves. Make one more steep climb before cresting a ridge cradling Upper Lena Lake. Before bolting for the lake, turn around and look back at Mount Rainier in the distance. Now charge for the lake. Enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop view of 5960-foot Mount Bretherton rising above and reflecting in the lake. Camps (permits required) are along the lake’s eastern shore, and by a short path, on the lake’s western shore.
Sunshinecreationsnw@gmail.com
360-790-3068
Lena Lakes Distance: Lower Lake: 6.0 miles roundtrip; Upper Lake: 14.0 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: Lower Lake: 1225 feet; Upper Lake: 4100 feet High Point: Lower Lake: 1900 feet; Upper Lake: 4600 feet Difficulty: Lower Lake: moderate; Upper Lake: strenuous Snow free: Lower Lake: March—Dec; Upper Lake: July—November Trailhead Pass Needed: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency GPS waypoints: Trailhead: N47 35.984 W123 09.055 Lower Lake: N47 36.994 W123 09.789 Upper Lake: N47 38.068 W123 12.329
If you’re up for the day, stay awhile and soak up the beauty. In autumn the surDOGS are ok at Lower Lena but prohibited at Upper Lena Lake. rounding hills colorfully reflect in the CAMPING (no fires) at Upper Lake requires National Park Wilderness Camping Permit lake’s placid waters. Look for critters big (contact Olympic National Park, Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100) and small frolicking in those hills looking Land Agency Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene, fs.usda.gov/ for berries. Feel free to help yourself to a olympic and Olympic National Park, nps.gov/olym handful as well. If you have any energy left RECOMMENDED MAP: Green Trails Olympic Mountains East 168S consider following a half mile side trail to RECOMMENDED GUIDEBOOKS: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition and Backpacking beautiful Milk Lake set beneath a small Washington (Romano, Mountaineers Books) glacier on Mount Bretherton. Then rest up TRAILHEAD DIRECTIONS: From Hoodsport travel north on US 101 north for 13.7 miles turning and prepare your knees for the brutal and left at milepost 318 onto FR 25 (Hamma Hamma River Road). Continue for 7.5 paved miles to the jarring descent back to your vehicle. The trailhead. TRAILHEAD FACILITIES: privy beauty and solitude are definitely worth the 25 FJORD grind.
FANTASY FOREST 2019 A Benefit for Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics
FATHER DAUGHTER NIGHT OUT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
5:30 pm to 9 pm Shelton Civic Center, 525 W Cota Street, Shelton Kick off Fantasy Forest 2019 and join us in making father and daughter memories to last a lifetime! Event to Include: Dinner and Gift Shop Tickets $40/person Reservations required
BUSINESS LUNCHEON AND CONFECTIONS AUCTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 11 am to 1:30 pm Little Creek Casino Resort
Bring the office for beautiful tree displays and some holiday cheer! Event to Include: Lunch and Dessert Auction Tickets $50/person. Table of 8 $325 Table of 10 $400 Reservations required
BARRELS & BREWS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Doors open at 6 pm Little Creek Casino Resort
A Toast to our Community Come enjoy live music and Pacific Northwest wines, craft beers, spirits, music and gourmet hors d’oeuvres! Event to Include: Live band: The Varmints Beer, wine, spirits tasting and sales Doors open at 6 pm Band starts at 6:30 pm Tickets $50/person. Must be 21 or older to attend
GALA AND LIVE AUCTION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Doors open at 5 pm Little Creek Casino Resort
Kick off the 2019 holiday season by attending the MGH Foundation Fantasy Forest finale! The James Bond ‘007’ themed Gala and Live Auction invites you to dress up for a glamorous affair while showing your support for MGH&FC. Event to Include: Dinner and Live Auction James Bond vintage vehicle exhibit by Yesteryear Car Club Tickets $175/person Premier front row seating $200/person Use Code: “Fantasy Forest” when making reservations.
FJORD 26 For more event information, please visit us at www.masongeneral.com under the “Community” tab or call (360) 427-3623
Catch the Flow
Six Mountain Bike Zones to Check Out Around Hood Canal Danielle Baker While popular mountain biking trail networks like Seattle, Port Angeles, and the Capital Forest network dot the outskirts, a circumnavigation of the Hood Canal will uncover some local favorites and family-friendly riding. These zones can be accessed by day trip from a home-base picturesque cabin rental on the water or through more of a nomadic road trip utilizing campsites as you go. Whatever your style of travel, family needs, or riding goals a fully customizable mountain bike-centric trip can be found here. While these six areas are predominantly beginner and intermediate trails with the occasionally rowdy advanced downhill track, within an hour from any one spot, there is an abundance of variety in both the trails and scenery.
South Fork Skokomish Trail The South Fork Skokomish Trail wanders beautifully through old-growth forest as it crosses its namesake river and several streams along the way while climbing gently for the first two miles. Beyond that, it continues up at a steep grade as the trail rises above the river valley. Another five miles along, the trail ends at the Olympic National Park boundary. This is a great spot to catch your breath before enjoying the exciting downhill that you’ve earned.
The Lower South Fork Skokomish Trail heads nine miles in the opposite direction. This section tends to be less maintained but if you’re up for an adventure it is worth the challenge. The trail takes you through more stunning Olympic National Forest old-growth and roughly a mile in from the northern trail entrance, it fords a river that can only safely be crossed between August and early October. Despite the challenge of added brush and fallen trees, this section of South Fork Skokomish Trail has far less elevation to contend with than the upper and it can be shuttled as it has parking at both ends.
To Go: Skokomish Valley Rd 5.5 miles to FR-23. Continue 9 miles to FR-2353, turn right over the river. Left at four-way junction, proceed 0.5 mile to the trailhead. Visit fs.usda.gov (South Fork Skokomish #873) for current trail conditions. Northwest Forest Pass. Map and directions wta.org. 27
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West Shelton The West Shelton trail network has nine miles of cross-country trails that can be accessed from the heart of Shelton. Nearly all the trails are rated green and while there are a few punchy climbs, there is no sustained elevation for beginner riders to worry about. Flowy trails like Au Natural, She’s a Pitch, Single Track, and Tie In, tend to have flowy sections, pitchy climbs, and some gentle flats. A few, especially the aptly named Sometimes a River, can turn into small streams after a good rain but generally, this area makes for great year-round riding. To view the network of trails available in Shelton, vsit trailforks.com/region/shelton
Lower Big Quilcene
Green Mountain Kitsap County is home to Green Mountain and a 22-mile network of mostly beginner and intermediate multi use trails with a couple of advanced downhill routes in the mix. There are two trails heads, Gold Creek and Wildcat, on opposite sides of the mountain that both lead to the Vista Summit and fun descents. Climbing up the sometimes rocky and loose Wildcat Trail will give you a challenging 1100 feet of gain in 4.5 miles and deliver stunning views of Bremerton and Seattle. On particularly clear days, riders will also be treated to Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams too. While the trails here are primarily categorized as cross-country, there is quite a bit of variety to be had. Wildcat Trail from the summit is loose and fast with flowy berms and plenty of tech available. For those looking for a long and more challenging climb on an out-and-back that delivers a speedy and fun descent on the return, Gold Creek Trail would be the best choice. But with the same elevation gain of 1100 feet, this time in just over 2 miles, riders need to make sure their legs are ready for the challenge.
Map credit: wta.org – Bayview parking lot, Hwy 104, mile from Port Gamble, no fees.
Forest Heritage Park Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park offers 33.5 miles of everything from beginner to advanced all-mountain trails. The network is linked by non-motorized use logging roads and includes a range of tech and flow with a little something for everyone. Green rated trails like Outer Limits are easy cross-country trails with just enough variation to be great for teaching new riders. Clear Cut and Twisted Sister are other beginner trails that offer some fun corners and mostly flat terrain to learn on. Intermediate trails include Ankle Biter, the longest climb or descent in the park depending on your direction; Derailed, a relatively new downhill trail with a few tabletop jumps and optional doubles; The Hood, a flow trail with berms and small optional jumps; and Forbidden Forest, a rooty and technical singletrack route. Drop Tail is one of the few advanced trails here and is a short track that includes a few drops and bridges. The range for all abilities packed into this trail network is impressive making it an easy crowd-pleaser no matter who you’re traveling with.
Visit wta.org for directions; also pick up Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula (Craig Romano - Mountaineers Books) FJORD 28
This intermediate 6.2 miles of lowland forested trail offers a scenic pedal along the Big Quilcene River. Lush moss lines an old roadbed through a young forest before winding through massive old-growth cedars. Blooming rhododendrons add bursts of color to the forest greens in spring and summer. For anyone looking for a light bike-packing adventure, there is an established campsite just under 3 miles from the trailhead right on the banks of the river. This trail can be ridden as a 12.4-mile outand-back or a shuttle can be arranged with a pick-up at the FS Road 2750 exit.
Visit wta.org for directions; also Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula (Craig Romano - Mountaineers Books)
Gold Creek-Dungeness Just a short drive up the forest service road from the Lower Big Quilcene trail is a huge trail network boasting 43 miles of multiuse trails connected by fire roads. Mt. Zion Trail is one of many highlights in the area. This advanced trail is a steep 1.8 mile climb through second-growth fir, blooming (in spring) rhododendrons, and Pacific Northwest greenery. From the summit - after enjoying panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Cascades, and the Olympic Mountains - trails
descend through mature conifer forests and wildflowers. A local favorite is the classic Dungeness Gold Creek loop. Riders can opt to bypass the steepest portion of Lower Dungeness trail and instead enjoy an easier gravel climb along the fire service road that parallels it from the parking lot. From there, drop into 3 O'Clock Ridge to connect back to the best parts of Lower Dungeness for the remainder of the singletrack climb. Taking a left on the forest service road at the end of Lower Dungeness takes riders over to Gold Creek Trail before a short gravel road climb returns to the parking lot. This 20 mile loop will tour you through beautiful forest sidehill with views of the Dungeness River Valley and along some fast and narrow sections with exposed cliff edges. It is not recommended for beginner riders.
Looking for a Great Steak? Look no further! Celebrating 10 years of delicious food in Shelton.
405 Railroad Avenue in Downtown Shelton
Map credit:trailforks.com These zones offer some incredible gems, not only in the quality of riding but also in the magnificent views, old-growth forests, and rushing rivers all creating a vibrant experience for visitors. Whether you visit for the weekend or a week, you will leave feeling fulfilled with incredible memories. Further information including trail maps, directions, and conditions for these areas can be found on trailforks.com. Additional details can be found with the non-profit society, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, who work to maintain the mountain bike trails in Washington (evergreenmtb.org). The vast majority of these trails are multiuse and it is likely that you will encounter hikers, trail runners, equestrians, and even moto riders from time to time. Keep your head up, make some noise, and always observe proper trail etiquette when needed is the best way to keep everyone safe. Danielle Baker is a freelance writer from Squamish, BC. Her work can be viewed in FreeHub Magazine, Mountain Life, Red Bull Canada, Eskapee, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, 29 Pinkbike.com, and many others.
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Autumn Recreation
Fall is the perfect time to explore the Fjord Ron Adams, Verle's Sporting Goods & Marine The lush green flora found in abundance around the Hood Canal are giving way to a wonderful mosaic of shades of red, yellow, brown and green. An exquisite display of nature's grandeur against a backdrop of the majestic Olympic Range. I absolutely love this place and this time of year. Those of us who live on or around the Hood Canal are privy to what I consider one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world. The diversity lies in the beauty and the activities. Fall is harvest time and there is an abundance to forage while having fun and making memories. Salmon are making their epic journeys through our briny waters to the rivers they were born in to perpetuate their species. Anglers from all over make their way here every year hoping to intercept the abundant runs not only for the challenge of a battle, but also because they are wonderfully delicious and nutritious. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plants an abundance of trout into lakes every year. The fishing really picks up in the lakes in the fall with fish trying to fatten up for winter eagerly accepting
baits, flies, spinners, and spoons. The cooler water in the fall also improves the culinary aspect of the fish with a higher fat content and firmer meat as compared to summer. The state also teams up with local sporting goods stores for a free contest where legally licensed anglers have a chance of catching tagged fish from many of the public lakes. The tags in the fish have a WDFD phone number and a code. You simply call and give the representative the code number and they tell you where you can go retrieve your prize. Lots of incentive, lots of fun and a chance to win something. Shellfishing for clams and oysters is also super fun for the whole family. Hood Canal has an abundance of oysters and several varieties of clams. State parks and public beaches provide access to free harvesting for license holders. Razor clamming on the coast is also extremely popular and just a short drive from the fjord.
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Hiking and mushroom picking near Hood Canal are also very popular, very fun and very rewarding. The canal's proximity to the Olympic National Forest and Park as well as other public lands provide plenty of pristine locations to harvest chanterelles, hedgehogs, and varieties of edible fungi. Trails abound throughout these public lands. Hikes consist of short day hikes to challenging endeavors that take several days to complete, rising and falling hundreds of feet in elevation but rewarding your efforts with breathtaking views and amazing flora fauna. Waterfalls are very popular among day hikers and there are many within easy distance. Dosewallips State Park just off of Hwy 101 has close to five miles of hiking with views of the gorgeous Dosewallips River and a 130' waterfall that hauntingly runs down into a dark chasm. Farther north, near Quilcene, cascades Rocky Brook Falls near Falls View Canyon. Both are stunning.
Hopefully I have encouraged and inspired all who read this to go out and enjoy what this area has to offer. If you have questions, need a license or just want to gt some local know-how, stop by and talk with myself or one of the other pro staff at Verle's Sporting Goods in Shelton. Verle's was established in 1948, is still family owned and has had its finger on the pulse of the Hood Canal and Olympic Peninsula for 71 years. The business was started with worm sales and has grown into a local institution. Verle's carries virtually everything you may need for fishing, boating, clamming, hunting and exploring the local area. Name brand fishing equipment such as Okuma, Lamiglas and Abu Garcia line the shelves and many more. Verle's also carries Murffs Claminator clam guns which are hands down the best razor clam gun. The store has had 71 years to dial in the local wants and needs to have fun and be successful and staff is friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to make your adventure a success. Verle's carries fishing, hunting and marine accessories including GMU and Greentrail Maps for the hiking trails on the Olympic Peninsula.
Shelton Springs Disc Golf 3677 N Shelton Springs Rd. Shelton, WA 98584 Contact: Email: Morgan Rothrock #41976 Phone: 360-480-1234
Union Denim & Diamonds Fundraiser The 16th annual event supports the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund is hosted at the Alderbrook Resort & Spa, October 27. The event takes place in the Alderbrook’s Grand Ballroom for an evening that includes dinner presented by Chef Ben Jones, wine and beer, and live, silent and dessert auctions. Proceeds help community members with the medical costs of cancer.
Admission is $50 per person, and Casual dress (with optional denim and diamonds) is suggested. Tickets go on sale Sept. 23. Call (360) 462-FUND (3863) for tickets or visit masongeneral.com
$5 ADMISSION petting zoo entry & wagon ride to the catapult area.
(360) 275-4267
Children under 2 FREE Life-saving tip : A life jacket only works if you wear it. #WearItWA #FishWashington
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 | 12 PM – 1 PM
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HUNTER FARMS, UNION FJORD
In August Hood Canal Events & Alderbrook Golf hosted the first annual Swing Night at the Pointe. Over 100 guests enjoyed games, dancing, picnic baskets, spectacular views of Hood Canal, and fantastic music played by the seventeen piece big band Olympia Jazz Senators.
Union City Market opened their gorgeous indoor waterfront dining area this summer. Stop by a check it out with their weekend brunch menu!
Union Country Store is open daily with the most delicious lunch and dinner specials. Come dine in!
Hood Lena
Connected acr The Hardware Distillery and their Bee's Knees was featured in the blog Fun with Honey: Honey Spirits and Somel by BigFish of Illinois.
Alderbrook Resort and Spa now has picnic sandwiches available in their gift shop – ready and packed for your hike! SHELTON – Lynch Creek Dahlia Farm is open dawn until dusk for u-pick flowers. $5 per dozen, they also have pre-made bouquets for sale in their farm stand. Open until first frost in late October. At this year's Hoodstock Festival $5000 in proceeds were donated to the Salmon Center amphitheater project . Thanks Georgetown Brewing and Seattle Cider Company for donating the beer and cider.
The Yesteryear Car Club donated a record breaking 529 teddy bears to comfort children in the Mason General Hospital emergency department. A special thanks to Les Schwab Tire Center for collecting the animals and to the community for their donations!
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Washington Parks offers 3 more free days in 2019 Normally a Discover Pass is required for vehicles accessing Washington Parks. Saturday, Sept. 28 — National Public Lands Day Monday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 29 — Autumn free day
Youth Kayaking Program, $5
Doswallips Tour, September 21, 9:30 AM Youths 13+ or youth that have completed the intro course and have certificate. Biologist guide will discuss natural history and marine animals of Canal. Sponsored by Brinnon Parks and Recreation and Hood Canal Adventures, register (360) 301-6310.
d Canal Ranger District, all campgrounds close on September 15, except for a Lake, which is open year-round (see page 23).
ross the Fjord
Congratulations! Brinnon Parks and Recreation hosted 91 people in the two month swim program!
The 4th Traveler Trail Run happens on September 28 at Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman! Don't miss the killer views, register hoodcanalevents.com
The Hoodsport Disc Golf Park is now open to the public with introduction Disc Golf Clinics every Saturday in August. Sponsored by The Port of Hoodsport and Mason County Disc Golf Association. Open to the Public from dawn to dusk to play disc golf and enjoy nature.
Geoduck Restaurant & Lounge has new apparel. Get them before they are gone!
North Mason Rotary's Taste of Hood Canal in Belfair was a great success. Thank you to sponsors, vendors, and volunteers. Proceeds fund college scholarships and the North Mason Giving Tree.
Worthington Park's first ever free outdoor Movie Under the Stars welcomed over 150 guests, some families traveling as far as Port Angeles to attend! 33
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Fall Bonfire Dinner Stella Wenstob While the crisp weather of fall is just around the corner, there is still fair weather left for outdoor fun. With the longer evenings to savor, fall bonfires are perhaps more satisfying than summer’s beach blazes.
Grilled Oysters
Fire Pit Spuds
Now that we are back in the months with an ‘r’ in it, we don’t need to be as wary about roasting oysters on the open fire (but to be on the safe side, always check for shellfish closures in your collection area). Roast oyster with a blob of butter and a little bit of grated cheese over the fire. Remove the oyster from the fire when the cheese has melted and the liquids are bubbling.
Other easy open fire recipes include the old standby of a pricked, baked potato wrapped in tinfoil. Voila! Now you have a perfect meal of surf and turf. Add grated cheese, butter, chopped chives and other favorite toppings. Grate your cheese at home before you set out or buy packaged grated cheese.
The basics can be put together at home before you set off on your adventure. Wash and core the apple, like you do when you carve a pumpkin, keeping the stem as a cap. Fill the center with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. Add a blob of butter and replace the stem cap. Wrap the apple in tinfoil. Fireside, bury the apple in the coals and wait until you hear it sizzling. When its fork soft, dessert is ready. The brown sugar and butter produces a scrumptious but sticky syrup – be prepared.
Marshmallow Flambé Roasted Camp Apples For desert try a roasted apple. Washington is famous for its crisp apples and this is the time of the year to enjoy them. Reach for a sour apple such as Granny Smith to accent the sweetness of the brown sugar.
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Don’t think you were spared the marshmallows on this camp cookout! If you are searching for a beverage to warm you up as the fire burns down to embers while you are stargazing, try a glass of the chocolatey classic of Bailey’s or Carolann’s (no judging, go with whichever you like best) with a burnt roasted marshmallow floating on top – your very own camp flambé.
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A Burst of Color Need some color in your life? Then head over to Lynch Creek's Dahlia Farm where the blooms are bursting with a rainbow of shades and shapes! Lynch Creek Farm has been growing dahlias for well over 20 years. Last year was a major change for the farm when owner, Andy Hunter, decided to open the dahlia fields to the public as a u-pick. Not sure if anyone would really want to cut their own dahlias or buy a pre-made floral bouquet at a stand on Lynch Road, they were thrilled to find that it was a far greater success then they could have imagined with many people making a family event out of it bringing the kids, cameras, and even dogs. With three acres of dahlias to plant and prepare, it's a family affair with three generations of the Hunter family making sure their are plenty of blooms to go around. Arranged in giant rows, it's a rainbow so large that small planes overhead do a fly over.
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The flowers are at their peak in the fall so make a day out of it with your friends and family. This makes a great annual tradition with the bonus of beautiful hand-picked bouquets, special pictures, and a fun adventure. The farm is open dawn until dusk every day until the first frost (late October) and the stand is often manned with helpful staff. Certain days during the summer a local non-profit groups take over the farm and all proceeds for that day are donated to their cause. When it’s not staffed there are signs, buckets, clippers, pre-made bouquets, and a drop box to help offset weeding expense. More information is available at lynchcreekdahlias.com. See you in the flowers!
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Autumn rules the courses
Golf! The allure of scoring low as you putter around in the last days of summer. The Hood Canal and surrounding areas offer some great options for playing golf – in whatever persuasion you prefer, be it ball or disc.
Courses
If you are not only looking for great golfing, but also yearn for breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and the Hood Canal and delight in delicious cuisine at the club house at the end of your put, then Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club is your best option. Located above Union, Alderbrook is consistently rated as one of the top 25 courses in the Northwest for its spectacular scenery and play-ability. The well-maintained par 72 course follows the natural contour of the land. Reservations can be made seven days in advance for individual groups. Salish Cliffs Golf Club also offers a unique high-end golfing experience with grounds designed by award winning architect Gene Bates that incorporate Native American motifs. Located in Shelton and owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe,
Salish Cliffs Golf Club is a salmon-safe 18-hole championship golf course. The par 72 layout offers world-class golf and stunning Pacific Northwest views. Salish Cliffs’ rates include the greens fee, golf cart, range balls before play and tax. The restaurant at the clubhouse of Salish Cliffs follows in the tradition of neighboring Little Creek Casino Resort by offering great food at reasonable prices. Lake Limerick Golf Club is nestled amongst the trees near Shelton. Gentle hills make this a challenging Par 72 and a fun round of golf. Facilities include a Pro Shop, Café and cart rentals. Visit their website for detailed maps of the range.
Perched above Hoodsport in the forests of the Olympic Mountains is the Lake Cushman Golf Course. The meticulous grounds boast a public 9-hole course with dual tees which plays an exciting 18 holes. FJORD 36
It has a wide-open driving range, putting green, and practice bunker. There are beverages, snacks, and hot dogs to enjoy on the deck overlooking the putting green. The course is a nice walk, or you can choose to rent one of the club’s Yamaha golf carts. Next to a rainbow trout stocked lake is LakeLand Village Golf & Country Club situated in Allyn with views of the Olympics and Mount Rainier. This course tests players with numerous ponds and gaping bunkers. At over 9,000 yards, this 27hole golf course also offers driving ranges, practice chipping and bunker areas, as well as putting greens. The clubhouse serves lunch and dinner options on select days.
Disc Golf
If you aren’t fussy about dress codes, booking tee times, and golf carts, there are local options for disc golf.
The growing popularity of this frisbee throwing golf adaptation has been met enthusiastically by the volunteers of the Mason County Disc Association in the communities of Shelton and Hoodsport who both boast challenging courses. Established in 2011, Shelton Springs Disc Golf (off of the Huff n’ Puff Trail) is highly acclaimed with almost 8000 feet of fairway. The 18-hole course has dual tees and plays in and out of power lines. The course is predominated by one of the Northwest’s biggest features – trees! Pines pepper the course making every play a test. Hoodsport Trail Park hosts the more modest Hoodsport Hills disc golf course. Began in 2015 this course is still under construction, however, there are 9-holes available on this hilly wooded course. If you are an amateur player prone to losing your disc a spotter is recommended.
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OCTOBER 6, 2019
Last Chance to Ride the Rails this Season We’ve always been taught to never play on the tracks but there is one place in Mason County where it is perfectly OK – in fact encouraged! Open only through October 6, the family will love the shared experience as the pedal powered cars meander the curves the timber railway. Vance Creek Railroaders is named for one of the rail bridges that were once part of the area’s rich timber history. Constructed in 1929, the Vance Creek and High Steel Bridges were built at the request of the US Forest Service. The two bridges are among the highest railroad bridges built in the world. In the United States they are within the top 20 highest in the nation. The gentle, but vigorous ride is suitable for all ages. If you tire on the adventure there is a motorized railrider to give you a little extra push up the hills. The excursions run daily at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, until they close for the season after October 6. Be sure to dress in layers as you will be traveling in wooded area where it can go from shade to sun. The rail head is at 421 West Hanks Lake Road, west of Hwy 101 on the Shelton/Matlock Rd.
Join a Treasure Hunt across Mason County to support community Grace Renecker Explore communities and amenities such as parks, attractions, and businesses during this fun one day event. On September 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Mason County Rural Development Initiative (RDI) Cohort #2 will be hosting a treasure hunt in the communities around Hood Canal. Many stops are local small businesses who have offered up great prizes and deals. Some stops hold treasure coins that will be converted to a key at the final stop. These keys unlock treasures from businesses such as certificates and gift baskets. The final treasure stop at Green Diamond's beautiful Mason Lake Recreation Area features prizes, food, and live music. Participants will receive a map of Mason County with places to visit as well as a t-shirt. All proceeds will go to the Skookum Rotary Scholarship Fund.
Railrider tickets are $26 for adults (and children over 12), $16 for kids under 12 years old. More info at vcrailriders.com or call (541) 519-4200 to reserve.
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RDI is comprised of local citizens in leadership training. Cohort #2 created this event to familiarize neighbors with the opportunities in the county. The groups hopes that with the connection of a coin stop, the seed for a long-term customer relationship is planted. Already the project has seeded those relationship by garnering support with community sponsors such as Green Diamond Resource Company and Alderbrook Resort and Spa. Registration is $25 for an individual or team. Teams may be as many people as you want - a greatthing to do with friends or family. View event on Facebook, “Discover Mason County Treasure Hunt” or visit explorehoodcanal.com/events. for a link to their eventbrite registration page.
Months with an "R"? Time to harvest shellfish! Okay, so maybe that's a wives tale... but nobody can deny that most shellfish is much better in the cooler months. Want to harvest your own bivalves? You are in luck! Each year, state biologists perform population surveys to stock public beaches with oysters and clams – ready for the harvest! For current shellfish seasons check wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches, the Shellfish Emergency Rule Change Hotline (866) 880-5431, contact the WDFW
customer service desk (360) 902-2700. If you harvest clams or oysters, keep them on ice or eat them soon after harvest. It is best practice to read posted warnings or call the Marine Toxins Hotline 1-800-562-5632 for a recording before consuming product. Visit the Shellfish Safety Map at
doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety. Clam and oyster season are beach specific and may change annually. For a list of local beaches, visit shellfishtrail.org. If you prefer to have the harvesting done for you, head over to a local farm retail store for a fresh selection. On October 5-6, make your way to OysterFest in Shelton, where you can try an array in one place!
All Aboard the Shellfish Trail Like shellfish? Then the Washington Shellfish Trail is where to start your next journey. Since 2017, volunteers have been working with folks that grow, cook, and display shellfish to create a fun trail that bivalve enthusiasts can follow to explore all that is shellfish in Washington. Did you know that the North Bay WDFW property boasts the largest population of Olympia oysters in Puget Sound? How about that Chelsea Oyster Farm has an award winning oyster bar in Olympia’s waterfront core featuring Totten oysters grown in Mason County?
The shellfish trail is a project sponsored by the National Sea Grant Program and was developed by Image In Action Design and Washington Sea Grant. Through a partnership with the mapping and itinerary capabilities of ScenicWA, followers of the trail are able to select geographical tour or focus on one specific type of shellfish.
Want to see more? Stop by the oversized Similar to to Eastern Washington wine Building upon the other Washington trail shellfish frame just inside the front gate at trails, the shellfish trail will bring you from systems such as the Strait of Juan de Fuca OysterFest to catch your family shot in this the Columbia River north to the Canadian Scenic Byway, all of the stops include spegiant frame and tag your visit on Facebook at border and explore not only Washington’s cific points of interest and learning oppor#shellfishtrail. famous oysters, but also clams, geoduck, tunities that will enhance your adventure. and mussels. Visit farms, gather your own This and more are highlighted features on Look over shellfishtrail.org to learn more shellfish off public beaches and attend the trail. Like OysterFest, (October 5-6, about the Washington shellfish trail including events that embrace this resource, like Shelton) water quality and safe shellfish information on itineraries, road trips and OysterFest, (October 5-6, Shelton). The handling are also prominent themes. shellfish sites and events you can enjoy. Washington Shellfish Trail will guide you on your year-round journey. 39 FJORD
THINGS TO DO
FALLS TO FISHING
39 MAP/LODGING
SHELTON & KAMILCHE
44 MAP/LODGING HOOD CANAL AREA
Situated between the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains in Mason County is Hood Canal. A place filled with world-class activities, wild-caught fare, lively events, and plenty of places to hide away from it all when you just want the world to yourself.
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KAYAKING
Whether you seek tide-ripped saltwater passages, challenging whitewater, or lakes big and small, Hood Canal is a kayaker, canoer, or paddleboarder’s ideal destination. A rich paddling community supports any adventurer’s vision; rental packages and lesson opportunities for the budding kayaker or paddleboarder are not in short supply. Get out on the water and enjoy a fresh perspective of the FJORD 40 canal with colossal peaks towering overhead.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
MASON COUNTY Everyday, people come to Hood Canal to disconnect from their day-to-day, and reconnect with themselves, families, and with nature. Most will leave wishing they had just a little more time to stay.
HOOD CANAL IS WASHINGTON’S WILD SIDE. And it’s here for you, when you’re ready to discover yours.
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EXPERIENCE THE
WILD SIDE OF WASHINGTON Like a giant fish hook weaving beneath the Olympics with a web of inlets, Hood Canal is poised to catch your imagination and reel in memories for years to come.This majestic saltwater fjord hosts unparalleled shellfish, shrimp, crab, and salmon and is renown as a diving mecca with its glacial formation causing underwater biomes that appear nowhere else.Venture away from the canal to Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest for hiking and thrilling vistas. Choose from hundreds of easy access freshwater lakes or revel in waterfall views including the iconic High Steel Bridge. Ablaze with wildflowers in the spring, hidden swimming holes in the summer, a chance to see spawning salmon in the fall, and snow-capped peaks in the winter, there is never an inopportune time to visit Hood Canal.
MOTORSPORTS CLEAR YOUR MIND AND
FALL FOR WATERFALLS Hamma Hamma & Lake Kokanee are just two of the many falls waiting to be explored. The best time to view area waterfalls is in the spring while the weather is warmer but there is still plenty of run off from the mountains.
HIGH STEEL BRIDGE
Soaring 420' above the Skokomish River, the High Steel Bridge (1929), is the highest steel truss arch bridge in Washington. You won’t even need to leave the car for this breathtaking view. Follow Skokomish Valley Rd 11 miles from Hwy 101 to reach the bridge. FJORD 42
T he Ridge Motorsports Park racing course near Shelton includes a fantastic road course that's geared towards club racers and competitors. Head to the DNR forests for some unmatched off-road trail rides.
TRAILS & WALKS
World-class hiking trails lace the Olympic Mountain wilderness, leading from mountain stream beds through old growth forest to high-altitude ridge lines with breathtaking views of Hood Canal and beyond.
TAKE A LEAP
PICK A PEAK
We love the folks at SKYDIVE KAPOWSIN! Feel the
Mason County is shadowed by amazing heights!
adrenaline pumping rush of free-fall and experience
From easy day hikes with the family to overnights
the freedom of the air with highly trained professional
or “experience needed” excursions – you don’t
instructors. Views of the fjord and the Olympics and
have to go far for spectacular memories!
a seven minute free fall adrenaline rush from 13,000 feet will definitely change your outlook.
TASTING YOUR WAY AROUND THE
CANAL & SOUND dining experiences pairing with stops at the best tasting rooms in the Northwest.
PHOTO: TOBY TAHJA-SYRETT
You can do the loop tasting farm-to-table
FISHING
From open water trolling on the sound to throwing dry flies on small lowland lakes, there are plenty of fishing opportunities in the area. Seek colossal coho in the fall and hungry trout in the spring to see why every season is fishing season in Hood Canal.
BIKING
Don the helmet and clip into your pedals, for there is no shortage of road or trail from which to experience the beauty and thrill of this landscape.
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SIX DESTINATION GOLF COURSES
Meticulously nestled in the forests and hillsides of Hood Canal, these highly rated courses will showcase the best of your golf game. Enjoy incredible views of the Olympic Mountains as you drive down lush fairways and putt on pristine greens. With a different course to play every day of the week and dining nearby to celebrate the 19th hole, Hood Canal is an ideal destination for the golfing enthusiast in all of us. ALDERBROOK
(360) 898-2560 | Union, WA alderbrookgolf.com Rated as one of the top 25 courses in the Northwest for spectacular scenery and playability, this par 72 course follows the natural contours of the land. Restaurant, lounge & pro shop.
LAKE CUSHMAN
(360) 877-5505 | Hoodsport, WA lakecushmangolfcourse.com Nestled in the forest of the Olympic Mountains above Hoodsport & Hood Canal is this 9-hole course with dual tees which plays an 18 holes. Open driving range, putting green, and practice bunker.
LAKE LIMERICK GOLF CLUB
(360) 426-6290 | Shelton, WA www.lakelimerickgolf.com A quiet and picturesque tree lined course. Gentle hills make this a challenging Par 72 and a fun round of golf. Facilities include Pro Shop, Cafe, and Cart Rentals. Social Memberships Available.
LAKELAND VILLAGE
(360) 275-6100 | Allyn, WA lakelandliving.com Majestic views of the Olympics and Rainier, 27 holes with driving ranges, putting greens, practice chipping, and bunker areas. Dining clubhouse.
ITINERARY 1:
UNION AND THE WATERS OF SOUTH HOOD CANAL TAKE A DIP
Famous for its warm waters, Twanoh State Park is a 182 acre park with 3,167 feet of saltwater shoreline. Campground is open yearround. parks.wa.gov
SAIL ABOARD THE PLEIADES
Experience an authentic schooner as you sail around the Great Bend. Scheduled and private charters available.
HUNT FOR TREASURES
Pick through a treasure trove of antiques or a curated boutique of keepsakes when you shop on the wild side of Hood Canal is the only saltwater fjord in the lower United States. Washington. Depths exceed 600’ in Dabob Bay, averaging 500’ in the channel. FJORD 44 44
DEEP RUN THE WATERS
SALISH CLIFFS
(360) 462-3673 | Kamilche, WA salish-cliffs.com Salmon-safe 18 hole par 72 championship golf course created by architect Gene Bates. Clubhouse serves lunch and dinner. Adjacent to the Little Creek Casino Resort, a full service luxury resort & casino.
SHELTON SPRINGS DISC
masoncountydiscgolf.com Looking for a different type of golf? This 18 hole disc golf course is located at the intersection of Wallace Kneeland Blvd & Shelton Springs Rd.
BIRDING
With a majestic and varied landscape as a background, Hood Canal is a gorgeous place to come search for the over 250 species that call the Olympic Peninsula home. Chock full of life-birds like bald eagles, rhinoceros aucklets and more on premiere birding trails with helpful self-guided trail maps, this is a birder's paradise!
SCUBA DIVING
MUSIC & FESTIVALS
Hood Canal is known among scuba divers worldwide for its gentle currents and curious rock formations. Lessons and equipment are available at various locations in Hood Canal.
There is endless entertainment to be enjoyed in Hood Canal. With a packed event calendar, there is never an inopportune time to come, stay, and play.
ON THE WATER Hood Canal occupies 150 square miles of the Olympic Peninsula and bellies up to the Olympic National Park. It's home to thousands of species of fish and marine mammals and invertebrates like orcas, oysters, and wild octopi while providing habitat to an array of seabirds.There's hardly a better way to take it all in than on the water.
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Shelton is the westernmost city on Puget Sound, practically with one foot in Olympic National Park. Featuring a
ITINERARY 2: SHELTON AREA
CELEBRATING A RICH TIMBER HISTORY
The Captain's Retreat Vacation Rental | 111 E Shoreline Ln, Shelton | 206-817-8490
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Harstine Island Beach Cabin | 21 E Dana Dr, Shelton | (253) 943-5264 | harstinerental.com
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Little Creek Casino Resort | W 91 State Route 108, Shelton | (800) 667-7711 | little-creek.com
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Pirates Cove Caboose | 202 E Pirates Creek Rd, Shelton | 569-2799 | greatgetaways.com
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Shelton Inn | 628 W Railroad Ave, Shelton | 426-4468 | sheltoninn.com
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Shelton Casita | Harstine Island | 360-927-6404 allynhouseinn.com
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Shelton Loft | Harstine Island | 360-927-6404 allynhouseinn.com
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Shelton Lodge | Harstine Island | 360-927-6404 allynhouseinn.com
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Shore Lane Beach House | E Shoreline, Shelton | (206) 999-1720
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Super 8 Motel | 2943 Northview Circle, Shelton | 426-1654 | super8.com
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*Phone number area code 360, unless otherwise specified. 46 FJORD 46
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SHELTON AREA LODGING*
Lake (L)Beach (B)
GET YOUR GAME ON Roll the dice for exciting nightlife at LITTLE CREEK CASINO RESORT & LUCKY DOG CASINO
Pool (P) Spa (S)
Grab a map at the RED CABOOSE and wander historical neighborhoods.
SHELTON Pets OK
WALKING TOURS
DO A DRIVE-IN Celebrate nostalgia at the SKYLINE DRIVE-IN theatre; open day 3/31/18.
Telephone
GET YOUR RACE ON The RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK hosts events and karting, car, and motorcycle events.
FIRST SETTLERS SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE MUSEUM depicts the People of the Water’s relationship with Puget Sound.
TV/Cable
A lively Saturday Market and boutique & antique shops add diversity.
bustling heritage core, Shelton’s landscape is dominated by colossal cedar, spruce, and fir trees which lend naturally to its self-proclaimed title of “Christmas Tree Capital.”
Wi/Fi
MARKET WATCH
WINERY TOUR Visit the highly awarded WALTER DACON WINERY for tours and tastings
Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)
FOREST ROOTS Explore SHELTON HISTORICAL MUSEUM, early life on Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and working in the woods.
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ALLYN Waterfront park features AL LYN gazebo and lawns, play Anderson Lake area, and beach access. NO FEE/PASS
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TAH UYA
Potlatch State Park
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Totten Inlet
Totten Inlet
OYSTER BAY Beach,marshy estuary, for birding, salmon observing or fishing. TO GO: Parking pullout on Hwy 101, marker 356 /Old Olympic Hwy. NO FEE/PASS
SCHAFER STATE PARK TRAIL THE KENNEDY CREEK SALMON TRAIL Trails, interpretive center, swimming, fishing. Chum salmon are on view as they make their way up river TO GO: 12 miles north of Elma on the East Fork TOPOGRAPHY: flat, viewing platforms, interpretive signs of the Satsop River. The park is also accessible TO GO: Hwy 101, Old Olympic Hwy; weekends, seasonally. via 47 the Brady exit from Hwy 12. NO FEE/ PASS DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED
Dr
slan d Jarrell Cr k
S End Rd
Island Rd S
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sa HOPE ISLAND STATE Pas PARK Donly by water. 106 acre park Pugetreachable Sound Old-growth forests, saltwater marshes, fruit trees, beaches, historical buildings, friendly deer. Destination for kayakers and boaters! TO GO: access by boat, mooring available, beach landing, boats and kayaks can launch at Arcadia Point (0.5 miles). CAMPING FEES
a
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Hope Island State Park
Harstine Island
an
E Agate Rd
Is
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WALKER PARK Beach access, playground, restrooms, picnic shelter, kayak access. NO FEE/PASS Fa
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ou th
N 13th St S 1st St
S 10th St
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SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE MUSEUM Stories, photos, art, artifacts dating back over 500 years. TO GO: Hwy 101 to Kamilche exit , follow signs. ADMISSION CHARGE
Squaxin Island
Mill Cr k
nell Crk os
TAYLOR SHELLFISH STORE Fresh seafood, tours available; open to public. Hwy 101 to Taylor Towne Exit.
d lan
age
allum Cr k oqu
Isabella Lake
Timber Lake
Arcadia
SE Arcadia Rd
3
Cr k
Pass
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Campbell
Jacobys Shorecrest County Park mersley Inlet Ham
Arcadia Ave
Agate
k Cr
HARSTINE ISLAND TRAIL 300 acres to explore McMicken EASY 1.5 mile, beach Island NO FEE/PASS
Peale
Rock
vd Bl
c Hwy S SE Olympi
ISABELLA LAKE TRAILS Dayton Peak EASY 2.5 mile loop, rolling meadows TO GO: Hwy 101 exit at SR#3 to Golden Pheasant Rd, right on Delight Park Rd. NO FEE/PASS
La
ee Coff
E Pine St
Turner Ave
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Jo hn sP rai rie E
or t Air p
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information, handouts, and maps
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SHELTON VISITOR CENTER TO GO: Red Caboose on Railroad Avenue
White Star
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Phillips Lake
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Lost Lake
Spencer Lake
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HUNTER FARMS Farm Market, seasonal events; Visitor Center
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Stretch Point State Park
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POTLATCH STATE PARK Longest stretch of PUBLIC BEACH in Mason County with shellfish, kayaking, and Hood Canal water access. DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED W Shelto n Ma tloc kR
Crk
Reach Island
G ra p e vi e w
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Pickering Passage
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d oo rw S he
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om
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Fair Harbor
Benson Lake
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VICTOR
Annas Bay
Skokomish Indian Reservation
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302
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106
UNI ON
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Bay Rd
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Twanoh State Park
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Maggie Lake
POT LATCH
Lake West
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Grisdale Hill
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Belfair State Park
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Potlatch State Park Campground
NE O ld
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on
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Fl at Cr k
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Lake Kokanee
Frigid Crk
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Dennie Ahl Hill
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HOODSPORT
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Kok Lk
Gibbon s C r
DEWATTO
Rd atto NE Dew
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Clark Crk
Hoodsport Trail State Park
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Miller
Lake Haven
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Dewatto Bay
Dow Mtn
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Brown Crk
Tahuya State Forest
Big
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Price Lake
ke La Cushman Hill
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Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman
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LOWER LENA LAKE TRAIL Well maintained popular trail leads to a small lake MODERATE TO DIFFICULT 3 mile climb,switchbacks TO GO: Hwy 101 at Hamma Hamma Recreation Area
STAIRCASE | OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Ranger Station is open in summer with information, exhibits, wilderness permits, map sales and wheelchair available. Road open year-round weather permitting. Call (360) 565-3131 NATIONAL PARK PASS TO GO: HWY 101 to SR#119, follow FS#24 to Staircase Entrance. RAPIDS LOOP: EASY family friendly 2 mile trail through old growth forest to a bridge over the North Fork Skokomish River; only 200-foot elevation gain. BIG CEDAR, a 0.6 mile spur trail, leads to a fallen cedar while a 0.5 mile section leads to a river viewpoint.
UPPER LENA LAKE TRAIL Steep with unstable bed; camping. MODERATE TO DIFFICULT 4.3 mile climb TOPOGRAPHY: 3,800 foot gain to sub-alpine lake TO GO: Same as Lower Lena Lake Trail above. WILDERNESS PERMIT FOR CAMPING NW FOREST PASS FOR PARKING
FOUR STREAM: EASY 1.2 mile to Beaver Flat, swampy section of alder/cedar forest. Elevation loss 100 ft.
BIG CREEK Great pack-in picnic destination with pools and footbridges. MODERATE 4 miles TO GO: Trailhead at FS#24 and SR#119 junction. NW FOREST PASS Tri t o n Triton Head
WAGONWHEEL LAKE: MODERATE TO DIFFICULT climbing 2.9 miles (elevation gain of 3,365 ft). FLAPJACK LAKES: DIFFICULT climbing 7.8 mile one-way hike (3,115 ft elevation gain). k Cr
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Hamma Hamma Campground et Wak
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HAMA HAMA STORE Beach access & parking, seasonal outdoor Oyster Saloon and fresh seafood market.
Ea gle k Cr tto B en dsland
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Fair Harbor
Benson Lake
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f uto yC urd EP
North Bay
d oo rw S he
G ra p e vi e w
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Reach Island
Stretch Point State Park
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In
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tre
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Anderson Lake
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S KOKOMI S H
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Weaver
DALBY WATERWHEEL TO GO: SR#106
b Bo Sk a
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Stre
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Skokomish Indian Reservation
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vehicle/vessel/fishing/hunting northmasonchamber.com
Potlatch State Park
Potlatch State Park Campground
Lake West
Kirkl
rth
TAH UYA
PASSES FOR PURCHASE
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Belfair State Park
VISITOR CENTER/ BELFAIR LICENSING anal On Hwy 3 in Belfair TOCGO: o H od PASSES FOR PURCHASE Park/
Rd ore Sh
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POT LATCH
– information, handouts, maps
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MENARD’S LANDING
C Expansive beach with panoramic views of Maggie Lake Olympics. Picnic tables. NO FEE/PASS R
Mc l Crk Hil
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s Stin
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Grisdale Hill
Skok omis
DISCOVER PASS
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Lake Kokanee
HOODSPORT VISITOR CENTER TO GO: Located just off Hwy 101 in Hoodsport
Crk
NE B elf air Tah u
Rd atto NE Dew
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HOODSPORT Finch
Frigid Crk
DEWATTO
Clark Crk
Hoodsport Trail State Park
k
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Lake Haven
Dewatto Bay
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Kok Lk
Creek ground
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LI LLI WAU P
119
Brown Crk
23,100 acre forest provides open spaces for sightseeing, camping, nature study, fishing, hiking,horse, ATV, ORV, and biking. State Forest ATahuya “working forest” trail may be closed due to forest management activities. TOPOGRAPHY deep woods TO GO: Hwy 300/Belfair 300 Tahuya Rd, 1.1 mile.
y Rd
M
Lilliwaup Falls
Price Lake
TAHUYA STATE FOREST
Big
Cushman Hill
a
tto wa
De wa
Saddle Mtn
Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman
Ha rp
Ri v
Lake Melbourne
Big Crk
Lake Cushman
Blacksmith Lake
De
119
Ayock
p Crk wau Lilli
Big Creek Campground
Hw y U
Lilliwaup Creek Campground Tenas Lake
od Skinwork C
Crk
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Mt Rose
Be lfa ir
Big
h ulc r G Be a
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te rs Jo
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Mt Washington
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DEWATTO BAY Beach with dramatic view of the Olympics; excellent photography destination. Lots of ripe berries in late summer. TO GO: Befair-Tahuya Rd to Dewatto Rd, 4 miles. SERVICES AT PORT OF DEWATTO CAMPGROUND
H AMMA H AMMA
EAGLE CREEK Beach access & parking across from Eagle Creek Saloon. NO FEE/PASS
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Mount Skokomish Wilderness Mt Pershing
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Ta hu ya Riv
Jefferson Peak
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LIVING LEGACY TRAIL Spectacular views of the Mt. Skokomish and the Brothers ranges; interpretive signage. Trail passes Hamma Hamma Cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (1930s). EASY TO MODERATE 1.5 mile loop. TOPOGRAPHY: First 0.25 mile is barrier free along the river; ascends bluff to creek. TO GO: Hwy 101 to FS#25, 5.5 miles. WILDERNESS PERMIT REQUIRED FOR CAMPING
on
Boulder Crk
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e ors
Henderson
Lena Creek Campground
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eh
Mt Skokomish
p le Ma
Wh it
Le Crke
Mt Stone
HAMMA HAMMA
HIKING & BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
Clamber up the rugged trails, tiptoe through the quiet old growth forest, or careen through the pristine meadows of Olympic National Forest & National Park. Shoulder your pack and experience the sights and sounds of the vast wilderness home to some of the most beautiful flora & fauna in the world. Ablaze with wildflowers in the spring, cool hidden swimming holes in the summer, a chance to see spawning salmon in the fall, and snow capped peaks in the winter, there is never an inopportune time to hike Hood Canal.
ITINERARY 3: HOODSPORT & NORTH HOOD CANAL
DIVE DEEPER
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Charnell House at Lake Cushman | Hoodsport | 360-893-6144
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Creekside Inn | 27131 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | 877-9686 | creeksideinn-wa.com
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Kokanee Ridge Vacation Rental | 542 NE Kokanee Ridge, Hoodsport | 360-731-6378
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Glen Ayr Waterfront Resort | 25381 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | 877-9522 | glenayr.com
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Lilliwaup Motel | 28621 N Hwy 101, Lilliwaup | 877-0002
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Mike’s Beach Resort | 38470 N Hwy 101, Lilliwaup | 877-5324 | mikesbeachresort.com
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The Moose House at Lake Cushman | Lake Cushman, Hoodsport | (503) 393-6397
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Oliver's Waterfront Potlatch House | Lilliwaup | 360-796-3450
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Pali-Kai Canal House | 327000 N Hwy 101, Lilliwaup | 426-2224
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Sunrise Motel & Dive Resort | 24520 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | 877-5301
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Little Red Beach House | Hoodsport | 360-796-3450
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The Waterfront Beach House | Hoodsport | 206-321-8700
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The Waterfront at Potlatch | 21660 N Hwy 101 | 877-9422 | thewaterfrontatpotlatch.com
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The Yellow House | 23891 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | 877-6818 | hoodsportndive.com
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Blue Ox Beachfront Home | Hoodsport | 253-279-0837
RV Sites
Kitchen
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Alice’s Little Beach House | Eldon | 877-9226
Pets OK
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Telephone
CUSHMAN, ELDON, HOODSPORT, POTLATCH & LILLIWAUP
TV/Cable
WEST HOOD CANAL LODGING
Lake (L)Beach (B)
Giant octopi, wolf eels and swarms of ancient rock cod add to the wonder of this special place. SNORKEL GEAR & SCUBA LESSONS, RENTALS AND CHARTERS available.
Wi/Fi
CANAL SPIRIT
HOODSPORT WINERY, STOTTLE WINERY, and HARDWARE DISTILLERY offer tours amongst shopping, dining and the famous Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.
FORAGE DINNER
Come prepared with buckets and boots. Check regs at wdfw.wa.gov before digging – or stop by HAMA HAMA STORE & OYSTER SALOON for freshly prepared seafood.
Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)
HUG THE CURVES
As Hwy 101 navigates the bays of HOOD CANAL, imagine relaxing dockside of a beachside cabin, watching the seals roll off the rocks.
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Beach (B)
Allyn House Inn | 18350 State Route 3, Allyn | 535-2198 | allynhouseinn.com
TV/Cable
ALLYN
Wi/Fi
Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)
ALLYN/BELFAIR/UNION*
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BELFAIR Belfair Motel | 23322 NE State Route 3, Belfair | 275-4485 | belfairmotel.net
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Cabin on Hood Canal | 121 NE Wagon Wheel Road, Belfair | 277-0257 | cabinonhoodcanal.com
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Gladwin Beach House | 391 Gladwin Beach Rd, Belfair | 337-2960 | gladwinbeach.com
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Luxury Waterfront Rental | Belfair | 360-271-2186 explorehoodcanal.com
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Oyster Beach House | 170 NE Dulalip Landing, Belfair | 205-341-2937
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Selah Inn Bed and Breakfast | 130 NE Dulalip Landing, Belfair | 360-275-0916
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Sisters Point Waterfront Cabin | 12121 NE North Shore Road | 360-275-6816
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Alderbrook Resort & Spa | 7101 E State Highway 106, Union | 898-2200 | alderbrookresort.com
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Anderson's Landing Waterfront Rental | Union | 360-271-2186
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The Bend on Hood Canal | 253 E Great Bend Drive, Union | 490-5545 | thebend.us
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Cameo Boutique Cottage & Suite | 6871 E State Route 106, Union | 490-7006 | cameoboutique.com
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Harmony Hill Retreat Center | 7362 E State Route 106, Union | 898-2363 | harmonyhill.org
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Michelle Circle Home | 200 E Michelle Drive, Union | explorehoodcanal.com
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Pebble Beach Place | 10230 WA 106, Union | 206-550-5962 | pebblebrachplace.com
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Robin Hood Village Resort | 6780 E State Route 106, Union | 898-2163 | robinhoodvillageresort.com
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St Andrews Lodge | 7550 WA 106, Union | 360-898-2362 | standrewshouse.org
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South Shore Vacation Rental | Union | 360-271-2186
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Union City Beach House | Union | 206-949-9090
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ITINERARY 4: ALLYN/GRAPEVIEW LOOP A CUT ABOVE
The largest chainsaw carving outlet, BEAR IN A is a great place to explore this unique art. They also teach chainsaw carving.
WATERFRONT WANDERINGS
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ALLYN & GRAPEVIEW enjoy gorgeous views of the protected harbor waters of Case Inlet. The area features quaint shops, waterfront lodging, restaurants, and beach parks. Annually, the Grapeview area hosts the Water and Art Festival, a day-long event featuring entertainment and juried artists.
GRAPE VIEWS
Waterfront Grapeview is the location of first winery and vineyards of the Pacific Northwest.
GET YOUR ART ON
Annually, Fair Harbor Marina hosts the WATER AND ART FESTIVAL, a day-long The area features quaint shops, a variety of FJORD 50 event featuring entertainment, food restaurants, and beach parks. and working artists. grapeviewwa.com
ALLYN
ITINERARY 5: BELFAIR AREA TAKE A WALK ON BOARDWALK
Hood Canal’s wild 139 acre THELER WETLANDS hosts two miles of trails. 1,700+ feet of floating boardwalk, native plants, and interpretive kiosks to experience wetland wildlife. thelercenter.org
SALMON STRONG
THE SALMON CENTER provides education and recreation opportunities through a series of collaborative activities at their certified organic farm. They also host seasonal events. pnwsalmoncenter.org
GET DIRTY
TAHUYA STATE FOREST hosts off road
vehicles, bike, and horseback riding, as well as fishing, hunting; RVs or tent camping. dnr.wa.gov
Situated on the southernmost point of the isthmus connecting the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, Belfair is the perfect place to begin an adventure. Whether you're headed north to explore Dewatto and Tahuya or plan to follow the Canal through Union, and Hoodsport, the journey begins here.
VISITOR INFORMATION & RESOURCES HOODSPORT VISITOR CENTER
SHELTON VISITOR CENTER
KAMILCHE VISITOR CENTER
NORTH MASON CHAMBER VISITOR CENTER
UNION VISITOR INFORMATION
RIDE FREE IN MASON COUNTY
150 N Lake Cushman Rd, Hoodsport, WA (360) 877-2021 | (800) 576-2021
30 NE Romance Hill Rd, Belfair, WA (360) 275-4267 | northmasonchamber.com
The Red Caboose at 230 Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA (360) 426-2021 Located at Hunter Farms, E 1921 SR 106, Union, WA
31 West State Route 108, Kamilche, WA (360) 432-0921
From ferries in Seattle to trailheads in Hood Canal, Mason Transit offers free rides – masontransit.org
51
51 FJORD
Marmots, Douglas Scott photo
View the Wild Side
TOP VIEWING SPOTS ON THE FJORD Douglas Scott | Outdoor Society
Elk, Douglas Scott photo
We all know the world class scenic beauty and quirky, fun towns along Hood Canal, but few of the hundreds of thousands that visit are aware of the wildlife opportunities found along Washington’s fjord. From the craggy summits of rugged mountains, all the way down to the salty waters of Hood Canal itself, the region boasts numerous species of animals that call the area home. In every corner, one may find fauna thriving, helping to demonstrate the important and sustaining ecosystem of the eastern Olympic Peninsula. In your adventures around Hood Canal, you’ll have a chance to spot many of animals on the following pages. Keep your eyes open and follow our recommendations to make Hood Canal your wildlife destination. As always, stay far away from all wildlife and never feed them or approach them. Keep wildlife wild.
Eagles
Along the rivers, streams and Hood Canal itself, the iconic and majestic bald eagle is commonly spotted. From the Purdy Creek cutoff, out to Alderbrook and then up Hwy 101, a patient, watchful observer can see eagles every day of the year. While eagles can be seen throughout the drive, there are three consistent locations.
Just south of Hoodsport, near the winery, a towering tree with dead branches overlooks the southern end of Hood Canal. The tree, visible from Hwy 101, is a resting spot for eagles throughout the year. Near the mouth of the Duckabush, next to the bridges (especially in the fall, winter and spring months) eagles can be seen along the highway, looking down into the waters for salmon to feast on. Out along Hwy 106, as you drive east to Alderbrook from Hwy 101, is a great place to see eagles looking for salmon or flying over the fjord. These are by no means the only locations but are great spots to start your eagle watching adventures.
Elk
The elk of the eastern slopes of the Olympics can be tricky to see, but are most often seen in two locations. The first is tucked
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away, back along the North Fork of the Skokomish River at Olympic National Park’s Staircase region. During the fall, winter and spring months, when the snowpack limits travel upriver, elk tend to congregate close to where Lake Cushman meets the Skokomish. In the summer, elk are not spotted here as often. Further north on Hwy 101, the Dosewallips river valley is a very popular spot for elk. Those who frequent Dosewallips State Park and the town of Brinnon in the fall, winter and spring commonly see elk roaming the open areas, even crossing Hwy 101. This is your best bet for seeing elk along Hood Canal.
Bear & Mountain Lion
Chances are, you won’t catch a glimpse of a bear or mountain lion when visiting the Hood Canal region of Washington State.
With access to thousands of acres of wilderness, as well as being skittish of people, these two animals are rare sightings. However, they have been spotted and could be anywhere. The trails and communities near Lake Cushman and Mount Rose have spotted the most mountain lions in recent years, especially during the spring and summer months. For bears, it is really just luck of the draw, as every river and creek drainage could have a bear that hangs out there. The more remote you are, the better chance you’ll have at seeing a black bear near Hood Canal.
Marmots
Living at elevation, the only way you’ll see a marmot around Hood Canal is to go hiking. The Olympic Marmots typically live above 4,000ft in elevation and tend to thrive in the Olympics around 5,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Marmots hibernate during the cooler weather seasons, giving you just a few months over the summer to catch a glimpse of these adorable, endemic giant ground squirrels. In recent years, a few good hikes to possibly catch a glimpse of marmots are to explore around the Lake of the Angels and to look around the rocks below the summit of Mount Ellinor. A full map of known marmot communities can be found on the Olympic National Park marmot webpage.
Seals, Porpoises and Whales
Mountain Goats
In 2018 and 2019, Olympic National Park and Forest officials began removing the mountain goats from the Olympic (see story page 54). As non-native species, the goats are being captured and relocated to the North Cascade Mountains. While the goal is to remove all 700+ mountain goats in the region over a few years, there will be a few stragglers remaining until the bitter end. Mount Ellinor used to be a great spot for mountain goats, but after the removal operation during the summer of 2019, it will be harder to see them. However, the areas around Lake of the Angels and The Brothers, above Lena Lake, will still give you an opportunity to have one more view of these magnificent mountain dwellers.
Douglas Scott photo
Salmon
To see the salmon runs that the larger predators and eagles feast on, there are a few iconic Hood Canal spots to go. In the late fall months of November and December, you a chance to see them returning to their homes to spawn and die. Families will enjoy walking Kennedy Creek’s trails that are open in November, while those exploring the area can see them in large numbers from Hoodsport down to Union. If you see the large amounts of anglers parked along the road, stop and watch the salmon swim and the humans hoping to catch one of these giant, tasty fish.
Wildlife
CHECKLIST
Fisher – Martes pennanti These members of the weasel family have a thick, glossy coat of dark brown fur to survive harsh winters. Their long, thin body, and short legs, makes them agile hunters. Fishers have been recently reintroduced to the ONP. Over 30 fishers have been released at various locations within the park. Blacktail Deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus Blacktail deer are considered a subspecies of mule deer, which are common throughout much of the West. They are also closely related to the white-tailed deer, well-known throughout the eastern and Midwestern U.S. They are often spotted grazing in mountain meadows at dawn and dusk.
River Otter - Lutra canadensis River otters are common in coastal areas, where they are often mistaken for sea otters. Much smaller than sea otters, the weigh about 30 pounds. They have small ears, plenty of whiskers, and are generally brown with silvery bellies. Their webbed feet allow them to be excellent swimmers. River otters feed mainly on crab, fish, and small rodents. Threatened Local Species
(As of 2016, nps.gov) Hood Canal is home to a great array of marine wildlife. To best see these aquatic Northern spotted owl mammals, you’ll need to find beach access or an overlook that grants great views. Western snowy plover From Seal Rock campground by Quilcene, Marbled murrelet all the way down to the canal at Belfair State Park, you will have a chance to see at Bull trout least a seal. Around Hoodsport, you may even see seals lying on people’s docks. Puget Sound steelhead Porpoises are much more common than the whales that enter the region, chasing the Puget Sound chinook salmon runs of the fall and winter seasons. In the spring and fall, a lucky few will stand Hood Canal summer chum a chance to see a humpback or a gray whale Short-tailed albatross swimming in and exploring Hood Canal Check out the story of the following pages for as they migrate up and down the coast. On a complete list of Fall salmon viewing location Humpback whale occasion, orcas, also known as killer whales, saround Hood Canal. may swim in, chasing salmon runs down Orca/ killer whale the canal. When driving along the water, 53 keep a watchful eye.
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Want to see more FJORDS? Visit nwevent.org for links to all ten issues. FJORD 54
NPS Photo John Gussman
Olympic Park & Forest 2019 mountain goat removal In mid-August, state and federal agencies began another round of translocating mountain goats from the Olympics to the Cascade Mountains. This effort is a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS), the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS) to mitigate depleted populations of goats in the Cascades while also removing non-native goats from the Olympic Mountains. Mountain goats were introduced to the Olympics in the 1920s and biologists feel they are damaging sensitive areas. WDFW plans to release the mountain goats at seven sites in the Cascades National Forests in this latest round. Five of the release sites are located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Cadet Ridge, Vesper Peak, Mt. Buckindy, and Mt. Index. One release site is in the Methow area. The other is on a holding owned by Forterra. Capture and translocation may continue into 2020 depending on this year’s results.
Aerial capture operations are conducted through a private company that specializes in the capture and transport of wild animals. The helicopter crew used immobilizing darts and net guns to capture mountain goats and transport them in specially made slings to the staging areas. The animals are cared for by veterinarians before WDFW wildlife managers transport them to staging areas in the north Cascades for release. To maximize success, goats are airlifted in their crates by helicopter directly to alpine habitats that have been selected for appropriate characteristics. Mt. Ellinor trail system has now reopened for hikers to enjoy, following mountain goat translocation. For more information and updates visit nps.gov/olym/.
Quilcene Hatchery fws.gov photo
Fall Salmon Returns In Search of Salmon in and Around the Fjord Stella Wenstob As the weather chills, the local streams and rivers are festooned with the lovely shades of orange and red of the turning leaves. This season also marks the last weeks in the life cycle of many salmon species as they travel up these rivers and streams to spawn and die. Using a sense not completely understood by biologists, millions of migratory salmon return to their home streams to lay eggs. After swimming up the stream to their spawning spot the female chooses a spot in the shallow, but swift flowing part of the river that is ensured to be highly oxygenated, called the riffle. In some of the inland streams that location can be many hundreds of miles up rapids and past many impediments. Here she digs a depression in the gravel that will serve as her nest or redd. The males will put on an impressive show biting and jumping to show their dominance and protect their chosen female from other males. After the eggs are laid in the redd, the male will deposit sperm over them, and the female will cover the eggs with gravel to protect them. A female may create as many as seven redds before she is finished spawning and each redd may hold as many as 5,000 eggs.
As soon as the salmon enter the fresh water of the stream their skins begin to change color, their sexual dimorphism enhances, they stop eating and they begin their decaying process. A migrating salmon typically lives for about two weeks after entering the freshwater. The carcasses provide an important food source to other animals and small invertebrates who in turn provide food for the salmon fry (baby salmon) as they get older. Additionally, the nutrients given off by the rotting carcass are important fertilizers to the plants and trees growing on the banks, which in turn provide essential root systems that prevent erosion and protects the streams for further generations of salmon.
There are seven species of salmon in the Pacific Northwest: Pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chum (Oncorhynchus keta), Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki). All of these species have very different life-cycles – some spend several years before they migrate up streams; some can run and spawn several times before dying; some only spawn at the mouth of streams, where others need to spawn in lakes at the head of rivers. This unique phenomenon of the salmon running can be viewed in streams and rivers all across the Hood Canal and South Puget Sound.
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Kennedy Creek
The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail located off of Hwy 101 opens up for full tours with docents answering questions from November 2 through to December 1 from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends. This trail is maintained by the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and their website is a great resource for learning about the trail and salmon ecology. Beginning at the head of Oyster Bay, at the traditional site of the Sawamish/T’Peeksin village (ancestors of today’s Squaxin Island Tribe], this trail was once part of a greater network of Native American trails that connected South Puget Sound with the Pacific Coast. The Kennedy Creek was known as “Place of the Singing Fish” by the Squaxin Island Tribe due to the resonant singing of the frogs heard along the stream’s banks in the spring. Chum (or dog fish) are the dominant species that run this stream at numbers as high as 800,000 salmon a year. The tribe harvested these fish for oil and for food, drying them on racks. The salmon can be seen running right from the creek’s bank.
Salmon Center
The Salmon Center located in Belfair is open from 8 AM until 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Besides offering interesting exhibits about salmon ecology, they operate salmon traps on the Union River (off of Highway 300) that target adult summer Chums.
photo: South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group
Twanoh Creek
As you continue along the South Shore of the Hood Canal, Twanoh Creek in Twanoh State Park offers good vantage points to view running salmon.
Purdy Creek
At the bend of the Hood Canal on a tributary of the Skokomish Watershed is George Adams Fish Hatchery run by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Each spring they release 500,000 juvenile Coho into the Purdy Creek. While the hatchery does not have scheduled tours, the friendly staff are eager to answer questions and the pens are visible from the Highway.
Hoodsport
The Hoodsport Fish Hatchery located in Hoodsport also does not offer scheduled tours, but in the fall the WDFW offers very popular Chum salmon fishing classes from the beach out front of the hatchery.
Quilcene
The Quilcene National Hatchery has been run continuously since 1911. Now focusing on Coho stock, the Quilcene National Hatchery has raised nearly every species of salmon. The hatchery successfully reintroduced Chum salmon back to the Big Quilcene River and increased winter Steelhead populations of the Puget Sound. They are open from 7:30 AM to 3 PM on weekdays and only on weekends and holidays in the spring and summer when the camp host volunteers are present. Visitors are encouraged to tour the facility and meet the hatchery staff.
More Salmon Viewing
Situated in the Belfair State Park are the Big Mission and Little Mission Creeks, which offer great salmon viewing. A little north of the North Shore Road following Elfendahl Pass Rd is Stimson Creek, a good place to view spawning salmon.
The Hood Canal Steelhead Project is a 16-year project (2007-2022) that aims to restore three steelhead populations in Hood Canal while evaluating the effectiveness of hatchery supplementation as a conservation strategy for steelhead. pnwsalmoncenter.org photo FJORD 56
For a list of salmon spotting sites, WDFW have created an interactive multi-layer map called SalmonScape, wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape, that shows the streams and tributaries used by migratory salmon in the state.
Cooper Studios photo
Mason General's Fantasy Forest Tickets on Sale Now James Bond is coming to Shelton. The hospital foundation’s signature holiday event, Fantasy Forest, returns with the sleek and glamorous world of 007 as the backdrop. Popular events like Father Daughter Night Out, Business Luncheon & Confections Auction, Barrels & Brews, and Gala & Live Auction; promise a week full of festive celebrating, holiday cheer and the spirit of giving back to Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics. From 5:30 to 9:00 PM, November 15, at the Shelton Civic Center, Father Daughter Night Out serves as the kickoff event for Fantasy Forest. The event includes dinner, a silent auction, gift shop and portrait packages offered by Cooper Studios. Tickets for the open seating event cost $40 per person. Throughout the rest of Fantasy Forest, Little Creek Casino Resort Event Center will be transformed into a holiday wonderland that will pay homage to James Bond-007. Yesteryear Car Club and other local donors have contributed vintage cars, including a Jaguar, Maserati and motorcycle sidecar that will be on display throughout the weekend of November 22-23.
Barrels & Brews: A Toast to Our Community Supporters begins at 6:00 PM, November 22, at Little Creek Casino Resort. The Varmints will perform once again this year while guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and tastings from local breweries, distilleries and wineries. Confirmed partners include Bent Bine Brew Co. from Belfair, Hardware Distillery from Hoodsport, Walter Dacon Wines from Shelton, Keyhole Valley Brewing in Shelton and Mount Olympus Brewing Company from Aberdeen. Tickets cost $50 per person and guests must be 21+ to attend.
and cost $175 per person or $200 per person for premier front row seating. Table tickets are also available. If you cannot attend Fantasy Forest, consider giving a donation to Mason General Hospital Foundation or volunteering for Fantasy Forest. To purchase tickets, download a volunteer registration form and view more information, visit masongeneral.com/ community/events/fantasy-forest.
Fantasy Forest culminates with the annual Gala and Live Auction starting at 5:00 PM, November 23, at Little Creek Casino Resort. This glamorous event will feature a no host bar, dinner, silent auction, live auction with a professional auctioneer and emcee Jeff Slakey of iFiberOne News Radio. A Fund-An-Item appeal will be made to support new medical equipment at Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics. Tickets must be purchased in advance,
Members of the business community and their loved ones are invited to attend the annual Business Luncheon & Confections Auction, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, November 22 at Little Creek Casino Resort’s event center. The event includes lunch and a dessert auction with emcee Whitney Jones, Mason General Hospital Foundation’s board president and Fantasy Forest 57 chair. Tickets cost $50 per person.
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Road Trips
HOOD CANAL FALL JOURNEYS
Ahh... road trips . There’s nothing that holds more appeal than the classic road trip – discovering new places, trying new things. Here's a few of our favorite locations around the Fjord. The following itinerary starts at the Bremerton ferry.
which include an 18-hole golf course. The guest rooms are ideal for a rejuvenating escape, while the cozy cottages are perfect for family fun. Complete with a waterfront restaurant, dock, and saltwater pool and spa, the resort also offers access to boating from kayak rentals to schooner tours. Alderbrook Resort & Spa (10 E Alderbrook Dr., Union (360) 898-2200). Jua
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(7 MIN., 5.2 MILES | VIA SR 106 W) Since 1913, generations of visitors have enjoyed the rustic, albeit very luxurious, FJORD 58 charm of this canal-side retreat on 88 acres,
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(14 MIN., 9.2 MILES | VIA SR 106 W) Twanoh State Park’s 182 acres include 3,167 feet (965 m) of saltwater shoreline and 2.5 miles of inland hiking trails. Stop by to gather shellfish off the public beaches (you will need a license) or simply take a walk on one of the many trails. There is a fantastic campground here as well as historic buildings to explore.
(6 MIN., 2.4 MILES | VIA SR 106 W) The spectacular views from Union are not to be taken lightly. This is definitely the best vantage point to view the Olympic range. On the journey to Union’s center, take a moment to admire the historic Dalby Water Wheel and stop in at Cameo Boutique for some great shopping of local items.
Belfair
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(22 MIN., 14 MILES | VIA SR 3 S) Nestled between the North Bay of the Puget Sound and the southern hook of Hood Canal, Belfair is a great place for road trip supplies or to have lunch before heading off to explore the 130+ acre birder’s dream wetlands, Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve. Stop by Casper’s Pizza (23730 NE SR 3) or visit the new craft brewery, Bent Bine Brew Co, to try their new brews. Hankering for wine? Check out the award winning Mosquito Fleet Winery. A feature of the 2019 OysterFest winery line-up, Mosquito Fleet also calls Belfair home.
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DOGPILE THE MEMORIES Not the Stress.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL MORTGAGE SPECIALIST TODAY!
800.426.5657 ourcu.com The restaurant at Robin Hood serves great seafood dishes and hosts live music most weekends. Both Cameo and Robin Hood offer waterside lodging as well. Consider detouring up the hill to the Alderbrook Country Store (1031 E McReavy Rd) to grab some of the best homemade fudge! Then check out the Union Country Store (5130 SR 106) for fresh bakery goods and all you need to continue the adventure. Across the road, on the waterside, 2 Margaritas Restaurant serves Mexican food; while the Union City Market stocks everything from gifts and collectibles to homemade candy and fresh oysters and offers a la carte dining in their outdoor cooking space with a spectacular view of the canal.
Hunter Farms
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by an immense red barn. This is Hunter Farms. Fall is a great time to visit the farm as they celebrate with a giant pumpkin patch as well as weekend entertainment and events. October 26 they host a giant pumpkin chucking competition. Stop and stretch your legs, check out the many animals and fresh produce as well as a selection of locally made products. Visit the on site information kiosk but most of all, get a generous cone filled with locally sourced (as in the Skokomish Valley less than 5 miles away!), Olympic Mountain Ice Cream. Amazing.
Potlatch (5 MIN., 3.7 MILES | VIA US-101 N) Potlatch State Park is a 57-acre camping park with 9,570 feet of saltwater shoreline on Hood Canal. The park’s grounds are home to a variety of activities, from interpretive programs for kids to boating and shellfish harvesting. Featuring clear, often calm waters, Potlatch is a favorite with divers and kayakers, too.
Renee West Mortgage Center Home Loan Specialist NMLS#1595380
Hoodsport (5 MIN., 3.3 MILES | VIA US-101 N) Hoodsport is a seaside town perched on the western shores of the Hood Canal beneath the shadow of the Olympic Range. Here you will find plenty of shops and dining as well as two wineries: Hoodsport Winery and Stottle Winery; as well as The Hardware Distillery. Using water from the Olympic National Forest, The Hardware Distillery offers a variety of delectable hand crafted spirits and a gorgeous view to enjoy
(5 MIN., 3.4 MILES | VIA SR 106 W) The drive along the Skokomish delta is perfect. As the road weaves it’s path around the shoreline, you are treated to glimpses of the Olympics filtered through patches of arbutus clinging to the beach edge. Before the road forks west, you will be greeted 59
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while sipping away in their ambient tasting room. Hoodsport also serves as the gateway to the Olympic National Park Staircase Entrance. At the foot of the hill heading up to Lake Cushman, stop by the Hoodsport Information Center (N 150 Lake Cushman Rd) for great tips on road/trail conditions, permits, maps, and friendly guidance.
Lilliwaup
( 7 MIN., 4.5 MILES | VIA US-101 N) Situated on the west shore of Hood Canal, Lilliwaup is a small town with a BIG history and a love of shellfish. Peppered with serene beaches and surrounded by endless hiking trails, Lilliwaup is all about relaxation and rejuvenation. Located in the area is Mike’s Beach Resort. One of the oldest and most picturesque accommodations on the canal with a unique blend of the rustic look of the Northwest and the relaxed, cozy, and charming chalet style. A dock and mooring buoys as well as rowboats, paddleboat, and a ocean kayak are available for rent. This is also the home to the Olympic Oyster Co. so you can be sure to enjoy some of the finest oysters on your stay! The nearby Lilliwaup Store is also a great place to get your Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.
Hama Hama
( 8 MIN., 7 MILES | VIA US-101 N) Family owned and operated, Hama Hama Oyster Company has been harvesting oysters and clams on Hood Canal for four generations.
Their store and outdoor restaurant are located a shell’s toss from the tide flats. A visit to the farm is a great way to experience Hood Canal oysters in their native habitat. During the week see the shucking crew in action and ask for one of their self guided tour maps. On the biggest daytime low tide in the spring (check website for dates), be sure to head to Hama Hama for their annual Oyster Rama – a huge tidal party. It sells out fast so be sure to get tickets as soon as the date is announced!
Brinnon
(17 MIN, 12.9 MILES | VIA US-101 N) Located on the Hood Canal waterfront. Here you will find food and shops and be sure to stop in and view the seven acres of heritage plants at Whitney Gardens and check out their retail store that is open year round. This is a great opportunity to get that elusive heritage plant for the gardener on your list. After your garden walk, stop in at the Halfway House Cafe for their famous and delicious pies.
Mount Walker
(26 MIN, 12.0 MI | VIA US-101 N AND NF-2730) Okay –maybe this is more of a detour–but if you have the time and weather is clear, and don't mind a curvy dusty road – the views are spectacular from the summit. On a clear day you can see from Mount Baker and Seattle's skyline to Mount Rainier and the shores of Hood Canal.
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Quilcene
(16 MIN (12.6 MI) VIA US-101 N) Located on the Olympic Peninsula along the Hood Canal and is a friendly community of 600 people. Here you will find stores, restaurants and even espresso! Stop by the variety of antique shops in your hunt for treasures and visit the local historical museum. Take the time to visit the Worthington Park. September 14-15 is the annual Quilcene Fair and Parade weekend with festival events all over the town. On Sunday, September 15, Worthington Park will be hosting a half marathon as well as have food, live music, tours and family activities. Follow explorehoodcanal.com for additional road trip ideas.
Local chef shares favorite recipes in cookbook releasing October 2019 Like seafood? Swear nothing’s better than a raw naked oyster? Then you haven’t tried Xinh’s mussel curry. Fans will now be able to make it at home with her new book with nearly 100 of her best loved dishes. Coming from humble roots, Xinh Dwelley was raised on a rice farm in Vietnam. Her first job was dishwashing, subsequently transitioning to cooking in an American mess hall. By her 15th birthday she was gaining recognition for her fried chicken and hamburgers. “The officer’s club loved my cooking,” she says. With a sense of flavor learned at her mother’s side – like learning to walk or breathe – Xinh understands food. Xinh married an American soldier and left Vietnam with her infant son. Her husband brought her to Olympia where Xinh worked hard to provide for her new family. Early on her claim to fame was an amazing speed and accuracy at shucking oysters. Employed by Ellison Oyster (later purchased by Taylor Shellfish) each year she got better and better at shucking. In 1989 her first place speed at the West Coast Championship was 3:08 minutes – taking her on to win Nationals. In 1992, with five first place finishes – each faster than previous year’s – she decided to retire from competing.
When her bosses asked her to make an authentic Vietnamese meal, she accepted that challenge as well. She isn't a trained chef but Xinh has a good memory and an innate understanding of flavors. “I make curry sauces from memory,” she states frankly, “Our rice farm was in a tidal swamp; we had a lot of fish. That’s what my mother cooked.” But nothing is that simple with Xinh. Her curries and sauces are so intuitive that every ingredient is showcased but never distracting from the dish. It didn’t take long for Taylor to realize that she had enough ideas (and heart) to fill her own restaurant. In no time, Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House was opened on Railroad Avenue in Shelton, WA. For many years, an evening at Xinh’s was revered as a treat for birthdays and anniversaries.
when she taught him how to clean a geoduck amidst much laughter and sideways mildly rude jokes.
In 2017, owing to a illness that Over the decades her recogniwas making it difficult to keep tion has grown. The restaurant up with the restaurant pace, walls became covered with Xinh’s much celebrated doors ribbons and plaques of the were closed and Shelton lost many honors her dishes earned a piece of its heart since Xinh as well as the many images of Dwelley is known not just for her with famous people who her food but also her welcomAlthough her skills at handing shared her kitchen – Julia ing generousity. All those years shellfish were amazing, Xinh Child, Anthony Bourdain, was starting to get noticed as a Andrew Zimmerman, and even Xinh constantly gave of herself – donating countless hours to cook too. Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, 61
charities and fund raisers and despite all the accolades she has remained humble and genuine – enjoying a hot dog with ketchup when she isn’t making divine seafood fusions for her adoring fans. Xinh Dwelley will be joining OysterFest 2019 as a celebrated guest as she shares the news of her upcoming cookbook that will celebrate and share her unique Pacific coastal flavors. FJORD
Women's Health event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Mason General Hospital wants to be proac-
September 21 At a beach near you.
tive about health. For women, this includes understanding your risk factors and actively lowering risk for breast cancer. Having regular mammogram screenings, if you’re over 45 or have a risk factor for breast
INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP Join volunteers from around the world who will be cleaning beaches as part of International Coastal Cleanup. Last September, over 1 million people removed more than 23 million pounds of trash from over 25,000 miles of coast. This is your opportunity to join a greater global effort while helping our local waterways here in Washington. Invite your friends and family and make a weekend out of it.
cancer, is vital to fighting the disease. Mason General Hospital offers digital mammograms to women over 40 at the upcoming free Women’s Health Event, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, October 26. Those who are uninsured or underinsured will be able to obtain a free mammogram thanks to the support of the event sponsors, Washington Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program and the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund. The Women’s Health Event will also feature diabetes and blood pressure screenings, information on the HPV vaccine, nutritional health services and massages. “Our goal is to let anybody get their screening mammogram, regardless of finances,” said Kelly Mattheis, MGH&FC patient navigator. “We value our patients and also offer other avenues of support, such as our Cancer Wellness Group every second Wednesday.” Confirmed vendors at the Women’s Health Event include Northwest Resources, Molina Healthcare, South Puget Sound Intertribal Planning Agency and Mason Transit Authority. The new 3D mammography unit is now in service at the Hospital, as well. The unit has a proven rate of up to 40 percent less false positives and a 41 percent increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers. Patients have raved about the experience. “I was impressed,” said patient Terri Reiter. “We just moved here from Seattle, and I hadn’t done a mammogram in six years. It’s not painful and the ambiance is so nice. It’s important for people to go get their mammograms. My sister had breast cancer and my niece died of breast cancer. It doesn’t hurt like it used to and it takes 20 minutes, tops.”
WSU will print a short list and map of farms for the day-of events that will go out in the Leader on the week of Farm Tour and be available online.
saveland.org/farm-tour
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For more information about our cancer support services, call Kelly Mattheis, patient navigator, at (360) 432-7706 or email patientnavigator@masongeneral.com. To learn more about the Women’s Health Event, visit masongeneral.com/community/events/womens-healthevent or find the event on Facebook.
Skookum Rotary Club of Shelton, WA Presents 3 8 T H A N N UA L WAS H I N G TO N S TAT E
• Speed & half-shell shucking championship • 60+ non-profit food vendors • Interactive water quality exhibits • Washington State wineries • Pacific Northwest microbreweries • Live music on two stages • Family activities and kids area
F RIDAY , OC T OBE R 4 , 6 :0 0 P M | I N TH E MI C R OB R E W GA R D E N
B E E R | OYS T E R S | F O O D | L I V E M U S I C W I T H T H E VA R M I N T S (2 1+ O N LY )
October 5 – 6, 2019
Sanderson Field, Shelton, Washington SAT 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | SUN 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM ADMISSION $7.00 | KIDS 7 AND UNDER FREE FREE SHUTTLE BUS | PARKING FREE 63
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