Snow is not very common on the coast, but we usually get an inch or two each winter. More uncommon is snow in the springtime. Take a look at some pictures we took this week.

This is “Whale Watching Week” on the coast.  Volunteers who are trained to spot and count migrating whales set up their telescopes and log books and inhabit command posts from southern Oregon all the way up the Washington coast.  Here, on the Long Beach Peninsula, the volunteers headquarter at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park.  Yesterday they recorded 11 grey whales just beyond the mouth of the Columbia River.  Today it is sunny and the surf appears calm so they may have recorded several more sightings.   Its fun to go in and see just what they’ve recorded and hear the stories.  The whale watchers are there every day through March 29th from 10am to 1pm. 

Last June, we had a man come into the office to tell us that for over an hour about a dozen whales frolicked in the surf right in front of the park.  He had been walking on the beach alone when he spotted them.  He ran back to his rig to get his wife.  When they got back out on the beach, the whales were still there and stayed for almost 30 minutes more.   It was certainly an exciting time for the folks on the beach.

The subject line would apply to me (Lorna, owner of Andersen’s)…..older than the boomer generation and most of the time pretty frustrated with technology. I have been resistant to blog, but my very supportive webmaster is encouraging me on. Time will tell how it goes.

As the coastal winds start to die down (after this winter less than 60mph seems like a breeze) and the early spring flowers start to bloom and others are just poking their heads out of the dirt, I am reminded what a beautiful area it is here. Of all the gorgeous pictures taken up and down this Peninsula, I saw three the other day that took my breath away. They were taken by a local man and are posted on the City of Ilwaco website. Go to www.ilwacowashington.com, click on “What’s New” and then under Recent Postings click on Ilwaco Fly-By!

Ilwaco is a small community on the south end of the Long Beach Peninsula. Like so many communities in southwest Washington, the demise of logging and lengthy ocean fishing seasons has had a strong economic impact on local residents. They are working very hard to bring Ilwaco back. During fishing season, the very colorful Port of Ilwaco bustles with activity. From May to October they have a popular Saturday Market, and on selected Thursday evenings throughout the summer they sponser an Art Walk that shows off the art galleries and shops located in the Port. Fresh seafood is available or if you don’t want to cook you have your choice of several good restaurants. We keep track of Port activities and restaurant and gallery hours for our guests.