Go Fly a Kite – 6 Grays Harbor Beaches Perfect for Your Kite Flying Adventures

In the 1990s at Ocean Shores, my family knew where to find me. On windy days year round, I would be flying my stunt kite with my sister or the neighbors, getting into what we called “Kite Wars.” Countless days were spent on the sandy shores, flying our kites over the dunes, testing our skill, as strong winds blasted inland from the mighty Pacific Ocean. In the summer, our favorite beaches would transform away from their empty winter cocoon into a vibrant cacophony of kites of all shapes and sizes. Giant twirling beasts would be circled by stunt kites, zipping in and out of sight, while box kites would sit perfectly still high, above the crowds of people, horses and cars below.

kite flying grays harbor
Kite flying can provide endless hours of entertainment. Photo credit: Paul T. Marsh.
The beaches and coastal towns have long served as weekend and summer destinations, giving families and visitors of all ages incredible opportunities and activities, like kite flying. Kite flying has been a pastime enjoyed around the world for over 2,000 years, but in Grays Harbor, kite flying has only been an activity for less than century. The region is home to dozens of kite stores, featuring numerous of styles of kite for every occasion, making finding the right kite tough work. Luckily for the people of Grays Harbor, Ocean Shores Kites are here to help.  Read more here at http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/06/06/kite-flying-grays-harbor-beach/

16 Outdoor Adventures Await in Grays Harbor for 2016

Tales and Trails of Lake Swano at Grays Harbor College

lake swano trail
The Alder Creek watershed serves as an educational tool in resource management to the Grays Harbor community.

Beside the Grays Harbor College campus lies an unsuspecting patch of forest. Concealed within these towering trees is the peaceful and serene Lake Swano, a lovely spot nestled in the Alder Creek watershed.

oly orthoIn the late 1940s, Mr. Swano Katalinich owned and operated a gravel pit along Alder Creek. While placing a road to the gravel pit, construction crews built a dam in Alder Creek, creating Lake Swano.

In the decades following its formation, Lake Swano inspired various educational and recreational interests. Grays Harbor College purchased the lake in 1962, and immediately put plans for trail development into place. These plans would not come to fruition for some time, however.

lake swano trail
A set of steps are all that remain of the Swano Katalinich homestead.

Alder Creek became an area of interest for the college’s fisheries program. As a result, the John M. Smith Aquaculture Center was constructed in 1987, and it was not until after its completion that the first trail was developed. This trail was installed for interpreting fish habitat. Swiftly following its development, steps to the lake were built beside the 800 Building, and a loop trail completed around the lake.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2016/03/06/lake-swano/

Spring on the Washington Coast: A Whale of a Good Time

whale watching
Will you see one of the 18,000 whales swimming by our coastal communities? Photo credit: Ryan Harvey.

Spring on the Washington Coast: A Whale of a Good Time

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You’ll never forget the first time you spot a whale. From the initial sighting of the spray rising from the ocean swells, to the smell of the fishy odor of the spout, your first glimpse of a whale is something that you reminisce about for your entire life. Every April, just off the breaking waves along the Washington Coast, 18,000 gray whales make their way slowly up the Washington Coast. Heading north to the cold, food-filled waters of Alaska, the gray whales have returned, and can be spotted in an endless series of pods from late March to early May.

grays harbor tourismGray whales are huge, weighing up to 80,000 pounds and measuring up to 49 feet in length. Living up to 70 years, feeding mostly on tiny shrimp-like animals that dwell in the ocean floor, the whales make this migration every spring, with newborns lingering behind them. The entire migration is amazing and visiting in person is strongly encouraged. Whale watching can be a highlight of the spring; a timeless tradition passed on to generation after generation in hopes to have better harmony and understanding with nature.

It might seem daunting to find a whale in the ocean, but you don’t need a sense of vengeance like Captain Ahab to track down these massive mammals. Instead, all you need is a sense of adventure, a day of exploration and a few tips on how and where to see gray whales off the Washington Coast.

Learn about Gray Whales and Whaling

whale watching washington
See a whale up close and personal off the Washington Coast. Photo credit: Ryan Harvey.

One great destination to learn about Gray Whales and their historical importance to the local economy is the Maritime Museum in Westport. With an entire room highlighting Grays Harbor’s whaling past, including locations, pictures and relics from the long past days, the museum is a perfect stop on your Westport whaling adventure.

The ranger station and resort at Olympic National Park’s Kalaloch region also has some information about whales, including occasional talks from NPS rangers about the migration and whales. Contact the park to discover the locations and dates of these talks.

Further north, the Makah Museum on the Makah Reservation at Neah Bay has one of the best exhibits in the state on local tribes, whales, whaling and the connection between whales and local survival. The drive to get here might be a bit long, but combining a stop at Cape Flattery with the museum will almost guarantee you a whale sighting off in the distance.

Go Whale Watching

whale watching washington
Scan the shores of the Pacific to spot a Gray Whale. Photo credit: Tony Cyphert.

In Grays Harbor, opportunities to see gray whales during the spring months are quite prevalent. While you can stand on the coast and scan around for hours with a spotting scope or pair of binoculars, the best bet to see a gray whale is with the tours offered by Ocean Sportfishing Charters in Westport.  Read more here :  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2016/04/06/whale-watching-washington-2/

Wynoochee Lake: A Gorgeous Destination for Family Fun

One of the major benefits to living in Grays Harbor is the proximity to so much natural beauty. The area is a gateway to miles of exquisite beaches, majestic forests, and the awe-inspiring Olympic Mountains. Nature surrounds Grays Harbor, beckoning hopeful explorers. But sometimes exploring the wilderness with small children and knowing just where to go can be a bit daunting.

grays harbor tourismIn particular, the Olympics can be difficult to access. In general, those seeking mountain adventures must hike for several miles to penetrate them. One easier way to admire the mountain scenery with younger nature lovers in tow is at Wynoochee Dam and Lake.

wynoochee lake
The beautiful Olympic Mountains surround Wynoochee Lake.

Located at the mouth of the Olympic Mountains, Wynoochee Lake is a hidden gem. The dam and day use area make a perfect destination for families looking for a day trip. The dam is a little over one hour’s drive from Aberdeen. There are no commercial services in the vicinity, so it is best to pack and plan accordingly. Cell phone coverage can be spotty, and although a pay phone is available, be sure to prepare for that as well.

There are picnic tables, covered areas, a partially paved trail along the lake, and heated restrooms, which are a real treat on cooler days.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2016/03/31/wynoochee-lake-dam/

Eat Out with the Kids at Family-Friendly Restaurants across Grays Harbor

Studies have shown that children who share regular meals with their family deal less with depression. These children also tend to have better self-esteem and school grades.

As a parent, you may feel conscientious about taking your kids to a restaurant or out to eat. However, finding the right place can make all the difference. Whether you are looking for a sit-down restaurant or takeout, there are numerous places in Grays Harbor that are kid-friendly and ideal for a family meal.

Family-Friendly, Sit-Down Restaurants

Grays Harbor is fortunate to have several outstanding restaurants with cozy family-style seating. These include Mazatlán in Aberdeen; El Rancho in Montesano, El Ranchon in Elma, and Las Maracas in Ocean Shores. Not only are these restaurants designed to be family-friendly destinations, they also serve chips and salsa as soon as you are seated, which is ideal for keeping your hungry crew busy and happy until their meals arrive.

AHS Mazatlan Takeover (2)
Kids and teens alike — like this group of Aberdeen High School students — enjoy dinner at Mazatlan in Aberdeen.

The Beehive in Montesano serves tasty food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Read more here at http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2016/01/25/kid-friendly-restaurants-grays-harbor/

Grays Harbor ATVers: Growing and Going in the Great Outdoors

Today’s ATVers aren’t what they used to be. Gone is the image of the helmeted, mud-splattered teenager tearing through the off-road landscape. “It’s not about going out in the woods and tgrays harbor atvearing up the trails,” says JoAnn Haynie of the Grays Harbor ATVers. “We’ve never been people to go out and tear up the woods. We want to be responsible being outside, exploring and sightseeing and enjoying the outdoors with care.”

Montesano residents for over 50 years, Larry and JoAnn Haynie say Grays Harbor ATVers is an informal club with a common goal: enjoying the great outdoors and riding responsibly on All-Terrain-Vehicles.

“I like to get out in the open and putt along,” says JoAnn. “We love taking them (ATVs) out for a short little run around town. I drive in nice weather to the grocery store and do errands around town. Larry goes fishing. We like to take them out on the back roads and go on picnics, that sort of thing. They run on gas. They’re much more economical than a car.”  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2016/03/08/grays-harbor-atv-trail/

Larry and JoAnn Haynie of Montesano with their favorite off-road vehicle. Photo credit: Kristine Lowder.

 

Explore the “Ring of Fire” Movie Train Wreck

In 1961, Grays Harbor was experiencing the beginning of the end of the timber industry’s economic boom. In just a few short years, mills would close and mill-workers would be out of a job, but for now, life was good in Grays Harbor County. The city of Ocean Shores had recently started to be built as a luxury “California-Style” community on the Washington Coast. Hollywood Stars, such as Pat Boone, were investing in the region and were greeted by thousands of fans when arriving at the Bowerman Field Airport.

That wasn’t the only thing Hollywood about Grays Harbor in 1961. Up in the deep gorges of the Wynoochee River, the people of Tinseltown were filming a movie.

ring of fire train wreck
While the “Ring of Fire” movie may not have been a blockbuster, it left a permanent mark on Grays Harbor.

Earlier in 1961, a movie called The Ring of Fire was set in Washington State, but was being filmed in Oregon. Starring David Janssen (The Fugitive TV show) and Frank Gorshin (who played the Riddler in the original Batman), the plot of the movie was silly, centering on a police chase from Tacoma to Shelton and then through the woods of the Pacific Northwest during a wildfire. This disaster film ends with the couple fleeing the city on a train, only to have their train get stuck on a wooden bridge over a deep gorge.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2014/07/23/explore-ring-fire-movie-train-wreck/

10 Historic Buildings Linking Grays Harbor’s Past to the Present

grays harbor tourismSteeped in stories and personalities of yesteryear, historic buildings offer quiet glimpses into the past and link us to the present. Their walls and rooms are lined with history. Grays Harbor is blessed with a plethora of such “silent witnesses.” You just have to know where to look – and how to “listen.”

“Hoquiam is a goldmine,” says Polson Museum Director John Larson. “We by far have the most nationally registered landmarks in the county.”

 

But Hoquiam’s not alone in storied sites. Here’s a quick listing of what you might “hear” from some of the county’s most interesting “silent witnesses.” Several are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Listen close!

Read more here at http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/12/23/grays-harbor-historic-buildings/

Un-WINE-d During the 9th Annual Winter Wine Festival

After the stress of the holidays is over and the start of the New Year has begun, decompress with an Elma favorite during the 9th Annual Winter Wine Festival on Saturday, January 23 from noon to 9:00 p.m. at the Grays Harbor Fair and Events Center.

Over the years, the Elma Chamber of Commerce has grown the Winter Wine Festival to become the chamber’s largest event. And with reds and whites from more than 20 Washington wineries, live entertainment from big names like Heart By Heart, countless food vendors, a silent auction and other exciting attractions, it’s no wonder that this event has more than doubled since its first year.

“This is our largest event of the year,” Winter Wine Festival Coordinator, Debbie Adolphsen, says. “Our whole entire chamber board works on this.”

elma winter wine
With more than 20 Washington wineries, live entertainment from local and visiting bands, a silent auction and more, the Winter Wine Festival in Elma draws in crowds near and far.

Debbie says planning for this event takes place year-round. “I don’t think we ever quit talking about it,” she says. It takes a village to pull off an event this big, but that’s part of what makes it so special.

Without community sponsors like Aberdeen Honda, Vaughn Company and Grays Harbor Tourism, just to name a few, Debbie says the event probably wouldn’t be able to happen. “We get so many donations for wonderful items for our silent auction,” she says, “and we have more than 60 volunteers each year, most of whom come to us from local businesses.”  Read more here:  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/12/28/elma-winter-wine-festival-3/