Columbia Views 2013 by The DailyNews

Columbia Views sw washington & nw oregon 2013 travel planner | free

Hello, Summer Discover mount st. helens Page 6

Play 100+ festivals

Explore beaches & rivers

Page 28

Page 14

find your fun Campsites galore Quaint villages Scenic wineries

+ top 10 getaways A supplement of

STAFF Publisher Rick Parrish Editor Evan Caldwell Associate editors Rieva Lester, Sarah Case, Andre Stepankowski, R.D. Hight, Mike Yantis, Amy M.E. Fischer Lead photographer Bill Wagner Photographer Roger Werth Photographers at large Greg Ebersole, Evan Caldwell, Tom Paulu Lead writer Tom Paulu Writers Brenda McCorkle, Evan Caldwell Advertising managers Steve Quaife and Marianne Chambers Graphic Artists Barbara Chapman, Marc Monge, Diann Abbott, Jolene Williamson, Ryan Arlint Ad layout designer Bob Crisman Address The Daily News; P.O. Box 189; 770 11th Ave. Longview, WA 98632 Phone 1-800-341-4745 Web tdn.com/ColumbiaViews For information or to advertise in our next issue, call 360-577-2552. Columbia Views is published by The Daily News and distributed throughout Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. Copies are available at select businesses and destinations throughout the region and at The Daily News, 770 11th Ave., Longview, Wash. ÂŠ Columbia Views, 2013 The Daily News, a Lee Enterprises newspaper.

Page

Explore our beaches Page

small-town kalama offers big variety of things to do

... and one huge, must-see totem pole

Wildlife................... 10 Hiking..................... 12 Mountain biking, BMX, skate parks.. 16

Page

our giant list of local summer festivals

... taste oysters, berries, salmon and more at many family friendly events

Page

discover mount st. helens Page

water, water everywhere

Rivers, lakes, beaches ... weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the lowdown on where to play

Page

find the perfect camping spot

Road biking............. 18 Art and music.......... 20 Golf.......................... 24 Wineries................... 26

Longview................. 30 Kelso........................ 34 Castle Rock............. 38 Woodland................ 42

Columbia County.... 44 Wahkiakum County 46 Astoria..................... 48 Oregon coast........... 56

White Pass Scenic Byway.......... 60 Columbia Gorge...... 62 Map of area............. 64

area getaways

Our Top 10 picks for activities and excursions mentioned in this guide.

visit Johnston ridge

these parts, and Johnston Mount St. Helens is the most famous attraction in , which is just 3 miles crater s o' volcan the into Ridge is the best place to look offers inside exhibits r) cente r (visito vatory Obser Ridge ton Johns away. The 6 Page too. and an outside amphitheater,

Astoria Few cities of this size can pack in as many tourism attractions as Astoria does Ă? and the Columbia River scenery is great, too. Astoria offers several outstanding museums, and a replica of where Lewis and Clark stayed one winter is nearby. Page 48

hood river This town upriver on the Columbia is loaded with lures for tourists, too. It' s a mecca for windsurfers, hikers and sightseers. Page 6

Ecola State Park With its cove-shaped beaches and forested headlands, it' s a gem on the Oregon coast. The park is access through Cannon Beach, a trendy shopping-oriented town. Page xx

cape disappointment State Park Not one, but two lighthouses, plus an outstanding museum are among the attractions at this ,000-acre park. Visitors can explore beaches, hike through woods and tour the old lighthouse keepers' house. Page 50

columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts This beautiful hall built in 9 5 was extensively renovated several years ago. The Italian Renaissance decor looks nicer than ever. Page 30

Ape cave The longest cave open to the public in the Northwest is more than miles. The Âž-mile walk to the lower end is relatively easy, and rangers lead tours and rent lanterns. Page 8

Windy ridge

Wahkiakum county

Though it requires a drive all the way around Mount St. Helens, this is the best place to witness the volcano' s 980 devastation of shattered trees and scorched earth. It' s also the best place to see Spirit Lake. Page 9.

The term ª quaintº is overused, but Cathlamet, a town perched above the Columbia River, really is. You can see the sights in an hour' s stroll. Just a few miles west of Cathlamet, the waterfront village of Skamokawa is smaller Ð and equally quaint. Page 46.

Come in for a FREE SEA SHELL!

SO INTERESTING

Some Folks Never LEAVE

The kalama river One of the prettiest rivers in the region can easily be seen from turnouts along the Kalama River Road that parallels it. River access for anglers and swimmers is relatively generous. Page 4

409 Pacific Ave; Long beach, WA 360-642-2188; marshsfreemuseum.com 5

mount st. helens The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens killed 57 people and permanently changed the local landscape. Since then, the iconic volcano has spawned a wealth of tourism attractions. Three decades after the eruption, visitors can easily spend two or three days checking out the volcanorelated trails, visitor centers and scenic drives. For more history, photos and stories, visit TDN.com/Helens

Mount St. Helens (Silver Lake) Visitor Center

Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center

It isn’t just a place to learn about the volcano; it’s one of the most impressive public buildings in the region. Even if you’re not planning to go all the way to Johnston Ridge Observatory, the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center is worth a trip. You can easily spend an educational 90 minutes seeing everything at Cowlitz County’s largest museum. It offers lessons in geology, history and, of course, volcanology. A 36-by-22-foot mural of the volcano’s billowing cloud of ash and steam greets visitors at the center, which is only 5 miles off Interstate 5 along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. The center is owned and operated by Washington State Parks, so federal access passes aren’t valid. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily May 16 through Sept. 15. Cost: $5 adults, $2.50 ages 7-17, $15 per family. Fee covers admission to this center only. Contact: 360-274-0962; www.parks.wa.gov/stewardship/mountsthelens

Owned and operated by Cowlitz County, it got a face-lift in 2009. It has expanded exhibits and the Fire Mountain Grill restaurant, along with a gift shop. In summer, Hillsboro Aviation offers helicopter tours, weather permitting. The cost is $99 per person and up, depending on duration. The center is 27 miles up the highway. Admission is free. It’s open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Contact: 274-5200; www.hoffstadtbluffs.com

The Music on the Mountain concert series at the new outdoor amphitheater at Johnston Ridge Observatory continues this year on June 29, July 27 and Aug. 31, with more shows possible. Opposite page, from top: Hoffstadt Bluff Vistor Center; Coldwater Lake; inside Johnston Ridge Observatory; and outside Johnston Ridge Observatory.

Weyerhaeuser Forest Learning Center Exhibits here tell about the preeruption forest and how the company salvaged downed timber. Weyerhaeuser lost 20,700 acres of timber to Mount St. Helens’ fury. Observation areas outside the center — complete with telescopes — offer views of elk in the Toutle Valley below. Volunteers sometimes help point them out. There’s also a gift shop and playground. This year, the center will be open 10 a.m.4 p.m. daily May 17 through Labor Day. Admission is free. Contact: 274-7750; mountsthelens.com/ Forest-Learning-Center

Kayaking at Coldwater Lake

Johnston Ridge Observatory

Volcano visitors will be able to take guided kayak and canoe trips at Coldwater Lake again this summer. Since Coldwater Lake opened to the public in 1993, it’s been open to kayakers, canoers and boats with electric motors. But last year was the first time guided outings were allowed on the lake. The Forest Service has granted concessions to three outfitters — NorthWest EcoExcursions of Longview, Cascade Pack & Paddle of Ariel and Cascadia Adventure Education School of Trout Lake — for paddle trips on the 750-acre lake northwest of the volcano. Cascade Pack and Paddle also will offer kayak trips on Yale and Merwin reservoirs south of the volcano. nwecoexcursions.com; cascadia.org; cascadepackandpaddle.com

At the end of the road is the best car-accessible viewpoint into Mount St. Helens’ crater. The base of the volcano looms just 3 miles away, with the sharp summit ridge twice as far. The observatory sits atop a 1,000-foothigh cliff, adding to the drama. The building itself houses a high-tech theater and big volcano model along with exhibits on geology and the 1980 eruption. Displays and AV equipment were updated last year, and a new 150-seat amphitheater again will host ranger talks, junior ranger programs and evening music events this season. The Eruption Trail outside makes a ¾-mile loop, or continue on the Boundary Trail for as many miles as you have time and energy for. A trailer in the parking lot offers limited food service, such as hot dogs, snacks and drinks. The observatory is at the east end of Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, 54 miles from I-5. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every day from May 18 through Sept. 30. Cost: $8 per day for those 16 and older, to visit the center or park in the lot. (This includes hikers who don’t go inside the building.) Contact: 274-2140; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm

mount st. helens

Climbing Mount St. Helens

Ape Cave

Lava Canyon

Despite the rare serious climbing accident or fatality, climbing Mount St. Helens is relatively safe in summer months, when the vast majority of climbers suffer nothing worse than sore muscles and sunburns. In past years, between 11,000 and 12,000 people have received climbing permits and more than 80 percent make it to the summit. To reach the top requires climbing 4,500 feet of elevation in 5 miles. Strong legs – but no technical climbing expertise — are needed. Because of heavy spring snow, it’s likely the climbing route will be at least partly snow-covered well into summer. Permits, which cost $15 per person, are required to climb the mountain. For more information, see www.fs.usda.gov/ recmain/giffordpinchot/recreation

One of the many natural wonders of Mount St. Helens is actually underground. A volcanic lava flow 2,000 years ago sculpted Ape Cave, a series of magical caverns and passages a few miles south of the volcano. At 12,810 feet in length, Ape Cave is the longest lava tube in North America. It’s three-quarters of a mile from the cave entrance to the lower end, a relatively easy route. For a longer adventure, head uphill from the entrance for about 1 ½ miles, climbing over no less than 27 piles of rock. (The cave is open year-round, though remember that in winter, the trail back from the upper exit is often covered with snow.) To reach Ape Cave, drive east of Cougar on Lewis River Road (Road 90) for 7 miles and turn left onto Road 83. Turn left again onto Road 8303. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at Ape Cave. Passes are available at the Apes’ Headquarters, which also rents lanterns and has information. Guided tours will be given from early July through Labor Day.

About 3,500 years ago, lava flowed down a canyon a few miles from Mount St. Helens, forming giant blobs as big as three- or four-story buildings. There they sat, largely unnoticed, until a 1980 volcanic mudflow down the Muddy River scoured out the canyon, exposing dramatic cliffs, lava formations and churning waterfalls that had been hidden. Now a system of loop trails 2 ½ miles long, some of it wheelchair-accessible, serves the canyon. But beware: five people have fallen to their deaths in the area, though none since warning signs were erected (it’s much more dangerous than climbing the volcano). Stay on the marked trails and keep children away from the fast-flowing water. Take Road 90 east of Cougar for 7 miles, then turn left onto Road 83. Continue another 11 miles to the end of Road 83, which is paved all the way. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park.

Mossyrock

Randle

iv Cow l i t z R

Riffe Lake

76 To Castle Rock

For k

Coldwater Spirit Lake Lake

504 Tou tl

e Ri v

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens NVM Adminstrative District wi Le

i v er sR

88 90

Cougar

Yale Lake

503 Lake Merwin

Swift Reservoir

Larger area map on Page 64

To Woodland

Yacolt

Mount Adams Ranger District

437211

Your to-do list c a

Cruise up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway and check out the four visitor centers and a plethora of scenic turnouts for spectacular vistas of the volcano. If it’s cloudy, don’t despair. The drive up to Mount St. Helens sometimes leads you above the clouds. Check the weather forecast at the Silver Lake visitor center.

c a

The closest you can get to the crater without climbing the peak is the Johnston Ridge Observatory, which wows visitors with amazing views, interpretive trails, a hightech theater and a big volcano model along with exhibits on geology and the 1980 eruption.

c a

Try your hand at spelunking at the Ape Cave, the longest lava tube in North America. (Don’t worry, this is a relatively easy route, and guided tours are available.)

c a

Looking for adventure? Hike the trails at Lava Canyon to see dramatic cliffs, lava formations and churning waterfalls.

c a

Want to tell your friends and family you climbed a volcano? Then grab some water and sunscreen and start walking up — 4,500 feet of elevation in 5 miles, to be exact. A permit and strong legs — but no technical climbing expertise — are needed.

Clockwise from top: The Windy Ridge viewpoint area boasts great views of Spirit Lake and the vast pumice plain extending toward the peak. Take Interstate 5 north to Highway 12, then go east to Randle. Take Forest roads 25 and 99 toward Windy Ridge. The last few miles of Road 99 are steep and winding. Road 99 is expected to open around mid-July, after snow is cleared. Mountain goats can be seen on the climb to the crater. At 125 feet, Big Creek Falls is the tallest falls on the south side of Mount St. Helens. Many trails encircle the volcano. Interactive exhibits greet tourists at Johnston Ridge Observatory. The view into the crater from the top of Mount St. Helens.

wildlife

The forests and fields of the Lower Columbia region hold thousands of deer, elk and other wildlife.

WHITE-TAIL DEER REFUGE The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the endangered Columbian white-tail deer totals more than 6,000 acres of pasture, tidal swamps and sloughs along the Columbia River between Cathlamet and Skamokawa. Limited hunting has reduced the elk population to around 25, far fewer than in past years, though there are more than 60 species of birds. The best way to visit is driving or bicycling along the peaceful roads that ring the refuge. One road along the Columbia River washed out two years ago and won’t be rebuilt, so check at refuge headquarters to see what’s open. The national wildlife refuge is 2 miles west of Cathlamet on State Route 4. 360-795-3915. www.fws.gov/jbh MOUNT ST. HELENS WILDLIFE AREA In late 2009, the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area in the Toutle River Valley more than doubled in size, though visitor access hasn’t changed much. The newly added 3,800 acres range from mudflows on the valley floor to dense woods on surrounding slopes. Walk-in access is via the 3100 logging road at Milepost 31 of Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, just east of the big bridge over Hoffstadt Creek. In summer, a few hundred elk live in the wildlife area. Walking or riding a horse among them is allowed, though dogs are not. Any time of year, you can see the elk with binoculars from the Weyerhaeuser visitor center at Milepost 33.5 on the highway. wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/ mount_saint_helens RIDGEFIELD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE The 5,218-acre Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with up to 200,000 waterfowl spending the winter there. Many other species, from sandhill cranes to sparrows, can be seen, too. The refuge has two hiking trails and a designated driving route. There’s also an authentic reproduction of a Chinook Indian plankhouse, much like the ones Lewis and Clark saw 206 years ago. It’s open on summer weekends. To reach the refuge, take Exit 14 from I-5 and head west 2.7 miles to the town of Ridgefield. Turn left on South Ninth Avenue, following the signs for the refuge’s River S Unit. Admission costs $3 daily. 360-8874106. www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges JEWELL MEADOWS The Jewell Meadows wildlife area managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is a great place to admire elk, especially during winter. The ODFW takes care of more than 200 Roosevelt elk at the 2,940-acre wildlife area, about a one-hour drive from Longview. The site has four viewing areas with parking and picnic tables off of Highway 202. To reach the refuge, take Highway 30 west from Rainier for 16 miles to Clatskanie. Head uphill on Highway 47 for 11 miles to Mist. Go west on Highway 202 for 17 miles to Jewell, then another mile on 202 to the refuge. 503-755-2264 www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/ jewell_meadows_wildlife_area.asp

adventuring

The Fort to Sea Trail

Explorers can head out every day for weeks in the Lower Columbia area and not hike all the trails. Here are some of the best ones to explore first.

boundAry TrAiL The single most spectacular hike near Mount St. Helens is the Boundary Trail, which starts at the junction of the Hummocks Trail and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Day-hikers can go as far as they have the time and energy for, ranging from an hour-long stroll to a 3-mile roundtrip trek to the summit of 5,7 7-foot Coldwater Peak. Backpackers with permits can stay overnight at designated campsites. For the first ½ miles east of the JRO visitor center, the trail stays near the edge of Johnston Ridge, which is at 4, 00 feet elevation. Then the trail cuts across ª The Devil' s Elbow,º a steep side slope of pumice and not-verystable earth, with drop-offs that can be disconcerting. Two-and-a-half miles from the parking lot, you' ll reach an intersection with the Truman Trail, described below. TrumAn TrAiL The Truman Trail descends through a deeply eroded valley, past a palette of colorful deposits. It flattens out on the broad pumice plain between Spirit Lake and the volcano, with breathtaking views right into the crater. It' s about ½ miles from the Boundary Trail down to the Spirit Lake area, a good turn-around point for a one-day hike.

hummockS TrAiL 229 A loop of .3 miles winds through the harsh landscape of the hummocks, debris deposited when the north flank of the volcano collapsed. Today, it' s a land of marshes populated by birds and amphibians amid the dried pumice hills. Elevation change is about 300 feet, so it' s an easier family hike than the Boundary or Truman trails. The trailhead is across the highway from Coldwater Lake, on the way to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. SouTh coLdWATEr TrAiL Off Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, this route starts near the lower end of Coldwater Lake and climbs 3. miles up the ridge east of the lake, gaining ,300 feet. Much of the route is on old logging roads. The trail ( 30A) passes logging equipment damaged by the volcano' s force. A big shovel lies upside down, a sobering reminder of the 980 eruption' s power. GoAT mounTAin TrAiL A steep path climbs to some top-notch alpine country in a relatively obscure part of Mount St. Helens country, miles north of the volcano. Goat Mountain Trail No. 7 starts from Road 6 , near Ryan Lake in the upper Green River Valley. From elevation 3, 00 feet, the trail gains ,000 feet in fewer than miles. It traverses the ridge for about miles, then dips to Deadmans Lake. hArmony TrAiL The Harmony Trail is the only trail that goes to the shore of Spirit Lake. The view across the lake includes Harry' s Ridge and the foreboding peaks of Mount Margaret Ridge. There' s a view into the crater from here, too. The Harmony Trail No. 4 starts near the end of Road 99. It descends gently but steadily for mile to the lake.

norWAy PASS If you' ve looked at many Mount St. Helens picture books, you' ve seen a photo taken from Norway Pass. It' s become the classic volcano view over a deep bay of Spirit Lake to the steaming crater, 7 miles away. Norway Pass is a relatively easy -mile hike, with an 800-foot elevation gain on a portion of Boundary Trail No. . Energetic hikers can continue as the trail climbs to Mount Margaret. The hike starts at the Norway Pass Trailhead on Road 6, which is miles north of Road 99. ForT To SEA TrAiL Modern day explorers can hike a trail that' s close to the original route the Lewis and Clark Expedition followed from Fort Clatsop to the Pacific Ocean, west of Astoria, Ore. The Fort to Sea Trail winds for 6 miles through forest and pasture, ending up at a broad sandy beach that' s much like what Capt. William Clark and his men saw in 807. The trail includes a broad stretch accessible to wheelchairs, several impressive bridges and even a tunnel under busy U.S. Highway 0 . GnAT crEEk Trails go both directions from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife' s Gnat Creek Hatchery, which is 5 miles west of Clatskanie on Highway 30. The lower trail goes for ¼ miles along the peaceful creek to a campground and another trailhead. From the hatchery, the upper trail climbs past waterfalls and passes through some old growth before deadending after about miles. Maps are available at the hatchery.

PAddLE inTo hiSTory Visitors in contemporary craft made of lightweight plastic can retrace the water approach to Fort Clatsop that Lewis and Clark' s explorers used during the winter of 805-06. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Park offers the free, two-hour trips on the Lewis and Clark River from June 9 through Labor Day. Tours leave from Netul Landing, which is mile south of the Fort Clatsop replica and visitor center. From the canoe landing, the top of 3,300-foot-tall Saddle Mountain is visible 5 miles away. The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park will offer free kayaking tours Thursdays through Mondays through Labor Day, with trips possibly extending to the end of September. The Park Service provides canoes and kayaks and life jackets. Call 503-86 -44 5 or see www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/kayak-tours.htm

GAS uP And Go The Nicolai Mountain trail system between Clatskanie and Astoria provides 5 miles of trails meandering though an amoeba-shaped reach of Oregon' s Clatsop State Forest, surrounding the ,970-foot-high peak it' s named for. The area is popular with riders of motorcycles, quads and side-by-sides, which are four-wheeled vehicles in which the seats are next to each other. One advantage of Nicolai is that, unlike some ATV riding areas, it' s open year-round. The closest place to Oregon Highway 30 to start riding on Nicolai Mountrain trails is the Shingle Mill Staging Area. Shingle Mill Road is at milepost 75.5 of Highway 30, a few miles west of Bradley State Park. The route to the staging area is well-marked. There' s no charge to use the trail system. www.oregon.gov/ODF

on the water coLumbiA rivEr The mighty Columbia River forms the boundary between Oregon and Washington in these parts and is a source of industry, recreation and scenic beauty. The waterfront in Longview is devoted to industry, but plenty of public access is available nearby. Willow Grove County Park west of town has a mile of sandy beach. The park just south of the Kalama marina is likewise a popular Columbia River beach. On the Oregon side of the river, try Rainier' s Riverfront Park, Prescott Beach and Dibblee Point for strolls Ð or fishing Ð along the beach. West of Longview, Ocean Beach Highway (SR4) hugs the Columbia River for several miles before heading inland. The road rejoins the river briefly at Skamokawa, where Vista Park has camping and picnic tables.

kALAmA rivEr The Kalama is arguably the region' s prettiest river Ð and the one with the most public access. A public trail follows the river' s lower mile or so in the Kalama industrial area, off Hendrickson Road. To reach other scenic spots, just drive up Kalama River Road, where a boat launch and well-worn anglers' trails offer access. Gifford Pinchot National Forest Trail No. 38 follows the upper few miles of the river, north of Cougar. It' s accessed from Forest Service Road 8 . Explorers can walk into an abandoned campground and find the Kalama' s source as it gurgles out of a natural spring. www.fs.usda. gov/activity/giffordpinchot/ recreation/hiking

LEWiS rivEr The Lewis River flows from Mount Adams all the way to the ColumcoWLiTz rivEr bia near Woodland, and much of The best place to stroll along the its shores are accessible to the Cowlitz River is near Castle Rock, public. Driving up Lewis River Road where broad, mostly paved trails (Highway 503) from Woodland, follow both sides of the river. Aptly- you' ll come to a boat launch in named Riverside Park in Lexington about 5 miles. The lower Lewis has has some river footage, as does the three dams that form huge reserCook Ferry Trail near Castle Rock. voirs: Lake Merwin, Yale Reservoir In Kelso, a riverfront trail follows and Swift Reservoir. All have picnic the Cowlitz for nearly miles, grounds and boat launches operated though access is limited. Longview' s by PacifiCorp, which also operates Gerhart Gardens Park off Tennant four campgrounds. For information, Way (Highway 43 ) has a short river see lewisriver.com or pacificorp. beach, which gets larger when the com/about/or/washington.html. river drops in summer, exposing Above the reservoirs, the Lewis flows more sand. freely through the woods and over a series of gushing waterfalls in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

ª The Smoke on the Waterº Hobie Cats Racing Regatta at Skamokawa Vista Park is on Aug. 10-11 this year.

ELochomAn rivEr The Elochoman in Wahkiakum County is popular with salmon and steelhead anglers. Some of the best public access is near state fish hatcheries. The Beaver Creek Hatchery is about 6 miles up Elochoman River Road, with the Elochoman Hatchery another 4 miles upstream. The river flows into the Columbia at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for Columbian white-tail deer, a few miles west of Cathlamet on Highway 4.

TouTLE rivEr The Toutle River flows off of Mount St. Helens and is often muddy, though several places along it make for pleasant summer meandering. The Toutle' s confluence with the Cowlitz is popular with anglers. To reach it, park on Steelhead Drive, off Old Pacific Highway north of Castle Rock, and walk under the freeway and railroad bridges. Starting about 5 miles east of Castle Rock, Spirit Lake Memorial Highway follows the Toutle for a sandy stretch. Stop at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Collection Facility just east of Kid Valley for another look at the river. Informal trails lead down to the Toutle and Green rivers. Or detour for several miles on South Toutle Road to Harry Gardner Park, where there' s access to the other side of the Toutle. In summer, hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders can walk from Spirit Lake Memorial Highway about miles down Road 3 00, just east of the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge, to a wildlife refuge with more river access.

Fish on! Coweeman river The upper and lower reaches of the Coweeman River have quite different personalities, though both have their charms. The Coweeman River Trail skirts the lower 4 miles of the river through Kelso. The upper river can be accessed by Rose Valley Road. One opportunity for fishing is to turn left on Schoolhouse Road, 9 ½ miles up Rose Valley Road. Just after a bridge, turn left again. That gravel road goes about half a mile to Longview Timberlands prperty, where there’s a gate. The company usually allows walk-in access on its property. The biggest chunk of public access on the upper Coweeman is a 3-acre parcel owned by the Cowlitz County Parks Department. The undeveloped and unmarked area is on the south side of Rose Valley Road, just past a log house, about 1 ½ miles past the Schoolhouse Bridge. Anglers who ask property owners are often allowed fishing access, too. Grays river The Grays River in western Wahkiakum County boasts the only covered bridge in Washington still in use. Grays River is about 42 miles west of Longview on Ocean Beach Highway. Shortly after crossing the Grays on the highway bridge, turn left on Loop Road to reach the covered bridge and the lower section of the Grays. Back roads wind along the lower Grays to where it flows into the Columbia. From the highway, Shannon Road heads north for a few miles along the river to a fish hatchery.

Salmon Chinook salmon return to the Columbia River in three annual runs. Spring chinook come primarily March through May, the summer run follows in June and July, and the fall chinook come mostly in August and September. Coho salmon return to the rivers primarily in August through November. Ocean salmon seasons vary from region to region, starting as early as May in places. Seasons usually last until at least Labor Day. Sturgeon Sturgeon grow to monstrous proportions (the minimum size legal to keep is 38 inches to the fork). Unlike salmon and steelhead, sturgeon in the lower Columbia River are self-sustaining. This year will be the last when anglers are allowed to keep sturgeon because of the declining numbers of fish. The sturgeon seasons are different upstream and downstream of power lines that cross the river near Cathlamet. For the latest regulations, check with a tackle shop or at wdfw. wa.gov. Anglers who have boats do the best. But many try their luck from the shore along Ocean Beach Highway west of Longview or near Megler, along Highway 401 in Oregon. Steelhead Though similar to salmon, steelhead are actually rainbow trout that spend most of their lives in the ocean. They are upward of 20 pounds when they return to spawn. Local rivers, including the Cowlitz, Lewis, Kalama, Woodland and Elochoman, are among those favored by steelhead anglers. The mainstem Columbia also is a major source of steelhead. Steelhead swim upstream in a winter run that starts in November and runs into April, and a summer run comes from May into August. Bass Bass aren’t nearly as big a deal around here as they are farther east. But Cowlitz County’s Silver Lake is often called the best bass water in Western Washington. It annually produces some of the biggest largemouth caught anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. The best bass fishing there is in the spring, though the lake is open year-round. Other warmwater fish that can be caught in Silver Lake are crappie, bluegill, catfish and perch. Trout The Department of Fish and Wildlife plants hundreds of thousands of rainbow and brown trout in area lakes in the spring and early summer. These are a good place to introduce small fry of the human variety to fishing. Some of the most popular local lakes are Sacajawea in Longview, Kress near Kalama and Horseshoe in Woodland. Swift Reservoir near Cougar also gets planted heavily. From top: Anchor your boat in the Columbia for best results. Fish cleaning stations, like this one in Astoria, are available along the rivers. A fisherman unloads tuna from his boat. Plenty of beaches and boat launches dot the river, like this sunny spot at Vista Park in Skamokawa. Fishermen return from a day on the water at the Port of Ilwaco. 15

biking, bmx, skate

Mountain bike trails, BMX parks and skateboard parks abound in scenic areas around Southwest Washington, providing an array challenges for beginners to pros. CASTLE ROCK TRAILS & PARKS Castle Rock can boast some of the most scenic and varied walking and bicycling trails in the region, with 2 miles of path on both the east and west sides of the Cowlitz River. The Westside Riverfront Trail’s north terminus shares a parking lot with the North County Recreation Facilities. There’s a ½-mile lighted gravel loop around the playing fields. A paved trail continues past the boat launch, then becomes gravel as it passes under the highway. The trail continues south past the Castle Rock Fairgrounds, crosses Whittle Creek on a 55-foot-long metal bridge and leads to a network of dirt roads. East of the Cowlitz River, there’s a skate park limited to skateboard and roller blade users near the west end of Third Avenue SW. A BMX Park limited to bicycles and mountain bikes is at the west end of Warren Street SW. 16

COOK FERRY TRAIL The 2.5-mile Cook Ferry Trail meanders along the west side of the Cowlitz south of Castle Rock, never far from Cook Ferry Road. The 8-foot-wide gravel trail is served by three parking lots, each named after a fish that populates the Cowlitz. To reach the southernmost lot, named Chinook, drive one-third mile along Cook Ferry Road from West Side Highway. From the Chinook lot, the trail winds through dredge spoils dotted with clumps of Scotch broom. After half a mile, the trail reaches the river bank, then heads back inland to skirt a private residence before rejoining the river bank. After another quarter-mile, you’ll come to the first “rest area,” with a picnic table, bench, barbecue grill and interpretive sign about Cowlitz River fishing. The route then follows Cook Ferry Road to the Steelhead parking lot. For the next half-mile, the trail parallels the road. The Cook Ferry Trail continues to the Smelt lot, which is 2.5 miles from the Chinook lot. The Smelt lot is accessible by Camelot Drive. WILLAPA HILLS TRAIL Walkers and bicycle riders can enjoy several parts of a one-time 56-mile-long railroad grade between Chehalis and South Bend. The eastern

5 1/2 miles of the Willapa Hills Trail starting in Chehalis were paved in 2011 and are the easiest to access from I-5. To reach the trailhead, take Exit 77 from I-5 and go west, turn left on Riverside Drive, and go slightly right on SE Newaukum Avenue for .5 mile. Turn left on SW Sylvenus Street and right on SW Hillberger Road for .5 miles to the parking area. The central 11 miles of the Willapa Hills Trail are surfaced with compacted gravel, and are suitable for bikes with wide tires. This part of the trail can be accessed from Ceres Road and Rainbow Falls State Park. From I-5, drive on Highway 6 west for about 12 miles, turn right on Ceres Hill Road and go about 2 miles to the trailhead. Another access point is at Rainbow Falls State Park, which is also on Highway 6, 18 miles from I-5. For more information and a map, see the Lewis County Community Trails website, www.lewiscountytrails.org PACIFIC WAY TRAIL This dike-top patch winds more than 2 miles in West Longview. A good place to enter the path is from the Longview United Methodist Church parking lot at 30th and Pacific Way. Where the north end of 32nd Avenue intersects, there’s another access. West of here, the path takes on

Skate parks Kelso: The Kelso Rotary Skate Park is a 10,000square-foot concrete structure in a small park at the corner of Minor Road and Burcham Street in North Kelso. From I-5 Exit 39 (Allen Street) take the east frontage road (Kelso Drive) north for one block. Woodland: This skate park in Horseshoe Lake Park has a variety of steps and ramps. From Exit 21 of I-5, head west a block to Lakeshore Drive and turn left. Longview: Not too far from lake Sacajawea is the skate park at Cloney Park on Washington Way, west of the intersection with Nichols Boulevard. The park includes a spine, a pyramid, 6-foot quarter pipe and snake run. Winlock: The skate park here is next to Winlock Miller Elementary School. Rainier: At Riverfront Park on West A Street is yet another place for skaters, this one with a Columbia River view. The pre-fab structures sit atop blacktop. Castle Rock: Skateboarders can show off their moves at the park along the Eastside Riverfront Trail, at the end of Third Avenue.

take the Lewis River Road (503) east from Woodland for 34 miles to Road 83. Go 11 miles on Road 83 to the Ape Canyon trailhead.

a more rustic flavor, with more water on one side and bigger fields on the other. By riding on Pacific Way, it’s possible to pick up the trail again west of 42nd Avenue. COWEEMAN RIVER TRAIL For a simple ride with river views, beginners can try the Coweeman River trail. At 4 miles long, it winds along a dike west of the river. The longest uninterrupted part of the path starts at Talley Way, near the Tennant Way interchange. It’s about 1 ½ miles to where the path passes under the freeway. The prettiest part of the path is at the opposite end, starting from Allen Street east of Kelso High School. Or try access points at Grade Street and Tam O’Shanter Park. COLDWATER LAKES TRAIL The trail following the west side of Coldwater Lake as been in place since the 1980s, but only last year was it opened for mountain bikes. The part of the Lakes Trail 211 open to bikes trail goes about 5 miles along the lake, which narrows to a pretty fjord-like canyon at its upper end. Mountain bikers also are allowed on the 230A trail on the east side of Coldwater Lake.

LEWIS RIVER TRAIL 31 One of the most popular trails in Southwest Washington, Lewis River Trail 31 is known as “the roller coaster” because of its end-to-end undulations. The trail parallels the river, traveling through luxuriant old-growth forest and offering eye-popping canyon views. For beginners, the best strategy is to leave one car at the lower trailhead off Road 9030 and take another to the Lower Falls Campground, farther up Road 90. Directions: From Interstate 5, take Lewis River Road (503) east from Woodland (becomes Road 90 east of Cougar) 52.3 miles to Road 9039. Take a left on 9039 and drive 0.8 to the lower trailhead, just before the river crossing.

COWLITZ RIVER BIKE PATH Between the railroad tracks and Cowlitz River in central Kelso is a 1.8-mile-long paved path. The approved access points are a few blocks to the south at Mill and Yew streets. Neither has a designated parking spot, but you can park on Riverside Drive, west of the tracks at the Yew Street crossing. At the north end of the path, the paving stops at a point across from Barnes Street in North Kelso. You can keep on going north for a few hundred yards on a gravel road and end up in the Cowlitz Gardens neighborhood.

IP ROAD Some day, the old IP road along Yale Reservoir will be a nice, family friendly bicycling and walking path. For now, it’s a strenuous workout that requires pushing your bike over several slides and hoisting it over dozens of fallen trees. Still, for adventurous mountain bikers, the road provides access to beautiful spots along the deep green waters of the 3,800-acre lake. The old IP Road, originally operated by International Paper Co., APE CANYON TRAIL 234 stays mostly on the southeast Yale Reservoir This trail opens with spectacular views of the shoreline for about 9 miles, then veers inland for Muddy River mudflow that rolled down the south- another 3 miles, ending near Chelatchie. Eventueast side of St. Helens during the 1980 eruption, ally, PacifiCorp will fix up the road for non-motorthen climbs through old-growth forest. The ized recreational use. For now, expect to cross ascent ends at Ape Canyon, which offers broad slides and climb over downed trees to reach some vistas of Mount Adams and the Smith Creek nice picnic spots. To reach the IP Road, drive 2.3 Basin. It’s 9.5 miles to a series of wooden steps, miles past Cougar on the Lewis River Road, then which are a turning-around point. Another 2 turn right onto a gravel road. Quickly take another miles on a logging road will take you to the Windy right and cross a bridge. The gate on the IP Road Ridge viewpoint. Directions: From Interstate 5, is a few hundred yards farther. 17

road biking

Cyclists gearing up for big rides or bikers out for a scenic trip will appreciate Cowlitz County’s routes. Here are a few routes that are favorites with local riders. TOWER ROAD LOOP A great workout, this 30-mile loop travels up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. Low traffic and rolling hills make this ride enjoyable, and the scenery is nice. The highway has good road shoulders, although Tower Road, which gets less traffic, isn’t as wide. The ride begins at the parkand-ride west of I-5 at Exit 49. Ride east on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to Tower Road, and turn left. Tower Road loops around back to Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, at which point riders will travel right to go back to the park-and-ride. 18

LEXINGTON-HEADQUARTERS ROAD This quick, rejuvenating 10-mile ride is great when you’re short on time. The ride features moderate, rolling hills and low traffic on roads with good shoulders. Start at Riverside Park off of West Side Highway and travel south to Sparks Drive. Travel over the I-5 overpass to Old Pacific Highway and turn left to go north. At Headquarters Road, turn left, re-cross I-5, and then go left on Pleasant Hill Road and back to Old Pacific Highway North. Back at Sparks Drive, turn right over I-5 to West Side Highway and back to Riverside Park.

COAL CREEK-DELAMETER LOOP The Coal Creek-Delameter Loop, a 26-mile loop, is not for the weak of thigh. It offers several climbs and descents with some rolling hills. However, it’s scenic ride and traffic is low to moderate. Many riders use this as a training ride for the Tour de Blast and Seattle-to-Portland events. One place to start is at Willow Grove Park. Turn right out of the park on Willow Grove Road, then left on Willow Grove Connection Road to Dike Road. Cross Ocean Beach Highway to continue on Coal Creek Road and take a slight right to Woodside Drive and on to Delameter Road, then to Garlock. Turn right on Garlock to Hazel Dell Road, and turn left. Ride to Delameter Road, and take a left back onto Delameter Road to where you started.

LExinGTon-SPiriT LAkE-hEAdQuArTErS This fun 8-mile loop filled with beautiful valley views and long, gradual climbs. Some rolling hills and a swift decent on Headquarters Road make this another great loop for race training. To take this ride, begin at Riverside Park in Lexington, off West Side Highway. Travel south on West Side Highway to Sparks Drive and turn left on Sparks, over the Interstate 5 overpass to Old Pacific Highway North. Turn left to Bond Road. Travel to Powell and turn left, then take an immediate right on Dorothy to Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. Turn right onto Spirit Lake Memorial Highway until you get to South Silver Lake Road (about 3.5 miles). Turn right on South Silver Lake Road and travel until Davis Spur. Take Davis Spur to Headquarters Road and turn right. Enjoy the ride down Headquarters, pass over I-5 and turn left at Pleasant Hill Road. This takes you back to Old Pacific Highway North, and you backtrack your original route to Sparks Drive, over I-5 to West Side Highway and back to Riverside Park. kALAmA rivEr roAd This ride on Kalama River Road is relatively easy and offers scenic river views. However, the winding road has narrow shoulders in places, so it' s not a good place for children to ride. Start at the gravel park-and-ride just south of the intersection at Kalama River Road and Old Pacific Highway South. Travel east up Kalama River Road for 0 miles, then turn around where the pavement ends, at the Weyerhaeuser gate.

The 200-mile Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic treks through Longview.

cASTLE rock-ToLEdo A relatively flat ride suitable for all ride levels is the Castle Rock-Toledo trip. Bikers can choose the length, going as far as they choose; the ride described here is about 8 miles. Nice road shoulders most of the way and low traffic add to the ride' s ease, and scenery will keep it enjoyable. Begin at the park-and-ride at Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, on the west side of I-5. Ride right out of the parking lot to the second light and turn right onto Old Pacific Highway North. Cross the Toutle River and over I-5 on to Barnes Road. Travel to the stop sign at Gee Gee' s Truck Stop, and travel right and continue over I-5. When you come to Jackson Highway, turn left to Ray Park just south of Toledo. You turn around here, and go back the way you came.

WiLLoW GrovE LooP The mighty Columbia River, peaceful pastureland and boat moorage are the vistas offered by the Willow Grove Loop. A 6-mile ride, the flat, lowtraffic loop begins at Willow Grove Park, west of Longview. As an hour-long social ride, take two laps around Willow Grove at mph. For a cardio workout, travel for three laps in an hour at 8 mph. The ride can be windy, with river breezes coming in from any direction. SEATTLE-To-PorTLAnd This is the 34th year cycling enthusiasts have been riding the Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic' s 00-mile span between the two cities. Up to 0,000 participants make the journey each year; this year' s race July 3- 4 , is sold out, though it may be possible to register. www.cascade.org/EandR/stp Tour dE bLAST The newer and local Tour de Blast climbs from Toutle Lake High School' s parking lot up Mount St. Helens as far as the Johnston Ridge viewpoint Ă? 8 miles. However, beginning or intermediate cyclists can choose shorter rides at 33 miles and 54 miles, respectively. This year' s race has been moved to Sept. from June, in hopes of better weather. Visit www.tourdeblast.com for more information.

SALES & SERVICE

Where Good Times Begin. Quality Bicycles

Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, BMX, Cruisers, Commuters, Dirt Jumping, and Cyclocross

Full Service Department

Tune-ups, Repairs, Assembly, Upgrades, All Makes & Models

Large Selection

Parts, Accessories, Clothing

Friendly and Knowledgeable Customer Service... always! Like us on

Facebook!

www.Highlander-Cycling.com Three Rivers Mall

351 Three Rivers Drive, Ste. 190, Kelso WA

360-353-3790

FULL SERVICE CENTER The Difference is The service One Stop Personalized Car Care!

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve built our business on the referrals of satisfied customers who trust us to provide reliable and honest service at a fair price, every time. Come see what we can do for you.

All Work GuArAnteed s 4UNE 5PS s %XHAUST 3YSTEMS s (EATING !#

s %LECTRICAL s %NGINE )SSUES s 3TEERING 4IRES 3USPENSION

Lube, OiL & FiLter Change

00 $ OFF

Hazardous waste & taxes extra. Only one coupon per person. Not valid with any other offer. Coupon expires 9/30/13.

360-423-3350 11th & Washington Way, Longview www.StirlingAutoGroup.com

454274

art & music

free SUMMER CONCERTS AT LAKE sacajawea This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer concerts at Lake Sacajawea include country and western, Zydeco and tributes to both the Beatles and Journey. Admission is free to the concerts, which run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Martin Dock. People bring blankets, low-backed chairs and picnics, and service clubs sell food. July 11: Abbey Road, Beatles tribute. abbeyroadlive.com July 18: Harmonious Wails, gypsy swing. wail.com July 25: Maxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midnight Kitchen, American folk/bluegrass. maxsmidnightkitchen.com Aug. 1: Stone In Love, Journey tribute. stoneinlove.com Aug. 8: Joni Harms, country and western. joniharms.com Aug. 15: The New Iberians, blues and Zydeco. newiberians.com 20

The area' s visual beauty goes beyond mountains and rivers. Statues and stained glass perk up the landscape, and local artists display their works in many galleries and businesses. ArT GALLEriES broadway Gallery: This cooperative gallery shows the works of its 50 members. Each month, it showcases the works of one or more. Hours: 0 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MondaysFridays, 0 a.m.- p.m. Saturdays. 4 8 Commerce Ave., Longview. Every First Thursday is a special open house in conjunction with the adjacent Lord & McCord Art Works. broderick Gallery: Works from England, Cuba and South Africa Ð along with owner George Broderick' s own bright ª overstatedº paintings Ð are shown in the gallery in a house built in 85 . Gallery hours a.m.5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and by appointment. 3 3 E. ª Bº St., Rainier. 503-7035 88. www.broderickgallery.com Longview Public Library: The basement Koth Gallery features rotating exhibits of works by local artists fall through spring. Hours: 0 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 0 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays; 0 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays; noon-6 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. 600 Louisiana St. Lord & mccord Art Works: This gallery next door to the Broadway Gallery has regular exhibits. Inside, the McThreads Wearable Art Boutique features fiber arts. 4 6 Commerce Ave. 4 3-9 00. Lower columbia college Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists are scheduled throughout the school year. Hours: 0 a.m.4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; 0 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays. In LCC' s Rose Center. Teague' s interiors: The gallery at this Longview decorating business features regular exhibits. 67 Commerce Ave., Longview. Tsuga Gallery: A new gallery in Cathlamet features the work of more than 30 local artists' work, including paintings, photography, sculpture and jewelry. 70 Main St., Cathlamet. Hours: a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. commErcE AvEnuE ScuLPTurES In 0 , sculptures were installed along four blocks of Commerce Avenue centered on Broadway. The works include a stone carving of a mother and baby, a stainless steel crow, a sea horse made with found metal a bronze little boy and six abstracts. They' ll be replaced with a new set in the fall.

PubLic STATuES Several bronze statues spice up the Longview-Kelso area, see if you can spot them all: ª Handstand Boy,º artist unknown, outside the Longview Parks office at 9 0 Douglas St., Longview. ª Sacajawea,º by Jim Demetro, on Nichols Boulevard near the Hemlock Street foot bridge. ª Fetch,º a life-sized dog sculpture by Georgia Gerber, near the Hemlock Street foot bridge at Lake Sacajawea. ª Twilight Reverenceº and ª Mother Bathing Child,º Native American figures by Jim Demetro, in front of the Hotel Monticello. ª Story Time,º a figure of a young reader by Del' Esprie, outside the Longview Public Library. ª Helping Hands,º a figure of kids at a drinking fountain by Jim Demetro, outside the Columbia Theatre. ª Thank You, Mr. Long,º a figure of city founder R.A. Long, at Broadway and Commerce. ST. John mEdicAL cEnTEr A beautiful cast glass work called ª Cross of the Millennium,º along with a stained glass window and calligraphy pieces adorn the hospital lobby on Delaware Street. For more information on Longview public artworks, see www.mylongview.com and click on Community/attractions. LoWEr coLumbiA coLLEGE The lobby of the college' s Rose Center for the Arts harbors a 0-by-40 foot mural by Portland artist Lucinda Parker. The college' s hallways and open spaces show dozens of other artworks. The college has produced a brochure with information on many of them. See www.lowercolumbia.edu. Click on Community/Arts and Entertainment/Art Gallery. doWnToWn murALS Murals of Longview' s founding fathers painted by Barbara Lancaster are at several downtown Longview locations: Six founders oof Longview on wall of US Bank at 5th and Commerce. Longview' s first police chief, H.W. Jackson, and first mayor, A.L. Gibbs, outside C Country Folks Deli, 3 9 Commerce. City founder R.A. Long outside Father' s House at 3 3 Commerce Ave. First fire chief, Harry Clarke, outside main Longview fire station.

Colorful and creative artwork dots Longview' s Commerce Avenue.

campgrounds COWLITZ COUNTY Seaquest State Park: The park is open yearround for camping. The park has tent spaces, utility spaces, five yurts, a dump station, restrooms and showers. The north, south and mid-camp loops are in forest settings. Reservations are suggested in the summer. To reserve a campsite, call 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov. Only 6 miles east of Castle Rock, the park can be reached by taking exit 49 from Interstate 5 and following Highway 504 east. County Line Park: Located where Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties meet on Ocean Beach Highway, 11 miles west of Longview. The 5.5-acre park, which sits on the banks of the Columbia River, has RV and tent camping. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Water, electricity and bathrooms are available. Cresap Bay Park: This gem is one of the nicest campgrounds on the Lewis River, located on the east end of Merwin Reservoir. Campsites are nestled in good-sized trees, and there’s a group camping area. While there’s a dump station, there are no RV hook-ups at campsites. Bathrooms and showers are available. The view extending 7 miles down the lake is the best of the parks on Merwin. There’s a double boat launch and mooring area, as well as a swimming beach. The grassy picnic area is popular with sunbathers, and a 2-mile nature trail winding around the park passes beaver ponds and a cedar swamp. The park is open from the Friday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Take Highway 503 for 23 miles east of Woodland, where the road makes a right turn, and drive 3 miles south to the campground. Reservations are required; camping fees are $20 a night. For reservations, call 503-813-6666. Cougar Park and Cougar Camp: These attractions straddle little Cougar Creek, which is just east of the town of Cougar, 29 miles from the freeway. The park, open from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, has a grassy sunning area, a fishing dock and picnic tables in the woods. There’s a separate entrance to the camp, which has tent-only sites. RVs and trailers aren’t allowed. The camp also has a boat launch, though the one at Yale Park is more popular. Reservations are required; camping fees are $20 a night. For reservations, call 503-813-6666. Beaver Bay Campground: The sites at this campground at the upper end of Yale Reservoir aren’t as secluded as those at other nearby campgrounds. There’s a single boat launch. The area is open from the last Saturday of April through Sept. 30. It’s 31 miles from the freeway. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees are $20 a night. PACIFIC COUNTY Cape Disappointment State Park: This large state park is open year-round for camping. The campground has more than 150 standard campsites as well as more than 80 utility sites,

five primitive campsites, a dump station, restrooms and showers. The park also offers historic lighthouse keepers’ houses to rent and cabins and yurts for camping. To reserve a campsite, call 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov. The park is 2 miles southwest of Ilwaco. WAHKIAKUM COUNTY Skamokawa Vista Park: The 70-acre Skamokawa Vista Park lies along the Columbia River on the western edge of this Wahkiakum County town. The campground has RV and tent camping. Some sites have full hook-up. There’s also a playground, playing field and basketball and tennis courts. A day-use area along the river has windbreaks for the tables and trails. For more information, call 360 795-8605.

LEWIS COUNTY Iron Creek Campground: Located near Randle in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this campground is popular with people visiting the east side of Mount St. Helens. Nestled along Iron Creek and the Cispus River, the campground is surrounded by old-growth trees. RV and tent camping is available, as are bathrooms. For more information, call 360-569-0519. Rainbow Falls State Park: The park is open year-round for camping. The park has tent spaces, a dump station, one restroom, two showers and eight hook-up sites. Three of the sites are for hikers and cyclists, and three are for horse campers. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Located 17 miles west of Chehalis, the park can be reached by taking exit 77 from I-5.

Battleground Lake State Park: In Clark County: This small state park is open year-round for camping. It has standard campsites as well as six hook-up sites, four cabins and some primitive sites requiring campers to hike a quarter mile to a half mile from the parking lot. The campground has a dump station, restrooms and showers. To reserve a campsite, call 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov. From I-5, take exit 11 and drive east to Battle Ground. Follow the signs to the park, which is about 3 miles west of Battle Ground. SKAMANIA COUNTY Lower Falls Recreation Area Campground: Lower Falls Campground is deep in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, east of Cougar off Forest Road 90. The wooded campground sits in a stand of towering Douglas fir and hemlock. RV and tent sites are available. The recreation area features a hiking trail leading to the falls. No flush toilets or dump stations are available. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the Mount St. Helens Ranger District, 360-449-7800. Swift Forest Camp: This big campground sits amid big trees. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It also has the only public boat launch on Swift Reservoir, which is stocked with rainbow trout. The campground is open from the last Friday of April through end of hunting season in November. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees are $17 a night.

Lewis and Clark State Park: The park is open year-round for camping, but some campsites are closed in the winter. The park has tent spaces, restrooms and showers. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Two group camps can be reserved by calling 360-864-2643. The park is 12 miles south of Chehalis off the I-5 corridor. From I-5, take exit 68 and head east on Highway 12 about 2.5 miles. At Jackson Highway, turn right, heading south about 2 miles to the park entrance. Ike Kinswa State Park: The park is open year-round for camping but some campsites are closed in the winter. The park has standard sites as well as full hook-up sites. It also has five cabins, a dump station, restrooms and showers. Reservations are suggested in the summer. To reserve a campsite, call 888-226-7688 or go to

OREGON Hudson-Parcher Park: Located 1 mile northwest of Rainier on Larson Road, this nearby Columbia County park offers some forest and field campsites. The wooded park also has a cabin that can be rented. For reservations, call 503-366-3984, or go to www.co.columbia.or.us. Clatskanie City Park: This city-owned park on the Clatskanie River has some RV and tent sites for camping. Restrooms and showers are available. Also in the park are a swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, picnic area, playground, horse arena and boat launch and fishing area. For more information, contact the Clatskanie Park and Recreation Department at 503-728-2038. L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: One of Oregon’s newest state parks, this campground has a www.parks.wa.gov. The park is 4 miles north of variety of sites, from primitive campsites and tent Mossyrock. From I-5, take exit 68 and follow the sites to full hook-up sites and two-room cabins. signs. Among the amenities are full hook-up sites with horse corrals. For reservations, call 800-452CLARK COUNTY 5687 or go to www.oregonstateparks.org. Paradise Point State Park: The park is open Fort Stevens State Park: One of the nation’s year-round for camping. The park has tent largest public campgrounds, this popular state spaces, utility sites, two yurts, a dump station, park on the mouth of the Columbia River has evrestrooms and showers. Some of the campsites erything from standard tent sites to full hook-up are in a grassy area, and nine primitive sites are RV sites. The campground also has some 15 yurts, in the woods. This campground is close to I-5, so bathrooms and showers, and an RV dump station. use the wooded campsites for less noise from the But don’t be fooled by the campground’s size interstate. Several miles of riverside hiking, too. — reservations are still recommended, especially Sites have no hook-ups. To reserve a campsite, during the summer season. The state park is off call 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov. U.S. Highway 101, 10 miles west of Astoria. For The park is 6 miles south of Woodland. From I-5, reservations, call 800-452-5687 or go to www. oregonstateparks.org. take exit 16 and follow signs a mile to the park. 23

golf

THREE RIVERS GOLF COURSE Public course that offers pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, liquor license, food service. Daily rate: $30 for 18 holes; $25 for seniors. Total length: 6,700 yards Par for men and women: 72/72 2222 S. River Rd.; Kelso, WA 98626 360-423-4653; www.threeriversgolfcourse.com LONGVIEW COUNTRY CLUB This private course has a pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, banquet facility, liquor license, food service. Total length: 6,220 yards Par for men and women: 70/71 41 Country Club Dr.; Longview, WA 98632 360-425-3132; www.longviewcountryclub.net SURFSIDE GOLF COURSE Public course that features a pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, liquor license, food service. Daily rate: $18 for 9 holes and $32 for 18 holes; seniors $15 for 9 holes and $28 for 18 holes Monday through Thursday; juniors $10 Total length: 2,960 yards (9 holes) Par for men and women: 36/36 31508 J Pl.; Ocean Park, WA 98640 360-665-4148; www.surfsidegolfcourse.com MINT VALLEY GOLF COURSE A public course with a pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, liquor license, food service. Daily rate: Weekends $28, $22 for seniors. Total length: 6,432 yards Par for men and women: 71/71 4002 Pennsylvania St.; Longview, WA 98632 360-442-5442; www.mint-valley.com ST. HELENS GOLF COURSE This public cource features a pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, liquor license, food service. Total length: 2,977 yards (9 holes) Par for men and women: 36/36 Daily rate: $26 weekday and $30 weekend 57246 Hazen Rd.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;; Warren, OR 97053 503-397-0358; www.sthelensgolfcourse.com LEWIS RIVER GOLF A public course with a pro shop, golf lessons, clubhouse, banquet facility, liquor license, food service. Daily rate: $35 for 18 holes, $27 for juniors, seniors Total length: 6,363 yards Par for men and women: 72/73 3209 Lewis River Rd.; Woodland, WA 98674 360-225-8254; www.lewisrivergolf.com

Three Rivers Golf Course In Kelso

SKYLINE GOLF COURSE This public course offers golf lessons, clubhouse, liquor license, food service. Total length: 2,313 yards (9 holes) Par for men and women: 35/35 20 Randall Dr.; Cathlamet, WA 98612 360-795-8785

409331

tdn.com

The daily news online, serving the Lower columbia region

wineries

Oenophiles no longer need to drive to the Willamette Valley or Eastern Washington for intensive gallery hopping. Over the past few years, several wineries have sprouted in the Ridgefield and Battle Ground areas, less than an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive from Longview-Kelso. And one has recently opened right here in Longview. More than simple places to swirl samples near the wine barrels, the wineries have sit-down areas ranging from rustic to elegant. Some have live music and special events. Most of the wineries are open on weekends for tastings and sales. 26

Mount St. Helens Cellars One wine-tasting facility in Cowlitz County is Mount St. Helens Cellars, now located at the Crossroads Plaza, 1254 Mount St. Helens Way, at Exit 49 and I-5 in Castle Rock. Several of the wines have volcano-themed names, such as Spirit Lake Coldwater Riesling, Dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head Red and Kick Ash Red. Mount St. Helens Cellars is open noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. www.mtsthelenscellars.com

roLAnd WinES Roland Wines has opened a tasting room in the old gas station at the corner of Columbia Heights Road and North Nevada Drive in Longview. It' s apparently the first wine-tasting room in the Longview-Kelso area. Owner Marc Roland has been making wines at his Longview home since 998. He opened the tasting room ª to get a more public personaº for his business, he said. One of the former service bays in the station, which was built in 954, houses the Coffee Garage kitchen. In the other bay, an old vehicle hydraulic hoist is parked at table height, with a glass surface forming the table. Tastings typically include four pours: Rose de Soleia, a dry rose made from the sangiovese grape; Dolcetto, light and fruity red; La Chanson de Roland, a blend of merlot, cabernet and cabernet franc grapes; and Solstice Syrah. The Roland Wines tasting room at 34 4 Columbia Heights Rd. is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and from to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. rolandwines.com hEiSEn houSE vinEyArdS Heisen House has a rustic feel, with the tasting room in a converted milking parlor with open walls. Nearby sits the 898 farmhouse where the winery' s owners live. They sometimes have bands inside the old renovated barn during tastings. Across the road are open farming fields. The wines served include a dry muscat, a dry rose and tempranillo, a hearty Spanish red. Heisen is open for tasting noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 8005 NE 7 nd Ave., Battle Ground. www.heisenhousevineyards.com ruSTy GrAPE vinEyArd Rusty Grape' s tasting room Ð actually a cafe Ð can be a cozy place on a Friday night. Even in winter, the room features live music and pizzas, and tastings from the wineries' nine varieties. In summer months, sippers can sit outside and watch movies. There' s also a small gift shop with wine-oriented products. Tastings at Rusty Grape include a variety of whites and reds. Rusty Grape also produces a blackberry Port. With its mini-restaurant, the winery is open from 4-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon- 0 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. 67 NE 9th St., Battle Ground. Rustygrape.com

oThEr norThErn cLArk counTy WinEriES bEThAny vinEyArd And WinEry Bethany Vineyard is an oasis of elegance in the rolling hills a few miles east of the I-5 Ridgefield exit. The lawn is manicured, the tasting room fancy Ð and the wines varied. Visitors can also sit outside by a small lake; concerts with catered dinners are sometimes held there. Bethany was one of the first wineries in the vicinity, with its first vintage produced in 00 . The winery grows 8 varieties of grapes and purchases three grown in the Columbia River Gorge. The Bethany tasting room is open noon-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. 4 5 NE 59th St., Ridgefield. bethanyvineyard.com

confluence vineyards and Winery 9 NW 67th Ave. Ridgefield, WA 9864 confluencewinery.net East Fork cellars 44 5 NE 0th Ave. Ridgefield, WA 9864 eastforkcellars.com

Three brothers Winery 4 NE 44th St . Ridgefield, WA 9864 threebrotherswinery.com olequa cellars 4 8 NE 4 nd Ave. Battle Ground, WA 98604 olequa.com

festivals Almost every summer weekend, a family oriented community festival is going on somewhere in the Lower Columbia area. So plan your excursions to watch everything from frog-jumping to fireworks. Most events are free. MAY May 24-27: Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Longest Garage Sale in Long Beach. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) May 25: SummerFest with clowns, face painting, musicians, contests and vendors, held every weekend in Long Beach through Sept. 2. (360642-2400 or funbeach.com) JUNE June 1: 23rd Annual International Festival at Lower Columbia College in Longview. (360-7514427 or ethnicsupportcouncil.org) June 1: Rods and Reels Classic Car and Motorcycle Show and BBQ at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. (360-795-9996 or wahkiakumchamber.com) June 9: Thirteen Nights on the River concert series in Columbia View Park in St. Helens. Every Thursday through Aug. 29. (sccchamber.org) June 8: Waikiki Beach Concert Series at Cape Disappointment State Park. Free concerts every other Saturday through Aug. 24. (360-642-3029 or funbeach.com) June 13-16: Woodland Planterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Days with parade, rides, frog-jumping contest and classic car show. (lewisriver.com/plantersdays) June 14-13: Annual Astoria Festival of Music. (astoriamusicfestival.org) June 15-16: 32nd Annual Northwest Garlic Festival in Ocean Park. (opwa.com) June 18: Kids Art and Craft Days at the Kalama Community Building. June 22: Annual Beach Chowder Run/Walk in Long Beach. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) June 21-23: Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at Clatsop County Fairgrounds. (astoriascanfest.com) June 21-23: Winlock Egg Days in Winlock. June 23: Annual Kiwanis Parade in St. Helens. (sccchamber.org) June 28-29: Fifth Annual Doggie Olympic Games in Long Beach. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) June 28-30: The Smoky Water Follies Show with music, entertainment and family fun, in Skamokawa. (360-795-8770) June 29: Heritage Days Cruise Car Show and Pie in the Park at Clatskanie City Park. (clatskanie.org/cruisers.html) June 30: Strut Your Mutt dog show, Clatskanie City Park. (503-728-4248) 28

JULY July 1-4: Go 4th Celebration in Longview with parade, street fair, kids activities and fireworks. (gofourthfestival.org) July 2: Longview Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Sacajawea Martin Dock at 5:30 p.m. July 4: Clatskanie Heritage Days Festival and 4th of July Parade. (503-728-4248) July 4: Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade in Ocean Park. (opwa.com) July 4: Independence Day Fireworks on the Beach in Long Beach. (funbeach.com) July 4: 4th of July celebration in St. Helens. (sccchamber.org) July 4: Fourth of July Parade in Warrenton and Astoria. (oldoregon.com) July 4: Vernonia parade and fireworks. (vernoniachamber.org) July 5-9: Willow Grove Pirate Fest at Willow Grove in Longview. (krap1079fm.com) July 6: Independence Day Fireworks at the Port of Ilwaco. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) July 10-13: 27th Annual SandSations and City SandSations in Long Beach. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) July 11-14: Rainier Days in the Park. (rainierdaysinthepark.com) July 11-14: Toledo Cheese Days. July 11-Sept. 14: 29th season of Shanghaied in Astoria at the Astor Street Opry Company Playhouse (seasideor.com or 503-325-6104) July 12-14: 12th Annual Winlock Pickers Fest at Winolequa Park. (winlockpickersfest.com) July 17-21: Columbia County Fair and Rodeo in St. Helens. (columbiacountyfairgrounds.com) July 18-20: Castle Rock Fair, with parade, vendors, youth activities, music and more, at Castle Rock Fairgrounds. July 18-20: Kalama Community Fair and Parade. (360-673-6299) July 19-20: Kalama All-City Yard Sale. July 19-21: 17th Annual Antique Fest, downtown Centralia. (360-304-9653) July 19-21: Napavine Funtime Festival with parade and car show. (360-262-3887) July 20-21: Clamshell Rail Road Days at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) July 20-21: Bald Eagle Days in Cathlamet with parade, trolley rides, street fair (July 21 is Wooden Boat Show). (360-795-9996 or wahkiakumchamber.com) July 20: Kalama River-to-River Run Challenge. (360-673-6299) July 20: Music in the Gardens on the Long Beach Peninsula. (360-642-2400 or funbeach.com) July 21: Wooden Boat Show in Cathlamet. (360-795-3501) July 25-27: Second annual Maritime Heritage Festival at the marina in St. Helens. (503-998-0231)

July 25-28: Cowlitz County Fair and Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Longview. (cowlitzcountyfair.com) July 26-28: 66th Annual Long Beach Rodeo, Peninsula Saddle Club in Long Beach. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) July 26-27: Oregon Tuna Classic in Ilwaco. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) July 27: Run to the Rock Car Show, downtown Castle Rock, (360- 74-5655, 360-43 -69 8 or 360-60 -8889). July 27: Mountain Mania Fun Run, Castle Rock (Dave Vorse, 360- 74-8 8 ). July 30-Aug. 3: Clatsop County Fair at the fairgrounds in Astoria. (clatsopfairgrounds.com) AuGuST Aug. 1-4: Annual Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show. (vernoniachamber.org) Aug. 2-4: Clatskanie Bluegrass Festival at Clatskanie City Park and Copes Park. (clatskaniebluegrassfestival.wordpress.com) Aug. 2-4: Blueberry Festival in Mossyrock (mossyrockfestivals.org) Aug. 2-11: Clark County Fair at fairgrounds in Ridgefield. (clarkcofair.com) Aug. 8-11: Astoria Regatta Maritime Magic in Astoria. (astoriaregatta.org) Aug. 8-11: The 7 st Annual Loggers Jubilee in Morton. (loggersjubilee.com) Aug. 9-10: Kalama Lions Club Yard Sale. (360-673-6 99). Aug. 9-11: Mount St. Helens Bluegrass Festival in Toledo. (washingtonbluegrassassociation. org/ 0 3fest) Aug. 9-11: Annual Seaside beach volleyball tournament. (seasidebeachvolleyball.com) Aug. 16-17: Blues & Seafood in Ilwaco. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) Aug. 17: Kalama Blues Festival. Aug. 17: Longview Squirrelfest at the Civic Center, with entertainment and family activities. (facebook.com/LVSquirrelfest) Aug. 18: Untouchables Car show in Kalama. (kalamachamber.com or 360-673-6 99) Aug. 18: Annual Jazz and Oysters celebration in Oysterville. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) Aug 19-25: Washington State International Kite Festival in Long Beach. (funbeach.com) Aug. 13-18: Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis. (southwestwashingtonfair.net) Aug. 15-17: Wahkiakum County Fair at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. (360-795-3480) Aug. 17: Squirrel Fest at R.A. Long Park in the Civic Center in Longview. Aug. 23-25: Cathlamet Corral, annual longboard races in Cathlamet. (wahkiakumchamber.com)

Aug. 23-25: Chehalis Garlic Fest and Craft Show. (chehalisgarlicfest.com) Aug. 24: Hood-To-Coast Relay starting at Mount Hood, ending in Seaside (seasideor.com) Aug. 24: Hub City Car Show in Centralia. (chamberway.com) Aug. 24-25: Threshing Bee, an old-time tractor pull in Toledo. Aug. 24: Annual Unique Tin Car Show and Swap Meet with controlled cruise to follow in Longview. (uniquetin.com) Aug. 24: Third Annual Wings & Wheels 0 3 at Scappoose Industrial Air Park. (sccchamber.org) Aug. 31: Buzzard' s Breath Chili Cook-off at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet. (360-795-9996 or wahkiakumchamber.com) Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Annual Chinook Art Festival. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Civil War re-enactment at Fort Stevens State Park. (visitftstevens.com) SEPTEmbEr Sept. 5-8: Wheels and Waves Car Show in Seaside. (seasideor.com) Sept. 6: Slow Drag at the Port of Ilwaco. (funbeach.com) Sept. 7-8: Rod Run to the End of the World car show in Ocean Park. (opwa.com) Sept. 7-8: Highlander Festival in Kelso. (kelso.gov/visitors/highlander-festival) Sept. 21: Cowlitz Indian Pow Wow at Toledo High School. (Contact Suzanne DonaldsonStephens, 360- 80- 3 ) Sept. 21: 4th Annual Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival. (scappoosecommunity.org) ocTobEr oct. 1-nov. 15: Wild Mushroom Celebration on the Long Beach Peninsula. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) oct. 4-5: Columbia River Country Days, at various locations around Wahkiakum County, to include a slow-moving parade, pie social, barbecue, farmer' s market, ª Punkin Chunkinº contest, farm tours, ª Movie at the Park,º auction and dinner, and Grays River Covered Bridge dinner. (360-795-3 78) oct. 11-13: Water Music Festival XXVII consists of five concerts, including a free event Oct. 6. (watermusicfestival.com) oct. 11-14: Peninsula Art Association Fall Show in Long Beach. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) oct 12-13: Annual Cranberrian Fair at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum and the Cranberry Museum on the Long Beach Peninsula. (360-64 - 400 or funbeach.com) oct. 12-13: One Sky, One World Kite Festival in Long Beach. (360-64 -40 0)

Come Join the Fun at the annual

July 2 - 3 - 4

lake Sacajawea, longview 5th AnnuAl

Cardboard boat regatta Tuesday, July 2 at 5:30pm

Parade

Thursday, July 4 at 10:00am

timber Carnival

Thursday, July 4 at 1:00pm

kid’s Fest

July 2, 3 & 4 FREE To All Kids!

Fireworks

July 4 at 10:00pm

market PlaCe

July 2, 3 & 4

20 non-ProFit Food vendors July 2, 3 & 4

Pioneer lions “sPirits” oF longview Wednesday, July 3 at 5:30 at Cowlitz County Expo

entertainment

July 2, 3 & 4 www.gofourthfestival.org

454428

longview

Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, Longview is one of the nation’s few planned industrial cities. Several downtown buildings are on the register. The Columbia River Mercantile, at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Broadway in downtown, functioned as Longview’s first store and as the headquarters of the Long-Bell Lumber Co. when it was built in 1923. It features an array of shops and the Longview Reading Room, a repository of local history. For more information, a brochure available at the Chamber of Commerce, and in downtown businesses offer a self-guided walking tour. 30

The sun rises over Mount St. Helens, Longview and a fog-shrouded Lewis and Clark Bridge as seen from the Highway 30 viewpoint west of Rainier, Ore.

Clockwise from top left: The Columbia Theatre, one of the area’s foremost architectural gems, was built in 1925 and renovated in 2009. (www. columbiatheatre.com or 360-575-8499). Two people rest at Lake Sacajawea. The historic Longview Public Library, on the Longview Civic Circle around R.A. Long Park, neighbors Monticello Hotel and the post office. Fans cheer on the Cowlitz Black Bears, which play throughout the summer in the West Coast League (cowlitzblackbears.com).

12 Years Of Sweetness Unique Variety of.. s #ANDY "OUQUETS s 3EATTLE #HOCOLATES s #USTOM 'IFT "ASKETS s 2ETRO #ANDY s .OVELTY #HOCOLATES #ANDIES s 'IFTS s "ALLOONS

1339 Commerce Suite 112 ,ONGVIEW s

-ON 3AT s

1245 Commerce Ave. Longview

578-1733

U Clothes U Furniture U Collectibles

U Housewares U Books/Toys U Jewelry

All proceeds benefit The Emergency Support Shelter and Parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place

Off

New and Special Order Books

Largest Selection of Used Books in Cowlitz County! /FX t 6TFE t $ISJTUJBO t )BSECBDL t 1BQFSCBDL

PAPERBACKS

galore

454376

Small town atmosphere thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appealing to residents & visitors. Offering a safe, comfortable & inviting gathering place with shopping, restaurants, galleries & beautiful streetscapes.

1044 14th Avenue, Longview

(360) 423-9006

Welcome to the Historic

Monticello Hotel s Slow Smoked Meats s Over 700 Varieties of Beer and 700 Varieties of Wine

Mon.-Thurs. 11-8 Fri. & Sat. 11-9 Sun. 11-7 Dine-in or To-Go

Buy in the shop, enjoy in the pub

TH !VE s (Next to Midas Muffler)

Celebrating 90 Years in 2013

Lunch & Dinner

Must be 21 and Over

s Old Fashioned Shakes s Fresh Made Waffle Cones s Sundaes s Espresso

s "EAUTIFUL !CCOMMODATIONS just moments to downtown s !WARD 7INNING Gingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant s #LUB with daily happy hour and live entertainment

1923

CELEBRATING

90 YEARS

2013

~ Plus ~ s Chocolates s Jelly Bellies s Novelty Candies s Sandwiches s Soups Mention this ad for $1 off an Old-Fashioned Banana Split

#OMMERCE s in the merk

1405 17th Avenue | Longview, WA

(360) 425-9900 3

LAkE SAcAJAWEA This long, skinny body of water with its broad, green lawns is the place to be when the sun is shining. Its graveled path is the best route in town to walk or run; it' s 4 miles all the way around. Trout are stocked in the lake in spring and summer, making it attractive for young folks with fishing poles. The 60-acre park holds no less than 9 species of trees. In the fall, the leaf colors shouldn' t be missed. Among the park' s features are the beautiful Japanese Gardens at the north end of the park and the Solar System Walk.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD HOMEMADE TORTILLA SHELLS

GErhArT GArdEnS This 4-acre park on the Cowlitz River is popular on hot summer days and features picnic tables, horseshoe pits, basketball hoops, sand volleyball court, playground equipment, a dog park and a boat ramp. The park is just off I-5 Exit 36 on Tennant Way just after crossing the Cowlitz River.

$4 OFF LUNCH!! with purchase of 2 lunch plates and 2 beverages

Valid M - F 11am - 3pm. Dine In only. Present coupon with order. Not valid with other offers. Valid thru 9/30/13.

TriAnGLE cEnTEr The busiest general-purpose shopping area in town is in a three-sided area bordered by 5th Ave., Washington Way and Ocean Beach Highway.

$7 OFF DINNER!!

with purchase of 2 dinner menu items and 2 beverages Valid M - F 11am - 3pm. Dine In only. Present coupon with order. Not valid with other offers. Valid thru 9/30/13.

1124 Washington Way, Longview (360) 636-3031• www.lahaciendarealgrill.com

Masthead RestauRant Good Food & Fine ales since 1971

•13 specialty salads

doWnToWn With dozens of businesses, downtown Longview boasts a lot of character. The principal downtown intersection is Commerce and Broadway. From there you can find gift shops, restaurants, a pet store, a cooperative art gallery, coffee shops, bakeries and a growing antique scene. A couple of blocks away at th Avenue and Hudson Street is the homegrown Bob' s Sporting Goods, which is the largest outdoors store in the region. LoWEr coLumbiA coLLEGE' S roSE cEnTEr With two major performance spaces and an art gallery, the Rose Center for the Arts features a 5 5-seat auditorium, a 5-seat theater and an art gallery. The Rose Center is arguably the most elegant public building in Cowlitz County, with sweeping expanses of wood paneling and a lobby mural by nationally recognized painter Lucinda Parker. The Wollenberg Auditorium is considered the best hall for music performance in Southwest Washington. The smaller, 5-seat Center Stage auditorium for plays has a ª thrustº configuration, with seats on three sides of the stage. lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-andentertainment/rose-center-for-arts

Family nt RestauRa

•16 awesome Burgers

Lake Sacajawea

•halibut Fish & Chips

That' s nuts!

•16 Beers on tap •Outdoor dining

Voted Best Local Restaurant 9 Years Running

local RestauRa nt

9 yeaRs in

a Row!

www.MastheadRestaurant.com 1210 Ocean Beach hwy. Longview • 577-7972 3

454272

One of Longview' s claims to fame is being home to the world' s first squirrel bridge, the Nutty Narrows Bridge (pictured at right) near the library, by a large statue of a squirrel. The squirrel frenzy has spread: In the past few years, two more bridges have been installed on streets around Lake Sacajawea Ð Kessler and Nichols boulevards. And Longview now boasts the annual Squirrel Fest, this year on Aug. 7.

Quality of Place

Longview...

where you can truly appreciate the beauty and splendor of the Pacific Northwest.

From top: Willow Grove; kids play at SquirrelFest; the always-amusing Cardboard Boat Regatta and one of the city’s three squirrel bridges.

WILLOW GROVE A favorite for launching personal watercraft on the Columbia River, Willow Grove Park has developed into a year-round site used by swimmers, picnickers, walkers and boaters. The 60-acre park has big parking lots and numerous picnic tables with fire rings. A small picnic shelter can be found near the center of the park. A barrier-free asphalt trail nearly a mile long runs along the shore. There’s a beach volleyball area at the west end of the park, and the winds off the river make this a favorite spot for flying a kite. Cargo ships draw near on their way to and from the ocean. They add to the scenery. The park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in summer. To reach it from Ocean Beach Highway, turn south onto Willow Grove Connector Road and then right onto Willow Grove Road.

Longview named one of the top ten prettiest towns in America by Forbes — March 29, 2012.

360.442.5004 www.mylongview.com 33

kelso A thriving town before Longview was even built, Kelso’s history figures into several attractions. Scottish land surveyor Peter Crawford arrived in the Cowlitz Valley area in 1847 and registered the first donation land claim on the Cowlitz River. He founded the city of Kelso in 1884. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN The Kelso train station has been a longstanding centerpiece to downtown Kelso. The Amtrak station was built in 1911 and renovated in 1996. Nearby is Kelso City Hall, which features a lofty lobby and historical artifacts from town, such as a giant wheel-lift from the old Allen Street Bridge and an antique stained-glass window from Peter’s Restaurant, which used to be across the street and has now reopened as a barbecue restaurant. The Kelso Theater Pub shows movies that tend to get overlooked by the local cineplexes and serves beer, wine and pizza. THREE RIVERS MALL Kelso is home to the largest enclosed shopping mall in Cowlitz County. Next to I-5, the mall is anchored by Macy’s department store and J.C. Penney. The Kelso Public Library is in a 11,627-square-foot space in the mall. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. www.threeriversmall.com TAM O’SHANTER PARK “Tam O,” as the locals say, is a 41-acre park along the Coweeman River. The park has several ball fields and basketball courts, not to mention horseshoe pits, a playground and picnic tables. Many people enjoy a walk or bike ride along the graveled path atop the park’s dike, which runs along the river. The park is the site of the annual Kelso Highlander Festival, which is Sept. 7-8 this year. It’s also the site of Stan Rister Stadium, which seats 500 baseball enthusiasts. COWLITZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM This museum features permanent exhibits on the early days of this area, including an authentic pioneer cabin and replicas of a general store and logging bunkhouse. There’s even a 1913 International truck that used to cart mail from Kelso to Castle Rock. Special exhibits rotate through one hall — a current one focuses on the history of police in the county. The museum, 405 Allen Street, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free; donations are welcome. For more information, call 577-3119 or go to www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum 34

454273

Complimentary Continental Breakfast with Fresh Waffles Free Wireless Internet • Guest Laundry Elevator • Exercise Room • DVD Players • Heated Indoor Pool & Spa Jacuzzi & Family Suites • Full Kitchen & Kitchenette Easy Access 1-5 • Near Mall Business Center • Meeting Room

360-414-5953 501 Three Rivers Drive, Kelso WA 98626 www.guesthousekelso@gmail.com

Take us with you.

TDN.com/Helens

A comprehensive look back at the 1980 eruption with: • Historic photos and editions of The Daily News • Time-lapse satellite images of the eruption. • A timeline of events and a memorial map of victims.

m.tdn.com Top: The Kelso train station. Bottom, from left: The Highlander Festival features traditional Scottish music and dress. The Kelso Library is in the Three Rivers Mall.

to Castle Rock, Silver Lake, Toutle, and Kid Valley

1316A Mount St. Helens Way NE Castle Rock, just off exit 49

360-274-8583

105 Cowlitz St. West, Castle Rock

360-274-4663

OVER 4000 BOLTS!

Monday - Friday 10:00am - 5:30pm; Saturday - Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm Mon.-Fri. 10:00am - 5:30pm

Sat.-Sun. 10:00am - 4:00pm

Tasting Room and Winery

Our beautiful “Tuscan Style” tasting room at the “The Crossroads Plaza” at 1254 Mt Saint Helens Way NE in Castle Rock Wa., at I-5 exit 49. We are across the street from %XUJHU .LQJ /RRN IRU WKH :LQHU\ VLJQV DQG :LQH 7DVWLQJ ÀDJV Tasting Room phone is 360-967-2257. We are currently OPEN Wed.-Sat. NOON to 5PM, and Sun, NOON to 4PM Our Winery is located at 211 Morning Star Drive, Silverlake Wa., just 7.3 miles from I-5 exit 49, turn on Morning Star, and go to the “TOP OF THE HILL”. We are OPEN for private tastings, and private parties, by appointment. Call the WINERY at 360-274-7078 to make your appointment, and bring your friends and family. We have a beautiful view of Mt St Helens, a vineyard out back, and an array of fantastic wines for you to try.

Check out our website at www.mtsthelenscellars.com for upcoming events, how to join our “Fire Mountain” wine club, and a list of our wines.

• • • • • • • •

(360) 274-8779

Summer Hours 9am-8:30pm (Subject to weather, please call ahead)

Enjoy riverview dining on your way to Mt. St. Helens, 19 miles from I-5 via exit 49 on Spirit Lake Hwy. (504)

Mt. St. Helens Souveniers Post Cards • Gifts

Full Hookups Spacious Tent Sites Showers Camp in Nostalgic Homestead Minutes to Volcano Attractions Close to Hunting, Fishing, Hiking Walk to Toutle River Mudflow Nearby Restaurant and Store

Castle Rock Pharmacy

9360 Spirit Lake Highway • Toutle, WA 98649

Reservations: (360) 274-9060 kidvalley@kalama.com

• Elk Burgers • Gourmet Burgers • Soups and Salads • Baskets & Sandwiches • Homemade Cobbler • Chicken & Dumplings • Beltie Brew Organic Coffee • Gifts and Souvenirs

Make the Tasting Room and our Winery a “Destination Stop”.

454360

by 60 local artists & authors

454362

117 1st St. SW, Castle Rock

(360) 274-8211

Castle Rock Fair

July

18-20, 2013

Welcome to Mt. St. Helens & Bigfoot Country! Come see the 22 ft. Bigfoot Statue in the parking Lot!

Large SeLeCtion of Bigfoot SouvenirS Shirts • Hats • Posters Books • Souvenir items

Mt. St. HeLenS gift iteMS T-shirts • Hats • Mt. St. Helens art glass • DVD’s • Ceramics Jewelry • Souvenir items no Charge to Park rv or camp

North Fork SurvivorS 9745 Spirit Lake Hwy. Toutle, WA

360 274-6789

Exit 49 from I-5, then head east. We are located on Hwy 504 at milepost 19.3 on the right 4544054

castle rock

CLIMB THE ‘ROCK’ Any trip to Castle Rock, the gateway to Mount St. Helens, should begin with a visit to the rock that gave this small town its name. The city is named for a large volcanic rock formation along the Cowlitz River that locals say resembles an old castle. The Rock, as it is affectionately called, rises 200 feet above the surrounding area. It was once used as a geographical landmark for early travelers along the river. Today, the Rock has been preserved for the community and its visitors. Historical markers are at the base of The Rock, at the intersection of Huntington Avenue South and Front Avenue. Visitors can hike the trail that winds its way to the top or take a break at The Rock Community Park. To get to The Rock, take I-5 to Exit 49 and go west into town on Huntington Avenue. Park at Lions Pride Park. riverfront trail Lions Pride Park, on Huntington Avenue South, serves as the trailhead for the east side of Castle Rock’s Riverfront Trail. The walking and biking trail takes visitors past The Rock and along the Cowlitz River. Trails are on both sides of the river. The trail on the east side is a 2-mile lighted, paved path that extends the length of town. The trail includes viewing areas, benches, picnic tables and a small playground. The trail passes the town’s sewer plant, piles of dredge spoils from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and parks for skateboarders, BMX riders and mountain bikers. There are also two fishing piers. On the west side of the Cowlitz River, the trail is constructed of compacted gravel, from the PH10 bridge to the mouth of Whittle Creek and a paved path from PH10 bridge to the Castle Rock Sports Complex. 38

Castle Rock’s Riverfront Trail

DOWNTOWN Castle Rock dressed itself up a couple of years ago. One of the town’s main shopping streets was transfigured with new, wider concrete sidewalks that are stamped and colored to look like the wooden planks that were common a century ago. The roadway also has been stamped and colored to resemble river rock, and the old-fashioned-looking streetlight designs look good and brighten the area considerably. The city’s historic downtown features a wide variety of shops, antique stores, restaurants and other attractions. The Castle Rock Exhibit Hall and Visitor’s Information Center is in a large white building at 147 Front Ave. N.W, and includes displays explaining the mudflows and the volcano’s impact on the Castle Rock area. It’s also a historical museum for north Cowlitz County, with displays on logging and rivers. Exhibits include a working replica of a sawmill, a 1890s buggy and a Bigfoot display. The exhibit hall also has pictures of Castle Rock High School graduates since 1900. Admission is free. To get to the Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, take I-5 to Exit 49 and go west into town. Front Avenue is one block to the right of the main street. The exhibition hall is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday in summer. For more information, call 360-274-6603.

Clockwise from top: Stoll the Riverwalk Trail along the Cowlitz River. A view from inside Farmstead Antiques, one of the city’s charming shops. The family-friendly riverwalk is easy for bikes, too. Castle Rock business owners and residents plant lots of flowers throughout town to make it bloom with color. Get your face painted at the Castle Rock Fair on July 18-20.

kalama

one tall totem

Carved in the 1960s by Native American artist and craftsman Don Lelooska, this totem pole is the tallest in the world carved out of a single tree â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a 700-year-old western red cedar.

A distinctly Northwest town with an unusual name, Kalama is known for its antique shops, small-town friendliness and Hollywood movie shoots. Straddling Interstate 5 off of Exit 30, the town is named after John Kalama, a Hawaiian who hunted, fished and trapped in the area more than a century ago. CAMP AND FISH North of town, Camp Kalama offers year-round camping at the Kalama River. The Kalama River supports runs of steelhead and salmon, with relatively good public bank access. Nearby Kress Lake on Old Pacific Highway off of Kalama River Road is stocked with trout and surplus steelhead. During salmon seasons, anglers fish on the Columbia River banks and crowd the marina at the Port of Kalama. PLENTY OF PARKS The Port of Kalama offers recreational facilities with a 222-slip marina, a 5-acre day-use park and a 2-mile walking path. A totem pole at the marina park stands 140 feet tall and is listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the tallest one-piece totem in the world. The park and marina are accessible by foot via a walking bridge over the railroad tracks at the south end of town. ANTIQUES ABOUND Open seven days a week, several antique dealers offer a large selection of antiques and collectibles. Free maps of the city are available at all of Kalama’s stores. ‘TWILIGHT’ MOVIE SCENES Kalama High School, at 548 China Garden Road, was used as the school in the vampire flick “Twilight.” The town’s functioning high school has become a popular destination for followers of the popular books and movies.

Clockwise from top: Fishing at the Port of Kalama. Antique shops dot downtown. Drift down the Kalama River. The marina at the port is one of the largest in the region. Stroll along the Columbia River on paved trails that hug the shore. The Kalama River is a popular swimming hole, too.

woodland

HULDA KLAGER LILAC GARDENS Smell the history — literally — at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. Its annual Lilac Festival — which showcases the fragrant purple, pink and white blossoms — is over, but the gardens are open yearround. The Hulda Klager Lilac Garden is an arboretum with many flowers, shrubs and exotic trees in addition to lilacs. Klager’s Victorian-era home is on the National Register of Historic Sites and is open to visitors during special events. 115 South Pekin Road. Open to the public 365 days a year from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, with a $2 fee. 42

Lake Merwin, 16 miles east of Woodland

the lewis river valley Rich in historical charm and natural beauty, the town of Woodland — located along I-5 where the Lewis River and Columbia River meet — is more than a jumping-off point for adventures in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It boasts a historical downtown, restaurants, shopping districts, berry farms and parks. HORSESHOE LAKE PARK On the north side of the horseshoe-shaped lake is Horseshoe Lake Park, 6.5 acres of open lawn for field games, a playground, a beach, restrooms, a parking lot, skateboard park and a boat launch. Horseshoe Lake is open for swimming, fishing and boating. The lake itself is 85 acres and has a maximum depth of 16 feet. It was created in 1940, when a bend in the river was isolated by freeway construction. www.woodlandwachamber.com THE HOLLAND AMERICA BULB FARM The farm was founded 30 years ago by Benno and Klazina Dobbe, who immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. The bulb farm’s gift shop sells all manner of bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, irises, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, alliums, scilla and other specialty varieties. 1066 South Pekin Road; 360-225-6575; www.hollandamericabulbfarms.com

From top: The Cedar Creek Grist Mill; bed races at Woodland’s Planter’s Days festival (June 13-16); Holland America Bulb Farm; and downtown Woodland.

late r 33 yea rs

CEDAR CREEK GRIST MILL Perched on a steep slope above the creek, the waterpowered grinding mill was built in 1876 and used by families who brought grain to the mill to be ground into flour or livestock feed. Volunteers staff weekend activities, which feature events typical to the early 20th century. Tours can be arranged. Take exit 21 and head east, turning right to cross the North Fork of Lewis River. Turn left onto Northwest Hayes Road toward Amboy, which becomes Cedar Creek Road. About 8 miles from Woodland, a sign points left to the mill. Turn left on Grist Mill Road and the Mill is about ¾ of a mile; www. cedarcreekgristmill. com.

TDN.com/Helens

A comprehensive look back at the 1980 eruption with: • Historic photos and editions of The Daily News. • Time-lapse satellite images of the eruption. • A timeline of events and a memorial map of victims.

columbia county

Sandy riverfront beaches, quiet back roads and a huge yew tree are among the attractions in Columbia County, Ore. Visitors also can check out a windsurfing hot spot, a variety of trails, the largest Zen Buddhist monastery in the Northwest and what’s left of Oregon’s only nuclear power plant. RAINIER A white-columned, two-story city hall built in 1920 marks the center of town. The city’s spacious Riverfront Park at the west edge of town is a favorite for families. It has basketball and tennis courts, a skateboard park and a first-rate playground. It offers a close view of maritime activity at the Port of Longview. Nearby is a boat launch with restrooms and a large parking lot. TROJAN PARK The area between Prescott Beach and the former Trojan Nuclear Power Plant offers large marshes and good bird watching. The 74-acre park at Trojan includes a 29-acre lake, 200 acres of woods and wetlands, walking trails, ball fields, sheltered picnic areas, a volleyball court and a disc golf course. www.portlandgeneral.com/parks DIBBLEE POINT A few miles downstream from Rainier, Dibblee Point is an undeveloped but popular sandy beach along the Columbia River. People hike or ride horseback through the sandy trails. Dibblee Point is the closest place to Longview-Kelso with extensive bank fishing on the Columbia. To reach Dibblee Point, turn north from Highway 30 onto Rockcrest Road. Turn left onto Dike Road, go under the Lewis and Clark Bridge and right at the stop sign past the gypsum plant on Young Road.

COLUMBIA RIVER BEACHES East of Rainier, Laurel Beach is a small but scenic day-use park that attracts anglers and bird watchers. A small strip of sandy beach is accessible from the parking area. Take Laurelwood Road about 1.5 miles south of town. You’ll have to walk up a rough path and over the railroad tracks, which are used

by trains once or twice a day. Farther south on Highway 30, the site of Lewis and Clark’s campsite on Nov. 5, 1805, has been developed into an attractive park. The 71-acre Prescott Beach day-use park charges a small fee. You’ll also find a picnic shelter, playground equipment, gazebo, horseshoe pit and volleyball courts.

cLATSkAniE This town was built on logging, and the heritage can be felt around town. Turn-of-the-century lumberman T.J. Flippin built his home to look like a castle. The turreted white mansion at 6 0 Tichenor now is a senior center and a museum. Tours: 5037 8-3608. Clatskanie City Park, 300 N.E. Park St., has a large outdoor swimming pool, a sports field, playground, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and barbecue pits, tent and RV camp sites, a horse arena, a boat ramp into the Clatskanie River and restrooms with showers. The Lewis and Clark Heritage Canoe Trail begins at the park, winds along the Clatskanie River and explores the islands of the Lower Columbia. A network of sloughs offers a variety of paddling experiences for all skill levels.

Columbia County Forests To RainieR, oRegon Historical landmarks, local EntErtainmEnt, FisHing, camping & outdoor Exploration!

WATEr AccESS West of Clatskanie at the intersection of highways 30 and 47, the Beaver Boat Ramp offers easy Clatskanie River access. The day-use park has picnic tables, barbecue pits and restrooms. Jones Beach is 6 miles west of Clatskanie on Highway 30 off Woodson Road. The broad beach and gusty afternoon winds draw windsurfers to the Columbia River from hundreds of miles around. The beach is used for fishing and picnicking. Overnight camping is not permitted. buddhiST monASTEry Clatskanie is the home of the largest Zen facility in the Northwest. Great Vow Buddhist Monastery, 79640 Quincy-Mayger Road, was built in a converted elementary school. It is a full-time residential training monastery. Guests are encouraged to attend the Sunday program, which begins at 0 a.m. To schedule a tour, call the monastery at 503-7 8-0654. www.greatvow.org GnAT crEEk hATchEry Don' t let the name scare you. This hatchery is a family-friendly place that' s tucked away off Highway 30, 5 miles west of Clatskanie. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife raises winter steelhead and spring chinook there. The hatchery is open to visitors daily from 7:30 a.m. to dusk. It has a viewing pond with large rainbow trout and sturgeon that visitors can feed. An informational kiosk and picnic areas are available for visitors, who can enjoy scenic loop trails around the hatchery. From the hatchery, an older section of the Gnat Creek trail crosses Highway 30 then goes for ¼ miles through woods to a campground with six quiet walk-in sites. onE biG TrEE If you' ve found yourself headed to Clatskanie, you gotta stop and take a peek at the Delena yew tree. The largest such tree in Oregon, it' s more than 00 years old and stands on the site of an early post office and stagecoach stop between Rainier and Astoria. The tree is east of Clatskanie at the Delena entrance to old U.S. Highway 30 (turn right at the Delena exit off of Highway 30). The site is currently a farm; easy viewing is possible from the old highway.

PARKS & RECREATION

You r Neighborhood Playgrou nd Columbia County is conveniently located less than an hour away from the Portland Metro area, Vancouver, Kelso and Longview, Washington. For the day, weekend or longer - enjoy World-Class Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Cycling, Rural Aviation, Historic Tours and much more. View nature up close, multitudes of birds and animals in their natural habitat, wildflowers and forests are daily recreational experiences at Columbia County’s full service parks system. 1. BEAVER BOAT RAMP & PARK

Hwy. 30 Clatskanie U.S. 30 and Hwy 47. Within the Clatskanie city limits. Paved parking, boat launch, rest rooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills.

2. BIG EDDY PARK

64555 Nehalem Hwy, N., Vernonia. Large fir trees, open play ground, fishing, canoeing, and a non-motorized boat launch. 35 camping sites, 14 with full RV hookups.

3. CAMP WILKERSON

Deli Store s "URGERS s &RIES s (OMEMADE 3ANDWICHES s 7EEKLY 3PECIALS s 6IDEO ,OTTERY s /REGON ,OTTERY 'AMES Full HOt Deli "EER s 7INE

!T THE &OOT OF THE 2AINIER "RIDGE Open 7 Days a Week

75724 Rockcrest Rainier, OR

(503) 556-8091

65866 Aplary Road, Rainier. 280-acre secluded, forested site, 24 Adirondacks (3-sided camp shelters), numerous tent sites, rustic 2 room cabins and a rustic day lodge complete with cooking facilities to accommodate groups of up to 250 people. Bring your horses, ride the trails and camp in one of our horse corral tent sites.

4. DIBBLEE ISLAND PARK

Columbia River Channel, Rainier. This is among the areas visited by Lewis and Clark over 200 years ago!

5. GILBERT RIVER BOAT RAMP & DOCKS

Reeder Road, Sauvie Island. Located within the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, this facility provides easy access to the Multnomah Channel for a variety of boating activities and fishing.

6. HUDSON-PARCHER PARK

75503 Larson Road, Rainier. Popular with family groups, sports groups and others looking for peaceful forest and field camp sites. 35 RV spaces, tent camping, cabin/cooking facility for a party of up to 66 people, ball parks, soccer field, basketball court, 3 playgrounds, covered picnic areas and easy access to fishing, boating or windsurfing.

7. J.J. COLLINS MEMORIAL MARINE PARK

Rm 8.0 Multnomah Channel, Scappoose. This park is only accessible by boat for a wildlife island adventure. Primitive campsites and a covered picnic area.

8. LAUREL BEACH

Rainier Aerie #4022

“People Helping People” Sunday-Thursday - Noon Friday-Saturday - 10:00 am

Food-Beverages-Lottery deck is aLways open 109 West ‘A’ St. Rainier, Oregon 97048 (503) 556-2035

Laurel Beach Road, Rainier. Rustic Day-use only park, featuring access to one of the Columbia River’s many fishing spots. In addition to offering outstanding bird viewing.

9. ASBURRY PARK

Saulser Rd,. St. Helens. Day-use only area, which includes picinic sites, childeren’s ball field and a nature trail.

10. PRESCOTT BEACH

73125 Prescott Beach Drive. Day-use only area. One of the Columbia River’s finest fishing and windsurfing sites. Features a covered picnic shelter, play-ground equipment, gazebo, a horseshoe pit and volleyball courts.

11. SCAPONIA PARK

22870 Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy., Scappoose. Recreational area featuring a 7-acre nature park and 12 tent sites.

12. SCAPPOOSE R.V. PARK

34038 N Honeyman Road, Scappoose. A comfortable, shaded view of this growing rural airport makes the Scappoose R.V. Park a unique spot for picnicking or camping at one of the 6 RV sites.

1054 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 Phone 503-397-2353 • Fax: 503-397-7215 Reservations: 503-366-3984 45

wahkiakum county

A couple of charming towns — and a historic bridge — line the road west to the beach from Longview. Cathlamet seems like a small town of 50 years ago, and Skamokawa focuses on the Columbia River. In between them sprawls a wildlife refuge with deer, elk and birds. Ride a ferry, rent a kayak, trek through this small county on a bike and relive history along the lower Columbia through the vibrant communities. SKAMOKAWA Skamokawa packs a lot of tourist destinations into its tiny size. Pronounced “Skah-MOCKaway,” the riverside village is a National Historical District. The River Life Interpretive Center, an imposing structure built in 1894 as a school, towers above the highway. On the ground floor of what’s also called Redmen Hall is a gift shop and gallery, which is open noon-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. It features exhibits of art with a local flavor. The second floor houses exhibits showing the area’s history. Drive a couple of blocks down Steamboat Slough Road to look at Lurline Hall, a nicely restored 1911 building on pilings that was once a steamboat landing. It isn’t open to the public. Skamokawa also is the site of the 28-acre Vista Park on the Columbia River, which offers fishing, picnicking, boating and beachcombing. The park also includes tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, walking paths, a large playing field, 35 campsites and five yurts — circular, domed tents on platforms with enough space for a family to camp inside. For information on reserving a campsite there, call 360-795-8605 or see vistapark.wordpress. com. For further information on Cathlamet and Skamokawa, call the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce at 360-795-9996 or visit www. WahkiakumChamber.com GRAYS RIVER The community of Grays River in western Wahkiakum County has just a couple of stores, though its most famous feature is a short detour off the highway. The community’s historical claim to fame is a covered bridge built in 1905. The 158-foot-long bridge is the last such structure on a public roadway in the state. Originally built at a cost of $2,700, it went through a major renovation in 1989. Drive across its wood plank deck and imagine you’re in a horse-drawn buggy. The bridge is accessed by Loop Road.

CATHLAMET The town of Cathlamet still has an authentic ambiance, a place where people work with tools and fishing tackle. Here, visitors can savor the flavor of an America before strip malls and fastfood chains jammed the landscape. Cathlamet, pronounced “cath-LA-met,” is 20 miles west of Longview on Ocean Beach Highway (SR4). The town has about 550 inhabitants. Stop at the visitor information center at the corner of Broadway and River streets. Pick up the Historic Tour Guide and set out on foot or in your car. The guide will steer you to houses that date to the 1860s. Nearby is the 1884 Pioneer Church, the steeple of which is a town landmark. Stroll down Broadway to a viewing area of the Columbia River — tugboats may be docked nearby. Walk the waterfront trail from the museum to the marina, which can be jammed when salmon fishing or sturgeon fishing is good in the Columbia. A block away, check out the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum, which holds a good display of Americana from the past century, with an emphasis on local livelihoods — fishing, logging and farming.

PUGET ISLAND After exploring Cathlamet by foot, drive out Main Street, which becomes Highway 409, and continue across the curving bridge span to Puget Island. It’s a flatland of dairy farms, tidy houses with Scandinavian names on the mailboxes and boathouses perched on the sloughs. The highway passes the Puget Island Grange, dedicated in 1928, on the left. It’s 3 miles to the Puget Island ferry, the last ferry on the lower Columbia. It runs back and forth between Puget Island and Westport on the Oregon side. The 12-minute ride costs $5 per car — a cheap river cruise. Ferries normally run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Other roads on Puget Island make it an excellent place for bicycling. They’re flat and there’s little traffic. It’s about 20 miles all the way around.

Clockwise from top left: Celebrate Bald Eagle Days in Cathlamet this year on July 20-21. Kayakers paddle through one of the many waterways in Wahkiakum County. Take a quick detour off the highway to see the Grays River covered bridge. Longboard races return to Cathlamet this summer on Aug. 23-25 and the Buzzard’s Breath Chili Cook-off (above) takes place on Aug. 31 in Cathlamet.

astoria

202 years young Astoria can boast that it’s the only American town west of the Rockies old enough to celebrate its 200th birthday. That’s what the town did in 2011. Any year, however, sightseeing opportunities abound. Historical Victorian houses dot the treed hillsides, which allow breathtaking vistas of this northwest Oregon town situated on the broad Columbia River a few miles upstream of its mouth. Visitor’s guides, a walking tour for shopping and dining, and a driving map of 55 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are at the visitor center at 111 W. Marine Dr. www.oldoregon.com or 503-325-6311. ready, set, action! The area’s charm has attracted the eye of Hollywood. “The Goonies,” “Come See the Paradise,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “Free Willy” and “Short Circuit” are a few of the films shot in Astoria. The visitor center sells lists of all the movies filmed there, with tips on visit the filming locations. Or visit the Oregon Film Museum in the former county jail, at the corner of 7th and Duane streets. The jail was featured in the opening scenes of “The Goonies.” The museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer. Admission costs $4 for adults and $2 for children (ages 6-17). For more information, call 503-325-2203 or see www.oregonfilmmuseum.org Columbia River Maritime Museum Permanent exhibits include a retired Coast Guard rescue boat and light ship as well as fishing boats. Current temporary exhibits range from the perilous Columbia River bar to Envisioning the World: The First Printed Maps, 1472-1700. The museum is at 1792 Marine Drive; open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors and $5 per child ages 6-17. www.crmm.org

ForT cLATSoP Get a feel for what Lewis and Clark Expedition members endured the winter of 1805-06 at Fort Clatsop. The Fort Clatsop National Memorial a few miles west of Astoria includes a reconstructed fort, a visitor center/museum, historical exhibits, canoe landing and a picnic area joined by trails through the wetlands and rainforests. The fort is at 9 343 Fort Clatsop Rd. Open daily. Summer hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; winter hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults and free to children 5 and younger. www.nps.gov/lewi/

DISCOVER

Historic

Oregon’s spectacular North Coast where WKH &ROXPELD ÀRZV LQWR WKH 3DFL¿F

ATTrAcTionS Flavel house mansion: George Flavel, a river bar pilot who became one of Astoria' s richest men, built the ,600-square-foot mansion at 8th and Duane in 885. Open 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $ kids. heritage museum: The Heritage Museum at 6th and Exchange is operated by the Clatsop County Historical Society. Exhibits focus on the Germans, Swedes, Finns, Norwegians, Danes, Chinese, Serbs, Croats and others who contributed to Astoria' s history. Open 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $3 adults, $ seniors, $ kids. movies: The Goonies house is at 368 38th Street at Duane. Fans are asked to walk, not drive, up the gravel driveway.

Trolley: Anywhere between Basin and 36th streets, catch a riverfront trolley ride for $ . birding: Shorebirds and land birds make migratory stops in Astoria. Each season offers a slice of the 356 recorded species. A complete list of species (plus more info) can be found at birdnotes.net. Swim: Escape the rain and take a dip at the indoor Astoria Aquatic Center at 997 Marine Drive, 503-3 5-70 7. Features include the main pool, recreation pool, spa pool and kiddies' pool, as well as a water slide and lazy river. A family day pass is $ . www.astoriaparks.com/aquatic_center.html

2012 Danish Music Awards Winner for Best Instrumentalist & Folk Album of the Year

360˚ viEW To get an unmatched panoramic view (top left) of the mouth of the Columbia River, climb the 5-foot-tall Astoria Column. Sitting atop Coxcomb Hill, this easyto-get-to attraction offers a spectacular view of the city, as well as the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains and forests. Climb the column' s 64 steps to get to the top of this landmark, built in 9 6 to commemorate Astoria' s explorers and early settlers. Follow signs up 6th or 4th streets. The column is open dawn to dusk. A $ per car donation is requested.

Harald Haurgaard with singer & musician

Helene Blum

125 feet

46th Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival June 21-23, 2013

Clatsop County Fairgrounds-Astoria Oregon USA 3 days of exciting Live Musical Entertainment, Dancing and Theater on two stages! Visit our website for a complete schedule of events.

Bring the Family. Come for the Weekend. Join the fun! astoriascanfest.com Like us on Facebook

washington coast Whether it’s for a day or longer, visitors can soak up the rays on acres of sandy beaches, hike to spectacular vistas, dig for clams, venture out to sea to fish or relax in quaint seaside towns. But wherever adventure leads, don’t forget your camera. THE BEACH Long Beach Peninsula’s beach stretches for 28 miles and is one of the longest continuous sandy beaches in North America, and there’s public access every few miles. The Long Beach Boardwalk is a short walk from most places in downtown. The elevated boardwalk is nearly a half-mile long and features interpretive displays, sitting areas and great views. Most of the beach is open to motorized vehicles. Exceptions are the far northern tip, which is closed year-round, except during clam-digging seasons. During summer months, 1.4 miles of the beach are closed to vehicles, between Seaview and the Bolstad access in Long Beach. CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT One of Washington’s most popular state parks, Cape Disappointment covers nearly 2,000 acres with a variety of campsites and picnic areas that provide dramatic views of the ocean and the Columbia River Estuary. Visitors also can explore bunkers of an old military fort, hike to the Cape Disappointment and North Head lighthouses, wander through coastal forests, view wildlife from the North Jetty, explore Beard’s Hollow or Waikiki Beach, or visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, described below. The park is 2 miles southwest of Ilwaco on Loop 101. A Discover Pass is required, www.parks.wa.gov LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER The best museum to learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition in these parts is the interpretive center that bears the explorers’ names. Perched upon a cliff, on top of two gun emplacements that once guarded the Columbia River’s mouth, is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment. The center allows visitors to relive the 1804-06 journey of The Corps of Discovery on a self-guided walk through displays, paintings, artifacts, photographs and entries from the original journals. The center is open daily year round, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults and seniors, and $1 for children ages 7-17. For more information, call 360-642-3029 or go to www.parks. wa.gov/stewardship/lewisandclarkcenter/ 50

Bring Coupon for $10 OFF

CoHo Charters CoHo Charters AND MOTEL “The Fish Finders” SALMON STURGEON

Trips starting at $105 + Tax May through September

Beautiful Boats Experienced Skippers

Best Sturgeon & Salmon Fishing

454476

all “One C It s e o D All”

Charter Fishing Since 1956 PO Box 268, Ilwaco, WA 98624 www.cohocharters.com

1-800-339-2646

washington coast FORT COLUMBIA Built to defend the Columbia River from 1896 to 1947, Fort Columbia near Chinook was fully manned and operational through three wars. Today, visitors will find picnic areas, hiking trails and historical buildings at the state park. Peer into the innards of the massive gun emplacements. You can even stay overnight in one of the heritage houses. Hours vary in the summer and winter. A state parks Discover Pass is required. www.capedisappointment.org ILWACO The vintage fishing village of Ilwaco, with its busy marina for commercial and pleasure boats, dates back to the 1880s. Its port is nestled just inside the Columbia River bar. The Port of Ilwaco is a real working fishing village. Several charter boat companies offer trips into the lower Columbia River and out to the ocean to catch salmon and sturgeon. Guest moorage is available year-round. The marina waterfront draws visitors for its restaurants, gift shops, galleries, retail seafood outlets, coffee shops and bookstore. HERITAGE MUSEUM The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, 115 S.E. Lake St. in Ilwaco, celebrates the history and culture of Southwest Pacific County and the mouth of the Columbia River. The museum has a room of exhibits about the Chinook Indian tribe, including a traditional dugout canoe. Explore a pioneer village and learn about fishing, logging and cranberry farming. And there’s a replica of a town street, circa 1915, with barbershop, bar and church, as well as a fun video that tells the story of a Frenchman who rowed his 26-foot boat across the Pacific Ocean in 1991, landing in Ilwaco. This year, there’s a special exhibit through August on the 125th anniversary of the “Clamshell Railroad,” which once ran along the beach. Call the museum at 360-642-3446 for more information. columbiapacificheritagemuseum.org SEAVIEW Heading north from Ilwaco, you might stop at Black Lake in Seaview, where you can follow a gentle path along the shoreline or spot a winter population of trumpeter swans. Seaview, considered one the best examples of early coastal communities in the Northwest, was founded in 1881 and quickly became the playground for wealthy vacationers from Portland. The fine houses and cottages lining its lanes provide a nice place to walk or bike. There’s a pocket of antique shops and malls, plus fine cuisine at the Shoalwater Restaurant. 52

LONG BEACH Long Beach is the commercial hub of the Peninsula. That’s where you’ll find arcades and go-carts, along with restaurants, galleries, kite shops, upscale gift shops, bakeries and bookstores and great, as well as long, beaches. One of the betterknown attractions is Jake the Alligator Man, who resides in a glass case at Marsh’s Free Museum, actually an offbeat store. Jake appears to be a small mummified human from the waist up and a gator in his lower extremities. We’ll let you be the judge. CRANBERRIES The Cranberry Museum in Long Beach spotlights the history and methods of cranberry farming, which has been around for more than 100 years in Southwest Washington. Take a self-guided tour through the museum’s 10-acre demonstration cranberry farm, or shop for cranberry treats in the gift shop. Peak growing season is mid-September through harvest in early to mid-October. You’ll want to see the crimson bogs during harvest time. The museum is at 2907 Pioneer Road, Long Beach. Call the museum at 360-642-5553 for more information, or go to www.cranberrymuseum.com

Ocean Park Area SW Washington’s Beach & Bay If you are looking for a weekend close to nature, activities that the entire family will never forget, festivals or events nearly every weekend of the year, beautiful scenery, historic landmarks, walking trails, and seafood that can’t get any fresher, then treat yourself to SW Washington’s Ocean Park Area. Discover the history, festivals, food and wildlife that made the region where the Columbia 5LYHU PHHWV WKH 3DFL¿F IDPRXV +HDG WR the coast! The Ocean Park Area awaits!

2013 Local Events • World’s Longest Garage Sale May 24-27 • Annual NW Garlic Festival Jun 15 & 16 • Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade - Jul 4 • Art in the Park - Jul 4 • PAA Starving Artist’s Sale - Jul 6 • Music in the Gardens - Jul 20 • Jazz & Oysters - Aug 18 • Labor Day Book Sale - Aug 31-Sep 2 &RPPXQLW\ %RQ¿UH %HDFK Approach - Aug 31 • Rod Run to the End of the World Sep 7 & 8 • PAA Annual Fall Art Show October 11 - 14 • Water Music Festival - October 11-12 • PAA Studio Art Tour November 29 & 30

Learn more about us at www.opwa.com/html/app5.html or call us toll free (888) 751-9354

454416

Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce

washington coast OCEAN PARK Heading north from Long Beach, you’ll want to stop in Ocean Park, home of the annual Northwest Garlic Festival, which is June 15-16 this year. Originally founded as a Christian revival center, Ocean Park has grown into a full-service seaside community that welcomes some 10,000 seasonal residents each summer. Before your visit, make sure you go to www.opwa.com and print out the Ocean Park Area Walking Tour, which takes visitors past local landmarks and historical buildings. Among the highlights of the tour is The Wreckage, a home built in 1912 largely from materials salvaged from the beach. The home is now on the National Register of Historic Places. NAHCOTTA Nahcotta is a small fishing town on the Willapa Bay side of the Peninsula. For a beautiful view of the bay and Long Island, explore the Nahcotta Tidelands Interpretive Site. More history and information about the shellfish, wildlife and plants of the Willapa Bay ecosystem can be found at the nearby Willapa Bay Interpretive Center in Ocean Park. The center, a replica of an oyster station house, celebrates the history of oyster growing in Willapa Bay. Call 360-665-4547 for more information. OYSTERVILLE North of Nahcotta is Oysterville, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Homes here date to 1863 and grace tree-lined streets. The 1892 church is open to the public. Oysterville boasts the state’s oldest operating post office — and likely the smallest. It’s at the Oysterville Store, a combination grocery/souvenir/bookstore. LEADBETTER POINT STATE PARK Located on the tip of the Long Beach Peninsula is Leadbetter Point State Park, which separates Willapa Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Leadbetter Point borders the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Tens of thousands of shorebirds feed and rest here during spring and fall migration peaks. Here, visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, bird watching and clamming. State Route 103 ends at Leadbetter Point State Park. www.parks.wa.gov 54

Your to-do list c a

c a

Go cLAm diGGinG Clam diggers flock to the Long Beach Peninsula and other coast beaches during digs, which are held about eight weekends per year. Every dig is contingent on acceptable levels of domoic acid, which causes illness to people who eat affected clams. For updated information, call the Department of Fish and Wildlife hotline at 360-6966 ext. 0 0. The agency' s website: wdfw.wa.gov Go FLy A kiTE In addition to miles of beaches to lauch your kite, Long beach boasts the only kite museum in north America. The World Kite Museum features fantastic kites from around the world and throughout history. The museum boasts a collection of more than ,500 kites, including the most complete collection of Japanese kites outside Japan. 303 Sid Snyder Dr., Long Beach. Open a.m. to 5 p.m. daily May through September. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children. Call 360-64 -40 0 for more information, or go to www.worldkitemuseum.com hiT ThE diScovEry TrAiL This 8.5-mile path through coastal forest and sand dunes is 8-feet-wide and open for walkers and bicycle riders; nearly all of it is paved. It follows the route William Clark and 0 members of his expedition likely followed in 805. Plaques and sculptures along the route provide bits of Lewis and Clark history. Jump on the trail at any point between Ilwaco and Long Beach. For a map of the Discovery Trail, visit: funbeach.com/local-attractions

Pacific Salmon Charters

“Fish with the Friendly Fleet”

Discover some of the World’s Best Fishing . . . • Salmon • Halibut • Sturgeon • Tuna • Bottom Fish • Bait and Tackle Furnished

coupon

Salmon or Sturgeon FiShing

KIDS 1/2 Price

16 & under With coupon With Adult & Good Mon. - Thurs. Call for Reservations Good Thru July 31, 2013

Call Early For Reservations TOLL FREE

1-800-831-2695 PO BOX 519 ILWACO, WA 98624 On the Long Beach Peninsula www.pacificsalmoncharters.com

oregon coast

Highway 101 meanders along the rugged coastline through bustling coastal towns between sea cliffs, beaches and sea stacks. From Astoria, 101 stretches south past Seaside, Cannon Beach and Tillamook to Lincoln City and beyond. Don’t miss hiking a network of trails, exploring hidden tide pools and visiting iconic lighthouses. CANNON BEACH High-end art galleries, cozy bookstores and refined shops make this one of the more sophisticated stops along the Oregon Coast. Nestled between the mountains and the Pacific, Cannon Beach is on the cusp of Tolovana State Park to the south and about a 10-minute drive from the town of Seaside to the north. Cannon Beach’s best-known natural feature is Haystack Rock, a monolithic mound of basalt, and the lesser known “Needles” formation that surrounds it. Tufted puffins breed during summer months at the 235-foot-tall sea stack. Jewel-colored starfish, delicate anemone and various crustaceans and bivalves can be seen at low tide. You can rent bikes, surf boards and wetsuits. You can even charter a helicopter. Back in town, the streets are lined with businesses ranging from art galleries to candy stores and kite shops. Food fare ranges from family friendly seafood joints to fancier bistros. www.cannonbeach.org SEASIDE If a little more action is what you and your clan desire, head north to Seaside. Nine miles separate quiet Cannon Beach from carnival-like Seaside. A four-block area along the west end of Broadway bustles with Pronto Pups, caramel corn, bumper cars, a Tilt-a-Whirl, carousel and arcade. The Prom, a broad sidewalk paralleling the beach for 1.5 miles, is a great place to take a stroll without getting your feet wet. Businesses offer beach activities, including rentals of surreys, motor scooters, bicycles, skates, boogie boards and kayaks. Barking seals are eager to catch fish you buy and toss to them at the Seaside Aquarium. Walk north on the beach to the mouth of the Necanicum River to escape the crowds. Shoppers like to hit up the Seaside Factory Outlet Center, just east of Highway 101. It features 30 nationally known manufacturers and the largest wine shop on the north Oregon coast. An antique mall at the corner of Broadway and Holladay is home to nearly 100 year-round vendors. www.seasideor.com 57

oregon coast LincoLn ciTy With 7,500 permanent residents, Lincoln City is one of the larger towns on the Oregon Coast. Along with plenty of beach access and shopping, Lincoln City also offers the Chinook Winds Casino and the upscale Salishan Resort. There' s also a glass art studio. Lincoln City is 95 miles south of Cannon Beach. From Southwest Washington, the quickest way to get there is head south on I-5 to Portland, then southwest on Highway 8. www.oregoncoast.org hiGhWAy 101 So you want to keep cruising down the coast on Highway 0 ? For more information about fun destinations south of Lincoln City, check out visittheoregoncoast.com

STrAiGhT From ThE crEAmEry The Tillamook County Creamery is a popular place to stop for lunch or at least an old-fashioned, ice cream milkshake. Here, one also can tour the factory where the company makes its famous cheese. The creamery is a dairy co-operative in Tillamook on U.S. 0 , about an hour' s drive south of Seaside. The factory hosts more than a million tourists each year. Visitors watch the production of cheese from a viewing gallery over the main production floor and taste-test a variety of their creations.

white pass Highway 12 through eastern Lewis County is sometimes called the White Pass Scenic Byway. The major twolane route indeed leads over that mountain pass — but there’s plenty to see and do on the way there. Here are some suggestions for stops along the way — or make them a destination. Riffe Lake At 606 feet high, Mossyrock Dam is the tallest in Washington. Riffe Lake, the impoundment behind the dam, stretches for 23 miles, with several public parks and boat launches maintained by Tacoma Public Utilities. For a quick look at the top of the dam, stop at the parking lot just off Highway 12, 23 miles east of I-5. A concrete fishing pier, complete with rod holders, hugs the cliff, and people reel in several species of fish. A full-fledged park, Mossyrock Park, is on the other side of the reservoir, accessed through the town of Mossyrock. The 640-acre park has a 152-site campground and a swimming area. www.mytpu.org/ tacomapower/parks-rec/mossyrock-park.htm Mayfield Lake You’ re never far from water at Ike Kinswa State Park, which hugs the shoreline of Mayfield Lake where the Tilton and Cowlitz rivers flow into it. The 454-acre park has almost 9 miles of waterfront. Some of the park’s 103 campsites are dispersed amid trees along the lake, and the park has five cabins that can be reserved. The day-use area has a swimming beach and a grassy picnic area. To reach the park, drive 14 miles on Highway 12 from I-5, then north onto Silver Creek Road. Go 1.9 miles to the “Y”-intersection, then continue on Harmony Road east for 1.6 miles to the park. A Discover Pass, available at the park, is required. www.parks.wa.gov/parks Lake Scanewa This 610-acre reservoir was created in 1994 when Cowlitz Falls Dam was completed. The U-shaped lake extends 10.5 miles up the Cowlitz River and 1.5 miles up the Cispus River. The wide part is the location of Scanewa’s Day Use Park, which has picnic tables, a boat ramp with dock and a swimming area. In fall, the area is regularly stocked with surplus salmon, and it gets trout, too. The 110-acre, 100-site campground is about 5 miles upstream on the Cowlitz, where the reservoir looks like a river. Across the river, bluffs tower more than 1,000 feet. The park is about 46 miles east of I-5 off of Highway 12. Turn on Savio Road and follow the signs. www.lcpud.org/recreation.html 60

Taidnapam Park This park at the eastern end of Riffe Lake provides another place to camp. The campground was greatly expanded in 2009 to 163 pleasant sites in the trees, ranging from walk-in tent sites to full hookups. There’s also an impressive fishing bridge over the Cowlitz River where it flows into Riffe. The wheelchair-accessible bridge attracts anglers from afar, who try their luck for the lake’s coho. To reach the park, take Highway 12 for approximately 37 miles from I-5. Turn right on Kosmos Road, then left onto Champion Haul Road. Drive 4 miles to the park entrance. On the way to the park in summer, you may see paragliders floating overhead; they launch from Peterman Ridge. Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery The two hatcheries on the Cowlitz River are only a few miles off Highway 12, and not far out of the way if you’re approaching from the south, through Toledo. The Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery, which is the largest hatchery in Washington, received $30 million worth of improvements, from water heaters to shiny new fish-spawning trays, in 2012. Every year, about 100,000 adult fish return to the hatchery. In the visitor center, people can get a fish-eye view of the spawning procedure from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. A popular fishing area is just downstream. The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery at Blue Creek 5 miles downstream is popular with anglers but doesn’t have as elaborate a visitor center. To reach the salmon hatchery, go east on Highway from I-5 for about 12 miles, then turn right onto Fuller Road. Continue until the “T” intersection and turn left on Spencer Road. Stay right at the “Y.” packwood The area around Packwood and White Pass contains dozens of opportunities for hiking. One of the easier ones is the 4 1/2 mile trail to lovely Packwood Lake. It’s at a relatively low elevation so it’s snow-free much of the year. The lake is 2 miles long and half a mile wide; peaks tower above its upper end. It has campsites and an old ranger station (but no longer a general store). Trail No. 78 is open to hikers and horseback riders only. The nearby Pipeline Road Trail also is open to ATVs and mountain bikes. To reach either, take Snyder Road (Forest Road 1260) from the town of Packwood 6 miles to the trailhead.

Top row: Mayfield Lake; Lake Scanewa. Middle: a fisherman trolls in search of coho salmon in Lake Scanewa. Bottom row: An angler shows off his catch just below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery; the fishing bridge over the Cowlitz River where it flows into Riffe Lake; and fishing at Lake Scanewa. 61

columbia gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a scenic wonder, with peaks towering as much as 5,000 feet above the river. It’s also flowing with tourist attractions, from windsurfing to wine-tasting. HOOD RIVER This vibrant town has become a mecca for all things outdoors. In summer, the windy reaches of the Columbia River off Hood River attract windsurfers from around the world. In fall, the nearby orchards of the Hood River Valley sell fruit by the bushel. In winter, downhill and cross-country skiing areas are less than an hour’s drive away. And hiking trails and fishing are available year-round. The town itself is well-supplied with trendy eateries. Park along the main street, Oak Street, and explore. At one end is the Hood River Hotel, a renovated 100-year-old structure with fine dining and elegant, though cozy rooms. Oak Street also has a brewery and fly-fishing shop. Down at the waterfront, park and watch the windsurfers. Beginners can sign up for a lesson from one of the town’s shops. hoodriver.org Bonneville Dam Bonneville Dam was the first dam built on the lower Columbia River, and it’s still the most impressive one. The original structure was finished in 1938 and a second powerhouse was added in 1981. The two powerhouses, connected by islands and a spillway, together are about 1 mile long. It isn’t possible for the public to drive all the way across the dams; there’s more to see and do on the Oregon side. The Corps of Engineers operates a visitor center that explains the dam’s history and power generation. And in fall, you can see hundreds of salmon swimming up the fish ladder. Don’t overlook the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s tourist-oriented Bonneville Hatchery. One of its claims to fame is “Herman the Sturgeon,” a huge fish in a tank. One the Oregon side, anglers can fish from Robins and Bradford Islands. The Second Powerhouse on the Washington side of the river has its own visitor center and bank fishing below the dam. Walking trails extend through Hamilton Island, which is accessible from the Washington side. www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/ ColumbiaRiver/Bonneville.aspx

Try these easy hikes c a

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is a 4.6-mile-long section of the old highway now closed to motorized vehicles. It’s a good place for a family bicycling trip, and popular with hikers, too. The trail between Hood River, Ore., and Mosier, Ore., includes two tunnels, 288 and 88 feet long. The Hood River end of the trail has a visitor center.

c a

This 3.5 mile segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Tooth Rock and Cascade Locks has an oft-changing personality. The western end starts at the Tooth Rock Trailhead, just off I-84 Exit 40. Half a mile away is the Tooth Rock viaduct, which traverses a cliff. From the parking lot, the old Moffett Creek Bridge is 1.3 miles the other direction. The 1915 structure was an engineering marvel when built. www.oregonstateparks. org/park_155.php

Cascade Locks The town of Cascade Locks may be best-known as the location of the Bridge of the Gods, a narrow steel structure that’s the only bridge across the Columbia River for miles. But don’t over look the town’s Marine Park a few blocks to the east, where there’s a nice snack bar on the water. The park features a nice grassy island, accessible by a foot/bike bridge. Cascade Locks is at Exit 44 of I-84. MARYHILL MUSEUM OF ART It may seem odd to find a worldclass collection of Rodin sculpture in the remote reaches of the Gorge, but consider the museum’s history. The wealthy and eccentric Samuel Hill built the castle-like structure as his home, but it was dedicated as a museum in 1926, with a visit by the queen of Romania. Today the museum houses 87 Rodins, 100 chess sets, Orthodox icons, paintings and Native American art. Maryhill is open March 15 through Nov. 15. 509-773-3733, www.maryhillmuseum.org STONEHENGE Another eastern Gorge oddity is the full-scale model of the Neolithic monument in England. Unlike the original, this one’s made of concrete. Stonehill, also built by Samuel Hill, is 3 miles east of the Maryhill museum.

c a

The upper portion of Columbia Hills State Park and adjacent Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve are two of the best places for eastern Gorge flowerwatching. Arrow-leaf balsamroot, a showy yellow flower that grows more than 2 feet tall, provides the waves of color. The area is about 8 miles east of The Dalles. www.parks.wa.gov

c a

Coyote Wall/Catherine Creek is a dramatic geological oddity that forms a giant, 2-mile-long step on the Washington side of the Gorge. Below the wall are oak and pine woods; atop the 200-foot-tall cliff are miles of open, rolling meadow. The area is contiguous with the Catherine Creek area, which has trails more popular with walkers.

c a

Multnomah Falls, a 620-foot-tall cascade, is the most popular tourist attraction in Oregon. Most people stroll a few yards to the base of the falls, but a network of trails switchbacks up the hill and connects with other nearby falls. www.fs.usda. gov/main/crgnsa/ home

COLUMBIA GORGE DISCOVERY CENTER This museum in The Dalles is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Exhibits include the history of Celilo Falls and the tribes of the area, Wasco County pioneers, the grain and fishery economies of the Gorge and its geology. These exhibits have dioramas with sound effects, video components and expert murals, including a bird’seye view of the loop in the river, the Dalles Dam and Mount Adams. 541296-8600 or www.gorgediscovery.org

Clockwise from top left: Punchbowl Falls is one of the many world-class waterfalls on Eagle Creek in Oregon. Maryhill Museum of Art overlooks the Columbia Gorge. Windsurfers play in the Columbia River at Hood River under the watchful eye of Mount Hood. Stonehill is a Stonehenge replica in the Gorge. One of a myriad of hikes with breathtaking views of the iconic Gorge.

To Tacoma and Seattle

Leadbetter Point State Park Oysterville Ocean Park

Winlock

Nahcotta

Toledo

PACIFIC COUNTY Vader

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY Long Beach Seaview

Naselle

Ilwaco 101

Rosburg Knappton Chinook

Castle Rock

Skamokawa

5 Astoria Warrenton

Knappa

Longview Westport

Kelso Clatskanie

Rainier Seaside

Kalama

CLATSOP COUNTY 47

COLUMBIA COUNTY 5

202

Deer Island

202

St. Helens

Cannon Beach

47 26

Scappoose To Portland

To White Pass

Mossyrock

Randle

25 76

LEWIS COUNTY

Tou tl

Coldwater Spirit Lake Lake

504 e Ri v

Toutle

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Silver Lake

COWLITZ COUNTY

Mount St. Helens

Cougar Yale Lake

Lake Merwin

Mount St. Helens NVM Adminstrative District

503

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

Swift Reservoir

Yacolt

Mount Adams Ranger District

Woodland

CLARK COUNTY La Center

SKAMANIA COUNTY

RidgeďŹ eld Battle Ground To Vancouver, Portland and the Columbia Gorge 65

your columbia view

From whichever direction you look within the Lower Columbia region, the views are outstanding. From Mount St. Helens and its harsh but beautiful landscape to the ocean seascapes featuring miles of flat, sandy beaches and towering cliffs topped by solid lighthouses, the Lower Columbia region offers memories of a lifetime. Follow the route of Lewis and Clark, who spent the winter of 1805-06 near Astoria, Ore. Drive west along the broad Columbia River, which meets the Pacific Ocean near towns fresh with sea breeze that have become tourist destinations. Or venture upstream along the Columbia through its magnificent gorge, which abounds in hiking and tourist attractions. The regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small towns offer their own delights, and most put on family oriented festivals during the summer. Whatever direction you choose, may your views of the Columbia region be memorable.

Welcome Home...

• Visit tdn.com • Click on Homes • Search local real estate offices in one convenient location!

454495

Finding a home has never been easier!

It’s Easy!

Agents call 577-2554 today to get listed! m.tdn.com

anytime. anywhere.