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SPRING ADVENTURING IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON: |
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Reunion, Blooms, Island Hopping |
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Story and Photographs by Larry Turner |
After a month of skiing in Whistler, Canada, my buddy John Paulson dropped me off in Portland, Oregon, where I would spend the first week of Spring, and then travel to Olympia, Washington, to visit friends and family. On April 7th, I took a one-way flight to Glacier International Airport in Montana, arriving a day before my son’s 40th birthday. I visited three Pacific Northwest States (yes, in the broader definition, Western Montana is part of the PNW) in Spring, all with their pleasures and platitudes...two of which I’ll explore a bit here: Oregon and Washington. Montana will be in the next issue. Departing Canada Under an Ominous Tone The Trump administration’s stupid narcissistic threats to make Canada America’s 51st state filled the streets and slopes during our Canada stay. Embarrassed, we apologized to our dear Canadian hosts, but they shook it off saying ‘this, too, will pass as we are brothers and sisters sharing a border and the President is not a Monarch.’ The Canadians are truly among the Earth’s best folks and traveling in their beautiful country has always been a deep pleasure. Long live Canada as a sovereign Nation. When we entered Canada, the customs were gracious and kind. When we departed back into the USA, our border customs were equally kind. Oregon State FAA Convention
In 1965-66 I served Oregon as State Treasurer of the FFA (Future Farmers of America). My fellow state officers and I were featured guests at the 2025 Annual State FFA Convention in Redmond, Oregon. John dropped me off with our state vice-president Harold Britton and his lovely wife Judy. We spent the first night at their Welches, Oregon, condo, waiting the following day for the fresh overnight snows to melt as we crossed Government Pass and the bustling roadside ski resorts, driving over the Cascade Mountain west-side to east-side, stopping for lunch at the Black Bear Diner in Madras. Back in our FFA tenure, I was the featured speaker, along with National Vice-President Larry Craig (who later would become an Idaho US Senator), at Madras High School’s Annual FFA Banquet.
It felt great to be back in my home state since September last saw my presence. We spent the next two nights—including Spring’s official arrival on March 20th—at the Brasada Ranch www.brasada.com where we had our 60th reunion. We stayed in a Sage Canyon Cabin with four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. We gathered around the large living room/kitchen for some lively conversations about years gone by, interwoven with the present. Five of six former officers participated in the reunion. On the 21st, we were featured at the convention’s opening ceremonies, introduced to a raucous, appreciative crowd of a thousand. They held a reception for us that evening at the local country club. I enjoyed the large indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs at the luxury resort. The walking paths were wonderful, lined by old gnarly junipers and rock sagebrush. The Spring weather was more ‘in like a lion’ but it was comfortable and the High Desert Country gave me a taste of home 135 miles due south. Washington Blooms and Island Hopping
When I arrived back in Portland, Laura and Rosie picked me up and we drove to the Olympia area, stopping to check out the sea lions feasting on smelt in the Columbia River near McMenamins in Kalama https://www.mcmenamins.com/kalama-harbor-lodge. We had an adult drink at the charming watering hole. Rosie the Boston Terrier had a puppachino. The next two weeks were spent exploring and enjoying the many Spring blooms of Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm, Boston Harbor, Nisqually Delta and surrounding area. The Capitol Grounds were extraordinary with the cherry blossoms, daffodils, tulips and a plethora of other flowers and blooming trees and scrubs. Rosie accompanied me on my walkabouts.
The walking paths of the Capitol and surrounding area are world class. The Port of Olympia is rich with these walking paths, also eateries, and whistle stops. Among my favorite is the charming Wine Loft on 401 Columbia St, a stone’s throw from the harbor. The singular standing rock/brick building offers a variety of Washington, regional and world wines at decent prices. The quaint garden with outdoor seating is a perfect setting to unwind and enjoy, and there is a window that opens to order one more pour. Owners Sarah and Seth Mier are absolute delights. Next to them is the Olympic Seafood Company https://olympiaseafood.com/, offering the freshest seafood available. I always order a variety of a dozen oysters in the shell. They also have a Tumwater location not far from Laura’s Tenino home.
One weekend we made our way to Harstine Island where Laura’s parents (my cousins) had a waterfront home for 20 years. En route we stopped at Spencer Lake Bar and Grill https://spencerlake.com/, the one and only eatery that Laura and her family would go to in the old days. The ono tacos that I had were superb and the view from our dining room window of the lake equally stunning. The last time that I had ono was in Hawaii, so this was quite the surprise. Fisherman in their boats made casts within 100 feet of us. We drove the length of the island and explored Harstine Island State Park and Jarrell Cove State Park. Exiting Harstine, we made our way to Stretch Island and Paradise Island. If I had an extra life to live, Paradise Island would be my perfect home. Tumwater, Olympia Beer and Bing Crosby
Tumwater lies just south of Olympia. Actually the two are connected with no noticeable delineation. I kept looking for an old downtown Tumwater but it actually doesn’t exist. So I just read this from a Google search and now I know why it doesn’t exist: “Old Downtown Tumwater, Washington, is characterized by its historic district, particularly around Tumwater Falls and the Deschutes River. ”The area includes structures like the Old Brewhouse and the Crosby House, which are part of the Tumwater Historic District. Interstate 5's construction in the 1950s significantly impacted the area, necessitating the demolition of many downtown buildings, including major businesses which relocated to Tumwater Square. However, the historic district was established in 1978 to preserve remnants of the old downtown.” So remnants it is. I’ll never know the old downtown Tumwater.
However, this area is well worth one’s time to explore. Deschutes River Falls and the hiking paths below the old Olympia Brewery are wonderful with lively rushing water, vibrant greens in ferns and old growth trees, a nicely maintained public park, and the withering bones of the Olympia Beer building. Deschutes River empties into the bay of Olympia. An historic segment of this area is the home of actor/crooner Bing Crosby’s grandparents: the Nathaniel and Cordelia Crosby House. A beautiful well maintained public park is connected to this property with surprising deep peace and quiet during the times that I visited. Outside of Tumwater, take a drive to Yelm; the Habitat for Humanity Secondhand Store is worth a stop. Explore some of the roads east that offer spectacular views of Mount Rainier. We drove to Deschutes Falls and hiked down to it. Well worth one’s time. Enjoy the nice picnic area with a table to while away a peaceful spring day.
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