Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

 Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

We drove to Tokeland for gasoline.  Breakfast in Raymond.

I drove southeast from Grayland Beach to Tokeland and then to Raymond.  The road travels along the edge of the Willapa Bay.  The low tide revealed immense blocks of sand in this very shallow Bay.  Over half the water in the Bay comes in and goes out each day.  

The countryside from Raymond to Pe El or Doty is very beautiful rural country.  I took back roads from Pe El to Vader, and from Vader to Longview along the Cowlitz River.  The main Chelais river goes through Pe El and Chelais while making its way northwest to Aberdeen and Grays Harbor Bay; and, the south Chelais river flows further southeast from Pe El.  The level of "green" is astounding!  

Drove from Raymond to Pe El, then to Vader, then Interstate 5.
Unpack at home. Clean up. Shower. Rest.

It is 53 miles east from Raymond on the Willapa to Chelais via Washington State Road 6.  Always a pleasure.  

Raymond's many metal sculptures.

Chelais

Centralia and Chelais, Southwestern Washington

Centralia  Population 18,183  Images
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia    WA6 Junction   Timber industry, farming, city, businesses, tourism. 
Centralia is 84 miles south of Seattle.  
Centralia Outlets Shopping     Business Directory

Centralia: Weyerhaeuser Timber Company   The company owns most of the Willapa Hills forests to the west of Centralia.  

Chehalis  Population  7,259   Images   Chehalis is 88 miles north of Portland, and 28 miles south of Olympia. 
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia.  About 12 miles north of the I5/WA12 Junction near Mary's Corner. 
Timber industry, farming, city, businesses, tourism. 

Grand Mond   Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark

Lucky Eagle Rochester Indian Hotel and Casino 

Chehalis River    Images   Newaukum River

Chehalis Reservation Confederated Tribes

Native Indians of Southwestern Washington

Raymond

Raymond  Population 2,975  Pacific County  WB  Junction of US101, WA 6, and WA 105. 
The largest town on the east side of Willapa Bay and largest city in Pacific County. 
Raymond is 35 miles north of Naselle, 56 miles west of Centralia, and 25 miles south of Aberdeen. 

Raymond Images  WB  

Raymond:  Carriage Museum   Willapa Seaport Museum    Harbor/Docks    Sightseeing    Paddling    

Raymond:  Willapa River  Images   WB  There is a north and south fork of the Willapa River in Raymond.  

Raymond:  Steamboats of Willapa Bay   There is a huge Weyerhaeuser lumber mill in Raymond. 
Many fish canneries are in or near South Bend and Raymond.  There are numerous commercial and public docks in the area. 

Raymond Timberland Library

Raymond:  Willapa Paddle Adventures   Paddling canoes or kayaks on the many Willapa Bay rivers is very popular. 

Raymond:  Willapa Hills State Park Trail   56 miles east to Centralia.  River biking trail from Raymond to South Bend. 

Numerous rusted metal sculptures along the roadway in Raymond.  

Four Days in Grayland
By Michael P. Garofalo

               

Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington
Near Westport, Washington

We drove into the town of Westport and stopped at the marina to shop and tour.
Shopped at Brady's Oysters.
Mushroom hunting at Twin Harbors State Park.
Seashore driving.
Cranberry fields.
Campfire.
Kumimoto Oysters and clams for dinner.
Beachcombing.

Trails leading from grassland to shore pines forest.

We found many mushrooms in the forest.

Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington
Near Westport, Washington

Drove to Raymond on Washington Route 106.
Visited the Carriage Museum in Raymond.
Shopped at Dennis Mercantile, visited South Bend, stopped at Tokeland Cannabis Store.
Nice clear day, little wind, cool temperatures.
We enjoyed a campfire.
Fine food dining: steak, wine, veggies.
Mick and April went clamming until 10 at night. 
I was not feeling well all day.
Karen and I were too tired to clam at night ... asleep by 7 pm.

       

        

          

Autumn in Southwester Washington State

We drove home from Twin Harbors State Park today.  We drove through Grayland Beach, Tokeland, Raymong, Pe Ell, Vader, Longview, and Woodland.  November 15, 2023.

When we got home we showered, clean up, and cleaned razor clams for storage.

Dramatic fall colors everywhere!!

For many photographs and more information go to: Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo.