You would think with the cold rain arriving, there would be fewer opportunities to explore Southwest Washington in November. Not so. All kinds of events are available, both indoors and outside. Remember, as someone said, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Get out there!

November 4 – Educating for the Seventh Generation – Clark College will host a celebration of indigenous cultures. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a welcome address and a performance by Native American flutist and flute maker Isaac Trimble. Indian tacos will be served during the performance. Opening ceremonies for a powwow will begin at 6 p.m. Closing ceremonies will take place at 10 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Gaiser Student Center on Clark College’s main campus. Check here for information about Native American Heritage Month.

November 4 – Art, Women & Wine: Camas First Friday will feature the work of local women artists throughout Downtown Camas businesses 5pm-8pm. More than 20 artists will participate and some will donate art as prizes. Wine tastings will also be available.

November 4 – Vancouver’s First Friday Artwalk – Downtown Vancouver’s First Friday continues with galleries offering openings 5-9 p.m. and downtown’s many restaurants ready to welcome you. Don’t miss the Jacobsen Family Show at Art of the Boulevard in Vancouver Marketplace. The work of painter Eric Jacobsen will share gallery space with paintings by three of his children, Max (age 9), Olivia (age 7) and Owen (age 5).

November 5 – Veterans Parade at Fort Vancouver
Parade Grounds at the Fort Vancouver National Site, 612 E Reserve St, Vancouver at 11 a.m.. Veterans will be honored at the annual parade, which start with an Air Force fly-over and 21-gun salute fired by Howitzer cannons from the Parade Grounds. More than 100 military, veteran and civic organizations and 2,500 individuals participate in the parade from Officers Row to Fort Vancouver Way through the Vancouver Barracks and past the reconstructed Fort Vancouver to Pearson Air Museum, where it will end. This is one of the largest veterans parades on the West coast.

November 11-12 – Clam Digs! Get digging! Early in November, clam digs will happen at the coast IF tests are favorable at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks. Tentative opening dates and evening low tides are:

• Nov. 11, Fri. – 6:48 p.m., (-0.4 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 12, Sat. – 7:23 p.m. (-0.4 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Later in the month, razor clammers will have another opportunity. Tentative opening dates and evening low tides for that dig are:

• Nov. 25, Fri. – 6:27 p.m. (-1.9 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Nov. 26, Sat. – 7:14 p.m. (-1.8 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

From the WDFW: Clam diggers should plan to take lights or lanterns for the nighttime digs and to check weather and surf forecasts before heading out. No digging will be allowed before noon on any of the razor-clam beaches. Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website and from license vendors around the state. More razor clam digs are tentatively scheduled Dec. 10 and Dec. 22-23.

See this ZEST post about a 2010 clam dig at Ocean Park.

November 11-12 – Ocian in View - If digging clams wasn’t enough to attract you to the Long Beach Peninsula this weekend, there are plenty of other events happening in the area. The “Ocian in View” cultural event starts Friday evening at 6 p.m. with a presentation by researcher and author Dr. Douglas Deur of the PSU Department of Anthropology on Friday night at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum

The event continues on Saturday with an “O, How Horriable is the Day Event” at the U. S. Quarantine Station Museum at Knappton Cove, WA. from  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 12 with Lewis and Clark NW Living Historians.

Knappton Cove Heritage Center

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, the Columbia Confluences Bus Tour will visit historic sites, including the Knappton museum.  Call the Museum at 360-642-3446 for reservations for the $20 tour. On Saturday from 4  to 7 p.m.

The Chinook Tribe will host its Annual Salmon Dinner at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum.  The dinner will include regional seafood, salad, Indian fry bread, dessert and beverages.  Cost is $15 per person, seniors (55 and over) $13, children under 12 $5.  No reservations are required.

November 18, 2011 to November 20, 2011 – Clark County Holiday Gift Fair – Get a jump on your holiday shopping at this gift fair, which will include daily appearances from Santa and a special holiday themed kid’s activity area. Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield. 10am-5pm Admission fee.

November 19 – Thanksgiving Market Esther Street in downtown Vancouver where the Vancouver Farmers Market is normally located.  Pick up local produce and other foodstuffs for your Thanksgiving dinner. Gift items and live music included. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

November 24 – 6th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run Run/Walk through Stevenson – Columbia Gorge Running Club Get exercising BEFORE the turkey and pumpkin pie in Stevenson starting at the Skamania Country Fairgrounds. Lots of random prize drawings!Bring a donation for the Food Bank. 8 a.m.

Spectacular trees and vintage planes at Festival of Trees

November 25-27 Vancouver Rotary Foundation Festival of Trees Kick off your  holidays at the multi-event Rotary Foundation Festival of Trees in Vancouver. Festival of Trees viewing plus Santa, entertainment and a scavenger hunt at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street in Vancouver. Gorgeous trees will be on display along with Pearson Air Museum’s vintage planes throughout the weekend. Holiday entertainment will be provided by local entertainers and youth groups. Don’t miss the scavenger hunt. (Pick up a scorecard, find the special holiday word on each tree and turn in your results. You could win a beautiful holiday wreath!) As always, the Talking Tree will be chatting away with Festival goers and Santa or Mrs. Claus will be available for photos. Bring your camera! The viewing schedule is:

Friday, November 25 – Noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 26 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is FREE but non-perishable food donations for Share House and financial donations to support Festival of Trees are requested.

Friday, November 25th – Community Tree Lighting at Esther Short Park, Music at 5:30 p.m., Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Come early for the music and hot drinks. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. Join the thousands who enjoy this event each year. You will want to be there when the lights first illuminate our beautiful community tree!

Friday, November 25^th – Vancouver Pops Holiday Concert at the Hilton Hotel, 6:30 p.m. Director Bert Coffman will lead the Pops through rousing holiday songs. Concert is free but non-perishable food donations for Share House and financial donations to support Festival of Trees are requested.

Sunday, November 27^th – Hot Buttered Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street, 10 a.m. – See the details below.

A Tasting at East Fork Cellars

November 25-27 – Clark County Thanksgiving Weekend Wine Tour Celebrate the fall harvest and local wine! Open all three days from Noon to 6pm.

November 25-27 Holiday Weekend in Long Beach

All ages are welcome Friday afternoon at the Neptune Theater for a complimentary showing of “The Polar Express,” hosted by Mrs. Claus and a few special guests! Saturday brings magic and Santa Claus to town including a magical show with Mrs. Claus, a craft activity, and  free pictures with Santa! Later, enjoy caroling and the City of Long Beach’s tree lighting ceremony. Sunday morning  celebrate Frosty the Snowman’s Birthday! Bring a donation of hat, scarves, mittens or other winter clothing for the needy. Enjoy more time with Mrs. Claus and Frosty as well as more craft stations and birthday cake.

November 25-27 Thanksgiving Open House Weekend at Columbia Gorge Wineries More than 30 wineries and tasting rooms will be open Memorial Day weekend with open houses featuring special releases, barrel tastings, events, live music, artisan treats and other surprises. The wineries span 40 miles of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic. On the Washington side of the Gorge, wineries span from Underwood to Goldendale.

November 26 – Wahkiakum Festival of Lights Celebration Starting at 3 pm enjoy Christmas caroling, hot cider, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at about 4:30pm in downtown Cathlamet, WA

November 27 – Hot Buttered Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street, 10 a.m. – Last year, more than 1,000 started a new holiday tradition by exercising off Thanksgiving calories at this outdoor celebration which winds through the Fort Vancouver Historic Site, along the Columbia River, through downtown Vancouver and past scenic Officers Row! Participate in Energy Event’s 12K Run, a 5KWalk.Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race. Start and Finish at Pearson Air Museum. Registration includes long sleeve t-shirt, food music and hot buttered rums (for adults) and hot chocolate. For more information and registration, visit www.energyevents.com. The Festival trees will be on view. Stop by after your run!

Spring events are in full force now in Southwest Washington. Here are a few ideas to get you out the door:

May 3 – The 39 Steps – Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in Longview. This 2008 Tony award-winning play “The 39 Steps” is a madcap romp through one of Alfred Hitchcock’s finest films. Adapted for the stage, it became one of Broadway’s longest-running comedy thrillers. With a cast of 4, this show has more than 150 characters to keep you on the edge of your seat.

May 7 – The 28th Annual Ride Across Clark County (RACC) sponsored by the Vancouver Bicycle Club WARNING! This event may be sold out. Check the Web site for availability of this scenic and popular day-long ride. Four loops to choose from – 18, 34, 65 and 100 miles

May 7 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. National Train Day, Historic Train Depot, 210 Railroad Ave, Centralia, WA National Train Day commemorates the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s inception. Special displays and events will be in the Historic Railroad Depot in downtown Centralia.

May 14 – 8 p.m. Al Stewart Concert at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson. Remember the Scottish singer-songwriter’s 1976 hit Year of the Cat? Skamania Performing Arts Foundation, 541-400-9792

May 14 and 15 – Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conducted by Salvador Brotons. Concert times are 3 pm on Saturday and 7 pm on Sunday. Last regular concert of the season. The program will feature Concerto for Horn by Brotons. Roman Festivals by Respighi and Audience Choice (voting now closed).

May 14, 12-4 pm – Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Carty Unit of the Ridgefield NWR, 28908 NW Main Ave., Ridgefield. Artist Judy Bridges, Cowlitz basket weaver, will demonstrate basket weaving techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to view examples of her basketry and ask her questions about her craft.

May 15, 12-4 pm – Cathlapotle Plankhouse Carty Unit of the Ridgefield NWR, 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield. Artists Greg Robinson, member of the Chinook Indian Nation, and Greg Archuleta, member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, will be in the Plankhouse doing carving and Chinookan lifeways demonstrations. Visitors will be able to see some of their beautiful artwork as well as talk to them about Chinookan art and culture.

May 18-19 – Nautical Renaissance The Port of Ilwaco welcomes back Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Tall Ships, The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain. Self-guided tours are hosted by the crew wearing period costumes. ($3 requested donation). Adventure and Battle Sails are also available. Visit the Web site for prices and other details. From Ilwaco on May 19th guests can book passage to Astoria where the ships will offer tours until May 22, coinciding with Astoria’s opening celebration of its 200th birthday. Contact the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority in Aberdeen (360) 532-8611 or (800) 200-5239 for details and schedules. Go to www.ladywashington.org to track the ships’ locations and purchase discounted price tickets. (Note: There will also be a sail in Ilwaco on May 3rd.)

May 21-22 – 31st Annual Herb and Garden Festival at Pomeroy Living History Farm Thousands of fresh herb and garden plants, many organic selections plus entertainment, farm café, vendors and the herb garden. Admission is free.

May 28-30 – Memorial Day Weekend Clark County Spring Wine Release Visit 11 Clark County wineries in one weekend! See the Web site for details and maps.

May 28-30 – Memorial Day Open House Weekend at Columbia Gorge Wineries Visit more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms on both sides of the river. Details on the event Web site.

Wow, what a May! This is just a small fraction of what is scheduled. See you out there in Southwest Washington!

We spent four days there in mid-summer and pined for more. So we returned a month later for a camping trip with long-time friends, Mary and John Tyburski. Again, we were enchanted by the area. Cranberry Coast, Part I is here.

Westport Marina

Friday afternoon. Taking I-5 north, we make our ritual stop for milkshakes at the Dairy Barn in Chehalis (Exit 77). Cookie Dough and Hazelnut shakes in hands, we head west on SR6 through PeEll, which has what must be the world’s largest stop signs, and through Frances and Lebam—a town with a name to love. It’s backwards for Mabel.

We pass the Pacific County Fair in Menlo, hurrying on to Raymond, where we pick up SR105. We’re eager to get to our campsite before sundown at Twin Harbors Beach State Park.  Setting up a campsite in the dark is not my idea of fun and it’s raining so we are grateful for our snug tent camper. Our days of sleeping on the ground are over. Guess we are getting older…

Home Away From Home

What a multi-generational community we find! Park demographics include all ages, from infants to grandparents and a diverse, well-behaved canine population. We must have missed the memo that said “bring your dog.” Two doors down, so to speak, at least 30 high school girls (also well-behaved) are on a field trip and eating dinner under the world’s largest tarp.

Much later, two cars of very polite surfers from Port Orchard set up their tents next to ours in the dark. We save them from an imminent medical emergency by lending them our hatchet. Watching a barefoot surfer try to chop wood with machete is not a pretty picture.

Saturday morning. With the rain gone, we explore the beach, which is nearly empty and quite beautiful with seabirds, crashing waves and fishing boats in the distance. I’ve never seen so many whole sand dollars on a beach.

Beach at Twin Harbors

11 a.m. We drive to Westport, which is only a few miles north of the state park. Not surprising, there is LOT to do here. A local blog, Discovering Westport keeps track of what’s happening. The Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce also has a good Web site. Also, check out the live beach cam and for live views of the beachs and marina plus weather info.

The Westport Marina is an active, working marina with fleets of pleasure and commercial fishing boats. The captain of the MV Scooter has returned with four fishermen and is cleaning their salmon catch. Two massive sea lions are savoring the scraps that the captain tosses overboard as he fillets the fish.

Sea Lion with Lunch

12:30 p.m. It’s lunchtime and we stop by the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill. Panko breaded Willapa oysters, a seafood sampler and Dungeness crab melt on ciabatta sound WAY better than sandwiches back at the campground. The restaurant’s panoramic view of the marina plus a large, see-through aquarium with Nemo and various other tropical fish add to the ambiance.

2 p.m. Across the street from the marina, downtown Westport offers shops and galleries with fine art, kites, jewelry, fudge and the usual beach mementos. We make a mental note to check out the food at the One Eyed Crab.

3 p.m. At the “westernmost winery in Washington State,” we are greeted by the friendly owners of Westport Winery. We enjoy quite a flight of reds and whites in their impressive and busy tasting room. We purchase a bottle of Maritime Muscat and Tyburskis buy Going Coastal Sparking Gewurztraminer. Each bottle purchased benefits of local non-profit group at this family-run winery. Current wines are listed on their Web site.

Tasting at the Westport Winery

4:30 p.m. The Grays Harbor Light Station is a significant landmark on the Washington coast. This active lighthouse is Washington State’s tallest at 107’ tall. It’s 123’ above sea level. Mary climbs the 135 steps to the top for the coastal view. We wander around the surrounding woods. John naps at the campground.

5:30 p.m. We’re in Grayland (about 10 minutes south of Twin Harbors) for dinner at the very popular Bennett’s Restaurant. It’s good that we are early because by the time we leave, the line is out the door. Seafood and wine in a great restaurant. I admit it. This is my kind of camping.

7:30 p.m. The fog has cleared and we are watching the sun’s golden orb dip into the sea. Back to the campsite for a campfire and glass of wine.

Sunday morning. Tyburskis take off for home while we head back to the beach for a long walk. We then head back to Westport to explore the charming Westport Maritime Museum. Housed in a 1940 Coast Guard station, the museum features exhibits on community history, ship wrecks, logging, cranberry harvesting and other local topics. Full-sized whale skeletons are displayed in outdoor glass pavilions and the massive Destruction Island Lighthouse lens is showcased in a separate building on the groups. Community museums offer fascinating exhibits. We are glad we visited.

Westport's Maritime Museum

Next, it’s time to figure out where all those surfers are going and how Westport can support multiple surf shops. We are directed to Westhaven State Park, a day-use area with a beach on the south side of the Westport Jetty. There we are amazed to see hundreds of surfers in black wetsuits looking like seals in the water along with kayakers, paddling through the waves. We later read that Westport is Washington State’s premier sport for surfing. Who knew? We didn’t.

Surfers near Westport

1 p.m. It’s time to return home from the Cranberry Coast. Before we leave Westport, we have time to squeeze in one more meal – this time at the One Eyed Crab. The place is packed with Sunday diners eating all manner of seafood from crab legs to tuna to oyster burgers and chowders. Kids are going for the corndogs. We devour halibut (which has a light, tempura-like coating) and chips, and clam chowder. (Only one week later, the Sunday New York Times Travel Section published an excellent review of the restaurant.)

Even after making two trips and six days in the area, we still didn’t have enough time to fully explore the Cranberry Coast. What about a fishing trip? Kayaking in the Willapa Bay? More time in the museums? More local wine? More oysters? We’ll be back.

I thought this area could be easily explored in one trip. I was wrong. There is a LOT happening in this part of the state. This is Part I.

Thursday Afternoon and Evening
We leave Vancouver on a one of those frying, triple-digit July days. As we pull out of Chehalis on SR6, after our ritual stop at the Dairy Barn for milkshakes, the Wachovia clock reads 100 degrees. By the time we get to Raymond in Pacific County, less than an hour from I-5, we are down to a cool, marine 67 degrees. The Cranberry Coast is looking good already.

The Elegant Russell House

4 p.m. An Elegant Bed and Breakfast in “The Oyster Capital of the World” Our host Beverley warmly welcomes us at the historic Russell House Bed and Breakfast in South Bend. Russell House is a stunning 1891 Victorian home, built by John Russell as a 25th anniversary gift for his wife, overlooking South Bend and the Willapa River. Beverley has graciously agreed to store our tent camper and kayaks in the backyard while we are exploring the area. We settle in to the Bay Room with its turret window seat and spectacular view of the river.

6:30 p.m. Well-worn tavern, good beer, succulent oysters. Beverley recommends two diners in town for great oysters. We start with dinner at Chester Club and Oyster Bar, which more than one person points out has been written about in The New York Times. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us. A few older guys are hanging out at the bar, occasionally wandering out to smoke and greet a very popular dog in a pickup. When I taste my first oyster, I slap the table. It’s that good. Lightly battered and fried but not greasy. And it’s matched perfectly with Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale. I hope The New York Times was very, very kind to this bar. They deserve it.

Friday
11 a.m. The first of three fun museums. After a hearty breakfast of quiche, mango smoothies and pastries at Russell House, we are ready to explore the local sites. I love local museums. The Pacific County Museum provides interesting displays of local history and a fine bookstore. I purchase a copy of naturalist Robert Michael Pyle’s Wintergreen about the Willapa Hills. We don’t know it but this book will serve us in a surprising event near the end of our trip.

Dome of the Historic South Bend Courthouse

1 p.m. A stolen courthouse Up the hill we visit the massive Pacific County Courthouse, which received its initial records via steamer in a reported theft from Oysterville in 1893. Called “The Gilded Palace of Extravagance,” the courthouse was completed in 1911. The spectacular stained art glass dome alone is worth the trip up the hill. The local citizens are very kind to not step on me when I lie on the floor to photograph their fabulous ceiling.

2 p.m. Cranberries again. Knot Just Another Baking Company in South Bend is offering warm, pumpkin cranberry muffins. The river pier behind the bakery is the perfect place to consume them. This cozy bakery would be a great place to buy sandwiches for a kayaking trip on the Willapa.

3 p.m. Karaoke in the Park – Just up the river in Raymond, the Willapa Harbor Festival is offering karaoke in the park. We sneak into the Dennis Company, one of those rare, delightful stores that carries everything from plumbing supplies to pajamas. Their formula must work because they have been in business for more than 100 years. We admire the mural illustrating Raymond’s logging history and 250 or so metal sculptures throughout the town.

One of 24 Carriages in the Northwest Carriage Museum

3:30 p.m. Two more fine museums. One block away, Raymond’s Seaport Museum and the Northwest Carriage Museum provide plenty to investigate. The Willapa Seaport Museum features maritime artifacts and varied collections from logging to lighthouses, documenting life on Willapa Bay and in the Northwest.

Next door, at the Northwest Carriage Museum , we find a world-class collection of 24 elegant carriages – beautifully preserved coaches used for various occasions including a movie star, a Landau carriage used in Gone with the Wind and Jezebel and a “surrey with the fringe on the top.” Donated to the City of Raymond by two generous local collectors, the carriages are displayed in a handsome museum built in 2002. Next door, the farmer’s market has luscious peaches and blueberries in stock.

7 p.m. What, no oysters?! Tonight we are ready to try the grilled oysters of the River Side Dining. The barbeque is still smoking out front but they have just sold the last grilled oysters. We are ridiculously disappointed. We buck up and continue to celebrate the mollusks (and Rogue beer) back at Chester Club where Rolf Olsen and Bruce Hughes are starting a set of jazz in the back overlooking the bay. We can’t complain.

Saturday morning
9 a.m. A good morning for a hike. We walk off the Russell House breakfast down on the Willapa River Trail, a rails-to-trails project, and with a hike of perhaps six miles to Raymond and back. At its peak, Raymond had 20 factories and mills on the waterfront, according to a visitor’s guide. The river is quiet these days.

Noon One more try for oysters. It’s time for us to head for Willapa Bay for the camping part of our trip. But wait. The grill is smoking at the River View Dining. We decide to chance it one more time. Ordered by the dozen, the oysters won’t be ready for 45 minutes so we shop for groceries and come back to wait with all the other vulture-like diners. Manuel, the owner, carries in platters of steaming oysters and somehow figures out who is next in line for his barbequed fare. He won’t divulge what is in his special barbeque sauce. I can taste lime, cilantro and possibly molasses. It is really, really worth the wait. They are sweet, smokey and remarkable.

The BEST BBQ Oysters in the World

3 p.m. From B & B luxury to the camper. The local state parks were full when we made reservations so we check into the family-packed, Bay Center/Willapa Bay KOA and set up our camper. Like most people our age, we have progressed from backpacking to car camping to a 1978 VW bus to our aging but very comfortable Jayco tent camper. Despite still being satiated with oysters, we fix our traditional first night camping dinner – spaghetti with salad, good bread and red wine.

Our Traditional Camping Dinner -- With Steaming Spaghetti

The friendly KOA staff provides root beer floats for dessert. Gary partakes. I’m stuffed.

Root beer floats for dessert

Sunday
11 a.m. It’s a fine day to go kayaking. We put the boats in at the south end of the US 101 bridge over the Palix River. At this point the river is quite wide with grassy banks and many forks. We keep taking new offshoots, threatening to get totally lost, and eventually end up in a narrow, clear creek. We manage to find our way back seeing only one lone jet skier with a hunting dog perched on the noisy watercraft. As we pull out the boats, two bald eagles are tearing apart a fish across the river.

Kayaking the Palix River

Monday
10 a.m. A stop in Ilwaco It’s time to head home – south on Hwy 101, with a brief detour into Ilwaco for a browse at the well-stocked Time Enough Books on the waterfront and coffee and scones in Chinook.

Noon Is that who I think it is? Driving east on SR4, we take a scenic side road. Slightly lost, we ask directions from a white-bearded gentleman who is walking down the road. His face is vaguely familiar. His binoculars are a clue. It’s Robert Michael Pyle, the naturalist writer. Miraculously, his book that I purchased in South Bend is handy. He graciously signs it as we linger in the middle of the road. He tells us about the nearby forest species and chats about local butterflies, his specialty, and invites us to come back someday. We are profoundly impressed and grateful as he shares with us, perfect strangers in an old, green Subaru hauling kayaks and a vintage tent camper, a bit of wisdom about the Willapa Hills.

It’s back to the heat of Vancouver, but we have another trip to The Cranberry Coast coming up. Think sea lions and sand dollars, surfers, wine tastings and, yes, more oysters. Watch for Part II.