There are few truly Pacific Northwest events that can compare to watching winter arrive in the rainforest. While many avoid the region due to the strong winds, constant downpours and occasional snow showers, there is something amazing and unique about spending time out in the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula. Tucked away deep in Grays Harbor’s Quinault Rainforest, one of the most underrated winter experiences is waiting for you.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/12/08/winter-lake-quinault/

By Chelsea Royer

Valerie Fox-Armes’ fascination with artistry began as a young girl. “We had art supplies everywhere growing up. My mother made many of our clothes and much of my passion for art came from my mom,” says Valerie. Now, many years later, Valerie is inspiring others with her own homemade creations. Her favorite of which involve dyeing yarns and silk in the upstairs studio of her home.

“I fell into the hobby by accident. I used to do pen and ink drawings and when I turned 40, came up with a design and looked up silk screening on a website. I accidently stumbled upon the art of silk painting and bought a starter kit. My husband built me the frames I needed because he’s an enabler,” Valerie chuckled. “It’s all his fault. Crafting supplies are now all over my house.”

Valerie now owns a dyeing business named, Fiber Play. She works with other fiber artists, like Lynn Lypski, who spin their own yarns, and dye these quality fibers in vibrant colors. She also enjoys the art of Shibori, which Valerie describes as the “classy, great, great grandma of tie-dyeing. It is an old Japanese technique.”

Valerie is a member of the Schafer Meadows Art Guild along with Lynn and dozens of other members. These two talented women are the co-coordinators of the upcoming Schafer Meadows Fiber Arts Festival. “It’s our 12th festival this year,” says Lynn. “It’s grown a lot in the last decade and we will be partnering with the Alpaca Ranchers of the Northwest. They will be in the building with a couple of alpacas and represent the husbandry of alpacas and where some of the fiber arts begin.”  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/09/27/schafer-meadows-fiber-arts-festival/

By Douglas Scott

By Douglas Scott

Fall is a transition time for the Pacific Northwest. As each day passes, the sun rises a little later, and the sun sets a little earlier. In fact, we lose three minutes of daylight each day during the month of October. During the fall, gray skies become more frequent, helping show off the beauty of the leaves transitioning from green to orange seemingly overnight. Rain starts to fall, the wind starts to pick up, and the communities around Grays Harbor come alive with an energy that only fall can bring. As elk bugle and birds migrate south, salmon swim upstream and hikers enjoy the beauty of the region. For many, fall is the best time to be a local, and these five activities will help convince you of the same. Whether you are a mushroom hunter, enjoy beach combing or are just like to experience a leisurely drive to view the colors of autumn, these activities are sure to get you out exploring.are just like to experience a leisurely drive to view the colors of autumn, these activities are sure to get you out exploring.

As crispness returns to the air, mushroom hunters around the state gather their buckets and head to the Olympic Peninsula and Grays Harbor. For mushroom hunters in the region, fall means it’s the time to find Chanterelles, Hedgehogs, Morels, Oysters, Boletes, and Chicken of the Woods, all of which are extremely delicious and can sell for quite lucrative prices. While mushrooms can be found almost anywhere, a good field guide is needed to help locate the best spots, as well as identify edible mushrooms. The best book to pick up or check out is the Field Guide to Edible Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest by Daniel Winkler. If you are looking for an event to learn more about mushrooms, head to the Quinault Lodge for the13th Annual Mushroom Festival – October 16 through 18. More information about this event and other events around the region can be found on the South Sound Mushroom Club website.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/10/04/grays-harbor-fall-activities/

Bike riding is a fun outdoor activity that provides healthy exercise and allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Whether you are looking for a short, family-friendly loop or a rugged 32-mile ride, Grays Harbor features picturesque bike trails to suit every skill level.

Short and Simple

Planning a bicycle ride with the kids or getting ready for your first cycling excursion? These trails are ideal for the novice biker or for families with young children. The Westport Dune Trail, also known as the Westport Light Trail is a paved 2.5-mile loop through grassy fields and sand dunes. The trail weaves through Westhaven State Park, ending at Westport Light State Park.

Vance Creek in Elma offers a paved loop around a pond. Enjoy the quiet country setting, shady trees and peaceful water as you cycle around this spot.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/09/16/grays-harbor-bike-routes/

By Douglas Scott

Since humans first entered the land now known as Grays Harbor, fish and game have always been abundant. From the rainforest to the old growth timber around the Wynoochee, the hills of Capitol Forest and the rivers stocked full of salmon, life thrived in this region we call home, providing food and sustenance for locals and visitors alike. Today, fish and game are still a popular attraction for locals and tourists from around the world. From kids to the elderly and everyone in-between, the world-class hunting and fishing around the beautiful lands of Grays Harbor are waiting for you.

However, despite ample options for hunting and fishing the region, finding information on where to hunt and fish around Grays Harbor County can sometimes be confusing difficult. The best spots are usually kept secret, and information that is available tends to be hard to read for those without a lot of experience. Luckily, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as other experts in the region, has put together an amazing selection of resources, all in hopes to help you have an amazing time fishing and hunting in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/09/07/hunting-and-fishing-in-grays-harbor/

By Kristine Lowder

You never know what you’ll find inside an oyster, but a little prying can reveal a pearl. The same goes for the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano.

Considered one of the state’s finest, the courthouse was built in 1911 for $193,470.84. An eclectic blend of history, architecture and art, its story starts before Montesano became the county seat.

Grays Harbor’s governmental hub was originally located south of the Chehalis River in the home of the county’s first white settlers, Isaiah and Lorinda Scammon. Montesano was incorporated in 1883. Three years later, county government was ready to move out of Lorinda’s parlor, and Montesano and Cosmopolis duked it out for the next courthouse site.

The question was put to voters. Montesano, “The Maid of Wynoochee,” won. Courthouse construction began in 1889, but the burgeoning county soon outgrew the original wooden structure. A new courthouse was needed, and the good people of Chehalis County got busy.

Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/09/03/grays-harbor-county-courthouse/

By Grant Clark

Mark Gomez will pull double duty at this year’s Grayland Open Pro/Am Jetski Freeride Competition.

The world’s top-ranked freerider and current point’s leaders in the International Freeride Watercraft Association (IFWA) World Championship Tour, will not only attempt to successfully defend his title at the competition, he will also serve as the event’s on-site announcer.

“It’s going to be insane. I may have bitten off more than I can chew,” the 25-year-old Gomez said, “but everyone wants to be a part of it. This event has really picked up momentum over the years. Dan has just done a fantastic job.”

Gomez is speaking about Dan Lindgren, the founder and organizer of the Grayland Open, which is now in its seventh year.

“It’s pretty amazing how it’s grown over the years,” said Lindgren, who grew up surfing the waves at Westport. “It’s one of only two places in the United States you can see a competition like this. We will have some of the world’s best professional and amateur riders here.”  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/08/04/grayland-open-jetski/

Whether it’s the once-a-year combination of entertainment, food, rides, animals, activities, and community, there’s nothing like a county Fair. This year’s Grays Harbor County Fair is just around the corner in more ways than one.

Happening August 5-9 at the Grays Harbor Fair and Event Center, this year’s Fair promises non-stop fan favorites throughout the week. Mike Bruner, the Manager at Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and Tourism, is proud of the high quality performers and fun for visitors of all ages. He shares, “We’re really, really excited about this year’s fair and have created as much value for attendees as possible!”  Read more  here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/08/03/grays-harbor-county-fair/

Cruise-In to Elma for the 7th Annual “Heat on the Street” Custom Car & Motorcycle Show.  It kicks off on Friday, July 31^st  with Cruise-In Party hosted by Jason Olsen and family. Cruise in to the Edward Jones parking lot (3^rd & Waldrip Street) beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Bring the family for a preview night of cars, music and fun until 8 p.m.  Umpqua Bank is providing free Umpqua ice cream bars to the first 300 people.  You can register your car, or pick up your goodies if you’re pre-registered.   For registered cars you can participate in the poker run with great prizes, have a free hot dog and soft drinks.      

Show & Shine on Main Street starts at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1st.  Enjoy music and take a chance on many great raffle items, check out the vendor booths, Les Schwab tire & wheel trailer, food booths, downtown shopping, beer garden outside at Flippin’ 50’s Diner,  and beautiful cars, trucks and motorcycles!   For only $15 the first 150 if pre-registered by July 12^th, receive T-shirts, dash plaques, Grays Harbor Raceway tickets, raffle ticket and other goodies.  All registered cars receive a goodie bag!  Over 20 awards in many classes will be presented at 3:00 p.m. so be sure and vote for your favorite car.

New this year is the Car Parts Swap Meet!  You’ll find this located in a parking lot on 4^th and Main Street.  To sign up for a $20 space contact the chamber office.  Also on Main Street at 1 p.m. Total Trends Fashion Show will feature women and kids clothing.  Many other activities are happening in Elma including a free Family Fun Festival coordinated by the East Grays Harbor Transformation Team on 3^rd Street.  Take your kids and grandkids for games, bouncy houses, slides, games, food and lots of free prizes! 

The gardening enthusiasts can have Tea and Stroll through the Garden at 101 E. Waldrip Street.  This event, sponsored by P.E.O. Chapter GM, is a fundraiser to further the education of women worldwide.  The garden is open from 11 a.m. to 4. p.m. and is $5 per person.

 Enter Flippin’ 50’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at 2:00 p.m. with prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.  Elma Police Department is sponsoring special activities that may include a Road Rage Car Bash.

Just after the show at 3:30 pm. The New Alibi Station has live music by Lit End and their courtyard is open.  Stay for the evening for live music at Flippin’ 50’s Lounge by the band Montous.  Use your Grays Harbor Raceway ticket for some of the best dirt track racing starting at 7 p.m.  The racetrack is located on Grays Harbor Fairgrounds, just outside Elma.  And on Sunday go the the Elma Airport for Outlaw Drags!  Gates open by 11 a.m.

Thanks to Cut Rate Auto Parts, City of Elma, and Grays Harbor Tourism for sponsoring this event and to the many businesses that donate prizes and sponsor awards.  For information visit www.elmachamber.org or call 360-482-3055.