Archives for category: Road Trip

Rainy as I drove in. That stopped for a short time, then started back up.

Was out there years ago during decent weather:

Working Waterfront – Ilwaco

Working Waterfront – Ilwaco

 

Above: Around the house.

Below:

A friendly NW Pub




Stopped in with my dog. We both sat in a booth. Great food, coffee cup kept full , waitress went above and beyond.”

Possibly of interest-

Blog category:

Happy Hours – Out and about with dogs in the PNW.

 

When the time is right, the top of Mount Rainier is visible from this cam:

Westport – coastal weather cam here.

 

Rainy as I drove in. That stopped for a short time, then started back up.

Was out there years ago during decent weather:

Working Waterfront – Ilwaco

Working Waterfront – Ilwaco

 

 

Away from the trees –

A Sunny View From La Poel

 

Same visit:

Kalaloch

 

 

From a distance:

Ruby Beach preview-

 

Note: 1970s/Cousin Eddie style six pack ring.


These are not often seen today due to environmental concerns. We like to act on those concerns:

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

 

“In 1983, Pabst purchased Olympia—along with Hamm’s. It was at this time that the Saint Paul flagship brewery was traded to the Stroh Brewing Company; Stroh’s continued to operate the brewery until 1997. When it closed, the operation ended a 137-year brewing tradition on the site.”

Source/link and extensive history here.

Leave your cares behind:

Having some fun with it:

As reported in the past, Oak Bay Starfish now comes to you from an area where beer selection is limited.

Blogged about it here:

WA Beer Availability Report

And here:

Road Trip & Beer Availability Report

Grays Harbor Beer Availability Report

Beer Availability Report – Washington Coast

We can offer a few ideas for places to check in Kitsap County:

A good selection beers is available at the Silverdale, WA BevMo! store.

Also try:

WinCo Foods – Silverdale #169 , Store Number 169

Poulsbo Central Market

 

Possibly of interest:

The best beers are the ones you enjoy most

Green/Clear Beer Bottle Myths?

Beer

 

From a distance:

Ruby Beach preview-

 

Out on Tuesday to take a look. It was foggy at Ruby Beach a bit earlier.

Some excellent La Poel history here. Also, here.

An extensive collection of historical Lake Crescent photos has been posted by Washington Rural Heritage.

 

Kalaloch South Beach

From 2015

Kalaloch South Beach

 

Ruby Beach

 

Photo above: Jan 1st, 2024 – We are on the observation tower and looking out to Westport Jetty. We walked on the beach out to the base of the jetty and looked for surfers. A really nice beach walk.

Stayed over on Monday night and left without a treasured pillow from home. Too far down the road to turn back, my wife called and spoke with Denise at the office. She understood the situation and said they would have the pillow brought over to the office and placed in lost and found. We went back on Thursday to pick up the pillow. They had carefully set it aside with a very complete note identifying the owner and when and where we left it. Denise and staff were very kind and took great care of this situation for us.

We have been out to stay several times at Westport Marina Cottages. Personal blog/review here. Frank Hotels web page here.

Frank Hotels also operates WESTPORT INN. We have not stayed there yet. We arrived at the office there to pick up the pillow. The property looks very tidy and well maintained.

 

From the observation tower – When the time is right, the top of Mount Rainier is visible from this cam:

Westport – live cam here.

 

I live in the western part of Washington State. A recently ordered item seems to have stated out here, then made a trip to Connecticut, then on to Maryland, then back to Washington State.

 

This one looks to be from a trip out to Ruby Beach and beyond in April of 2013.

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Most likely on the same outing:

Ruby Beach

The Pacific Coast at Ruby Beach

Another page:

The Pacific Coast at Ruby Beach

Same trip?

Ocean Shores, WA

 


Washington Coast – The North Beach

Two years back – The truck that spent some time near the Intracoastal Waterway of North Carolina arrives on the Pacific Coast. No crowds on this summer day.

Canoe below was purchased in N.C. in the early 90s. Enjoyed using it in fresh and saltwater in N.C.

Launching at Hood Canal/Twin Spits

Two from Rat Island/Kilisut Harbor


Camping at Fort Flagler in 2000. Patriotic before it was popular.


Canoe traveled on top from N. Carolina to San Diego County, where it was used again in fresh and salt water.

Truck travels here:

400,000 Mile Club – Trivia Report

 

Photo above:

Stopped at Hood Canal one morning. On our way to the Pacific Coast.

Gipsy Kings – A Mi Manera

 

McCleary, Washington

 

Monday, Sept. 19th – Ruby Beach

 

Monday – Ruby Beach

 

From a bit north of Hood Head. A late summer (9/18/22) look across Hood Canal at Mount Constance with little snow.

 

From Ruby Beach

Local info:

Destruction Island Light shines for the first time on January 1, 1892.

By William S. Hanable

Here is an old photo I just found. Not sure when we made this visit:

 

Monday – Ruby Beach

 

In a recent blog, we shared about German beers being hard to find in Grays Harbor County.

Just back now from a road trip to Kitsap County. Happy to report that a good selection of German beers are available at the Silverdale, WA BevMo! store. Friendly staff too!

Dining out report:

We enjoyed dining out before COVID and have had mixed experiences since restrictions were lifted.

Happy to report that we found a nice Thai restaurant on our trip.

Quiet, uncrowded, nice atmosphere, attentive/good service and really enjoyed the food. We would try to dine out more if this was the sort of experience we could expect.

Chili Thai

10404 Silverdale Way NW.

Ste#E-102

Silverdale, WA 98383

 

Back home.

It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.

The WWII generation did a better job of running a modern society.

Nothing new about highway rest stops. They have been around for a long time now.

 

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington closes several rest areas along Interstate 5 indefinitely due to vandalism, trash

“Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the long-term closure of several rest areas between Everett and the Canadian border this week due to vandalism and ongoing maintenance issues.”

Long-term closure? No chance for a quick cleanup, ongoing State Patrol enforcement, maintenance & volunteer groups to keep rest stops cleaned up and ready to go?

49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.

These are federal highways. Publicly funded highway safety facilities will be shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?

“…some visitors have not been using the facilities for their intended purpose…”

Living at rest stops, illegal dumping, littering, vandalism and verbal threats against employees will keep gasoline tanker truck and HAZMAT transport operators from stopping to take a break for safety?

 

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Times

Five I-5 rest areas to close in Snohomish and Whatcom counties over trash, vandalism

“…another Snohomish County traveler mentioned filthy conditions in August, including sewage around the crowded RV waste-disposal areas, and suggested tighter State Patrol enforcement.”

A large number of comments follow the article.

From comments:

Also not mentioned is the fact that the state has a law enforcement agency responsible for policing the state and interstate freeways, including rest stops. Where is the WSP in this issue?

 

Oct 15, 2021 KING 5 News video:

Several rest areas along I-5 closed in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties

 

Misbehavior will keep Mom & Pops, who are visiting from out of state, from getting a positive and welcoming impression of WA?

Welcome TF Home Troops

 

Related:

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Washington State Ferries & A Press Release Style Of News Reporting

Remain in your homes and wait for further instructions

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Symbol of a culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak. A culture that will yield  the right of way to violators while pushing good citizens to the side & collecting big tax money all along the way.

 

Photo above-

Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal

More from Washington State Parks:

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

 

Port Townsend – Trip Report

We spent some time today waiting on the Keystone Ferry. Ferry waits can be a little longer now, due to one boat service.

Port Townsend is a good walking town. We have visited many times to take a look around, go shopping, drink a couple beers, enjoy a local restaurant or pub, meet friends and family, etc.

Today we had to wait for the ferry and it was time for lunch. Several restaurants are within an easy walk of the ferry dock. Over the years, these restaurants must have done a significant business serving people waiting for the ferry or showing up in town just to visit.

We quickly realized that the county we were in would not let people enter to dine in a restaurant without proof of vaccination.

One of the restaurants closest to the ferry was clearly open, but the parking lot was completely empty.

The outdoor dining area was completely empty. There was no sign of life.

Like many other locations, they are looking to add staff.

The lunch rush appears to be dead. If the customers are gone, how will new hires serve customers?

 

Snohomish County – Trip Report

Later in this same trip, we visited a traditional Mexican restaurant.

A very active dining and cantina scene here. Customers and staff seem happy. Masks required to enter. We have been here several times over the years. Recommended for anyone who still wants to get out to a Mexican restaurant. It looks like the large cantina has a bit of a sports bar vibe too.

 

Visiting/Shopping at more than one Puget Sound area military installation

Installation number one:

Saw a Got Freedom? t-shirt. The concept behind this could be discussed for hours.

Installation number two:

On Oct 2nd, 2021, plastic bags are still readily available and in use. No extra fees/questions, etc.

Having/wanting a choice on plastic bags does not indicate a disregard for the planet.

 

Related:

WA COVID Mixed Messages

COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

Press Needs More Funding?

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

7th Street Theatre

In Hoquiam since 1928

 

Hoquiam

 

Friendly service, excellent food & drinks.

Hoquiam

Another from this road trip:

A Favorite