Archives for category: Signs

Trip Report

We were down there about an hour ago. We found public parking to be open. We found public beach access to be open. We found the confusing sign above.

There is government property/public access for people on foot out there?

The area was once a state park? Once DNR land? Who owns the public beach access?

The sign above makes it seem as if you are not to pass it.

It seems that it refers to land to the right of it. Tribal land is to the left. DNR sign is now gone.

We walked straight ahead to the inland side of the old jetty and no further. We found several people enjoying the afternoon there.

In The News

News briefs Published Mar 17, 2026 By The Daily World

“Damon Point in Ocean Shores remains closed.

The barricades at Damon Point have been removed, however Damon Point remains closed to public access by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Additionally, many of the beaches surrounding Damon Point are privately owned. The city of Ocean Shores asks that you respect property boundaries when visiting the area.”

 

Related:

Federal Failure At Damon Point

Damon Point – Remnant Jetty Rebuild

 

We hit the road to do some shopping this week. Here are a couple of bumper stickers we saw for the first time.

Image above source/credit: Orsini Vinyl & Designs

Image above source/credit: Amazon

 

The image at the top is kind of fun. The lower image has a disrespectful edge that may be sen as inappropriate by the federal government in this tense political climate.

We’ll see if the people who make and advertise the sticker and those who place it on their vehicles for public view will face any consequences from federal authorities.

Sticker makes no mention of which elected official it refers to. This is why we felt OK with posting it here.

 

Possibly of interest:

Approved Flag Images

 

People unfamiliar with the area may come to visit the coast. They are met with a confusing sign that says Do Not Enter even after we are in the season where driving south of the Shilo is open to the public.

Keep it simple.

 

Above: Morning of Sept 13, 2025

Sign advertising a Shilo restaurant and lounge that has not been open for years now.

Click image once or twice to see that the battered and neglected sign is powered up and some of the bulbs are still working this morning.

More Here

We posted on this topic on Aug 16, 2025:

Ocean Shores Lodging

 

August 10, 2025:

Welcome To The Coast – Shilo Inn

 

May 5, 2025:

Ocean Shores Lodging 98569

Just Up The Street

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.

Any questions from newspeople?

In the news:

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”

Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.

 

Possibly of interest:

Drive down to the former public parking area at Damon Point and see what Westport would look like today if efforts to maintain the coast were suspended decades ago.

Federal Failure At Damon Point

Old Marina Site

At one time this location featured the Silver King Motel and the Marina View Restaurant next to the marina. Also, a grocery store, charter boat fishing, a boat lift and room to tie up 200 small boats.

More here:

Ocean Shores Marina History – A Time Gone By

Related:

Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go

 

Image above: Sign seen at Westport, WA on Aug 30, 2025.

This sign is posted NE of the viewing tower between the road and the jetty.

This area is identified as The Groins in the image below:

Source/credit: City of Westport

Any similar sign at Penn Cove?

Any questions from newspeople?

Penn Cove

Below:

I found the sign below posted near the boat launch at Captain Thomas Coupe Park on 4/2/2020.

Image below:

This sign was seen posted near the boat ramp on my 4/2/2020 site visit to Monroe Landing.

Previous site visit here.

Penn Cove status on Aug 31, 2025:

Coupeville

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“…clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

More Here

Below: An April 6, 2020 audio file describing recreational shellfish harvest and sewage treatment outfall at Penn Cove.

Has anything changed?

Newspeople remain silent.

12:44 audio file and local photos of Penn Cove:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

A photo tour of Penn Cove:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Possibly of interest:

Federal Failure At Damon Point

Sound Publishing And Black Press Media

 

About 80 miles up the road, we arrive at Kalaloch Creek:

 

Above:

The Pacific Boulevard beach entrance on 7/5/25.

Big Cash For The Parks

$52,500 for a new logo to replace the old one that was perfectly good.

Daytime parking pass goes up from $30 to $45 to help fund state parks.

In The News

Washington State Parks unveils new logo

The Chronicle

Vonnai Phair / The Seattle Times

August 24, 2023

Many respondents wrote movingly — vividly — about what it feels like to experience big feelings and big life events within the natural beauty that everyone values,” said Shannon Palmer, the creative director at People People.

The rebrand cost the parks system $52,500, and was paid for using funds in its creative services budget, according to Washington State Parks.”

“The cost included hiring People People and compensating focus group participants, according to the parks system.”

Love Fort Ebey State Park. I’ve been going out there for years now. Gravel road to lower beach area has been trashed for an extended period of time. Any plan to get that taken care of?

More News

Annual Discover Pass price increasing from $30 to $45 this year

KIRO 7 News

May 22, 2025

Step It Up Guys

Top of page:

Since funds are available, how about a makeover on the sign posted above. It looks like it has not been maintained since about 1977.

Possibly of interest:

Needs Vs. Wants – $52,500

Daytime Parking Fees

Funding For Washington State Parks

 

“Washington State Parks issued the following statement: “We are aware of these thefts, and our ranger has completed incident reports. Vandalism and property damage are an unfortunate part of managing public property. There are no formal next steps.”

Full news article here:

Rash of memorial plaque thefts, vandalism plague Westport

Our blog here:

“Drug addicts who steal to feed their habit typically want their cash up front.”

 

Related:

Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays

 

We made a quick stop at the grocery store in Montesano, where we saw the sign above.

Montesano seems to have several old school restaurants. We have not yet visited one.

We will stop again at the grocery store.

 

Possibly of interest:

Photo above:

Working Waterfront – Westport, WA

A genuine seaport town – sending the message that the ways of the last century are best when managing public safety and a modern society. Don’t bring your Whidbey crap here.

 

The parts of WA that are in no hurry to change are my favorites.

Looking out over Mystery Bay:



Years ago:

Nordland Transit Center

Nordland

 

Above:

Old WA State Parks logo. Wouldn’t change a thing.

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Below:

A new version is going up:


Spending to solve a problem that does not exist?

In The News

Washington State Parks unveils new logo

The Chronicle

Vonnai Phair / The Seattle Times

August 24, 2023

Many respondents wrote movingly — vividly — about what it feels like to experience big feelings and big life events within the natural beauty that everyone values,” said Shannon Palmer, the creative director at People People.

The rebrand cost the parks system $52,500, and was paid for using funds in its creative services budget, according to Washington State Parks.”

“The cost included hiring People People and compensating focus group participants, according to the parks system.”

Love Fort Ebey State Park. I’ve been going out there for years now. Gravel road to lower beach area has been trashed for an extended period of time. Any plan to get that taken care of?

More News

KCPQ

Washington raising price of Discover Pass

Connor Sarles

May 19, 2025

“Starting October 1, 2025, Washington’s annual Discover Pass fee will increase from $30 to $45 to help fund state parks…”

 

FEES ARE GOING UP FOR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES, DISCOVER PASS

Posted By: Radio Pacific, Inc May 22, 2025

Welcome Home Troops

“The parks commission anticipates funding 71% of state parks through earned revenue in the next biennium, and the new law will also remove fee exemptions for disabled veterans.”

Been Wondering for Years Now

Wondering if something like 89 cents of each dollar collected for daytime parking fees goes directly towards funding of the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of enforcement related warning signs, kiosks, pay boxes, fluorescent placards, and the manufacturing and distribution of enforcement related literature, blank forms and documentation materials.

Park shown above: Rosario Beach

Daytime parking pass fees are also used to fund the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of sturdy gates to keep you and your annual parking pass out of selected parks during winter months.

Park shown below (Rosario Beach) is located at sea level.

Click image once or twice to show detail.

More fees should bring greater access, not less.

Possibly of interest:

Funding For Washington State Parks

Enjoy Washington’s Natural Heritage

Daytime Parking Fees

 

Image above: Out to North Jetty

We used to enjoy visits to the area about 15 years ago and had a couple of spots where we would book rooms over and again.

Unfortunately, it seems things have gone downhill in recent years.

Today, we live in the North Beach area. We want to be proud of the local scene and what it has to offer. We want to be able to recommend a place where friends and family can stay.

The town is big on welcoming visitors, promoting festivals, tourism and good times at the beach. So far, so good.

Thousands of visitors may arrive and stay for a night or two in a room each year.

It’s a shame that people look forward to a visit to the coast and may be disappointed with the reality of their stay compared to what they saw on a web page prepared by marketing/advertising and web sales staff.

Recommendation – Honor Roll

Not sure if there is a local group or something similar to a hospitality and logging committee or visitor and tourism bureau, that already exists?

Work to create an honor roll of best places to stay in Ocean Shores. Create some sort of incentive for various properties to get on the honor roll.

How many local hotels and motels would agree to taking someone through to look at a couple of rooms and the rest of the facility?

Web Reviews

Click on some of the sites and the first thing you see is a calendar to select the date you want to stay. No thanks. Not ready to purchase anything, just trying to do some homework.

The sites that do only reviews and no bookings are preferable.

Local Oddity

In the news:

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.

Any questions from newspeople?

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”

Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.

July 3, 2024

Book your stay now – Photo above: July 3rd, 2024

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Thinking that the restaurant and lounge here, have not been open for years now. Lighted sign is still on. Hotel is open.

This location features “Free parking

Disappointed to learn that there was no restaurant or breakfast service (in spite of the huge sign on the outside of the hotel announcing that there was). We were told that it was “because of Covid” which seems a pretty ‘slim excuse’ in June 2024!

 

We recently went out to look at nature and we made use of public parking immediately adjacent to the scene below.

May 15, 2025 – Welcome Home Troops

Images below from the public parking area immediately south of the Shilo.







This site tells us this property includes:

A “Bar” and “Gourmet Dining.”

Restaurant Onsite

 

Possibly of interest:

Coastal Favorites

 

The Washington State Parks E-News for October 2024 just showed up in my e-mail. It is not spam and I do not consider it to be out of place in terms of keeping people informed.

One of the articles:

Winter Recreation Program announces closure of 14 motorized Sno-parks for 2024-25 season

“The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program will temporarily close fourteen motorized Sno-parks for the 2024-25 winter season, due primarily to a roughly 25 percent reduction in funds available from snowmobile registrations to support the motorized part of the program.”

“The snowmobile program is self-funded from snowmobile registration fees and a percentage of the gas tax. The program currently receives $94.20 per registered snowmobile. Funds are used to pay for services at motorized Sno-parks such as snow removal, sanitation, education, enforcement and trail grooming.”

“The number of registered snowmobiles has decreased by 52 percent over the past two decades, from a high of 38,331 in 2002 to 18,434 in 2024. The closures are for the 2024-25 winter season, pending future funding availability.”

I am not a snowmobile user. I use the parks for other activities. I prefer that all activities and access should remain open.

I have purchased the Discover Pass (or whatever it was called on day one) since it first came out. Still current on my daytime parking pass- more than two decades later. How much for a lifetime pass?

WA hatched a plan to stop citing people for expired tabs. Word goes out, we see more expired tabs. Each expired tab is a reminder to everyone that incentives are now removed to keep tabs current- the way it worked in the last century- before any daytime parking pass was invented for use of Washington State Parks.

More people drop out on paying for tabs. Snowmobile people are 200 miles from nowhere in the dead of winter and stop paying for tabs. The system is breaking down.

WA voters said Yes to $30 car tabs- twice. State said no.

Welcome Home Troops

Photo at top of page:

“We recently received the 2024 Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN) Outstanding Agency Award in recognition of our commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for Queer joy and safety within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community!”

“The RAIN Outstanding Agency Award was created by RAIN to recognize state agencies (or specific programs within the agency) who have created/improved the safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ employees. These agencies were nominated by state employees and were voted on through an anonymous process by a panel of RAIN volunteers.”

Well done on the award. Who paid for the colorful banner in the photo?

To me, the parks always were for everyone. Group identities never need to come into play except for disabled parking permits/parking spots and whatever else is available in this regard.

Here is a recent photo I took:

Like something straight out of the 1970s.

Seems appropriate.

Keep it simple.

 

Related:

Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

WA State Parks Rants

Less Hassle – Oregon State Parks

Another Season – Another WA State Parks Checkpoint

Mixed Messages On What Is An Emergency

 

Above: Blue Fox Drive-in Theater – Whidbey Island

Over the past 15 years or so, we have lived in two locations where a drive-in movie theatre was close by. Both are still open.

One on Whidbey Island (above) and also the Wheel-In-Motor Movie Drive In of Port Townsend.

I grew up in the 70s near one in the North Kitsap area, but we didn’t go much at all.

Zany ads from a time gone by:

At 2:34 below: The guy who drove off with the speaker still rigged to his car goes to turn in the wrecked item while wearing full business attire.

We are no longer near a drive-in movie, but we recently have been watching movies here at home that may have been typical at the drive-in over the years. We call it Drive-In Movie Night.

Set yourself up with a double feature and have some fun.

Based on actual events?

A few ideas to start:

1954 Creature from the Black Lagoon

1958 The Blob

1972 Gargoyles – made for TV. Fun to watch at home.

1972 The Legend of Boggy Creek

1972 Frogs

1973 American Graffiti

1974 Macon County Line

1974 Mr. Majestyk

1974 Dirty Mary Crazy Larry

1974 Gone in 60 Seconds

1977 Empire of the Ants

1977 Smokey and the Bandit

1978 Piranha

1980 Friday the 13th

1981 Southern Comfort

1984 Red Dawn

1987 The Stepfather

1989 Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy

Possibly of interest:

1970s – A Time Gone By

 

Book your stay now – Photo above: July 3rd, 2024

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Thinking that the restaurant and lounge here, have not been open for years now. Lighted sign is still on. Hotel is open.

This location features “Free parking

Disappointed to learn that there was no restaurant or breakfast service (in spite of the huge sign on the outside of the hotel announcing that there was). We were told that it was “because of Covid” which seems a pretty ‘slim excuse’ in June 2024!

 

Nice local article by:

The Daily World reporter Michael S. Lockett

Sunshine and fireworks: riding with Ocean Shores fire for the 4th

“The fire department can’t afford to sit and wait for the calls to come in, Ritter said. OSFD has adopted a forward-deployed posture…”

“Ritter voices concerns about the high tide, forecast for a bit after 10 p.m., squishing guests together. A long day of recreating on the beach, limited space, liberal alcohol consumption, and a gun show in town could all contribute to incidents, Ritter reiterates.”

Photo above: July 3rd, 2024

Not here to complain or to take away from others what gives them joy, just trying to make sense of local rules and regulations.

What is Safe and Sane?

WSP says these are legal:

Reloadable Mortars
A shell consisting of a container, a lift
charge, a time fuse, a burst charge, and
stars/effects. The lift charge propels the
shell out of the tube igniting the burst
charge at the right altitude, igniting the
effects.

Mine/Shells/Cakes
Mine – An aerial device that shoots stars into the sky in an upward spray pattern. Shell – A shell is an aerial item that is fired into the sky. Cake – Dense-packed collection of mine/shell tubes that are fused together.

Roman Candles
Heavy paper or cardboard tube containing
pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition,
up to ten “stars” are individually expelled
at several-second intervals.

At 2:00 Mean Gene explains the big, legal fireworks in WA:

Here is the Mean Gene web site.

 

I have lived all over the US and was thinking that Safe and Sane meant it would not leave the ground or explode. I was mistaken. Wife was not. She knows the deal.

 

Possibly of interest:

Safe And Sane – Legal Only

What would Westport look like?

Two Jetties – Westport and Damon Point

Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go

Damon Point – Coastal Erosion Attitudes

 

Not here to complain or to take away from others what gives them joy, just pointing out that what the sign says does not match with what reality brings.

 

Grays Harbor County

 

7th Street Theatre

In Hoquiam since 1928

 

Friendly service, excellent food & drinks.

Hoquiam

Another from this road trip:

A Favorite

 

Aberdeen, WA

 

Image above: This really nice sign is posted at the Coupeville Wharf. I took this photo on 4/2/2020.

Unfortunately, the waters immediately adjacent to this sign are impacted year-round due to a sewage treatment plant outfall.

Coupeville

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Image above: 3/26/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

 

A photo tour of Penn Cove here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Distance learning idea:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea

“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”

School teachers,

Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?

 

More here:

Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press

 

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

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

 

Image taken on 2/3/2021

Click image to enlarge.

More about this sign here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

 

January 24, 2021 The Everett Herald

Whidbey wandering on the rugged Pacific Northwest Trail

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo taken at Fort Ebey

 

Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.

Image above: 4/22/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a significant area.

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Image above:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Image above:

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea

“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”

School teachers,

Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?

More here:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

The wooden sign at Libbey Beach is gone.

Something with an industrial look has taken its place.

A Favorite Spot

 

The Story

More here: Local family takes over Custard King in Astoria

Family owned since 1892

We enjoyed our first visit at the funky Inferno Lounge. Nice music, great views and staff with personality. Good Stuff.

A nice spot to pull in.