Hungry for Wood

The time came for us to say goodby to Sequim and start heading south to The Valley of the Sun or should I say The Valley of Captives!!!  You feel a captive inside your home in Buckeye because it’s so hot you don’t dare go out.  But we will take our time heading that way and hope that the weather takes a turn to temperatures that are going below triple digits!  It took us about five hours because we had to go the northern route do to construction and slow traffic.  It was up toward Port Angeles, Forks famous for the Twilight Series and alongside Crescent Lake.  

We did go to one last concert in Sequim with our friend Ruth Macy and were able to say our goodbyes.  While we were preparing to leave we noticed a couple passing by us… I looked Dan and said” We know them!”.  It was a couple we met on the Grand Africa!  Our eyes locked in on each other as I asked if they remembered me!!! It was a fun and unexpected reunion.  They invited us all to their home for dinner!!! We tried to decline as it wasn’t anything they had prepared for but they insisted wanting to visit etc.   So Dan and I said yes.  Ruth graciously declined as she had previous obligations.  We missed her and having her in on our conversations and dinner but we understood.  Dan and I probably stayed too long but we got the tour of their lovely home, yard and gardens and Dons man cave.    And then we had a delicious salmon dinner with salad and lime pie for dessert! Who could turn that down other than my son in law who hates salmon!! Ha ha  

So next morning as I said we went the long way. It’s heavily forested if you haven’t been that way.  There are few opportunities to see lakes or the ocean. We got to our next two week camp ground Hoquiam RV Park right along the the Hoquiam River.  We were in a location close to the river and the river path that had benches, scenic overlooks, a mowed trail and shady areas.  Lots of campers including us

walked the path for exercise, doggie walks and just to take in nature.  It was extremely dry there and no green grass anywhere. It’s sister city, Aberdeen was the same. Hoquiam is an old fishing and logging town.  Now they have about 9000 population but at one time it was up to 13,000.  The pulp and paper mills were its lifeblood.  Most all the homes around town are old, small and tightly packed together. There is a hill side with many newer homes but even at that they are still older.  The library there was lovely and helpful.  I needed to print things and it was all free!  Everyday we were there there were many homeless looking folks there online or reading.  We even had an ambulance call for one and he went out on a stretcher.  

There’s a fairly large hospital in Aberdeen and nice library there.  The town is laid in a strange fashion.  Same situation with old homes and many empty buildings along streets and in strip malls.  We had a few Smokey days there from the fires from northern WA and BC Canada.  But for the most part our park was quiet and secure. We met a few very nice campers and had sone good visits. We did meet up with a couple we had met in the Grand Africa, Michael and Mary Ann OBrien in Elma.  They live in STEILACOOM so we both an hour and met up at The Rusty Tractor, a very fun place to enjoy a meal and good visit. They are such an interesting couple but that’s another long story I won’t go into. We all had boxes to take home the huge portions that were left over.    I’ll stop boring you all there and tell the rest with photos!!!

A selfie with our friend Ruth at the last summer concert in Sequim the night before we left. 

Ruth’s lovely home where she entertained us with a delicious three course meal and dessert!!

Her home from the corner. Her parking is in the back. She has a view of the bay!! 

A poor photo to share but I celebrated my birthday in Sequim so we went to a Chinese restaurant and this was my good tune cookie!!  Ha ha 

Crossing into Aberdeen to get to Hoquiam. 

This is our spot with shade for our chairs where we have our 3:00 cocktail time!! Ha ha.  The path is where the rock ledge is and the river just past it. 

Just another view but you can see it’s very dry 

Here is our shady path that’s so well taken care of. We even found wild blackberries here to nibble on as we walked. 

A day trip to Westport where we toured the Coast Guard Museum along the jetty near the marina.  This is the giant crystal prism that used to be in the lighthouse.  Fascinating!

Coast Guard Museum. Our son Todd was a Rescue Swimmer in the CG so we have a sincere interest in the history. The gal working at the desk here looked him up on you tube as he is in a documentary about JFK Jr as he was the first swimmer out on his crash. It was done at the 20 year anniversary called Rescuer. You can watch it 

Entrance to museum 

Giant crabs they used to harvest in this area regularly 

Blue King Crab

I’d love to catch one that big!!

All the different mollusks we have of which are prawns that we eat.  Who knew there were so many !!

This is for Todd my son. They make a corn hole game with the rescue helicopter and the rescue boat!!!

We didn’t realize the Coast Guard uses dogs to for many purposes.  They even give them sun goggles when on boats!!

A historical photo of the lighthouse and our buildings .  Now they have volunteers who are at the light house which you are able to climb up. Dan made the trek but not for me!!

We walked around the jetty … there’s a barge out past Dan. 

Along the jetty which was lovely. I guess there are many feral cats here..

What a great idea!  This warmed my heart as I am a pet lover.  

Inside a protected box was good and clean water. I looked for cats but saw none. Folks say they are very wild. 

We were told this was a wonderful restaurant so we took advantage of a beautiful day and a bit of spoiling ourselves to indulge.   

Very homey atmosphere and great food in fact we had leftovers to take home!!  They close at 3 and don’t open for dinner till later so we just made it in time. The hostess was an older lady and we enjoyed a very nice chat with her. 

This was the Grays Harbor Light House Tour Schedule in Westport . 

What a lovely location. But very dry here too. 

So after a very nice excursion and adventure we headed back to our home on wheels where it was cool and cozy and no need to cook dinner!!

More photos of the trail path by our camper

Benches to sit and reflect 

Old pickings from days gone by everywhere when logging was king 

Moss covers everything even when the drought is in full force. Goes to show you that temperatures allow for cool moist weather the rest of the year. 

And now for that title….that is the meaning of Hoquiam in English as Hoquiam is a Native American word.  Because so much drift wood would come in from the tides they called it “ Hungry for wood”!!!  So now you learned a new tid bit!!