Summer_Fjord_2025

SUMMER 2025• ISSUE 33 Grace in the Current 17

Jellyfish

of hood canal

Bluegrass 39

Hike MT Rose 73

From the Forest

Beware of the thorns of the steep hike but the views are spectaular Craig Romano

GEODuck43

Hoodstock 2025 74

Celebrates 20 years with national Bluegrass acts & family workshops

Reviled & Reveled – the history of this ungainly WA creature that is prized as a culinary treat

Embracing Art, Water and History – legacy continues

Fjordin Crossin 31

and Paddle the Canal Challenge

TRACINGTHEFJORD.COM

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Mason Health announces new open MRI for patient comfort and safety!

Patients have traveled far and wide for the comfort of Mason Health’s open-field MRI, which the District brought to the community in 2013.

Mason General Hospital Foundation is fundraising this year to help Mason Health purchase an upgraded open-field MRI, prioritizing patient comfort and safety.

The OASIS Velocity High-Field Open MRI gives providers and technologists an unobstructed view of patients.

Scan the QR code to learn more about the new MRI

THANK YOU TO PLATINUM LEVEL GOLF SPONSOR CDW HEALTHCARE!

THANK YOU GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS:

HCC

Hood Canal Communications

As of April 29, 2025

FJORD 2 Public Hospital No.1 of Mason County, Washington, d.b.a Mason Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (consistent with the scope of sex discrimination described at 45 CFR § 92.101(a)(2)) or sex, including sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; and gender identity. Mason Health does not exclude people or treat them less favorably because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

WELCOME SUMMER

ON THE FJORD

On Hood Canal it's difficult not to notice when the tide goes out. The entire shoreline changes and acreage increases with a myriad of colors and creatures that were doubtlessly there when the tide was in – but were hidden by 12' of water.

ISSUE 33 | YEAR 8 EVENTS 4 FOREST FESTIVAL 12

May 29- June 1

If you happen to work the tides, as our family does, there is a constant checking of the charts with each waterway having its own timing. Winter low tides are in the dead of night. Oyster gathering during December is bone chillingly cold. Finger tips so numb they are unable to operate the switch on your headlamp. Now that its full on spring we are loving the daytime tides.

The ramps may be steeper but your fingers don't drop off. Soon however, we'll be singing a different tune as the hot afternoon sun bakes our oysters and clams at low tide.

Beneath the white caps Hood Canal is renown as a diving mecca. Its glacial fjord formation caused underwater biomes that appear no where else. Adventurers travel worldwide for our area’s spectacular hiking, boating, fishing, camping and relaxing opportunities.

Heralded for its rich timber history and aquaculture resources it is the place where many of us choose to raise our kids and build our livelihoods – even if it does mean harvesting on the night tides.

As we trace the fjord – and our tides – it is an honor to celebrate the diversity and resources of our local waters and proudly support the natural legacy. We invite locals, descendants and travelers to join us on this journey and share stories and experiences.

Thanks to all the folks who contributed stories and ideas to this issue of the Fjord.

From hiking and diving to running and racing – not to mention the host of new and returning events – there is no end to the great things that the shores of Hood Canal and South Puget Sound uncover with each tide.

JELLYFISH 17 ROOTED IN NATURE 23

Hood Canal School Program

HISTORIC SCHOOLS 29 FJORDIN CROSSIN 31 GRAPEVIEW ART & WATER FESTIVAL 32 BLUEGRASS FROM THE

FOREST39

GEODUCK 43 MOUNT ROSE 72 HOODSTOCK 74

TRACING THE FJORD

IS PRODUCED BY RACHEL HANSEN IMAGE IN ACTION DESIGN rachel@nwevent.org (360) 427-5599 PO BOX 622, SHELTON, WA 98584 © 2025 No reprint without permission

COVER IMAGE: Staircase Entrance, Olympic National Park,Hoodsport photo credit, Charlotte Hansen

FJORDIN CROSSIN | JUNE 28

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WHAT'S HAPPENING RECURRING

Shelton School Board Meeting 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6 PM Mt. View Elementary School

Sheriff Lunch at Fjord Oyster Bank 1st Friday of the month, 11:30 AM 24341 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport

Hood Canal Kiwanis Sewing Club Tuesdays, 2 - 4 PM, St Germains 600 Lake Cushman Rd, Hoodsport

Fiber Art Fridays at Marmo Caffè Every first and third Friday, 3-6 PM 217 W Cota St, Shelton Bring a fiber art project to work on (FREE).

Builder Tuesdays Tuesdays, 10 - 2 PM, Shelton Library

Shelton Family YMCA FREE Teen Night Fridays, 5 PM - 8 PM 3101 N Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton

Cribbage at Bent Bine Brew Tuesdays, 6 PM tournaments with cash prizes.

Trivia Night at Bent Bine Brew Co. 23297 HWY 3, Belfair Fridays, 7 PM, FREE 23297 HWY 3, Belfair Open Mic Night at El Serape Cantina North Mason Eagles Karaoke First Tuesday of each month Fridays, 7 PM, 80 NE Alder Creek Ln, Belfair 318 W Railroad Ave, Shelton Bookmobile in Brinnon & Quilcene Tuesdays, 10–12 PM Brinnon Comm Center Tuesdays,1:30 – 4 PM Quilcene Comm.

Shelton Film Society Second Friday, 5:30-7:30 PM Movie screenings at Marmo's Shelton (FREE).

Trivia Night at Alderbrook Resort Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8 PM, Union

Tour Historic McReavy House, Union Saturdays and Sundays beginning Memorial Weekend through Labor Day

Open Mic night at Hood Canalé Wednesdays, 6871 E SR 106, Union

Marmo Book Club Every second Saturday, 1 PM 217 Cota St, Shelton Led by local librarian Cameron Miller Bingo at Brinnon Booster Club Bingo Saturday night at 6:45pm 151 Corey Street. Brinnon Poetry Open Mic at Marmo Caffè Last Saturday, 4-6 PM 217 W Cota St, Shelton Craft Club at Marmo Caffè & Gallery Every 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11 - 2 PM 217 W Cota St, Shelton Live Music at Bent Bine Brew Co. Saturdays, 5PM, 23297 HWY 3, Belfair Sewing Classes at Annie's anniesquiltshoppe.com Mason County WSU Master Gardeners Catalyst Park Garden Workshops 2nd Saturdays, 10 AM-12 PM 799 W Harvard Ave, Shelton Register: 2025cgworkshops.cheddarup.com

Saturday Night Bingo in Brinnon Saturdays, 6:45 PM, 151 Corey Street, Brinnon Fertilizing & Native Plant Biology 6/14

Darts at Bent Bine Brew Wednesdays, 5:45 PM registration with cash Bookmobile in Brinnon & Quilcene Saturdays, 10 – 12 PM Brinnon Comm Center prizes. 23297 HWY 3, Belfair Saturdays, 1:30 – 4 PM Quilcene Comm.

Open Mic at Bent Bine Brew Thursdays, 5 PM , 23297 HWY 3, Belfair

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Harvesting & Storage 7/12 Herb Gardens 8/9 Seed Saving 9/13 Bulb Lasagna 10/11 Native Plant Propagation 11/8

MAY

Adopt A Pet Plant Sale Saturday, May 10, 9 AM – 3 PM 2948 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton Just in time for Mother's Day! Sales support dog shelter.

2025 Disc Golf Cascade Challenge Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18 3676 N Shelton Springs Rd Internationally recognized Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) event.

Kitten Rescue Garage Sale Saturday, May 10, 8 AM - 5 PM 420 SE State Route 3, Shelton

Fjordin Brew Release Friday, May 16, 5:30-7:30PM Potlatch Brewing Co, Hoodsport

Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale Saturday May 10, 9 AM - 4 PM 130 E Export Rd, Shelton Details mgfmc.org

Opening Day at Vance Creek Railriders!

Saturday, May 17 421 West Hanks Lake Rd, Shelton Enjoy the unique experience of pedaling the historic Simpson Timber Railway. vcrailriders.com

29th Spell-E-Bration Saturday, May 10 190 W Sentry Dr, Shelton 90th Rhododendron Festival

Wednesday, May 14-18 Port Townsend

Shelton Mother's Day Dash Sunday, May 11, 8:30 AM 3600 N Shelton Springs Rd Presented The Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, this is a family-friendly, 4-mile, timed, run or walk. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/WA/Shelton/ TheMothersDayDash

Bent Bine 8th Anniversary Saturday, May 17, 2 PM 23297 HWY 3, Belfair Live music featuring local bands that have been performing at the brewery taproom. Enjoy bratwursts, food, and prizes.

Our team of licensed professionals are proud to provide fast and reliable service with integrity & excellent value.

CALL NOW FOR A QUOTE: (360) 426-1284

bradleyaircompany.com

Mardi Gras Gala 25 May 17, 5-8 PM Little Creek Casino, 91 WA-108 Get ready for an evening of elegance and community spirit. sheltonyouthconnection.org

Memorial Rummage Sale 2025 Mason County Saturday, May 24, 9 AM – 3PM 'Be Septic Smart' Workshop 600 Lake Cushman Rd Hoodsport Thursday May 15, 4 -7:30 PM Name your price! One day event Mason County Public Works 100 W Public Works Dr, Garden & Bake Sale Shelton May 24 – May 25 10 AM – 4 PM Beneficial impact that properly Brinnon Community Center maintaining septic system can 306144 U.S. 101 Brinnon have on Mason County's natJoin the Quilcene Brinnon Garural resources, different types den Club for their annual plant of septic systems, and landand bake sale at the Brinnon scaping your septic system!

Community Center! Shop plants, This workshop will include enjoy homemade desserts, and free educational materials support local causes! and the opportunity for you to ask our staff any questions.

Workshops: 5/15, 8/14, 10/16.

5 2025mcseptic.eventbrite.com 5

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StoryTrail Kickoff: The Lorax at Bayshore Preserve Saturday, May 24,10 AM – 3 PM Bayshore Preserve, 3800 Hwy 3, Shelton Capitol Land Trust and the Shelton Timberland Library invite families to the launch of a new StoryTrail featuring The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, installed along the scenic Johns Creek Trail at Bayshore Preserve in Shelton.

Walk the Block: Community Clean Up Wednesday, May 28,11 AM– 12 PM John L Scott, 320 W Railroad Ave, Shelton The Mason County Association of Realtors invites everyone to join a community event that helps keep Shelton shining! This hour-long walk around Shelton is open to businesses, families, kids, and even dogs— help beautify the community!

G ET M A R R I E D O N T H E H OO D C A N A L MIKE’S B E ACH R E SOR T

I LIA NA’ S GLAMP IN G VILLAGE

O N- SIT E AC C OM MOD ATI ONS F O R U P T O 1 00 PE O PLE PE T-F RIENDLY LO DGI NG O PT I ON S IN DOOR EVE NT HA LL O UT DO O R REC EP TI ON S PA C ES WATERF RONT C EREMONY S ETT I NG S WO ODLAND WED DING S P AC E TA B LES, CHA IRS A N D LI NENS P R O VI DE D B RID AL GET -REA DY ROOM GRO OM’S HANGOUT Q UA RTE R S O N- SIT E EXPERI ENC ES I NCLU DI NG KA YAK IN G , OY STER F ARM TOURS A ND SP A R OO M

Your weekend wedding destination!

W W W . PI NE A ND T I D EE V EN T S . COM

Watercolor Workshop May 27 - 30 24180 US-101 Suite C, Hoodsport Painting on site with Jan Morris at Lake Kokanee, Hama Hama Oyster Co, Sacred Waters in Union, and Whitney Gardens in Brinnon. Open to beginners and advanced painters, Pre-register at (206) 300-0877, cost $350/person.

Mason County Forest Festival May 29 – June 1 | Shelton Free family festival celebrating logging heritage and wildfire prevention. Music, parade, carnival, vendors, car show, logging show, and fireworks. masoncountyforestfestival.com KMAS Family Block Party!

Friday, May 30, 4 – 8:00 PM City Parking Lot, Cota Street, Shelton KMAS Radio and the Mason County Forest Festival kick off festival weekend at the free KMAS Family Block Party in downtown Shelton! Enjoy a lively evening featuring: fire trucks & wildfire safety resources, giveaways, music & entertainment, food vendors and games and activities for all ages! A fun and festive way to launch Forest Festival weekend, something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

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The Lugs May 30, 6-8 PM Union Square Deli, Union, lugsmusic.com Rockin' the Forest Saturday May 31, 4 PM 2948 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton Martha Reed Foundation's family friendly event includes live music, food, a beer garden, and games.

JUNE

Hood Canal Improvement Speaker Series - Farmer's Panel Tuesday, June 3, 6-7:30pm Venue TBD Fjordin Crossin Aquavit Cocktails Friday, June 6, 5:30-7:30 PM The Flywheel Gallery & Tasting Room 24180 US-101, Ste C, Hoodsport Early Paddle the Canal registration.

Discover Pass Free Days Free Fishing Days , June 7-9 No pass needed in State Parks Shelton Film Society Free Movie Friday, June 13, 5:30 -7:30 PM Marmo, 217 West Cota Street, Shelton In partnership with the Shelton Timberland Library and Kanopy, the series features an eclectic mix of films, including timeless classics, Italian masterpieces, art films, and horror gems.

Hood Canal Salmon Run 5k Saturday Jun 14, 8 AM - 12 PM 600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair The event, hosted by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) takes place rain or shine. Adults $30 Kids $10. pnwsalmoncenter.org

Union City Market Canal Cookout Fire & Feast Wednesday, June 18, 6-8 PM 5101 Washington 106, Union Nothing says summer like cooking over an open flame. Join us for a seasonal cookout featuring smoky, fire-kissed flavors. Call 360-898-3500 or alderbrookresort.com Discover Pass Free Days Juneteenth, June 19 No pass needed in State Parks Art & Crafts Market On The Hill Saturday June 21 10 AM - 3 PM 600 Lake Cushman Rd, Hoodsport Unique local gifts and homemade goodies.

Shrimpfest in Brinnon Saturday, June 21 9 AM-10 PM 20 Brinnon Ln, Brinnon Formerly Shrimpfest, then Fjordfest, and now Shrimpfest again – A day filled with seafood, fair food, games, and music is now hosted by the Brinnon Fire Association.

They're bringing back some traditions, including a community dance, kids' zone, beer gardens, and belt sander races, while introducing new events like a Shrimp “Iron Chef” Competition between Peninsula restaurants. brinnonshrimpfest.com

“Let Us Be Your Guides”

The Munn Bro's specialize in waterfront homes and acreage in the N.W. Hood Canal which includes Lake Leland, Dabob Bay, Quilcene and Brinnon areas. Enjoy the extended spring and autumn seasons of the Hood Canal. Munn Bro’s agents are thankful for the wonderful people in this pristine area that make it a unique place to live.

Experience outdoor activities, wild crafting mushrooms, wildlife, locally grown food, and an abundance of fresh seafood.

Jim Munn

Bruce Munn

Kalan Hatton

360.301.4700

360.301.4026

360.531.4419

Owner/Broker

Select the most knowledgeable and experienced agents to guide you in the purchase or sale of your property. The Munn Bro’s team truly know the Homes and Land of West Hood Canal. Stop by our new office at 294772 Hwy.101 in Quilcene for maps, tide books and local insight of this beautiful area.

Members of the NWMLS, and the Jefferson County Association of Realtors

~Notary services available~

Music on the Hill “HELLO NEIGHBORS” Saturday, June 21, 12 - 2:30 PM 600 Lake Cushman Rd Hoodsport Featuring musicians Steve Beck, Rebecca Holbrook, Jim Moore, and Tom McLaughlin.

Learn to Paint with Pastels Workshop Monday, June 23 24180 US-101 Suite C, Hoodsport Taught by Shelton artist, Annie Jones, and held at the Flywheel Art Gallery. All supplies

provided.

Pre-register at (206) 300-0877.

munnbros.com 7

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MotoAmerica Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29 Experience high-speed motorcycle racing at The Ridge Motorsports Park, with top riders competing for victory.

JOIN AND GET A

BURGER BASKET See Club Lucky for details.

Fjordin Crossin & Paddle the Canal Saturday, June 28 24210 US-101, Hoodsport Scandinavian inspired event features a kayak race across the fjord, great food and vendors and the crossing of the Distillery's Aquavit barrel, fjordincrossin.com.

Shelton Art Walk 2025 June 28, 11 AM - 7 PM Cota St, Shelton Celebrate creativity in downtown Shelton-meet local artists, enjoy live music, and experience our vibrant town.

Watercolor Sale at Flywheel Gallery Saturday, June 28 24180 US-101 Suite C, Hoodsport Local artwok, entertainment and cocktails.

20th Annual Bluegrass from the Forest Friday, July 11 – Sunday, July 13 Shelton S Mason Soccer Park 2102 E Johns Prairie Rd, Shelton Bands, music, camping on site, food, workshops and vendors. A weekend of family fun! bluegrassfromtheforest.com Allyn Days & Geoduck Festival Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20 Allyn Waterfront Park Allyn, WA Seafood fans gather to enjoy salmon bake (SAT) low tide mud run, oyster shucking competition (SUN), a vendor area for shopping, a beer garden, kids activities, live music and dancing.

Peace, Love, Union Saltwater Songwriter’s Festival After Hours July 17-19 , 10 PM + Hood Canalé, 6871 E SR106, Union After-hours, waterfront, acoustic concerts with multiple Grammy winning artists.

Expo & Bite of Mason County Friday, July 18, 11:30 AM - 6:30 PM REV Country Music Festival Railroad Ave, Shelton Saturday, June 28, 5:30 – 9 PM Check out local businesses and restaurants 1060 W Eells Hill Rd, Shelton Live performances from Cameron Whitcomb, in a fun, casual atmosphere. Vendors with games, giveaways, and free raffles throughAvery Anna, & Walker Montgomery! out the day; and restaurants and food trucks Doors open at 4:30 PM. GA, Premium GA, prepare delectable bites of food for a great and Pit Tickets available for purchase. value. Admission is FREE.

JULY

HOODSPORT FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE OPEN DAILY AT 10AM July 5,10 am – 3 pm $5 Off Prime Rib Special 40 N Schoolhouse Hill Road Every Friday and Saturday Are you looking for the perfect summer rad?

The book sale at the Hoodsport Library has many titles in fiction, mystery, and non-fiction, all for a relaxing summer read. The Stand-up Paddle Board Yoga Class books are like new or gently worn, and are July 26, 11 AM - noon just $1 for paperback and $2 for hard bound.

Alderbrook Resort and Spa dock, Union Join Joonbug Yoga for this uniquely Nw Quality Care Open Golf Tournament Earn 50 Base Points.

Hood Canal class. Two fee options: Friday, July 11, 10:00 AM Get a FREE Wearable. #1: $75.00/person - includes class, paddle Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club board, and paddle rental. (limit 10 rentals at NEW ITEMS EVERY MONTH. 330 E Country Club Drive E, Union resort dock); or #2: $37.50/person includes Fundraiser supports Mason Health’s yoga class and you provide board/paddle.

19330 US-101, Skokomish, WA 98584 FJORD 8 purchase of a new high-field open MRI. Repeats 8/30, 9/27 joonbugyoga.com myluckydogcasino.com | (360) 877-5656

WEARABLE WEDNESDAYS

Union City Market Canal Cookout Harvest Celebration Wednesday, September 17, 6-8 PM 5101 Washington 106, Union

Grapeview Art & Water Festival Saturday, July 26, 10 AM-5 PM 5050 Grapeview Loop Rd, Grapeview

Moon-Fest 2025 August 15-16, 260 Munn Rd, Quilcene

Union City Market’s 10-Year Anniversary Feast Wednesday, July 29, 6-8 PM 5101 Washington 106, Union

Hoodstock 2025 Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16 The Hood Canal Marina, Union, WA hoodstock.org

2025 Quilcene Fair and Parade Saturday, September 20 294715 Hwy 101, Quilcene

AUGUST

Fire District 17 Summer Market Saturday, August 23, 9 AM - 3 PM 34571 N. Hwy 101, Lilliwaup

OYSTERFEST 2025: Washington State Seafood Festival October 3 -5 | oysterfest.org 21 West Sanderson Way, Shelton

This waterfront festival offers inspiring arts & crafts, music, food, and fun activities for the whole family.

4th Annual Departure Fest NW August 1-3, 260 Munn Rd, Quilcene kalanwolfeandtheshift.com

Mason General Bikers for Babies Saturday, August 9 1595 Wilmington Dr, DuPont, WA 98327

A celebration of music, food and friends with speakers, vendors and more. (21+ event) moonfest.com

Raffles, vendors, bake sale, chainsaw carving, toys, Ice Cream & Root Beer floats. Vendor spaces available, $25, c ontact Tudi 206-715-8460.

Lacey to Shelton masonhealth.com

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Reserve at (360) 898-3500 or visit alderbrookresort.com for tickets.

quilcenefair.org

Hosted by the Skookum Rotary Club, this event attracts seafood enthusiasts/ families with activities, marine education exhibits, live music, entertainment, WA State wines and foods provided by local non-profits and volunteers.

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SHELTON MAY 29 – JUNE 1 MASON COUNTY FOREST FESTIVAL

CELEBRATE ALL WEEKEND!

Yes, the parade and court are pretty fun and important to our decades long event -- but the 81st annual Mason County Forest Festival in Shelton WA is so much more than crowns and floats!

With the underlying message of fire safety and eight decades of generational trends, Mason County Forest Festival events have ebbed and flowed like the tides we celebrate in this year's theme –galas, pageants, pet parades, car shows, timber displays, dances, vendor events, tea parties, firework shows, and, last year, a birthday party just for Smokey Bear – all these events have kept this festival relevant through the decades.

Start your Festival week on Thursday at the carnival. This community carnival delights the young and young at heart! Friday, join the KMAS party to raise wildfire awareness and celebrate our communities with free family fun. The event features music, games, food, fire trucks, axe throwing, and lots of giveaways and activities.

Saturday take part in a fun run, parade, awards, and delight in the logging show followed by the Kristmas Town Kiwanis Duck Drop in Loop Field. Don’t miss live music on Olympic Hwy from 4-9 PM, ending with a fireworks display as night falls! On Sunday, whether you're showcasing your own classic car or admiring others, you’ll head back to Olympic Hwy for another street celebration at the Shelton Car Show Off hosted by the NJROTC.

The penultimate event is the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade, featuring over 60 floats, marching bands and displays –but added Since 1945, the Festival has evolved, but it to this is a host of supporting events that remains a memorable weekend to celebrate bring families and friends together – each our timber heritage! Visit masoncountyforattendee taking home memories of special estfestival.com for information & schedule. traditions that have become annual reasons

11 to attend.

Artwork by Lin Spichiger, 2025 button design winner 7th, Hood Canal School

SCHEDULE OF

FESTIVAL EVENTS CARNIVAL Thursday, May 29- June , 1st & Grove, Shelton,

KMAS FF FAMILY FUN NIGHT Friday, May 30, 4-8 PM, 425 Cota St, Shelton

GOLDSBOROUGH CREEK RUN/WALK/JOG Saturday May 31 6-9 AM Railroad, Shelton, details page 11

FIREFIGHTERS PANCAKE BREAKFAST Saturday May 31, 7 -9 AM, 122 W Franklin, Shelton

PAUL BUNYAN GRAND PARADE Saturday, May 31, 11 AM, Railroad & Franklin

FOREST FESTIVAL LOGGING SHOW Saturday, May 31, 1 PM, Loop Field, Shelton

KRISTMAS TOWN KIWANIS DUCK DROP Saturday, May 31, 2 PM, Loop Field, Shelton

ROCKIN' THE FOREST Saturday, May 31, 4 - 9 PM, Olympic Hwy, Shelton

MANKE SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS Saturday, May 31, 10 PM, Olympic Hwy, Shelton

SHELTON CAR SHOWOFF Sunday, June 1, 10 AM, Olympic Hwy, Shelton For details on these and all festival events, visit masoncountyforestfestival.com

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FESTIVAL MEMORIES 1959

FOREST FESTIVAL QUEEN, ANDREA KNEELAND EGG “I so enjoyed being chosen as your 15th Forest Festival Queen and the Miss Keep Washington Green Queen for 1959. It was a dream come true for an 18-year-old girl remembering the thrill of past celebrations most of her life – the outdoor pageants on Loop Field, the Kiddie Parade, the main Forest Festival Parade, logging show and competition, and even the evening street dance and carnival where up to 50,000 people would be drawn to our county for the events.

The year I was queen, the theme honored the Mason County Pioneers. Because I was a third generation Shelton-born citizen, and my great-grandparents, John and Marie Kneeland, arrived in 1883 from Maine, I qualified as being from a pioneer family.

I was also given the privilege of dedicating Tollie the Shay in Brewer Park that year. Representing Shelton and Mason County, advertising our forest industry and festival to various communities, being on radio and television, and meeting several celebrities like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Phil Harris and Will Rogers, Jr. are still fresh in my memory. It is still a blessing for me to come back and be in the parade from time to time, and to enjoy being a spectator, watching everyone have such a wonderful time continuing to celebrate Shelton’s heritage, community, and future.”

KMAS 1030 AM/103.3 FM

KMAS HOSTS THE FOREST FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN PARKING LOT PARTY O

V

Friday, May 30, 4-8 PM Music, games, giveaways and wildfire exhibits and information | 425 Cota Street, Shelton

1962 IC

E

OF

2023

M ASO N CO

FJORD 12 at explorehoodcanal.com/events Family Fun at the Forest Festival Party on Cota -- details

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FOREST FESTIVAL 1990 SARAH DEHART

One of my fondest memories of the Forest Festival is the 1990 Logging Show. I remember standing in the middle of Loop Field in matching denim outfits my mom made, on a little wooden box so that I could reach the microphone. My heart was pounding but I was so excited to sing the National Anthem with my Mom, Carol Seeley, and my

­

sister, Laura Dailey.

It was thrilling to watch the axe men climb the poles with such ease, my neck straining to see them all the way at the top. Then suddenly they would nearly free fall to the ground, their cork boots only snagging the pole two or three times on their descent.

I gasped and held my Mom’s hand tight, thinking they were falling, and before I knew it they would land safely on the ground. I watched the wood chips fly while they swung axes that were taller than me.

Being six years old, they were superheroes covered in sawdust. I had a whole new respect for my dad, a high climber who also logged with draft horses.

I loved growing up in such a small town and being a part of a festival that brings everyone together.

Now we raise our daughters in this same community, where our kids are friends with our friend’s children.

If you have never been to the logging show I highly recommend you do – and definitely bring the kids.

The Thicket on

HOOD CANAL

Dahlias Fresh Cut Flowers (May-Oct) Herb & Vegetable Starts

thicketpnw.com 13

(564) 200-2992 FJORD

Lynch Creek Farm Established in 1980, Lynch Creek Farm has been handcrafting traditional and decorated Christmas wreaths, fresh centerpieces, and other beautiful holiday gifts for over 40 years.

A Part of Family Traditions Nationwide

Visit our U-Pick Dahlia Field this summer!

Open every day from late July to October!

A beautiful trip awaits you!

Opening this summer. Check out our website for more information! lynchcreekdahlias.com @lynchcreekdahlias

1880 SE Lynch Rd, Shelton, WA 98584

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Lorax Story Trail at Bayshore Preserve MAY 24

Capitol Land Trust and the Shelton Timberland Library invite families to the launch of a new StoryTrail featuring The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, installed along the scenic Johns Creek Trail at Bayshore Preserve in Shelton. Opening day for the new trail is May 24, drop in any time from 10 AM to 2 PM. This bilingual English/Spanish trail weaves pages of The Lorax into a fun outdoor reading experience for ages 4+, though all are welcome. At the kickoff event, enjoy a kids craft station and a tree-themed scavenger hunt near the kiosk.

If you can't make the kickoff on May 24, don't worry, the StoryTrail will remain up through Labor Day. Learn more: capitollandtrust.org/storytrail-kick-off-the-lorax

LOCATION:

3800 WA-3, Shelton, WA 98584. Free parking to the right of the gate facing a wood and metal mesh fence as well as along the concrete blocks to the left of the fence. Alternative parking is available at the WDFW parking lot to the north of Bayshore Preserve with a Discover Pass.

DAY OF CHAMPIONS MAY 29 | NORTH MASON HIGH SCHOOL The Kiwanis Day of Champions is a very unique, non-competitive, highly-modified track and field event designed specifically for students with special needs/challenges. This free, ALL-volunteer event features stations such as Big Ball, 50-Meter Dash, Parachute, Bowling, Badminton, and more. Thanks to our amazing sponsors, all participants receive a free t-shirt, a medal, and lunch!

For much of their lives, students with special needs remain on the sideline cheering for their non-disabled peers and siblings.The first Day of Champions was created in 2003 to provide a day just for them. In 2024, almost 200 participants representing 15 schools from Mason County and beyond experienced the joy of participating and being cheered for by hundreds of volunteers, fellow students, and members of the community.

The 2025 event is hosted Thursday May 29, beginning at 10 AM at North Mason High School. For information, Julie Rowen, Kristmas Town Kiwanis, at bradley.julianne@gmail.com.

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Searching for the perfect Hood Canal experience?

Special occasion coming up?

Guests visiting? Want to experience a unique Canal perspective? Look no further than our Hood Canal Sunset Dinner Cruises!

Chef Katherine serves four courses on the flybridge for a unique dining adventure on this 3-hour journey!

The view of sun setting beyond the Olympic range from the water is spectacular – pair that with local wildlife and a gourmet meal prepared in the galley? Sublime.

Olympic Peninsula locals Captain Kelley and Chef Katherine explore on the Hood Canal in a restored 1969 36’ mahogany Grand Banks trawler. Custom and Scuba Diving charters available, call now (360) 300-7810

SUNSET DINNER CHARTERS $150 /person.

Departure from Brinnon at 6-9 PM (based on season). Pick up from local lodging via van or boat available. Non-alcoholic beverages provided, welcome to BYOB Guests 13 and under must wear life jacket when not in cabin (please provide your own).

360-300-7810 | PALLINAROUND.COM

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Grace in the Current:

Jellyfish THOM ROBBINS | STORY & PICTURES

Gliding through the green summer currents of the Salish Sea, jellyfish seem to exist somewhere between matter and myth—elegant, translucent, and suspended in a world shaped by light and movement. Though often dismissed as pests or feared for their sting, these gelatinous invertebrates are a vital and beautiful part of the Salish Sea’s marine ecology, especially during the warmer months.

At least 10 known species of jellyfish (Class Scyphozoa and Hydrozoa) are commonly found in the Salish Sea. However, the exact number varies depending on seasonal conditions and depth. The region also hosts a variety of hydromedusae (small jellyfish-like organisms from the class Hydrozoa) and ctenophores (comb jellies), which are not true jellyfish but are often seen alongside them.

At the same time, nutrient-rich upwelling from deeper waters feeds this explosion of life, creating a cascading effect through the food web. These blooms nourish jellyfish and other filter feeders, yet they can also trigger oxygen depletion in deeper layers—a process known as eutrophication. As algae and plankton die off and decompose, they consume oxygen, sometimes creating low-oxygen zones that drive fish and invertebrates like wolf eels into shallower waters, or out of the area entirely.

Photo credit: Laurie Hall

In the summer, diving in the Salish Sea isn’t about crystal-clear views but seeing what moves through the murk. As Despite the haze, the midwater the surface waters warm, sunteems with motion. Jellyfish light and nutrients combine to pulse silently past in the filtered spark massive phytoplankton and algae blooms. These micro- light, their delicate forms scopic organisms flourish in the catching the sun like drifting ornaments. I’ve hovered molong daylight hours, turning tionless on some dives as dozens the water cloudy green and dramatically reducing visibility. of moon jellies passed—some 17

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Jellyfish have been drifting through Earth’s oceans for over 500 million years, long before dinosaurs roamed the land or fish evolved bones.

brushed softly against my mask. In those

moments, the murk becomes a cathedral, lit not by clarity but movement. Among the most commonly seen is the moon jelly (Aurelia labiate). Recognizable by its delicate, bell-shaped body and the four horseshoe-shaped gonads visible through its dome, the moon jelly is both harmless and hypnotic. Although capable of stinging, its venom is so weak that divers typically feel nothing more than a light brush, if anything at all.

Another summer highlight is the fried egg jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica), which drifts through the current like a golden sun.

Its yolk-colored center and frilled white tentacles make it one of the most photogenic creatures in the water column. Despite its size, it poses little threat to swimmers or divers.

Less frequent but unforgettable is the lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)—the world's largest known jellyfish species. Its tentacles can grow over 30 meters long in Arctic populations, though those found in the Salish Sea are often smaller. Its sting is more noticeable, though rarely dangerous, and it tends to favor colder, deeper waters where few divers tread.

Jellyfish have been drifting through Earth’s oceans for over 500 million years, long before dinosaurs roamed the land or fish evolved bones. Fossil evidence shows that their basic body plan has remained remarkably unchanged, a testament to just how well-adapted they are to life in the water column.

These ancient invertebrates are one of the oldest animal groups on Earth. Unlike many marine organisms, jellyfish never developed hard skeletons or complex organs.

Instead, they relied on simplicity and flexibility: a hydrostatic body, a decentralized nerve net, and the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Their survival lies in elegant simplicity.

Jellyfish drift with currents, respond to light and nutrients, and reproduce quickly when conditions align—strategies that have carried them through five mass extinctions. Most jellyfish species live only a few months in their adult medusa form.

In the Salish Sea, each summer bloom connects us to this deep evolutionary past. To hover among these creatures is to glimpse a lineage nearly as old as the ocean itself.

Their movements may be fleeting, but their presence speaks to a legacy stretching back over 500 million years.

BUILT TO DRIFT

Though they seem simple, jellyfish are highly specialized. With no bones, brains, or hearts, they are built to drift. The jellyfish found in the Salish Sea all share the same basic anatomy, but with fascinating variations.

At the center of a jellyfish’s structure is its bell, the umbrella-like dome that pulsates to move it through the water. This bell is made of a gelatinous material composed chiefly of water, up to 95% in most species.

Radial canals branch from the stomach, distributing nutrients throughout the bell.

Hanging beneath the bell, a jellyfish’s tentacles and oral arms serve as its defense system and means of feeding. Along the tentacles are thousands of specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes, each containing a microscopic harpoon-like structure known as a nematocyst. When triggered by touch or the presence of prey, these structures fire, delivering venom that can stun or immobilize small organisms.

Moon jellies don’t chase their meals—they drift with open arms through clouds of plankton, letting the current deliver each bite. Their tentacles sweep plankton, tiny crustaceans, and larval fish toward their fringe of short, frilly oral arms, transporting the food to the central mouth.

The fried egg jelly takes a slightly different approach. Its long tentacles snare zooplankton and smaller jellyfish, which are slowly drawn to its oral arms for digestion. Large and dramatic, it feeds with quiet efficiency, drifting through the current, letting the ocean deliver each meal.

But while they drift and feed with effortless grace, jellyfish are also food for a surprising array of marine life. Sea anemones, rooted to rocks and pilings, often snatch passing jellies with their sticky tentacles. If a moon jelly drifts too close or becomes weakened, an anemone will pull it in, undeterred by the jelly’s stinging cells. Whenever I run across this it always looks like a child sucking in a plate of spaghetti.

Jellyfish drift with currents, respond to light and nutrients, and reproduce quickly when conditions align—strategies that have carried them through five mass extinctions.

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For all their fragile, ghost-like appearance, jellyfish play a key role in the Salish Sea’s complex food web, both predator and prey.

Their presence supports a range of species.

fish's tissues. This efficient, low-energy system works because jellyfish are composed mainly of water and have thin, soft bodies, allowing nutrients and gases to move freely without blood or vessels.

Jellyfish lack a brain but rely on a decentralized nerve net to detect touch, orientation, and light. Around the bell’s rim are specialized sensory structures called rhopalia, which contain balance organs (statocysts) and light-sensitive spots (ocelli).

These help jellyfish maintain their position in the water column and respond to environmental changes.

Larger predators also take an interest. Occasionally, ocean sunfish (Mola mola)—the world’s largest bony fish—wander into the Salish Sea, and jellyfish are a favorite food.

Their thick skin protects them from stings as they chomp through even the largest medusae. Historically, leatherback sea turtles, specializing in eating jellyfish, may have traveled this far north, though sightings today are extremely rare.

Even other jellyfish can be predators. With its long, trailing tentacles, the fried egg jelly often feeds on smaller jellyfish that become ensnared in its stinging threads. It’s a quiet cannibalism, part of the natural food web.

Jellyfish can be an unexpected snack for juvenile salmon, especially pink and chum.

These young fish sometimes feed on tiny jellies and jelly-like plankton as they migrate through the sea, supplementing their diets during their early life stages.

When a jellyfish’s life ends and it sinks to the seafloor, crabs, sea stars, and other scavengers move in. They scavenge the soft tissue, recycling the jelly’s nutrients into the ecosystem.

For all their fragile, ghost-like appearance, jellyfish play a key role in the Salish Sea’s complex food web, both predator and prey.

Their presence supports a range of species, many of which rely on these gelatinous drifters more than most people realize.

Unlike animals with hearts and blood vessels, jellyfish lack a true circulatory system.

Instead, they rely on the simple structure of their bodies to move nutrients. Through a combination of internal canals and diffusion, the passive movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to low, nutrients are spread throughout the jelly-

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In many species, like the moon jelly, you can see the four gonads (reproductive organs) through the bell. These are typically arranged symmetrically and give the jelly its iconic pattern. Jellyfish are usually gonochoric, meaning individuals are either male or female, though some species can change sex depending on environmental conditions.

Though they may appear delicate, jellyfish anatomy is an evolutionary success story,

fine-tuned over half a billion years.

Every structure, from the trailing tentacle to the light-detecting rhopalium, keeps these animals alive in a constantly shifting marine world.

BORN OF WATER Jellyfish have one of the most complex and fascinating life cycles in the animal kingdom, cycling between two distinct forms: the polyp and the medusa. Most of the jellyfish we see while diving are medusae—the free-swimming, bellshaped adults. But before reaching this stage, each jellyfish begins life as a microscopic larva called a planula, which settles onto a hard surface and develops into a polyp. These polyps can remain dormant for years, cloning themselves and waiting for the right environmental cues—usually a change in temperature or light—to begin a process called strobilation.

During strobilation, the polyp stacks tiny disc-like ephyrae that break off and develop into juvenile jellies. This ability to clone and reproduce asexually means jellyfish can quickly take advantage of favorable conditions, leading to the massive blooms divers witness during Salish Sea summers. Some polyps may produce genetically identical clones, while others undergo sexual reproduction to introduce new genetic material.

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In particular, moon jellies are known for their resilience and adaptability.

They can tolerate low-oxygen conditions better than many other marine organisms, allowing them to thrive in increasingly stressed ecosystems. Crystal jellies exhibit a unique form of reproduction in which males and females release gametes into the water column, a method known as broadcast spawning—one of the most ancient reproductive strategies in the ocean.

CONSERVATION Although jellyfish are often seen as survivors—creatures that thrive where others struggle—they are also indicators of broader changes in marine ecosystems. In the Salish Sea, shifts in jellyfish populations can reflect changes in water temperature, nutrient levels, and even human impacts such as coast al development and pollution.

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For instance, increased runoff from agriculture and urban development introduces nutrients that can intensify plankton blooms, indirectly supporting larger jellyfish populations. While this may seem like a success story for jellies, it often signals ecosystem imbalance.

In extreme cases, jellyfish blooms can disrupt fisheries by clogging nets, consuming fish larvae, and competing with commercial species for food.

Plastic pollution also poses a risk.

Jellyfish sometimes ingest microplastics, mistaking them for prey, and may in turn be eaten by larger animals like salmon or sea turtles, passing toxins up the food chain. Interestingly, the translucent structure of jellyfish makes them particularly difficult to spot when entangled in discarded fishing gear, meaning they can suffer unnoticed in ghost nets.

Despite these concerns, jellyfish have become unlikely ambassadors for science, conservation, and discovery.

One of the most important breakthroughs in modern biology came from the crystal jelly, found off the coast of Friday Harbor. Scientists discovered green fluorescent protein (GFP) in this species—a molecule that glows green under ultraviolet light. GFP acts like a molecular flashlight when inserted into other organisms, allowing researchers to track genes and observe biological processes in real time. This discovery revolutionized genetic and medical research, earning a Nobel Prize and highlighting the hidden value of marine life.

CONCLUSION Encountering jellyfish while diving in the Salish Sea is never ordinary. Whether it’s a moon jelly's hypnotic pulse or a crystal jelly's rare glow, these animals embody a unique blend of grace, resilience, and ecological importance.

They are living filters, slow-motion drifters, and seasonal storytellers, revealing much about the world beneath FJORD the waves.

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While some may still associate jellyfish with stings or beach closures, divers know better. To hover beside a jelly in its element is to witness nature in its purest form—unhurried, mysterious, and vital. In a time when ocean health is at risk, jellyfish remind us that beauty and science are not separate but intertwined. Their presence is more than a summer spectacle—it’s a quiet signal that even the oldest life forms still move among us, pulsing with stories the sea has never stopped telling. To witness one is to glimpse time suspended—fragile, pulsing, and older than memory.

MEET THE AUTHOR

THOM ROBBINS I am fascinated with the underwater world here in the Pacific Northwest.

I have been a diver for over thirty years and have never been happier than underwater with a camera.

I spend as much time underwater as possible. I love writing, shooting pictures, or teaching diving and photography. You can learn more about me atthomrobbins.com.

When not diving, I spend time with my wonderful, patient wife, Barb. We live in Shelton, Washington, where we relish a relaxed lifestyle close to world-class diving spots. Barb’s support has been instrumental in my passion for diving; she is my best and often harshest critic, constantly pushing me to capture better photos. Our 21-year-old son inspires me to be a better person every day.

Completing our family are our two English Bulldogs, who bring us endless joy.

Rooted in

Nature

HOOD CANAL’S OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS TRANSFORMS LEARNING DR. LANCE GIBBON HOOD CANAL SUPERINTENDENT PHOTOS BY STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

At Hood Canal School, students don’t just learn about nature—they live it. The forest becomes a classroom, rivers turn into science labs, and trails are pathways to discovery. Throughout the school, a vibrant network of outdoor education programs is transforming what learning looks like, blending science, culture, and stewardship into experiences that leave a lasting imprint.

It’s a bold vision: connect students deeply to their place, nurturing curiosity, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. Thanks to dedicated educators and powerful community partnerships, that vision is flourishing.

BOOTS: PUSHING BOUNDARIES, BUILDING CONFIDENCE

At the heart of this effort is BOOTS— Building Opportunities Through School—a program with a 23-year legacy of immersing students in the natural world.

What started as a middle school adventure has grown into a full K-8 model, offering 325 students a progressive pathway of out

door learning through four distinct programs: BOOTS, BYRDS, Jr. BOOTS, and ROOTS. Led by outdoor educator Toby Syrett, BOOTS focuses on teamwork, leadership, and personal growth through outdoor challenges. Activities include wilderness backpacking, mountaineering, overnight trips, team-building initiatives, and even vocational skill modules.

This spring, middle schoolers shouldered backpacks and tackled a rugged ten-mile trek into the Skokomish South Fork, braving rain and tough terrain. Outfitted with new gear, they not only stayed dry—they thrived.

“These experiences build confidence,” says Syrett. “Kids realize their own strength— and that pride carries over into everything they do.” He’s witnessed powerful transformations: “I had seventh graders who struggled in class, but outside? They step up—dividing tasks, managing equipment.

I thought, are these the same kid?”

Closer to campus, BOOTS students recently built a new outdoor classroom, transforming a fallen cottonwood and cedar logs into a national-park-style learning space. From clearing trails to shaping benches, students led the way—embodying stewardship in action.

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BYRDS: SCIENCE IN THE WILD

While BOOTS focuses on adventure and personal growth, BYRDS—Bringing Youth to Riparian Destinations for Science— functions as an outdoor science lab. Led by science teacher Heather Akiyama, BYRDS offers hands-on STEM learning through habitat restoration, salmon studies, and ecological fieldwork.

“Our goal is to connect classroom science to the real world,” Akiyama explains.

“Whether students are measuring tree growth, restoring trails, or kayaking through kelp forests, they experience science firsthand.”

This year’s adventures included kayaking Hood Canal, building underwater rovers, and visiting Hama Hama Oysters, where students explored the link between forests, rivers, and aquaculture—capped with an oyster shucking and tasting session.

“Kids get hooked,” Akiyama says. “When they’re out in the field, science becomes something they do, not just something they read.”

Middle schooler Dani put it simply: “It’s fun to hang out with friends, but outdoor ed is even better because it’s hands-on. You really have to listen and pay attention—and it sticks with you.”

ROOTS: GROWING CURIOSITY EARLY

For younger students, ROOTS (Roots of Outdoor Opportunities Through School) serves as the entry point into outdoor education. Guided by Winter Strong, ROOTS introduces K-5 students to plant identification, nature journaling, and traditional ecological knowledge.

“There’s something powerful about hearing a plant’s name in its native language,” Strong says. “It ties learning to place and culture—and it stays with them.”

ROOTS focuses on observation and respect: learning to tell a true dandelion from a false one, tasting nettle tea, and understanding how plants have been used for food and medicine across generations.

At Hood Canal, outdoor learning isn’t an add-on—it’s a way of life, shaping students who are curious, capable, and deeply connected to the land they call home.

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“We talk about personal space, respecting nature, and how to be safe,” Strong adds.

“The goal is to get them out there—learning by seeing, touching, and experiencing.”

SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM: A RITE OF PASSAGE

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S AV E T H E DAT E S ● Fjordin Crossin Beer Release Party at potlatch Brewing 5:30 - 7:30 ● Cody Morris is creating a new unique IPA for Fjordin ● Early Paddle the Canal registration discount

June 6

S AV E T H E DAT E S

● Fjordin Crossin Aquavit Grotto Party at the Flywheel Gallery 5:30 - 7:30 ● Aquavit cocktails in the gallery

May 16

● Paddle theBeer Canal registration ● Early Fjordin Crossin Release Party discount at potlatch Brewing 5:30 - 7:30

● Cody Morris is creating a new unique IPA for Fjordin June 28 Fjordin Crossin!! ● Early Paddle the Canal registration discount FJORD

June 6

FJ O R D I N C R O S S I N .C O M

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● Fjordin Crossin Aquavit Grotto Party at the Flywheel Gallery 5:30 - 7:30 ● Aquavit cocktails in the gallery

EARTH DAY: A LIVING CELEBRATION

This spring’s Earth Day celebration showcased Hood Canal’s outdoor learning culture in full bloom. Under bright skies, students gathered for a day of learning, service, and cultural connection. The event began with a moving song performed by Skokomish students and tribal members, reminding everyone of the deep ties between people and place.

Led by Ms. Akiyama and the Skokomish Tribe’s Natural Resources Department, students rotated through hands-on stations: pulling invasive species, making plantprint cards, sampling native foods, learning about invasive green crabs, testing water pH, and identifying local plants.

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The school’s beloved Salmon in the Classroom project brings it all full circle. Each year, 3rd and 7th graders raise salmon from eggs in classroom tanks, nurturing them before releasing them into local streams.

“We partner older and younger students,” Akiyama explains. “They love watching the salmon grow, and we tie it to real-world learning with field trips to the Salmon Center.” The project blends biology with stewardship—giving students a firsthand look at the life cycles sustaining the Pacific Northwest.

Meanwhile, kindergarteners cleaned up campus trails and collected colorful recyclables, which will be transformed into art for a future classroom project. “Our kinders were so proud to be part of something bigger,” librarian Mrs. Lankford said. “They’re learning early that caring for the earth is something we do.”

TEACHING THE TEACHERS

Hood Canal’s commitment to outdoor learning extends to educators, too. Through workshops with the Pacific Education Institute and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, teachers are sharpening their

own nature-based teaching skills. Whether knee-deep in wetlands or sketching plants, staff are gaining confidence and tools to integrate the outdoors into every subject.

LOOKING AHEAD

As these programs continue to evolve, so does the district’s vision: expanding Skokomish cultural connections, deepening field experiences, and growing outdoor learning spaces on campus.

“The beauty of these programs is that they teach so much more than facts,” says Strong. “They teach kids how to observe, how to work together, how to care for the world around them—and how to find their place in it.”

At Hood Canal, outdoor learning isn’t an add-on—it’s a way of life, shaping students who are curious, capable, and deeply connected to the land they call home.

“Our kinders were so proud to be part of something bigger, They’re learning early that caring for the earth is something we do.”

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The way climbs a little hump before making a gradual descent toward the river.

While the surrounding forest can be dark at times, come spring hundreds of trilliums line the way adding whites, pinks, and purples to the emerald landscape.

Chinook salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead trout still ply the Duckabush’s waters. And while their numbers are a fraction of what they were back in Finch’s time, fishing (be sure to check regulations and seasons) is still allowed and can be good on the Duckabush.

And perhaps you have a favorite fishing hole on this river or another in the national forest. A secret spot you don’t have to reveal to anyone!

Soon the Duckabush River’s roar becomes more audible. During the wetter months it is quite loud. You are almost there. The trail makes a short steep drop and emerges along the banks of the Duckabush. A short distance beyond reach the famed fishing Additional Details spot. Here the river crashes and thunders Land Agency Contact: Olympic Nationthrough a narrow rocky chasm to a deep al Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, pool. Frothy gurgling waters crash up Quilcene, (360) 765-2200, www.fs.usda.

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The Grant School

From our farm to your table.

Historical Society Museum Exhibit Focuses On Schools SHELTON All across Mason County, you can see old foundations and weathered bell towers—clues to an era when schools popped up in every cove, island, and logging camp. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, parents in small communities passed the hat, hired a teacher, and raised a building “any time a few families pooled their resources,” recalls Liz Arbaugh, curator of the Mason County Historical Society’s most recent exhibit on early schools.

Getting to class could rival any canal adventure. Children from Tahuya launched at dawn, rowing for Union on the far shore. “If fog or wind kicked up, they might land only twenty feet from where they started,” Arbaugh laughs—one reason Tahuya eventually built its own school. Harstine Island, though barely ten square miles, maintained three separate schoolhouses to spare youngsters a trek.

Every grade shared the pot-bellied stove, recited the same lessons, and worked off the same penmanship sheets.

Eighth grade often passed for high school until Shelton graduated its first senior class in 1912.

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Tribe followed a different and Open Friday 3-8 PM often harsher path. A federally run day school opened Saturday & Sunday 1-7 PM in 1869; tribal families “were very interested in having their Compared to today, the curricchildren educated,” Arbaugh 24341 N Hwy 101 , Hoodsport, WA ulum was lean but relentless: explains, yet federal agents 360-877-2102 reading, writing, arithmetic, enforced rules so rigidly they and civics drilled “over and sometimes “pulled runaway over, year to year,” Arbaugh children out of bed in the

29 FJORD notes. middle of the night.”

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Where the logging camps rumbled with steam donkeys, schoolhouses soon followed. Camp Grisdale ran its school so fallers and riggers could keep families nearby, creating a whole community just like any town. When lessons ended, desks were pushed aside for potlucks, spelling bees, and dances that “went until three in the morning before everyone piled back into their rowboats at dawn.” In isolated areas, the schoolhouse doubled as a town hall, polling place, and grange.

Just a few of these structures survive. The Grant School, a 1914 cedar-sided gem off Pickering Road, educated children until 1942 and today serves as a living history venue under the Pickering Community Club. In the Skokomish Valley, the two-story 1923 school now hosts meetings as Skokomish Grange No. 379, its restoration partly funded as a heritage project.

OCT 4 -5

Much of what was from the museum exhibit came from Doug and Lorna Dayton, retired teachers who spent ten years cataloging photos and mapping every school they could find.

Through photos, artifacts, and documents, visitors will get a glimpse into the history of education in Mason County and its importance to the area’s development.

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The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM, and Saturday, 11 AM – 4 PM. Admission is free. Stop by at 427 W Railroad, to see the rotating exhibits or find and support them at masoncountyhistoricalsociety.org.

JUNE 28, 11 AM - 3 PM

FREE FAMILY EVENT AT HOODSPORT DOCK

FJORDIN' CROSSIN

PHOTOS: GEORGE STENBERG

HOODSPORT

Formed over 13,000 years ago, Hood Canal is not a canal, as defined by Captain George Vancouver when he "discovered" it in 1792, but in fact the only fjord in the lower 48 states. June 28 celebrate this distinction with a unique event held in Hoodsport.

There are plenty of fjords in Canada and Alaska, but averaging 150' deep in some spots and as much as 600' in others, Hood Canal is the only saltwater access fjord (carved by a glacier) in the lower 48.

It is fitting therefore that nearly a decade ago Jan and Chuck Morris, owners of the Hardware Distillery, decided to create an event to celebrate the annual release of their Hoodsport distilled aquavit. Playing on a Scandinavian tradition of crossing the equator to "age" the spirit with the rocking of the boat, they decided to recreate the tradition by crossing our local Fjord.

Over the years the event has grown to include a popular "paddle across the canal challenge" hosted by Hood Canal Events and supported by volunteers from Salish Rotary Club.. Participants bring their own kayaks, SUPs aor rowboats, or they can rent from Hood Canal Adventures, who are set up with kayaks at the beach and enter

to win this unique challenge. The crossing is short and there are safety boats along the way, so it has become a family friendly tradition for many regulars. If you have no desire to paddle but want to spectate the event, here is plenty to do including vendors, oysters and food, a parade, artisans and children's crafts.

The Aquavit Garden serves cocktails on the beach as they await the arrival of the tide which will eventually send them to higher ground and move the events into the main street of Hoodsport where attendees will find additional activities offered by local businesses.

Feel like a kid again, jump on the bus for a 10 minute bus ride to the Hoodsport Dock (main event location). You really are on a fun school bus making a difference! Thank you! Free parking is in the large parking lot at the Hood Canal School at the corner of SR 106 and US 101 - look for signs and volunteer supporters. The bus will depart the front of the school on the hour, every hour staring at 9:00 AM and ending at 4:00 PM

TRANSPORTATION FREE parking AND shuttle are available at Fjordin Crossin 2025. Parking is is VERY limited ALL over Hoodsport, but not to worry, we have a fun solution! Remember the good ole times on your school bus?

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Did you know that the KMAS 1030 AM/103.3 FM signal reaches as far as Tacoma, Bremerton, Aberdeen, and Centralia? (radio-locator.com). As the “Voice of Mason County” KMAS also reaches your friends and neighbors from Allyn and Shelton to Belfair & Hoodsport, as well as on their commutes to Bemerton, SeaTac, and Olympia. TRACING THE FJORD is proud to be a part of their family!

Radio is available 24/7 and is accessible to everyone.

The Fjord Magazine is celebrating 7 years of stories about South Puget Sound (Olympia, Allyn, to Elma and Matlock) and Hood Canal – from Port Gamble to Belfair!

Bremerton Hoodsport

Seattle

Belfair Tacoma

Shelton Olympia

Aberdeen

Our FREE quarterly magazine is on the WA State Ferries and available for pick up at over 120 public locations, with 10K print copies & 15K + online downloads, the reach keeps growing!

Centralia

KMAS.COM

AM 1030/ FM 103.3

Our readers, local & visiting, are your best prospects.

Need more information?

Call (360) 427-5599 or email PRINT & GRAPHICS: rachel@nwevent.org RADIO & EVENTS: jeff@nwevent.org, KMAS (360) 426-1030.

tracingthefjord.com FJORD

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FJORDIN SCHEDULE 11:00 AM: Vendors and the Paddle the Canal Challenge registration desk opens 12:45 PM: PARADE begins from the Hardware Distillery to the Dock with the barrel of Dill Aquavit.

The parade is led by Scandinavian fiddle and accordion musicians, followed by all who want to join. When the parade arrives at the dock, Hardware Distillery launches a barrel of aged Dill Aquavit to be transported across the Fjord. It travels from the Port of Hoodsport toward the middle of the Canal and back, and when it returns, the Aquavit has been officially "Fjordin Crossin."

1:00 PM (ish): Crossing the Fjord begins via our local designated vessel (TBA)! Good luck Paddle the Canal Challenge participants!

2:00 PM: Award ceremony and prizes for the Paddle Challengers.

3:00 PM: After party in Hoodsport. Visit the shops, restaurants, distillery and brewery - support our local businesses!

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that make this event possible each year: Hardware Distillery (Jan Morris) and Be The Traveler Concierge (Kerry London Myers), Salish Sea Rotary, The Glen Resort,YSS Dive,Explore Hood Canal. Fjord Oyster Bank, Tracing the Fjord, KMAS, Mason County PUD 1, AAA Septic, Bradley Air Company, Sierra Pacific Industries, Potlatch Brewing Company, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Hoodsport Kiwanis, Olympic Stove & Spa, Hood Canalé, and Stottle Winery.For more information on Fjordin Crossin visit fjordincrossin.com.

GRAPEVIEW

Local Farmer Markets THREE DECADES OF ART & COMMUNITY The 2025 Grapeview Water & Art Festival is a special event honoring the 30th anniversary and celebrating all the volunteers, co-sponsors, community partners, and participants who have made it possible for all these years. New this year will be two exciting afternoon drawings. So, you won’t want to miss it, save the date – July 26, 10 AM - 4 PM. Held at the picturesque Fair Harbor Marina and Port of Grapeview, located along Grapeview Loop Rd, the Water & Art Festival invites families to enjoy an old-fashioned gathering, complete with good food, live music, free children’s activities, hole-in-one golf, and shopping for uniquely designed, quality arts and crafts made by Washington artists. And, as always, admission to the Grapeview Water & Art Festival is free.

A new feature of the 2025 Grapeview Water & Art, which is planned to be repeated annually, is afternoon raffle drawings at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Tickets are free, and the prizes donated

by Grapeview residents will be worth hanging around for. Also, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Festival, attendees will receive a commemorative button.

Farmers' markets are now open all around the area bringing farm fresh seasonal produce and hand-made products.

Often too, there are eating options and live music at summer markets.

Belfair Farmers Market

22900 WA-3, Belfair Sat, May – Sept, 10 AM - 4 PM

The Food Court will serve summer-fare of hamburgers and hotdogs aong with the steamed clams donated by Taylor Shellfish Farms, shrimp cocktails, cornon-the-cob, grilled cheese sandwiches, and delicious fruit cobblers made by members of the Grapeview Community Association.

Market on the Hill

The Children’s Area, always a big draw, offers a wide variety of crafts including wooden-boat and airplane building, along with jewelry making, decorating of baseball caps, face-painting, and a real live fishing derby (please bring your equipment)!

Shelton Farmers Market

The Art Corridor, a shopper’s paradise, offers attendees an extensive display of the work of forty-seven individually selected local artists representing nine different artistic mediums.

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1st & 4th Sat thru August 9 AM -3 PM Lake Cushman Road, Hoodsport

Olympia Farmers Market

Thursday - Sunday in April - October, 10 AM -3 PM 700 Ca pitol Way N, Olympia olympiafarmersmarket.com Cota Street , Shelton Saturdays, May - October, 10 AM - 3 PM sheltonfarmersmarket.org

Tumwater Farmers Market Wednesdays, June - October, 11 AM -2 PM 855 Trosper Rd, SW #108-219 Tumwater, Washington

Port Orchard Farmers Market

Saturdays, April - October, 9 - 2 PM Parking Lot at Bay & Harrison Port Orchard Waterfront FJORD

The ‘Hole-in-One” Golf Event will provide lots of fun as participants of all ages try to hit a large barge 50 yards in the water and compete for prizes.

The Garden Table will provide free plants to children and adults along with Information on gardening, soils, and conservation. Money raised from food sales and the golf event are given back to the community through scholarships and donations to Mason County public schools and charitable organizations.

Thanks to everyone who has attended this popular event, over the past eight years the Grapeview Community Association has donated more than $75,000. The Grapeview Community Association and Grapeview Water & Art Festival Advisory Committee are grateful for the generous support

of their co-sponsors, the Fair Harbor Marina and Port of Grapeview, and numerous community partners including Taylor Shellfish, Mason Transit, Mason County Sheriff, Mason County Fire District 3, Lakeland Village Golf

Course, Kitsap Bank Community Partners Program, and others, all of whom make this annual event possible! Save the date for the Grapeview Water & Art Festival, Saturday, July 26, 10 - 4 PM at Fair Harbor Marina.

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Call ahead recommended on Weekends.

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SHUCK & STRUM: SUMMER CONCERTS IN HOODSPORT Jeff Slakey, KMAS Radio

Over the years, KMAS has hosted and supported events that brought local talent to the forefront. Whether it was Mason County Idol during the old fair days, our Songwriters Stage shows on the radio, or the KMAS Green Room Performances online, I've seen how local radio can be great for artists. Radio has always had a unique power to launch careers, create memorable moments, and often give musicians their first real audience. It's been true for generations—from Elvis to indie acts getting their debut on local stations—and we're proud to carry that tradition forward on your local station.

These concerts will feature bands and singer-songwriters, giving them an intimate venue with broadcast reach.

We're keeping the performances to select Thursdays this summer to avoid conflicts with Mariners baseball—because we also want to bring these shows to you live on KMAS radio. That means listeners all over can tune in to 1030 AM, 103.3 FM, KMAS.com, The KMAS radio app, HCC channel 146, and with smart speakers to be part of the experience, whether they're on their porch in Potlatch or their boat in Bermuda.

SHUCK STRUM H AND

O O D S P O RT, W A

FJORD OYSTER BANK

This concert series is more than just great music and great food. It's an extension of something we believe in deeply at KMAS: being a part of and keeping our community connected.

KMAS RADIO

I'm excited to share KMAS is launching the Shuck & Strum Summer Concert Series live from the Fjord Oyster Bank in central Hoodsport. A summer evening, a breeze off the Canal, fresh oysters, and music on the Finch Creek Shucking Stage. Summer doesn’t get much better than that!

For those who want to watch from home or watch again, we'll also be livestreaming every show on the KMAS Facebook page, giving our artists a bigger audience and sharing that local talent to our followers.

What also excites me is the opportunity to sit down with the musicians between songs—to get to know their stories, backgrounds, and inspirations. These aren't just concerts, they're also conversations.

And they are great opportunities to celebrate the talent around our region.

UNION FULL MOON YOGA CLASSES

Alderbrook Resort and Spa 10 E. Alderbrook Dr. Union

Presented by Joonbug Yoga, $25/person

FLOWER MOON

May 12, 7 – 8:30 PM (indoors)

Hosting these shows at the Fjord Oyster Bank will be a perfect pairing. There's something magical about the bank— across from the canal, with Finch Creek running alongside and the sun setting on a warm summer night…Plus the food is fantastic!

STRAWBERRY MOON

So come down, grab some oysters, and discover your new favorite artist. If you're a musician with original work, this is your chance to shine—visit tracingthefjord.com and apply to perform.

September 7, 7– 8:30 PM (waterfront)

June 11, 7 – 8:30 PM (indoors)

BUCK MOON

July 10 7 – 8:30 PM (waterfront)

STURGEON MOON

August 9, 7 – 8:30 PM (indoors)

HARVEST MOON

HUNTERS MOON

October 6, 7 – 8:30 PM (indoors)

BEAVER MOON

November 5, 7 – 8:30 PM (indoors)

COLD MOON

December 4, 7– 8:30 PM (indoors)

Pre-register at joonbugyoga. com. To pay upon arrival, email Michelle at joonbugyoga@gmail. com to reserve your space and pay at the class.

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WILDFIRE-READY NEIGHBORS PROGRAM JEFF SLAKEY, TRACING THE FJORD

The more I explore Mason County, the more I appreciate that fine line between living in the woods and living with the woods.

Tall firs shade porches, deer wander property, but fire danger every summer seems to creep a little closer. Nearly a million Washingtonians now call the forest edge home. Since May has been declared Wildfire Awareness Month, here's a yearly reminder that flammable season is here.

I spoke with South Mason Fire’s Public-Information Officer Amber Anderson, who’s helping roll out the state’s Wildfire-Ready Neighbors program. Anderson’s pitch is simple: “We want to give you cost-effective recommendations; we’re trying to decrease the ability for fire to spread.”

Local Fire Departments want to help residents before it’s too late. Sign up online to schedule a free home visit and a trained crew will walk your property pointing out the little things we overlook: cedar bark mulch too close to the house, pine needles in the gutters, or that leaning fir that could become a flaming roman candle by August.

“People are out there doing yard work anyway,” I joked during our chat on KMAS, “so you might as well do something that’ll protect you in the long run.”

Nationwide, wildfires torch four to nine million acres every year. We’ve had more than our share of scary afternoons when the smoke column rises over the canal.

Everyone starts tuning to KMAS and getting on social media and to find out what’s happening. Warmer temps are part of it, but so is how we live: more homes tucked into previously uninhabited timber, backyard burn barrels, and sparks from lawn equipment.

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DNR’s Wildfire-Ready Neighbors program spells out three starter steps for every property owner: 1. Lean, Clean, and Green: Rake leaves, limb up branches, and swap that beauty-bark ring for crushed rock or concrete pavers within the first five feet of your foundation.

2. Harden the Home: If you’re already replacing a roof or deck, choose Class A fire-resistant materials. Install 1⁄8-inch metal mesh over attic and crawl-space vents to block embers.

3.Know Your Restrictions: Burn rules tighten from April 15 to October 15; industrial fire-precaution levels can shut down chainsaw work by mid-summer. One careless spark can undo a year’s worth of prep.

Also, keep a garden hose ready, store firewood at least 30 feet from the house, and never leave a outdoor fire until it’s cold enough to touch.

With preventative maintenance, we can buy time for our firefighters and hopefully save homes and land. As Amber said, “Nothing is 100 percent, but every bit we do decreases the ability for flames to tear through our neighborhoods.”

HOME

KMAS 1030 AM/103.3 FM

Log on to wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov and enter your address. You’ll get a confirmation email and then a call from one of the fire districts to set a date to come out. Have questions, put on your yard shoes, and be ready to put in a little work to make your home safer.

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MASON HEALTH FOUNDATION PRESENTS

THE 29th QUALITY CARE OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT Time to tee off! Mason Health Foundation is pleased to announce the return of Mason County’s premier golf tournament fundraiser this summer. This year’s Quality Care Open will take place on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club in Union. This fundraiser supports Mason Health’s purchase of a new high-field open MRI. This year marks the return of the golf tournament to Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club for the first time since 2019. Last year’s tournament took place at LakeLand Village Golf Course in Allyn. “Mason County’s partners and community supporters have really stepped up and poured their support into Mason Health,” said event co-chair Brent Wilcox, a longtime Foundation tournament player and director of OAC Services, Inc. “We are happy to bring this event back to Alderbrook and are excited to have another successful year of fundraising.”

Mason Health’s current open MRI has served patients since 2013 and is reaching end-of-life service. The new OASIS Velocity High-Field Open MRI gives providers and technologists an unobstructed view of patients, with an advanced magnet design and imaging capabilities to handle all patients with confidence, without compromising on performance or efficiency. The machine promises fast exams, high-quality images with a seamless workflow. The MRI will be implemented at the end of the year. At the Foundation’s Black & White Ball Dinner Auction last year, funding for the new MRI was bolstered

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by a $200,000 donation from the Foundation’s Endowment Fund, as well as contributions from the community, including $18,000 from Our Community Credit Union. “The Foundation’s support has been incredible,” said Director of Diagnostic Imaging Shane Faford. they’ve raised millions of dollars to ensure we have the tools we need to provide exceptional care.”

Mason Health Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No.1 by enhancing the quality of health care enjoyed by patients of Mason County.

BLUEGRASS FROM THE

FOREST

3 DAY BLUEGRASS

FESTIVAL

JULY 11 – 13 SHELTON

With outdoor stages and a giant jamming and camping area, it's no wonder the annual Bluegrass From the Forest festival is such a highly anticipated event. Celebrating 20 years in 2025, this quality event features a band scramble, workshops, kids' workshops, instrument tastings and of course, a line up of national and Regional headliner bands!

Lodging & Camping

If you would like to stay at a local hotel or motel, visit ExploreHoodCanal.com for a list of area hotels and AirB&B's.

Dry camping for RVs and tents onsite is available Thursday (before the festival).

July is atwo greatstages, time atobeer be a&Bluegrass fan in Mason County, forChicks that is when the event annual Bluegrass From the With wine garden, Along with the Kids, the food,ismusic andPark plenty level Prairie. hosts a variety of instrument and vocal Forest held atvendors, the Soccer onof John's Filling the 15 acre forest-lined park with music, workshops tent and RV sites on the grass. Geared workshops plus concerts and other and campers, this outdoor festival has become a staple of the Northwest Bluegrass schedule. towards both families and individuals of all ages, the festival hosts workshop and "tastings" between sets.

events during the weekend.

The music ranges from traditional to more progressive bluegrass. The FestiThe Chick Rose School of Bluegrass is val’s program lineup features four major offered through the Festival weekend to concerts highlighting top talent on the kids who may have an interest in bluewest coast. Saturday features "midnight grass music. Beginning on the Saturday hot-dogs" after the country dance. morning with kids divided into groups Camp jamming halts momentarily as according to their musical ability, they are the pickers and families join the musicoached by advanced musicians to create a cians for a midnight feast in the main special performance Saturday on the main tent. stage – the goal is to fill the stage with kids and bluegrass music.

2025 BAND LINE UP SETH MULDER & MIDNIGHT RUN

Born in the holler of Tennessee's first legal moonshine distillery, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run blend tradition with innovation through genuine songwriting and tasteful arrangements, bringing to life their original music and lost covers like no other in the genre. Combining elements of bluegrass, country, and folk music, their sound resonates with traditional and contemporary audiences

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alike. Formed in 2018, the band released their first studio album, "Traveling Kind" in 2020, followed by their second album, "In Dreams I Go Back," released on Mountain Fever Records in 2022.

Fans can anticipate new music in 2024, solidifying Seth Mulder & Midnight Run as a genuine voice of roots and bluegrass music. Having been referred to as one of the most entertaining new acts on the bluegrass scene today, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run is a band you don't want to miss.

NEVER COME DOWN Weaving together modern and traditional styles of American music, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregon based band dedicated to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements that highlight polished technical skills. Formed in 2018, NCD released their first studio album “Better Late Than Never” in 2021. They’ve toured internationally and have found acclaim at international festivals.

MIDNIGHT45 This powerhouse band features some outstanding vocal and instrumental prowess. Based in Central and Western Oregon, Midnight45 specializes in bluesy vocal-based deep-groove bluegrass music with a solid traditional approach. They perform traditional & contemporary bluegrass, featuring

original material as well as traditional country duets. Each member of M45 is a veteran musician, having played in some of the finest bluegrass bands on the west coast

JIM HURST Jim Hurst’s unique picking style and mastery of bluegrass guitar wows audiences and is revered by both novice guitar players and his musical peers. His vast, eclectic career has made him a remarkable performer, an experienced instructor and a highly sought after session musician. His affability and gregariousness make him one of the most approachable musicians of his caliber. Garnering numerous nominations, Jim received IBMA's prestigious "Guitar Player of the Year '' awards for 2001 and 2002.

After recording and touring with several Country and Bluegrass artists,

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including Trisha Yearwood, Sara Evans, Holly Dunn, Claire Lynch, and Missy Raines, Jim embarked on a solo career to focus on his own musical expression.

Jim has recorded 7 CDs and during the last ten years, Jim has been performing his show full time and teaching at guitar workshops and music camps across North America and Europe. While he occasionally collaborates with other bluegrass greats, his solo and Jim Hurst Trio performance have kept audiences mesmerized.

THE OLY MOUNTAIN BOYS The Oly Mountain Boys are a South Puget Sound bluegrass institution, picking and singing around Olympia, Washington since 2008. They bring a Pacific Northwest sensibility to the bluegrass sound through traditional tunes and original compositions, and showcase the power of the American bluegrass music tradition.

A Pacific Northwest mainstay for many years, they perform on special occasions when time and availability permits.

They're the host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival and they also play an important role in helping to get the festival going every year.

WAY FAR YONDER Way Far Yonder is a fairly new band hailing from Eugene, Oregon. The band consists of up-and-coming banjo picker Henry Strid and champion contest fiddler Doug Fleener. Together they create an energetic dynamic with that classic fiddle/banjo sound!

RUNAWAY TRAIN BLUEGRASS Like strong traditional bluegrass with an edge to it? Then you'll like Runaway Train Bluegrass! This band is known for tight harmonies and clean pickin'.

THE BAR-K BUCKAROOS The Host Band for the Saturday Night Country Dance, The Bar-K Buckaroos play traditional western swing dance music in the style of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. They bring their love of Bluegrass, Country and Swing, Jazz, Blues and Raggae' to form a great evening of western swing and 20-40's era swing music.

For additional details on band bios, ticket and camping reservations, visit bluegrassfromtheforest.com. Early Bird ticket pricing is available through until June 20.

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DIG DEEP,

GEODUCK. STORY BY STELLA WENSTOB

Geoduck. What a fascinating creature to write about. In my research I encountered some of the most entertaining articles about what is basically the most boring creature on the ocean’s floor. If you want a laugh, just google it for yourself.

William Dietrich writing in 1999 called it the “ultimate couch potato.” Even the strait-laced, Canadian Fisheries website described the geoduck as living “…a long uneventful life”– when Canadians call something boring you know it is. .

I say here “retracts its siphon as it can” NO DUCKS GIVEN BABY DUCKS since as they grow larger the geoduck can They can reproduce from ages two The word geoduck (pronounced no longer pull its lengthy siphon and gooey- duck) has nothing to do to at least 107 years old (apparently girthy mantle into the safety of its shell, “ripe gonads” have been identified with web-footed fowls. (Surprise!

It doesn’t look like a duck, or quack but their extreme depth protects them in individuals within this age range). like a duck…) It is an English from most predators (devious humans They reproduce by “broadcast,” which speaker’s corruption of the Puget excepted). has little to do with the evening news Sound Native American Lushootbut relies a whole lot on temperatures seed name of the creature: g'idəq. As the world’s largest borrowing clam and currents. Between May and July This translates to “dig deep,” which species, a mature individual typically females release 40 to 50 million eggs is not a Taoist’s message about weighs 2lbs. However, the outliers which are fertilized in the water colsearching within, but alludes to are more interesting: according to the umn by simultaneously ejected sperm. the extreme depths in the sand WFDW website there was a geoduck The larval stage is 40 to 50 days, and it that these giant clams lodge themharvested from Adelma Beach in Disconsists of the baby geoducks floating selves (some 2 to 3 feet deep!). covery Bay in 2000 that weighed 8.16 around eating (or being eaten). After Other clam species are known to lbs! They reach their mature weight by that time, they settle on the ocean floor “dive” propelling themselves deepage 14 and they can live to at least 168 and inch along by producing tiny paraer into the sand when a predatory years old!

Geoducks are found along chute-like thready projections out of clam digger disturbs them, the the Westcoast from Alaska to Baja Calibyssal threads. When their shell reaches geoduck though simply retracts its fornia, Mexico. approximately 2 mm long they begin to foot-like siphon as it can and relies burrow, but only as deep as their on the fact that the body shell is very deep indeed.

43 siphon will allow.

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Geoducks Eat Phytoplankton, the tiniest organisms make up the diet of the largest burrowing clam species on the planet.

HOT BITES, COLD BEER AND LIVE MUSIC! Every Saturday 6 - 9 pm Live music starts at 7 pm July & August

Baby geoduck (3 month) before being commercially "planted."

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It is not until they are around two years old that they have managed to achieve a shell to siphon ratio that allows them to burrow to a safe depth on the ocean floor. Until then they are at risk of becoming the meal of sea stars, snails, shrimp, crabs and many types of fish.

There is a high mortality rate between the 40 to 50 million larvae and the maturing burrowed twoyear olds and as such the geoduck stocks are slow to regenerate, which is why their harvest is closely monitored.

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STUFF A DUCK.

One of the earliest reports of harvesting geoduck comes from the malacologist, Henry Hemphill, writing in the 1881 Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. His descriptions are full of praise for the geoduck: “I think it would be a most desirable addition to our list of edible clams, first, on account of its large size, and, second, for its delicacy and rich flavor, which, when it became generally known, I do not hesitate to say, I think would make it more highly prized than any other bivalve… I think its flesh too rich to permit of regular stuffing or gormandizing,

although I ate quite heartily of it for several successive meals, and experienced no bad or disagreeable sensations afterwards. I think it would be esteemed more as a delicacy than a regular everyday diet.”(200-201).

This sentiment was publicized and embroidered in the New York Times editorial of February 23, 1883, where the geoduck is trumpeted as the “prince of clams” and here you can also see one of the earliest journalistic grapples with the geoduck’s relation to ducks [reminder: there is none]: “The name alone [geoduck] has an inviting sound. … It might be a pity to call it a clam, though it belongs to that humble family…When the geoduck is served it delights the eye, for one of those happy ichthyophagists [Not sure why fish biologists should be called upon to comment, but ok…] who had the luck to eat one says it looked “like a particularly plump duck.”

Up until the 1960s geoduck harvesting was constrained to hand digging at extreme low tides (as geoducks are only found on -2-foot tides). Nevertheless, there was a fear in 1925 that over harvesting of geoducks was possible and Washington State imposed a full moratorium on the harvest. This was later lifted when the catch was limited to the three geoducks a day per person – a legislation that we still have now for personal consumption.

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SITTING DUCKS

The commercial fishery developed by curious happenstance. In 1960, Navy diver Robert Sheats and his team were hunting for a lost test torpedo off Keyport [torpedo testing is a thing that still happens on Puget Sound] and they were struck by the vision of fields of funnels of geoduck clams along the ocean floor. Previously, it had been assumed that the geoduck

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habitat was constrained to the intertidal zone (the area between low and high tide). Sheats and state biologists determined that 63 million geoducks were on the ocean floor of Puget Sound.

This led the State to establish a commercial wild harvest – the first of its kind, which opened in May of 1970 with Sheats and his wife Mary harvesting 50 individuals from Thorndyke Bay on Hood Canal. For the first few years, harvesters floundered to find a viable market. Chowder companies were the prime buyers, paying as little as 10 cents a pound. In 1972 Department of Fisheries report concluded that the geoduck harvest had potential, but “this is not a profitable business yet.”

Geoduck hunting in Puget Sound - colorized image, credit Skagg

Fast forward to the 1980s with the discovery of the Asian market and wholes sale prices went up to $8 to $10 a pound (with the Asian markets paying twice that). The geoduck had hit it big – the “prince of clams” once again.

as predators would eat the unprotected young geoduck. Eventually a method of sinking PVC pipes covered with mesh in the ocean floor was developed to protect the growing geoduck – but this was impractical for wild stocks. This method was adopted by commercial It is now harvested throughout Puget aquaculture growers of geoducks who Sound, British Columbia and Alaska. seed beaches (instead of at depths of Geoducks are wild harvested by divers 18 to 70 feet) allowing them for more in waters from 18 to 70 ft deep breath- efficient monitoring and harvesting of ing via a surface air house (called a stocks. After about six months the baby HOOKA) and using a high-water jet geoducks bury themselves deep enough (known as a “stinger”) that loosens the in their sand tubes to allow the removal sand around the geoduck allowing them of the mesh cover. After approximately to be picked up by hand. An efficient a year the geoducks are large enough diver may harvest as much as 500 to to bury themselves deeper to no longer 1000 pounds of clams in a day. These need the PVC tube and it is removed. are then packed in ice and shipped live After five to seven years, the geoduck to Asian markets by air. Because of the reaches a size ready for harvest. high value of the product, the harvest is now carefully monitored, but in the LOCAL DUCK DINING: earlier days this fishery was rife with poaching and scandal. It is still suscepCHELSEA FARMS AND OYSTER BAR tible to much criticism about over-har- Olympia, (360) 915-7784 | Farmer vest. According to the WDFW the geoduck wild fishery makes over 20 million TAYLOR SHELLFISH RETAIL STORE USD a year revenue to the state through Shelton (360) 432-3300 | Farmer the sale of rights to harvest shares of the FJORD OYSTER BANK RESTAURANT quota on specific geoduck “tracts.”

Hoodsport, (360) 877-2102 To restock wild beds of geoducks, a state Open Thursday - Sunday funded project was established to breed The Fjord celebrates the recipes of Xinh and grow geoduck “seed.” The process Dwelley who was known for her acumen wasn’t exactly “duck soup,” as hundreds with geoduck. The Fjord sources their of experiments of transplanting this seed geoduck from a commercial farm on Harstine Island. amongst wild stock were unsuccessful

OYSTER FARM TOURS

www.olympicoysterco.com

Discover the magic of the tides with our guided oyster farm tours—an authentic adventure rooted in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

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THINGS TO DO

FALLS TO FISHING

45 MAP/LODGING

SHELTON & KAMILCHE

48 Situated between the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains in Mason County, is Hood Canal.

A place filled with world-class activities, wild-caught fare, lively events, and plenty of places to hide away from it all when you just want the world to yourself.

MAP/LODGING HOOD CANAL AREA

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Hood Canal is Washington’s wild side. And it’s here for you, when you’re ready to discover yours. #WILDSIDEWA

KAYAKING

Whether you seek tide-ripped saltwater passages, Challenging whitewater, or lakes big and small, Hood Canal is a kayaker, canoer, or paddleboarder’s ideal destination.

A rich paddling community supports any adventurer’s vision; rental packages and lesson opportunities for the budding kayaker or paddleboarder are not in short supply.

Get out on the water and enjoy a fresh perspective of the canal with colossal peaks towering overhead.

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EXPERIENCE THE

WILD SIDE OF WASHINGTON Like a giant fish hook weaving beneath the Olympics with a web of inlets, Hood Canal is poised to catch your Imagination and reel in memories for years to come.This majestic saltwater fjord hosts unparalleled shellfish, shrimp, crab, and salmon and is renown as a diving mecca with its glacial formation causing underwater biomes that appear nowhere else.Venture away from the canal to Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest for hiking and Thrilling vistas. Choose from hundreds of easy access freshwater lakes or revel in waterfall views including the Iconic High Steel Bridge. Ablaze with wildflowers in the spring, hidden swimming holes in the summer, a chance To see spawning salmon in the fall, and snow-capped peaks in the winter, there is never an inopportune Time to visit Hood Canal.

MOTORSPORTS

T he Ridge Motorsports Park racing course near Shelton includes a fantastic road course that's geared towards club racers and competitors. Head to the DNR forests for some unmatched off-road trail rides.

CLEAR YOUR MIND AND

CHASE WATERFALLS

Hamma Hamma & Rocky Brook are just two of the many falls on Hood Canal waiting to be explored. Want to plan a waterfall getaway?

Visit waterfalltrail.org for 25 unique and special places to visit.

TRAILS & WALKS

World-class hiking trails lace the Olympic Mountain wilderness, leading from mountain stream beds through old growth forest to high-altitude ridge lines with breathtaking views of Hood Canal and beyond.

HIGH STEEL BRIDGE

Soaring 420' above the Skokomish River, the High Steel Bridge (1929), is the highest steel truss arch bridge in Washington. You won’t even need to leave the car for this breathtaking view.

Follow Skokomish Valley Rd 11 miles from Hwy 101 to reach the bridge.

FJORD

48

TAKE A LEAP We love the folks at SKYDIVE KAPOWSIN! Feel the adrenaline pumping rush of free-fall and experience the freedom of the air with highly trained professional instructors. Views of the fjord and the Olympics and a seven minute free fall adrenaline rush from 13,000 feet will definitely change your outlook.

RIDE THE RAILS

TASTING YOUR WAY AROUND THE CANAL & SOUND

May through October experience nature and history pedaling the timber rail on a

Do a farm-to-table dining loop experiencing some Northwest flavors – including Hama Hama, Hardware Distillery, Stottle, Hood Canal Winery, Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

vancecreekrailriders.com

PICK A PEAK From easy day hikes with the family to overnights or “experience needed” excursions – you don’t Have to go far for spectacular memories!

PHOTO: TOBY TAHJA-SYRETT

2- hour quadricycle excursion.

FISHING

From open water trolling on the sound to throwing dry flies on small lowland lakes, there are plenty of fishing opportunities in the area.

Seek colossal coho in the fall and hungry trout in the spring to see why every season is fishing season in Hood Canal.

BIKING

Don the helmet and clip into your pedals, for there is no shortage of road or trail from which to experience the beauty and thrill of this landscape.

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UP YOUR GOLF GAME Award-winning courses with incredible views of the Olympics on lush fairways – Hood Canal and South Puget Sound are ideal destinations.

ALDERBROOK GOLF

LAKE CUSHMAN GOLF

LAKE LIMERICK GOLF

SALISH CLIFFS GOLF

(360) 898-2560 | Union alderbrookgolf.com Par 72 course follows natural contours. Restaurant, lounge & proshop onsite.

(360) 877-5505 | Hoodsport lakecushmangolfcourse.com In the Olympic Mountain forest, this 9-hole course plays a challenging 18 holes.

(360) 426-6290 | Shelton lakelimerick.com Beautiful, affordable, and challenging 9-hole course with annual memberships with unlimited play available. Voted Best Golf Course in SheltonMason County 2022-2024,the Café serves great food at affordable prices. Lake Limerick is also open for rentals in the lakefront Great Hall.

(360) 462-3673 | Kamilche salish-cliffs.com 18-hole par & 72 championship course is adjacent to LITTLE CREEK CASINO RESORT, a full service resort & casino.

LAKELAND VILLAGE (360) 275-6100 | Allyn lakelandliving.com With views of the Olympics and Mount Rainier, the 27-hole course has world class dining.

SHELTON DISC GOLF masoncountydiscgolf.com Different type of golf? 18hole disc golf course located in the watershed at the intersection of Wallace Kneeland Blvd & Shelton Springs Rd.

CRUISE THE HOOD

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Explore the canal with your own boat or arrange with ALDERBROOK RESORT. Scheduled & private charters available. alderbrookresort.com 50

FOR THE BIRDS

SCUBA DIVING Scuba sales, air, training, rentals, and charters available at Hoodsport near renowned destinations like SUND ROCK and OCTOPUS HOLE. yssdive.com

With a majestic and varied landscape, Hood Canal is a gorgeous place to come search for the over 250 species that call the Olympic Peninsula home. Chock full of life – birds like bald eagles, rhinoceros aucklets and more on premiere birding trails –this is a birder’s paradise! OLYMPICBIRDTRAIL.ORG

ON THE WATER Hood Canal occupies 150 square miles of the Olympic Peninsula and bellies up to the Olympic National Park.

It's home to thousands of species of fish and marine mammals and invertebrates like orcas, oysters, and octopus. There's hardly a better way to take it all in than on the water.

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SHELTON

CELEBRATING A RICH TIMBER HISTORY

SHELTON is the westernmost city on Puget Sound. Featuring a bustling heritage core, its landscape is marked by colossal forests which led to a title of “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.”

Dubbed CHRISTMASTOWN, USA, since 1962, Shelton successfully won the Guinness World Record for Most Lit

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Riptide Retreat | 291 East Agate Beach Drive, Shelton | riptideretreat.com

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Shelton Inn | 628 W Railroad Ave, Shelton | (360) 426-4468 | sheltoninn.com

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Super 8 Motel | 2943 Northview Circle, Shelton | (360) 426-1654 | super8.com

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MAY 29 – JUNE 1 This event has celebrated the rich timber history in Mason County since 1945 with an epic parade, carnival, logging show, vendors, car show, music, and fireworks!

Learn more by visiting 52 explorehoodcanal.com/events.

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81ST FOREST FESTIVAL

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Water view

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Watercraft

Little Creek Casino Resort | W 91 State Route 108, Shelton | (800) 667-7711 | little-creek.com

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RV Sites

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Kitchen

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TV/Cable

N

Pool

Wi/Fi

Harstine Island Beach Cabin | 21 E Dana Dr, Shelton | (253) 943-5264 | harstinerental.com

SHELTON AREA LODGING

Pets OK

Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)

Christmas Trees in 2019.

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Fin ch

Ta hu ya Riv

ALLYN Waterfront park features AL LYN gazebo and lawns, play Anderson Lake area, and beach access.

NO FEE/PASS

l

TAH UYA

Potlatch State Park

kum oo Sk

108

Crk

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Dr

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101

Ln

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To tten I nle t

Lit t

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oo Sk

Ka m ilc h e

N ew Ka m i l c h e 101

Totten Inlet

Totten Inlet

OYSTER BAY Beach,marshy estuary, for birding, salmon observing or fishing.

TO GO: Parking pullout on Hwy 101, marker 356 /Old Olympic Hwy. NO FEE/PASS

SCHAFER STATE PARK TRAIL THE KENNEDY CREEK SALMON TRAIL Trails, interpretive center, swimming, fishing.

Chum salmon are on view as they make their way up river TO GO: 12 miles north of Elma on the East Fork TOPOGRAPHY: flat, viewing platforms, interpretive signs of the Satsop River. The park is also accessible TO GO: Hwy 101, Old Olympic Hwy; weekends, seasonally. via the Brady exit from Hwy 12.

53 NO FEE/ PASS DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED

sa HOPE ISLAND STATE Pas PARK Donly by water.

106 acre park Pugetreachable Sound Old-growth forests, saltwater marshes, fruit trees, beaches, historical buildings, friendly deer. Destination for kayakers and boaters!

TO GO: access by boat, mooring available, beach landing, boats and kayaks can launch at Arcadia Point (0.5 miles).

CAMPING FEES

a

La

Rd

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Island Rd S

Hope Island State Park

ge

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Pickering Passage

WALKER PARK Beach access, playground, restrooms, picnic shelter, kayak access.

NO FEE/PASS

Harstine Island

an

E Agate Rd

Squaxin Island

Mill Cr k

Fa

Dr

Is

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d lan

ou th

N 13th St S 1st St

S 10th St

W G

Rock Crk

Timber Lake

age

TAYLOR SHELLFISH STORE Fresh seafood, tours available; open to public.

Hwy 101 to Taylor Towne Exit.

Cr k

Arcadia

SE Arcadia Rd

3

nell Crk os

SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE MUSEUM Stories, photos, art, artifacts dating back over 500 years. TO GO: Hwy 101 to Kamilche exit , follow signs. ADMISSION CHARGE

Campbell

Pass

Isabella Lake

Agate

k Cr

Jacobys Shorecrest County Park mersley Inlet Ham

Arcadia Ave

S

allum Cr k oqu

vd Bl

c Hwy SE Olympi

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HARSTINE ISLAND TRAIL 300 acres to explore McMicken EASY 1.5 mile, beach Island DISCOVER PASS

Peale

Cr k

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Rock

E Pine St

Turner Ave

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La

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Jarrell Cove State Park

ES

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ISABELLA LAKE TRAILS Dayton Peak EASY 2.5 mile loop, rolling meadows TO GO: Hwy 101 exit at SR#3 to Golden Pheasant Rd, right on Delight Park Rd. DISCOVER PASS

t tS

hel

Matlock

Railr

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101

Phillips Lake

B a y s h o re

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Stretch Point State Park

S En d Rd

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SHELTON

Information, handouts, and maps

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Island Lake d

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SHELTON VISITOR CENTER TO GO: Red Caboose on Railroad Avenue

Lost Lake

Spencer Lake

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Lake Limerick

101

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HUNTER FARMS Farm Market, seasonal events; Visitor Center

POTLATCH STATE PARK Longest stretch of PUBLIC BEACH in Mason County with shellfish, kayaking, and Hood Canal water access.

DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED

Cr

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Reach Island

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North Bay

Fair Harbor

Benson Lake

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106

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Annas Bay

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Skokomish Indian Reservation

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UNI ON

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Grisdale Hill

Lake West

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Maggie Lake

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Potlatch State Park Campground

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Belfair State Park

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Frigid Crk

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Lake Kokanee

Dennie Ahl Hill

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BE L FA IR

300

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DEWATTO

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Clark Crk

Hoodsport Trail State Park

is s

an

Sund Crk

Miller

Lake Haven

M

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Wooten Lake

Dewatto Bay

Dow Mtn

119

n Creek ground

101

LI LLI WAU P

Brown Crk

Tahuya State Forest

Big

Lilliwaup Falls

Price Lake

ke La Cushman Hill

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Saddle Mtn

Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman

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Ranger Station is open in summer with information, exhibits, wilderness permits, map sales and wheelchair available. Road open year-round weather permitting. Call (360) 565-3131 NATIONAL PARK PASS TO GO: HWY 101 to SR#119, follow FS#24 to Staircase Entrance.

RAPIDS LOOP: EASY family friendly 2 mile trail through old growth forest to a bridge over the North Fork Skokomish River; only 200-foot elevation gain. BIG CEDAR, a 0.6 mile spur trail, leads to a fallen cedar while a 0.5 mile section leads to a river viewpoint.

UPPER LENA LAKE TRAIL Steep with unstable bed; camping.

MODERATE TO DIFFICULT 4.3 mile climb TOPOGRAPHY: 3,800 foot gain to sub-alpine lake TO GO: Same as Lower Lena Lake Trail above.

WILDERNESS PERMIT FOR CAMPING NW FOREST PASS FOR PARKING

FOUR STREAM: EASY 1.2 mile to Beaver Flat, swampy section of alder/cedar forest. Elevation loss 100 ft.

BIG CREEK Great pack-in picnic destination with pools and footbridges.

MODERATE 4 miles TO GO: Trailhead at FS#24 and SR#119 junction.

NW FOREST PASS Tri t o n Triton Head

WAGONWHEEL LAKE: MODERATE TO DIFFICULT climbing 2.9 miles (elevation gain of 3,365 ft).

FLAPJACK LAKES: DIFFICULT climbing 7.8 mile one-way hike (3,115 ft elevation gain).

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HAMA HAMA STORE Oyster Saloon and fresh seafood market.

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Fair Harbor

Benson Lake d oo rw S he

G ra p e vi e w

3

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Shumocher

Reach Island

Stretch Point State Park

Crk

let

Weaver

er Cr k

Ho en dsland

Crk

S KOKOMI S H

DALBY WATERWHEEL TO GO: SR#106

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FJORD Sk

North Bay

In

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and

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106

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UNION

302

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Anderson Lake

106

Annas Bay

Skokomish Indian Reservation

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Potlatch State Park

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AL LYN

vehicle/vessel/fishing/hunting northmasonchamber.com

TAH UYA Twanoh State Park

Lake West

Kirkl

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Rd ore Sh

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101

202

VISITOR CENTER/ BELFAIR LICENSING nal od CaGO: On Hwy 3 in Belfair HoTO PASSES FOR PURCHASE Park/

C

PASSES FOR PURCHASE

Potlatch State Park Campground

a

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Expansive beach with panoramic views of Maggie Lake Olympics.

Picnic tables. NO FEE/PASS R

POT LATCH

Belfair State Park

Stre

MENARD’S LANDING

Grisdale Hill

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Co

Rd Cus hm an

N Lake

Crk

C

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– information, handouts, maps

DISCOVER PASS

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Lake Kokanee

HOODSPORT VISITOR CENTER TO GO: Located just off Hwy 101 in Hoodsport

Skok omis

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BE L FA IR

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Ha rp

elf air Tah u

3

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rk

Crk

NE B

Rd atto NE Dew

HOODSPORT Finch

Frigid Crk

DEWATTO

Clark Crk

Hoodsport Trail State Park

rk

Dennie Ahl Hill

Lake Haven

Dewatto Bay

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Sund Crk

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Wooten Lake

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Dow Mtn

Dow Crk

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101

LI LLI WAU P

119

Brown Crk

23,100 acre forest provides open spaces for sightseeing, camping, nature study, fishing, hiking,horse, ATV, ORV, and biking.

State ATahuya “working forest” trail Forest may be closed due to forest management activities.

TOPOGRAPHY deep woods TO GO: Hwy 300/Belfair 300 Tahuya Rd, 1.1 mile.

Rd ay

M

Lilliwaup Falls

Price Lake

TAHUYA STATE FOREST

Big

Cushman Hill

tto wa

Hw y U

k Cr

Saddle Mtn

Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman

rk

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Big Crk

Lake Cushman

Blacksmith Lake

Lake Melbourne De

119

Ayock

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Big Creek Campground

Be lfa ir

Lilliwaup Creek Campground Tenas Lake

od Skinwork C

Crk

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Big

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Fl at C

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Mt Ellinor

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Copper Mtn

Cr k

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Cr k

Mt Washington

Jeffe r Crkson

Cr

DEWATTO BAY Beach with dramatic view of the Olympics; excellent photography destination. Lots of ripe berries in late summer.

TO GO: Belfair-Tahuya Rd to Dewatto Rd, 4 miles.

SERVICES AT PORT OF DEWATTO CAMPGROUND

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o

EAGLE CREEK Beach access & parking across from Eagle Creek Saloon. NO FEE/PASS

Wa sh i ngt

rk

ELDO N H AMMA H AMMA

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rk

Big M

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Ta hu ya Riv

Mount Skokomish Wilderness

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No

Jefferson Peak

Mt Pershing

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Cruiser

n Crk

Ca

rk

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Hamma Hamma River

C rk

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101

Hamma Hamma Campground

C

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Cr

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LIVING LEGACY TRAIL Spectacular views of the Mt. Skokomish and the Brothers ranges; interpretive signage.

Trail passes Hamma Hamma Cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (1930s).

EASY TO MODERATE 1.5 mile loop.

TOPOGRAPHY: First 0.25 mile is barrier free along the river; ascends bluff to creek.

TO GO: Hwy 101 to FS#25, 5.5 miles.

WILDERNESS PERMIT REQUIRED FOR CAMPING

Miss

t so n Wa

Lena Creek Campground

HAMMA HAMMA

issio n

Boulder Crk

p le Ma

Wh it

Mt Skokomish

Le Crke

Mt Stone

Henderson

n

LOWER LENA LAKE TRAIL Well maintained popular trail leads to a small lake MODERATE TO DIFFICULT 3 mile climb,switchbacks TO GO: Hwy 101 at Hamma Hamma Recreation Area

STAIRCASE | OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

HIKING & BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Clamber up the rugged trails, tiptoe through the quiet old growth forest, or careen through the pristine meadows of Olympic National Forest & National Park. Shoulder your pack and experience the sights and sounds of the vast wilderness home to some of the most beautiful flora & fauna in the world.

Ablaze with wildflowers in the spring, cool hidden swimming holes in the summer, a chance to see spawning salmon in the fall, and snow capped peaks in the winter, there is never an inopportune time to hike Hood Canal.

ITINERARY 3: HOODSPORT & NORTH HOOD CANAL

DIVE DEEPER

Alice’s Little Beach House | 112 N Allie Ahl Ln, Lilliwaup | (360) 877-9226 | aliceslittlebeachhouse.com

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The Glen Motel (Glen Ayr) | 25381 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | (360) 877-9522 | glenayr.com

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Mike’s Beach Resort | 38470 N Hwy 101, Lilliwaup | (360) 877-5324 | mikesbeachresort.com

Water view

Watercraft

RV Sites

Kitchen

Beach

Pool/Spa

CUSHMAN, ELDON, HOODSPORT, POTLATCH & LILLIWAUP

Pets OK

WEST HOOD CANAL LODGING

TV/Cable

Giant octopus, wolf eels and swarms of ancient rock cod add to the wonder of this special place. AIR, GEAR & SCUBA LESSONS, RENTALS & CHARTERS available.

Wi/Fi

CANAL SPIRIT

HOODSPORT WINERY, STOTTLE WINERY, and HARDWARE DISTILLERY offer tastings amongst shopping, dining and the famous Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

FORAGE DINNER

Come prepared with buckets and boots. Check regs at wdfw.wa.gov before digging – or stop by HAMA HAMA STORE & OYSTER SALOON for freshly prepared seafood.

Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)

HUG THE CURVES

As Hwy 101 navigates the bays of HOOD CANAL, imagine relaxing dockside of a beachside cabin, watching the seals roll off the rocks.

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The Moose House at Lake Cushman | Lake Cushman | themoosehouse.com

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Pali-Kai Canal House | 327000 N Hwy 101, Lilliwaup | (360) 426-2224

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Sunrise Motel & Dive Resort | 24520 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | (360) 877-5301

N

Waterfront at Potlatch | 21660 N Hwy 101, Potlatch | (360) 877-9422 | thewaterfrontatpotlatch.com

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Yellow House | 23891 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport | (360) 877-6818 | hoodsportndive.com

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Kitchen

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RV Sites

Pool Beach

TV/Cable

Pets OK

Allyn House Inn | 18350 State Route 3, Allyn | 535-2198 | allynhouseinn.com

Wi/Fi

Allyn

Dining: Onsite (O) Nearby (N)

ALLYN/ BELFAIR/UNION LODGING

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Belfair & Tahuya Belfair Motel | 23322 NE State Route 3, Belfair | 275-4485 | belfairmotel.net

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Gladwin Beach House | 391 Gladwin Beach Rd, Belfair | (360) 337-2960 | explorehoodcanal.com

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Sisters Point Waterfront Cabin | 12121 NE North Shore Rd, Belfair | (360) 275-6816

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Summertide Resort | 15781 NE Northshore Road Tahuya | (360) 275-9313 | summertideresort.com

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Alderbrook Resort & Spa | 10 E Alderbrook Drive, Union | (360) 898-2200 | alderbrookresort.com

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Blue Heron Resort Condos | 6520 E SR106, Union | (360) 614-3191 | attheblue.com

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Cottages at Hood Canalé | 6871 E SR 106, Union | (360) 710-7452| booking.hoodcanale.com

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Hood Canal Events Accommodations | curated short term rentals | hoodcanalevents.com

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Robin Hood Village Resort | 6780 E State Route 106, Union | 898-2163 | robinhoodvillageresort.com

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ALLYN & GRAPEVIEW enjoy gorgeous views of the protected harbor waters of Case Inlet.

The area features quaint shops, waterfront lodging, restaurants, and beach parks.

Annually, the Grapeview area hosts the Water and Art Festival, a day-long event featuring entertainment and juried artists.

ITINERARY 4: ALLYN/GRAPEVIEW LOOP A CUT ABOVE

The largest chainsaw carving outlet, BEAR IN A is a great place to explore this unique art.

They also teach chainsaw carving.

WATERFRONT WANDERINGS

GRAPE VIEWS

Waterfront Grapeview is the location of first winery and vineyards of the Pacific Northwest.

BEACH WALK

There are plenty of great public beaches to explore and launch The area features quaint shops, a variety of points for your kayaks. restaurants, and beach parks.

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ITINERARY 5: BELFAIR AREA TAKE A WALK ON BOARDWALK

TAKE TO THE TRAILS

Hood Canal’s wild 139 acre THELER WETLANDS hosts two miles of trails.

1,700+ feet of floating boardwalk, native plants, and interpretive kiosks to experience wetland wildlife. olympicbirdtrail.org

23,100 acre TAHUYA STATE FOREST for camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, ATV, ORV, and mountain biking. dnr.wa.gov

SALMON STRONG

THE SALMON CENTER provides education and recreation through a series of collaborative activities at their certified organic farm.

They also host seasonal events. pnwsalmoncenter.org

VISITOR INFORMATION & RESOURCES HOODSPORT VISITOR CENTER 150 N Lake Cushman Rd, Hoodsport, WA (360) 877-2021 | (800) 576-2021

BELFAIR VISITOR CENTER 30 NE Romance Hill Rd, Belfair, WA (360) 275-4267 | northmasonchamber.com

UNION VISITOR INFORMATION

Located at Hunter Farms, E 1921 SR 106, Union, WA

SHELTON CHAMBER VISITOR CENTER

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215 W. Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA | (360) 426-2021 Open 8 AM - 5 PM | Monday through Friday

24341 N US Hwy 101, Hoodsport, WA FREE Concierge Service: maps, lodging, dining & hikes information (360) 877-2102

MASON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

From ferries in Seattle to trailheads in Hood Canal, Mason Transit offers free rides – masontransit.org

427 W. Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA 11 AM - 4 PM | Tuesday through Saturday

RIDE FREE IN MASON COUNTY OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK nps.gov

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MOTOAMERICA July 27 – 29 Set among the picturesque background of the Pacific Northwest, just off Hwy 101 in Shelton, sits Ridge Motorsports Park.

Known for its iconic 2.47-mile Road Course, the Ridge is home to over 300 annual events ranging from motorcycle and car races, weddings and holiday parties in their 10,000 sq ft event center, corporate retreats and client engagement events on their 1/5th scale replica go karting track, and so much more.

Local agent, local team – proudly supporting the community.

(360) 426-2428 mysheltonagent.com

821 W Railroad Ave Shelton WA 98584

The nationally televised MotoAmerica Superbikes race is set to return June 27-29 to the Ridge for its fifth consecutive year. With over 10,000 annual race fans attending, this family-friendly weekend will have fans on the edge of their seat watching world class athletes reach speeds near 160mph on a variety of highly advanced motorcycles as they try and conquer the challenging 2.47mile Ridge Road Course.

DESIGN MATTERS We seek to create quality designs that are innately beautiful aesthetically while meeting practical and functional needs that fit your lifestyle.

MotoAmerica Superbikes also features various off-track activities and fan engagement opportunities. From racer autograph sessions, VIP packages, various vendors across the facility and go kart racing.

While enjoying the races fans can experience get behind the wheel of a Ridge Grand Prix Go Kart and reach speeds near 45mph. As the only replica go karting track in North Amer-

A LEGACY OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR MASON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1986

We want to hear your vision and help transform your ideas into reality.

New residences ADU's Additions and remodels Commercial buildings and spaces Specializing in: Slopes Shorelines Views Unique Features

CONNECT WITH US

info@williams-architecture.com

360-426-0511

www.williams-architecture.com

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ica, the Ridge Grand Prix is an exact 1/5th scale model of its big brother, the Ridge Road Course. With the same challenging turns and thrilling elevation changes, anyone can experience the adrenaline of racing as they battle friends and family to take home the title of champion.

This highly anticipated event also includes the REV Country Music concert. Whether you're a die-hard country fan or just looking for a fun summer night out, REV brings great music, good vibes, and an unforgettable experience to Mason County. July 28, catch Walker Montgomery, Avery Anna, and Cameron Whitcomb live at Ridge Motorsports Park—grab your tickets now for this high-energy night of country music in the PNW! Find out more by visiting the Ridge website.

Say "yes" on

Hood Canal.

Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by nature’s splendor, where lush forests meet the calming shores of Hood Canal. Recently Mike’s Beach Resort, paired with Iliana’s Glamping Village, to seriously enter the wedding venue market offering a serene and stunning setting for unforgettable weekend weddings. The new venture, Pine & Tide Events invites couples to celebrate in a casual, nature-focused atmosphere.

Traditionally on Hood Canal weddings have been reserved at area golf courses, farms or Alderbrook Resort and Spa. However, with a trend toward smaller and more intimate celebrations where the guests share in the exchange of gathering more than the matching bridesmaids dresses, innovative and picturesque locations like Mike's Beach Resort with its expansive lodging selection and key location perched between forest and tide, are booking up for events.

Wedding parties are encouraged to make it there own, From a cozy welcome dinner on Friday to a farewell brunch on Sunday, the waterside property offers the space and time for the wedding party and their guests to relax.

Hosting a weekend wedding gives you more time to connect and celebrate with friends and family.

Arrive at the property on Friday and settle in to your accommodations – choose from cozy waterfront cabins to uniquely equipped glamp tents. Save the vows for Saturday, saving your energy for a festive celebration on the beach side patio. Sunday after a laidback Sunday brunch. enjoy the views, kayaking, hiking, and on site trails.

This relaxed destination is a beautiful way to slow down and savor every moment of your special day. Gather around outdoor fire pits, stroll the shoreline, and soak in the beauty of this forest-meets-waterfront retreat.

Planning an intimate ceremony or a grand reception, the versatile indoor and outdoor spaces provide an ideal backdrop. Let the natural beauty surrounding the Pacific Northwest elevate your event to a whole new level.

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GROUP CAPACITY Mikes Beach Resort

• Up to 68 overnight guests • Waterfront reception/ceremony space • Indoor event hall • Bridal prep room • Groom's room/flex space

Iliana's Glamping Village • Up to 28 overnight guests • Woodland ceremony space • Lawn reception • Wildwood wedding bar

For more details contact Sara at (305) 781-7107 or visit their comprehensive website at pineandtideevents.com.

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Royal Tea at the Colonial House, July 13

You’re Invited to a Royal Garden Affair; The Forest Festival Royalty Tea Party, Sunday, July 13 at 11:00 AM at the Colonial House in Shelton. Step into a storybook moment as Queen Kodee Galloway and the 2025 Royal Court welcome all young princes and princesses—and their beloved guests— to a garden tea party.

This beloved Forest Festival tradition is a magical experience for all generations.

Dress in your royal best (or come as you are!) and enjoy crust-less sandwiches & dainty cake, garden games, Royalty Meet & Greets, and autograph cards, a crown or tiara and other surprises!

This event is the perfect way for children, mothers, grandmothers, and friends to make lasting memories together surrounded by history, elegance, and just the right amount of fairytale sparkle.

Tickets: $40/$25 kids (2–12)Special thanks to Green Diamond and Maple Glen Assisted Living for helping make this charming tradition possible. Secure your spot at masoncountyforestfestival.com

Mason PUD 3

NOT-FOR-PROFIT RATES Providing low-cost, reliable power is our priority

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Fire arm safety starts with education MASON COUNTY SPORTSMAN'S CLASSES

MCSA was originally formed as the Shelton Rifle and Pistol Club in 1947.

The Mason County area served by the club, was and still is, rural with forest products and seafood industries as major employers.

Initially, club efforts were focused on providing a safe firearms range away from the general public, yet available for the use by the community including the US Army, reserve organizations, sportsmen, and later, local law enforcement. Simpson Lumber Company provided the property where members developed, equipped, and maintained an outdoor range until 2008.

Completed in 1976 through donations and member-provided labor, the club built the present-day meeting room and indoor range comprising of 10 lanes with shooting distances up to 50 feet.

Located at 521 W Business Park Rd. in Shelton, the land is leased from the Port of Shelton. The club facilities are maintained through club event fees, membership dues, grants, and volunteer support.

In 2008 the organization changed its name to Mason County Sportsman’s Association and subsequently incorporated as a 501(c)3, allowing the club an opportunity to give back to the community.

Whether you like to join a fun group of individuals or become more safe with firearms, MCSA has opportunities available for all levels of experience.

Membership meetings are open to the public) and hosted every first Wednesday of the month, 6:30 PM, at the PUD3 Auditorium on Johns Prairie Rd, Shelton. MCSA also participates in local community events like Matlock Old Timer's Fair, Forest Festival, Shelton Car Show Off and OysterFest.

Visit our booth and learn more about the group. Visit masoncountysa.org to view the full event calendar of classes and events.

GET INVOLVED

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION Third Saturday of month, 10 AM

ACTION PISTOL

Tuesdays in May, 6 PM

LADIES OF CALIBER

Third Sunday of month, 3 – 6 PM

PPC Fourth Monday of month, 6 PM MQP Thursdays, 6 PM CLASSES

May 24, Pistol for Beginners, 10 – 4 PM May 31 – June 1, NRA Basic Rifle, 10 AM June 7 & 8, NRA Basic Rifle, 9 AM – 6 PM June 28, Pistol for Beginners, 10 AM July 12 -13, Range Safety Officer, 9 AM September 13 – 14, NRA Concealed Carry Class, 10 AM – 6 PM

All classes and events take place at the MCSA indoor range at 521 W. Business Park Rd., Shelton WA, near the Shelton airport. Additional classes and events available online.

Get Ready for a Summer of Live Music at Mike’s Beach Resort

We’re bringing the tunes, the food, and the good vibes all summer long with our Summer Concert Series!

Kicking off Memorial Day Weekend and running through Labor Day, we’ve got an incredible lineup of live music, delicious eats, and cold beer—all open to overnight guests as well as the public.

Summer Live Music Schedule: Memorial Day Weekend – May 24th MUSIC: DNA DUO – Laid-back acoustic to dance floor favorites FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill Fourth of July Weekend – July 5th MUSIC: Kitty Mae – Current and classic country music FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill Chill & Grill Series July 12th: Chris Eakes – Interactive music performance | FOOD: Hood Canal Street Eats

July 19th: Sean Curkendall – Piano & vocals | FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill July 26th: DNA Duo – Acoustic to dance floor favorites | FOOD: Hood Canal Street Eats Aug 2nd: DNA Duo – Acoustic to dance floor favorites | FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill Aug 9th: Chris Eakes – Interactive music performance | FOOD: Hood Canal Street Eats Aug 16th: OMA – Country & more | FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill

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Aug 23rd: Kitty Mae – Current and

classic country music | FOOD: Hood Canal Street Eats Labor Day Weekend Party – Aug 30th MUSIC: DNA Duo – Acoustic to dance floor favorites FOOD: Mike's Snack Shack & Grill Join us for great music, delicious food, and perfect summer nights by the Hood Canal.

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This summer Belfair's Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) is offering two summer camps focused on getting kids outside on adventures and learning from the natural world around them – Salmon Center Farm Stewards starts in June, and Explore the Fjord starts in July. Make sure to get your kids signed-up and ready for fun experiencing the natural world this summer!

The Salmon Center Farm Stewards camp, designed for ages 7-11, begins in June and spans through mid-August. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays (9AM-1PM) at Water’s Edge Farm near the Union River Estuary Preserve, the program provides an introduction to gardening and nutrition and covers pollinators, animals, water systems, environmental science, habitats, and salmon restoration. Focusing on mindfulness and creativity, the activities teach about sustainable agriculture as well as the environment. For additional information or to sign up contact

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Volunteers celebrate the Dalby Waterwheel with April event.

KERRY MYERS HOOD CANAL IMPROVEMENT CLUB

The Hood Canal Improvement Club proudly celebrated the Dalby Waterwheel in Union throughout April 2025. The Dalby Waterwheel stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the early pioneers who settled in the Hood Canal area. In 1917, E.J. and Ethel Dalby purchased an eight-acre parcel of land that included a stream with sufficient flow to generate power.

By 1922, Edwin Justus Dalby, with the help of his father William Owen Dalby, constructed a wooden cultivator wheel to generate electricity for their home. This innovative system became one of the first hydroelectric plants on Hood Canal, supplying electricity to the main house and several nearby cabins for many years.

Henry Bernacki (left) and Larry DeForrest (right) were recognized at the reception for their years of waterwheel maintenance and love.

devoted HCIC members to plant perennials native to the Hood Canal area.

The beautiful, thoughtful planting design was created by Crazy Hill Garden & Botanicals in Belfair, with the goal of ensuring blooms from spring through fall. The addition of native plants not only enhances the site’s natural beauty but also supports local pollinators and wildlife.

As evening settled in, Hood Canale treated guests to an incredible — and impressively giant — round antipasto-style charcuterie table, along with curated selections from their beer and wine library. The atmosphere was further elevated by the enchanting sounds of the wildly popular local duo, Caliope — featuring vocalist Cailey Robinson and guitarist Bryan Davis. Jackson Linder provided expert audio support for the performance.

To learn more about the history of the waterwheel and read a heartfelt letter from the Abrams/Dalby family, and discover how HCIC continues to steward this unique legacy, visit www. hoodcanalimprovementclub.org.

Earlier in the month of April, Member The Dalby Waterwheel celebration at Large Tony Talacko, along with a concluded with a two-part HCIC event few talented craftsmen and women, at a beloved Union favorite — Hood But the true centerpiece of the evening gathered to make needed repairs and Canale Beer and Wine Bar. In the after- was a heartfelt moment of gratitude: remove moss from the waterwheel. noon, local artist BriAnne Lesman led a honoring longtime caretakers of the Their hands-on care helped restore the group of members and guests in paintDalby Waterwheel, Larry DeForrest wheel’s charm and ensured it remained ing the iconic waterwheel, capturing and Henry Biernacki, for their years of a safe and welcoming feature for visiits historic charm and the community dedication and stewardship. Their quiet tors. spirit it represents. commitment has ensured the water 65 wheel continues to inspire and endure.

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THE MAKING OF SUMMER NOSTALGIA AN INVITATION TO CULTIVATE WHOLEHEARTED CONNECTION WITH SELF, EACH OTHER, AND THE NATURAL WORLD

BY SUSAN POZNYANSKY, LICSW, FOUNDER, HEART OF CALDERA IFS & WELLNESS

It is the end of April on Hood Canal. I’ve been watching the warming temperature slowly tease its way up… 60 degrees, 65. We reached the first 70-degree day on April 24, and I hustled to Division 1 Park with my swim friend for the first "summer" swim of 2025. At first, the water was a bit numbing, so I just sat in two inches of it to see if I could acclimate. Eventually I scooted myself further in and finally took the plunge to swim, officially making it to the 2025 Swims list. The summer goal, once again: 20 swims. Already, my mouth waters for handfuls of blueberries and spoonfuls of watermelon.

As summer makes its way to me, I’m surprised to notice sadness coming with it. I’m already anxious the time will go by too fast, that I won’t soak up enough of it. It’s not like it was when I was a kid, when two months felt like a year. For me, summers are anchored in both time well spent alone in nature and memories made during rambunctious weekend BBQs filled with family and friends.

These are the moments—then and now—that imprint on our souls, shape who we are, and offer us a way back to ourselves. There is a restorative impact in attuning to nature, in being with nature, in remembering that we are nature.

There is a rhythm to the natural world that calls to something innately primal in me—something animal, something softly confident and free. As I separate from the buzz of productivity and performance, I come back to a pace that is more authentic and embodied.

When I was a kid, I had the privilege of escaping the oppressive dense humidity of summers in Brooklyn by heading to the Borscht Belt, also known as the Catskill Mountains. My multi-generational Ukrainian family pitched in and together bought and renovated our very own dacha in America.

At the time, I remember feeling a little ungrateful. I had to leave my urban school friends, and because the dacha was already a cost, I didn’t get to go to summer camp with my Catskill buddies.

So, during those long summer days, I was often alone. I wandered through the woods, finding snakes, frogs, and salamanders. I rode my bike to turtle-filled, lily pad-drenched ponds and checked the wild raspberries for ripeness. I’d take solo rowing trips in still water, lie back in the boat, and just drift, pretending to be Huckleberry Finn.

as I wanted and follow my own curiosity.

I learned that something brightens in me when I see a hawk glide or a trout ripple the water. Now these stirrings bring me back from stressful workdays into embodied well-being.

Do you remember the last time you got to meander with interest? Do you remember what this urge of interest feels like in your body? Is it a pang in your gut, a spark in your eyes, a jump in your heart?

Even on a crowded weekend day at the lake, floating in water brought the deepest peace. Lying on my back, splayed like a starfish, the water filling my ears with a particular muffled silence, the sky stretched wide above me. Everything could stop, and I could just be—a floating starfish on a spinning blue marble floating in space.

This summer, I invite you take a little more time to notice the delicate variety of blue in the evening sky, kissed with pink and purple; to wake up early and drink your coffee to the cacophony of morning bird song, just a little bit longer. Awaken to these precious summer moments.

Allow them to imprint deeply, bask in their presence, and fill yourself with their warmth, peace, calm, and tenderness.

Solo time in nature gave me a taste of independence and began a long love affair with the natural world. In those spaces of solitude and communion, I learned to follow what interests me. With no one else to negotiate with, I got to sit on a rock and take in the air for as long

Without others, my relationship with the natural world became woven into my being—the gentle lapping of water against the rowboat or the rhythm of my breaths in the space between bird calls. And while this relationship is irreplaceable, I

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CONNECTIONS

remember feeling a soft ache, a longing for companionship. The daily demands of surviving life can break us and our connections.

My family was cash-poor and financially stressed. As Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, their generational trauma showed up in aggressive and sometimes physical arguments, emotional distance, and difficulty managing stress. These summer moments were a respite for all of us.

My father, a hardworking blue-collar man, spent as much time with me as he could. On summer weekends, he’d drive up from the city on Friday nights. I’d wait for him on the porch with the light off to avoid attracting mosquitoes. Then I’d wave goodbye from that same spot on Sunday afternoons. That day and a half in between was precious, and I’d tag along with him as much as I could.

I think of fishing trips: the way the boat rocked with my grandfather’s aging weight—how once he almost tipped us over. How I’d ask my dad to bait my hook and he’d grimace, insisting that if I complained to join, then I at least had to bait it myself. We laughed, and it stuck with me: this mix of joy, fragility, and the slow shift of generations.

My maternal babushka was a refugee during WWII. As a one-year-old, she was sent on a packed train with her mother from Ukraine to Uzbekistan, until age 4, when she returned to a war-ravaged Kiev.

At 14, her mother died at the factory where she worked, and she was forced to go to work. She spoke of being so poor that dinner was often a piece of bread rubbed with onion. My grandmother learned to hide her emotions, and work hard for her own survival from a very young age. Even today, when someone is showing emotion, I can see my babushka’s face pale with a tinge of fear. This is the message she passed to my mother.

My young mother immigrated to the US at 17, married at 19, and had me at 20.

She completed college while I attended grade school and promptly started working as an accountant.

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The strains of full-time work often left my mother tired and empty in the evenings, decompressing and shutting down with the television. She didn’t learn from my grandmother to understand how she was feeling or to ask for help and support. She was often prone to emotional outbursts and difficulties calming down.

This put a strain on our relationship and connection.

But on summer weekends, we were all together in nature, a place to decompress, to rejuvenate, to breathe deeply the fresh air. A time to be together and collectively calm our nervous systems. The three of us would go for long walks by the ponds and pick wild raspberries and blackberries by the road, or gathering blueberries by the bucket full. The blueberries were my favorite, I’d smush them in my mouth all at once–I felt rich. I was always amazed by the buckets we brought home.

I got to know my family away from daily stress—to see them laugh, eat, lounge, and enjoy life. Everything they worked for was for these moments. In those moments, I felt safe and joyful.

We escaped city tensions, arguments, chaos. Nature was our balm and refuge.

Mental health quietly returned in the form of sun-warmed skin, berry-stained fingertips, and the taste of burnt BBQ sauce on chicken drumsticks.

As an adult, returning to this is like coming home. I have a part of me that is forever craving the endless summer.

And when I turn toward that desperate longing, I realize it is for the escape from responsibility, the space to wander, the refuge of leaving some troubles behind.

The making of summer nostalgia doesn’t happen all at once. It builds in small,

vivid moments: scraped knees, grumpy grownups, bug bites—and the realization that all of it—the mess and the magic—is part of the music of summer.

I want to reclaim this rhythm. Track my swims, how many fish in my boat. To say: I was there. I paid attention.

The making of summer nostalgia is the making of presence. And presence is the gift we give our future selves—a gift of memory, rich with color, scent, sound, and soul.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Susan Poznyansky, LCSW, Heart of Caldera grew up with a deep love for nature, sparked by summers in the Borscht Belt. They now reside on the Olympic Peninsula, ancestral land of the Skokomish people, where they spend their time fishing, writing, foraging mushrooms, and indulging in their favorite pastime: hurkle-durkling (a cozy state of lounging).

B O O K O N L I N E T O D AY !

Hood Canal Adventures Mushroom & Native Plant Tours

Kayak & SUP Rentals

Kayak Tours KAYAK RENTALS 251 Hjelvicks Road Brinnon, WA

Tourist Information & Outdoors Gift Shop

360-301-6310

ASK ABOUT LOCAL KAYAK & SUP DELIVERY

hoodcanaladventures.com

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STORE ADDRESS 306146 Hwy 101 N Brinnon, WA

Allyn Days and Geoduck Festival, July 18-20 ALLYN

Local and visiting families annually mark their calendar for this community festival in Allyn Park that features a low tide Mud Run, alder-smoked salmon dinner, vendor area, beer garden, live music and dancing, children activities and shellfish delicacies galore and even an oyster shucking competition. This event is FREE to attend.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: MUSIC IN THE PARK –ACA hamburger stand along with the beer garden.

SALMON BAKE –Perfectly prepared salmon served in a idyllic waterfront setting.

LIVE MUSIC –Enjoy local and regional bands providing the weekend soundtrack.

VENDORS AND BEER GARDEN –Explore unique crafts, foods, and beverages, and relax with a local brew.

GEODUCK, OYSTER, CLAMS, AND MUSSELS – Pacific Northwest's finest seafood.

KIDS ZONE –Keep the little ones entertained with a kiddie train, and paint ball ANNUAL MUD RUN –Messy and thrilling adventure that's fun for all ages!

Visit website at www.Allytown.com.For media inquiries, contact: Richard Bell, 360-731-1945, Event Coordinator, Allyn Days. Volunteers, contact Ronnie at Windermere: 360-2755002, AllyntownACA@gmail.com

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music art+water

From then to now – The Path to Hoodstock UNION | AUGUST 15 – 16

Step into a rich tapestry of art, music, and history as Hood Canal pays tribute to its creative roots this summer. The 8th Annual Hood Canal Music and Art Festival (Hoodstock) in Union, Washington is not just a lineup of modern performances—it’s a heartfelt homage to the illustrious artist colony that has defined this region since the early 1900s.

Long before the bohemian artists made “Union City” their home, the shores of Hood Canal were home to Native American tribes. Through carving, weaving, music, and storytelling, Hood Canal's first peoples expressed a connection to the land and waters, laying a foundation for a region defined by creativity.

The early 20th century saw the rise of flourishing art communities along Hood Canal, none more captivating than the Artist Colony of Olympus Manor. From 1924 to 1952, Olympus Manor was a beacon for the arts, attracting painters, sculptors, and bohemians alike. At the center of this vibrant colony was Orre Nobles, whose influence and passion for art continues to inspire present artisans.

Union's August festival embraces the theme “from then to now – the path to Hoodstock.” It’s a celebration of creative journeys that started in the early decades of the last century and continue to evolve in a modern landscape rich with musical and artistic expression. The festival offers an immersive experience that bridges eras with unique events planned to enchant both loyal art devotees and curious newcomers alike.

Honoring the Past: Revel in the rich history of the Olympus Manor artist’s colony spotlighting works and narratives that bring to life the era of Orre Nobles, Frank Pixley and Waldo Chase.

Embracing the Present: Performances by rising artists and musicians, blending genres and styles in a way that pays homage to past innovations while paving the way for future creative endeavors Celebrating the Future: With diverse musical acts on land and at sea, the festival’s multiple stages ensure there is something for every art and music lover.

KICK OFF EVENTS

Annual Fundraiser Dinner Saturday, August 9, 6 – 10 PM Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club "From Then to Now - The Path to Hoodstock" Food, drink, dancing, and engaging history lessons that bring the legacy of Olympus Manor to life on modern shores. Tickes: $150 (21+).

Hoodstock Kickoff Friday, August 15, 6 –10 PM Robin Hood Village Resort, Union Kick off festivities with 3 bands setting the tone for the weekends live performances. Food and beverages available for purchase. Tickets: $25 (21+)

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.

8/15 SATURDAY THE MAIN EVENT

Hood Canal Waterfront Main Stage Saturday, August 15, 12 – 6 PM Experience music performances from a one of a kind perspective—get your boats and floats ready! Purchase a Hoodstock flag and support local charities.

Vendor & Artisans Show:12 – 5 PM Free exhibits featuring 17 local vendors, artisans, food trucks, live music, and creative displays.

JULY 11-13, 2025

SHELTON, WASH

Kristmas Town Kiwanis presents the 20th Annual

BLUEGRASS FROM THE SETH MULDER AND MIDNIGHT RUN (TN)

Saturday Evening Event 6 –10 PM Cap off the day with performance featuring two bands.

Ticket $25 (21+) WATERFRONT MAIN STAGE Flag Purchase Details: Starting Memorial Day flags will be available at the Union Country Store, May Mobile Marine, and Summertide Resort. Small Flags: Designed for attendees in small watercraft; $20 each.

Large Flags: For boats accommodating four or more people; $80 each.

Saturday’s lineup is n all day celebration that connects eras, bridging historical narratives with modern expression. Whether you’re drawn by the legacy of past artists or the vibrant pulse of today, this year’s festival is one you simply won’t want to miss.

For tickets and more details on each event, be sure to visit hoodstock.org and be ready to celebrate a dynamic heritage that blends “Then to Now” in a spectacular showcase of music, art, and history.

THE BAR K BUCKAROOS Saturday night country dance

JIM HURST (TN)

FOREST NEVER COME DOWN (OR)

MUSIC WORKSHOPS MANDOLIN TASTING MIDNIGHT 45 FOOD & MERCH.VENDORS (OR) JAMMING ON SITE Kids’ & family programs CHICK ROSE SCHOOL OF THE OLY BLUEGRASS MOUNTAIN BOYS and (WA) CAMPING ON SITE And don’t miss the

Saturday Night Country Dance with free midnight hot dogs!

JULY 11-13

WAY FAR YONDER (OR)

RUNAWAY TRAIN (HOST BAND)

Outdoor Bluegrass

MUSIC FESTIVAL

SOCCER PARK @ MASON COUNTY REC. AREA

2102 E. JOHNS PRAIRIE RD Shelton, Washington

BLUEGRASSFROMTHEFOREST.COM

DETAILS: (360) 490-8981

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MOUNT ROSE

Distance: 6.5 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 3500 feet High Point: 4301 feet Difficulty: difficult Snow free: June through October Notes: Wilderness rules apply; practice Leave No Trace principles Trailhead Pass Needed: None GPS waypoints: Trailhead: N47 29.731 W123 16.051 Features: old-growth, exceptional views of Lake Cushman, summer wildflowers, dog-friendly Land Agency Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition (Romano, Mountaineers Books) Directions: From Shelton, north on US Hwy 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left onto SR 119 and proceed 9.3 miles to a T intersection. Then turn left and continue 2.7 miles to the trailhead (SR 119 ends and road becomes gravel FR 24).

Trailhead facilities: none

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ROSE WORTH THE STING?

MOUNT ROSE This hike isn’t terribly long. And its trailhead is fairly easy to reach via mainly good paved roads. The trail traverses impressive towering old-growth forest.

And in summer wildflowers brighten the forest floor and decorate summer ledges.

Views? They’re stunning, especially of Lake Cushman sparkling 3,500-feet directly below. But every rose has its thorn. And for Mount Rose, all of this natural beauty and splendor comes at a steep price—literally. This hike is one of the steepest in the Olympics.

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HIT THE TRAIL

After crossing a pair of cascading creeks and passing a square-shaped builder Yes, the trail up Mount Rose is grushrouded in ferns the way gets down to eling. But it makes this hike all that business. A seemingly endless promuch sweeter by weeding out the cession of switchbacks will keep you crowds. Rose makes for an excellent quieter alternative to nearby Mount El- occupied. And if you think the going is steep—it used to be steeper! The all-vollinor. And being more than 1,000 feet unteer Mount Rose Trail Crew reconlower than that popular peak means a longer snow free hiking season on Rose. figured and rebuilt much of this trail And while handfuls of hikers may swear several years ago, making it much more negotiable. The Mount Rose Trail Crew off this mountain—plenty swear by it and swear on it while going up it. They has left their positive marks on many of the trails in the Lake Cushman area. embrace its steepness as a great conditioner for harder hikes planned later in Much of the lower mountain is covered the season. In any case, do not under in uniform second growth forest thanks estimate this hike. Trekking poles will to fires early in the last century. But significantly help—especially on the insanely steep descent. And take plenty a handful of surviving towering oldgrowth giants break the monotony of of water. the younger forest. The trail enters the The trail starts out deceptively easy on a 13,000 Mount Skokomish Wilderness, fairly level traverse along the base of the one of five wilderness areas in Olympic mountain.

National Forest flanking Olympic National Park. At just shy of 2.0 miles (although it may feel a lot longer) the trail reaches the summit loop junction. Here a small plaque honors the crew that built this trail.

Which direction you take the loop is dependent on your preference. The way left is much steeper which for many is easier to ascend than descend.

But if you head right instead you will reach the scenic payoff later—prolonging the anticipation. Most folks head left first to tackle 1300 feet of ascent within a mile. The way relentlessly climbs passing through dark moist forest before transitioning to a forest recovering from a 2006 wildfire. At 2.9 miles from the trailhead reach the 4301-foot open-forested summit. Your attention will be immediately drawn to sparkling Lake

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Cushman below. It’s a breathtaking view of the large lake cradled by steep emerald slopes. But do scan the lake’s surroundings too admiring Lightning Peak and Timber Mountain rising majestically above it. Take in views too of Wonder Mountain and Church Peak to the southwest; and the Skokomish delta, Black Hills, Willapa Hills, and Mount Rainier to the south. And catch glimpses through silver snags and white pines of the deep valley of the North Fork Skokomish River.

After admiring the stunning views, continue on the loop along a narrow forested ledge. Along the way you’ll be greeted with more fine views including close ups of Copper Mountain towering above you and Hood Canal in the distance. The way then enters impressive old-growth forest and passes a fascinating colonnade of four silver firs.

They’ve grown so close together they appear fused. The summit loop will deliver you back to a familiar junction from where a brutal descent will deliver you back to the trailhead.

Mount Rose’s views are indeed sweet.

But the mountain’s summit floral show can be equally stunning. The mountain however is not named for roses, of which four native species grow in the Olympics. The mountain takes its name from Alfred A. Rose, who in 1885 arrived in the valley below with his wife and three children from California. Rose was one of the first non-native settlers in the valley, claiming 150 acres along Lake Cushman.

But his tenure here was short. He succumbed to small pox four years later.

In 1926 the lake was dammed greatly increasing its size and inundating Rose’s original homestead as well as other early settlements. I’m not sure if Rose ever grunted to the summit that bears his name. But with a nod to William Shakespeare, that which we call Mount Rose by any other name would still be as steep!

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shellfish map Our Local Bivalves

Get to know a few species NATIVE LITTLENECK CLAM

Up to 3.5” with rounded shell displaying concentric rings and radiating ridge lines, cream, gray, brown, or mottled.

White inside shell; found at 6-10” deep in gravel, mud, mid-tide level.

Forage on Washington’s Wild Side.

Mason County’s saltwater bays and inlets along OLYMPIC Hood Canal and South Puget Sound are NATIONAL renown forFOREST some of the tastiest and freshest bivalves in the OLYMPIC Northwest. Visit for the pristine waters, open NATIONAL PARK wilderness and public beaches stocked annually for families to enjoy!

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MANILA LITTLENECK CLAM (NOT NATIVE)

Up to 2.5”, oblong shell, Color can vary—typically gray,brown, or mottled and often times with what appears to be hand painted designs; some purple on the inside shell; found at 2-4” in gravel, mud, sand, typically above the half-tide level.

BUTTER CLAM

Up to 5”, shell with concentric rings (no radiating ridge lines), Yellow to gray/white colored; found at 1-1.5’ in sand, gravel, or cobble; lower intertidal or shallow sub-tidal zone. Butter clams retain marine biotoxins longer than other clams.

COCKLE CLAM

Up to 5” with round shell; prominent evenly-spaced radiating ridges fanning from hinge; mottled, light brown color; found at 1-2” in sand, mud in intertidal or sub-tidal zone.

LILLIWAUP STATE PARK

Full off on Hwy 101, stairway to beach at north opening of Lilliwaup Bay. Walk north or south when tide is out.

Oysters and Clams. Eagles andOLYMPIC osprey. Overnight RV camping permitted; no restrooms.

NATIONAL FOREST

TAYLOR SHELLFISH 130 SE Lynch Rd Shelton (360) 432-3300 Taylor’s products include geoduck, clams, crab, mussels and oysters.

Headquartered in Kamilche, retail store is open daily. taylorshellfish.com

HOOD

Visitor Inform

HOODSPORT

Public boat dock with beach access. Starfish and crabs at low tide. Closed to shellfish gathering. Picnic tables & restrooms,nearby dining, grocery and shopping.

POTLATC

POTLATCH BEACH PARK

Longest stretch of public beach, popular for swimming, kayaking, and picnics. Camping & restrooms.

Held October 5-6 at Shelton Airport, the two day festival features camping on site, seafood delicacies prepared by local non-profits as well as the Northwest Oyster Shucking Championship & live music. OYSTERFEST.ORG

Up to 12”, white/gray oblong shell with irregular, wavy edges; found in intertidal zone; tumbled (farmed) Pacifics have cupped shape with fragile shells.

Up to 3”, rounded shell, white to purplish black and may be striped with yellow or brown; oyster’s flesh is a light olive green with a metallic flavor. Native oyster to the area and currently protected in wild habitats.

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OYSTERFEST

PACIFIC OYSTERS (NOT NATIVE)

OLYMPIA OYSTER

Expansive beach property signs. E Warm enough fo Parking across fr

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WALKER PARK

MUSSELS

Blue Mussel (native) up to 3”, California Mussel (native) up to 6”, Mediterranean non-native) up to 5”. Oblong shell, blueblack or brown, attaches to rocks, pilings, boats, gravel, or other hard surfaces in the intertidal zone with bissel threads.

GEODUCK

Up to 10”, 2.5 – 10 lbs. Gaping oblong shell with concentric rings; white shell with flaky brown skin; siphon and mantle are too large to withdraw; found at depth of 2-3’ in mud, FJORD 76 sand, gravel in the sub-tidal zone (extreme low tides).

explorehoodcanal.com

Beach access, playground, restrooms, picnic shel basketball court. Olympic Hwy to Arcadia Rd, from Rd take Left on Walker Park Rd, Park is on right.

No shellfish harvest. No passes required.

OYSTER BAY

Easy beach access on marshy estuary. Popular for bird watching and salmon observing/fishing.

Pullout on Hwy 101 near Mile Marker 356; near KENNEDY CREEK INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL. 108

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HAMA HAMA OYSTER SALOON 35846 US-101, Lilliwaup 5th generation farm serves oysters prepared to order with an ever changing menu of seasonal local ingredients. Retail store and farm dining. hamahamaoyster.com

DEWATTO BAY

HAMMA HAMMA

h when tide is out, obey Excellent oyster beach. or swimming in summer. rom Eagle Creek Saloon.

Do not harvest in areas with pollution closures. Ask your doctor before eating raw shellfish if you have any concerns about allergies, are taking medications, or have a weakened immune system (such as cancer, liver disease, or HIV). Shellfish are a great and healthy food.

BELFAIR STATE PARK

Nice beaches for walking and exploring with summer water temperatures surprisingly warm.

Restrooms, camping and picnic facilities.

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Avoid illness by following the 3 C’s above and enjoy!

Visitor Information

D S PO RT

MENARD’S LANDING

ALLYN

Expansive beach (at low tide), picnic area, and views of the Olympics.

RENDSLAND CREEK, DNR owned clams and oysters open all year.

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Gazebo, garden, play area, pier, restrooms and beach access with boat A L LYN launch.

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Excellent camping, swimming, kayaking, picnic sites, and shellfish harvesting.

M A SON UNION CITY MARKETL A K E

Visitor Information

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GRAPEVIEW

5101 E State Route 106 | Union | (360) 898-3500 3 Art, gifts, seafood and grocery items and seasonal cafe DNR 24/GRAPEVIEW, DNR beach clams and oysters open within a working marina. all year. Access by boat only.

HUNTER FARMS

921 WA-106, Union | (360) 426-2222 Direct farm to market retail includes 101 Hood Canal oysters at the general store located on the farm.

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HOPE ISLAND STATE PARK

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Information

A R CA DIA

lter and m Arcadia

A 106-acre marine camping park reachable only by boat.

Covered with old-growth forests and saltwater marshes, the park features a beach oneand-a-half miles long. Access by boat only.

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CHELSEA FARMS OYSTER BAR

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Local Seafood

Here are a few locations that serve Hood Canal & South Puget Sound seafood on their menus.

Bistro at Lakeland Village

Restaurant at Alderbrook

Boat House Restaurant

Spencer Lake Bar & Grill

Burger Claim & More

Squaxin Island Seafood Bar

The Fjord Oyster Bank

Taylor Station

Hama Hama Oyster Saloon

Tides Family Restaurant

470 E Country Club Dr, Allyn (360) 277-4137

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Community park offers beach access, a picnic area and portable restroom and is very popular with kayakers, fishermen and local residents. Located on SR-3 at the south end of Allyn. The parking area is open only during the shellfish season.

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CHILL: Harvest shellfish on the outgoing tide and put on ice as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth. Keep them cold until ready to eat. Cover in fridge with a wet cloth to prevent drying out.

COOK: Cook shellfish in summer months when Vibrio illnesses can occur. To kill Vibrio bacteria cook shellfish to 145° F for at least 15 seconds, cooking does not destroy biotoxins.

Small beach with dramatic view of the Olympics. Lots of ripe berries in late summer.

From Belfair: take the Belfair-Tahuya Road to Dewatto Rd. Continue four miles to Dewatto.

Parking limited.

CREEK

CHECK: Health closures and advisories: doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety Harvesting closures: wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulation Signs on the beach: Follow posted warnings and respect private property.

18340 E WA 3, Allyn (360) 275-2954 24171 WA 3, Belfair (360) 277-5141

24341 N US Hwy 101, Hoodsport (360) 877-2102 35846 US-101, Lilliwaup (360) 877-5811

Hook & Fork

10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union (360) 898-2200

1180 E Pickering Rd, Shelton (360) 426-2505

91 West State Route 108, Shelton (360) 432-7120 62 SE Lynch Rd, Shelton (360) 426-8501 27061 US-101, Hoodsport (360) 877-8921

222 CAPITOL WAY N, OLYMPIA | (360) 915-7784 5101 E State Route 106, Union Eld & Totten Inlet, South Puget Sound (360) 898-3500 Chelsea Farm have made a priority of farming the native Olympia oyster that was on it’s way to

77 extinction. Visit their oyster bar in Olympia for View more area dining at explorehoodcanal.comFJORD local seafood experience! chelseafarms.net Visitor Information 101

25 SCENIC WATERFALLS 25 SCENIC WATERFALLS Hood Canal to the Pacific Coast & points between

Hood Canal to the Pacific Coast & points between Receiving hundreds of inches of rain annually, the Hoh, Quinault and Queets Rainforests are located on the coastal foothills of the Olympics. With 21 feet of snow or rain at its peaks, it’s no wonder there is a myriad of waterfalls lacing the area. Explore this sampling curated by celebrated guidebook author and avid hiker, Craig Romano. Some are small, secret, and unique, others are popular but magnificent. All are worth the journey!

Olympia & Hood Canal 1. Tumwater Falls Loop (1 MILE – EASY)

Olympia | Exit #103 off of I-5 S to Deschutes Way Tumwater Falls Park, no pass required, kid/dog friendly Iconic landmark, multi-tiered showy falls separated by gorge.

2. Kennedy Creek Falls (6.8 MILE RT – MODERATE)

Kamiliche | US 101 N, left at Old Olympic , mile to gate Forestry & WA DNR, no pass required, kid/dog friendly Descend to a grove of big trees — and the falls. Here Kennedy Creek tumbles over basalt flow.

3. Vincent Creek Falls (ROAD ACCESS – EASY)

Skokomish Valley Rd; 5.6 miles to FR 23; 2.3 miles to FR 2340 Olympic National Forest, no pass, caution: low guardrail Arched truss 685’ High Steel Bridge (1929) spans 375’ and is the 14th highest bridge in USA. Falls drop 250’ over canyon.

4. Big Creek Cascades Loop (4.2 MILE – MODERATE)

Lake Cushman / Hoodsport | SR 119 for 9.3 miles to trail head Olympic National Forest, pass required, kid/dog-friendly Loop utilizes old logging roads, new trails and series of bridges constructed by volunteers that continue to improve this loop.

5. Staircase Rapids Loop (2 MILE – EASY)

Lake Cushman/Hoodsport | SR 119; FR 24 for 14.7 miles Olympic National Park, pass required, kid-friendly, no pets Follow river to suspension bridge, cross river and complete loop on North Fork Skokomish River back to Ranger Station.

6. Hamma Hamma Falls (ROAD ACCESS – EASY)

Lilliwaup | FR 25 for 13.3 miles Olympic National Forest, pass required, kid-friendly Bridge spans two-tiered falls (80’). Overhead view decent year round. On drive back, enjoy views of secondary falls along river.

7. Murhut Falls (1.6 MILES ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Duckabush River Valley | FR 2510 6.3 miles, FR 2530, 1.3 miles Olympic National Forest, no pass required, kid/dog-friendly Well-built trail to 130’ two-tiered waterfall. Pacific rhododendrons line the trail in May and June.

9. Dosewallips Falls (9.0 MILE ROUND-TRIP – MODERATE)

Brinnon | US 101 Milepost 306, Dosewallips Rd 9.7 miles to trail Olympic National Park, no pass, kid-friendly, dog-prohibited Spectacular 100’ waterfall previously had vehicle access but now to reach waterfall you must hike or mountain bike closed road..

10. Fallsview Falls (0.2 MILE ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Quilcene | US 101 at Falls View Campground. Trail in picnic area Olympic National Forest, pass required, kid/dog friendly, ADA Trail is ADA accessible to a falls cascading 100’. By late summer it trickles—but during the rainy season the falls put on a little show.

Lake Crescent & Elwha River 11. Striped Peak Falls (2.2 MILE RT– MODERATE)

Salt Creek County Park | SR 112 , 7.2 miles, R. @ Camp Hayden Rd Clallam County Parks and WA DNR, no pass, dog-friendly Small but location in remote cliff-enclosed sea cove is stunning.

12. Madison Creek Falls (0.2 MILE ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Elwha River Valley | Olympic Hot Springs Rd 2.1 miles Olympic National Park, no pass, kid-friendly, ADA, dog-friendly Short walk to mossy maple and cedar lined grotto. This path is one of the few within the national park that is open to leashed dogs.

13. Wolf Creek Falls (0.8 MILE ROUND-TRIP –MODERATE)

Elwha River Valley | US 10, milepost 240, Olympic Hot Springs Rd, 4.0 miles, left onto dirt Whiskey Bend Rd, 4.2 miles to trail head Olympic National Park, pass required, dogs prohibited After a steep descent to river walk along the gravel bank of Wolf Creek to a fanning 25’ falls. Step back to see another tier above it.

14. Goblins Gate (3.6 MILES ROUND-TRIP – MODERATE)

Elwha River Valley | milepost 240, Olympic Hot Springs Rd, 4 miles onto dirt Whiskey Bend Rd, 4.5 miles to trail head ONP, pass required, kid friendly, dogs prohibited Hike to a Elwha River gorge to a series of rapids.

15. Boulder Creek Falls (8.4 MILES ROUND-TRIP – MODERATE)

Elwha Valley | Milepost 240, Olympic Hot Springs Rd, 10 miles Olympic National Park, pass required, dogs prohibited A series of cascades in valley with luxuriant old-growth forest. The hike is an all-day event but is remoter than nearby popular sites.

8. Rocky Brook Falls (QUARTER MILE – EASY)

Brinnon | Milepost 306 on US 101, Dosewallips Road 3 miles Private, no pass, kid/dog-friendly - check for closures Classic horsetail waterfall crashes more than 200’ from hanging valley. Summer, the cascade pool is a popular swimming hole.

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Thank you.

5878p a c i f i c c o a s t s c e n i c

waterfall trail

Waterfall project made possible with Mason County Lodging Tax funding. explorehoodcanal.com

®2020 | Information and images courtesy of Craig Romano.

Craig has written more than 20 guidebooks including Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd Edition.

www.waterfalltrail.org 16. Marymere Falls (1.8 MILES ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Lake Crescent | milepost 228, right at Lake Crescent Lodge Olympic National Park, no pass, kid-friendly, dogs prohibited A popular waterfall on the Olympic Peninsula, if it was harder to reach, this 90’ horsetail cascade would still be well-visited.

17. Sol Duc Falls (1.6 MILES ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Sol Duc River Valley | Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, 14 miles to trail Olympic National Park, pass required, kid-friendly, no dogs ONP’s most photographed waterfall. The falls tumble about 40’ into a tight slot and abruptly flow at a right angle into the gorge.

Pacific Coast & Quinault

18.Strawberry Bay Falls (3.6 MILES ROUND-TRIP – EASY

Olympic Coast | SR 110 to Quillayute Prairie, 3.8 miles to trail Olympic National Park, no pass, kid-friendly, dogs prohibited Hike to Third Beach to witness this waterfall tumbling more than 100’ from a towering headland into the surf.

For full descriptions on all these waterfalls including maps, updates and images, visit: WATERFALLTRAIL.ORG Wynoochee River Valley

23. Spoon Creek Falls (6 MILE ROUND-TRIP – MODERATE)

Wynoochee Valley | FR 22 34 miles, FR 23 2.5 mile to trail Olympic National Forest, no pass, kid-friendly, dog friendly 93’ falls plunge into a box canyon. Trail goes through old-growth forest to a viewpoint of falls dropping into the gorge.

24. Maidenhair Falls (1 MILE ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Wynoochee Valley | FR 22 34 miles, FR 2312 5.8 miles, FR 2385 Olympic National Forest, no pass, kid-friendly, dog friendly Overlooked by many due to its close proximity to Wynoochee Falls, this is a pleasant surprise in a quiet corner of the Olympics.

25. Porter Falls (1.6 MILE ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Porter Creek Rd, 2.9 miles B-0150 Rd, .5 mile, B-Line 0.9 mile

19. Mineral Creek Falls (5.0 MILES ROUND-TRIP – EASY)

Capitol State Forest, Discover Pass required, kid/dog friendly

Hoh Rainforest | Upper Hoh Rd from US 101, 18 miles to trail Olympic National Park, pass required, kid-friendly, no dogs Tucked within towering Sitka spruces, firs, and maples in the rain forest this pleasant hike follows along the glacier-fed Hoh River.

20. Cascade Falls Loop ( .7 MILES LOOP – EASY)

Quinault Rainforest | South Shore Rd 2.3 miles to trail Olympic National Forest, no pass, kid / dog friendly Not the tallest, nor most popular of the waterfalls within the Quinault Rainforest, Cascade Falls is perhaps the prettiest.

21. Merriman Falls (ROADSIDE—MINIMAL WALKING)

Quinault Rainforest | South Shore Rd from US 101, 6.7 miles Olympic National Forest, no pass, kid-friendly, dog friendly The falls plummet 40 feet over a mossy and ferny ledge into a mossy tangle of boulders and saturated logs.

22. Enchanted Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls

(26 MILES ROUND-TRIP – MODERATE BACKPACKING TRIP) Quinault Rainforest | South Shore Rd from US 101, 13 miles to Quinault River Bridge,right on Graves Creek Rd 6.2 miles ONP Wilderness Permits required, kid-friendly, no dog Behold its stunning backdrop of sheer cliffs 3,000 feet high streaked with waterfalls and hanging snow and ice.

Full descriptions: waterfalltrail.org

Located at the confluence of the South and West Forks of Porter Creek.

Here one branch cuts through a cleft while the other plunges over a ledge into a big punchbowl.

CAPE FLATTERY

LAKE CRESCENT

LAKE OZETTE

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Olympic National Park

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HOOD CANAL | OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK & FOREST (THE WILD SIDE)

Dreaming of the perfect escape?

Welcome to the wild side of Washington.

Less than two hours from Seattle or Portland, but a world away from the ordinary.

TAKE A MOMENT TO ADMIRE THE VIEW WITH WAYLON (THE DOG).

HOW DO YOU RECHARGE? Scuba? Climbing? Kayaking?

Fishing? Or maybe just enjoying oysters picked fresh from the beach. What our area lacks in big hotel chains (none) we make up with spectacular hikes, friendly restaurants serving locally-sourced seafood and unique lodging nestled in the woods or clinging to our fjord shores.

And our events? Whatever the Northwest weather throws at us, we’ve got music & celebrations all year long that will be sure to make your family feel part of our family.

Embark on the ultimate road trip and find yourself on Hood Canal. Download our FREE itinerary guides now and start planning your next adventure.

Call toll free 866-922-7469 or visit explorehoodcanal.com for information.

Download the WildsideWA APP in your Apple or Google Play Store for updates & maps!

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