Sunday drivers looking for new scenic vistas should consider the Willapa Hills Loop. Traversing a wide variety of landscapes, the route provides many spectacular views and, from now through November, reveals abundant fall color on the stream banks and hillsides as vine maple, bigleaf maple, ash, cottonwood and other deciduous foliage turns from green to rich golden yellow and bright red shades.
North on West Side Highway
Starting at the Longview/Kelso border, take West Side Highway (SR411) north paralleling the Cowlitz River, passing Castle Rock, then continuing to a junction with SR506 one mile north of the Lewis County line (segment approx. 18 miles).
Vader and Ryderwood
Turn left on SR506, go through the sleepy town of Vader, continue west about 5 miles along Stillwater Creek, then turn right onto Wildwood Road. (Note: For a sidetrip, continue straight on SR506 two miles farther to visit Ryderwood, a quiet retirement town originally built for woods employees of the Long-Bell Lumber Co in the 1920s when the city of Longview was founded)(segment approx. 6 miles).
On to Pe Ell
Proceed northwesterly on Wildwood Road, a good two-lane blacktop county highway, crossing the Cowlitz/Chehalis divide after about two miles then dropping into the South Fork Chehalis River valley, passing working farms (cover photo shows one near Vader). After about 11 miles, turn left at the Boistfort (pronounced “Baw Faw” by locals) country store onto the Pe Ell-McDonald Road, another two-lane blacktop route, and drive westerly about 8 miles to Pe Ell (segment approx. 19 miles).
Menlo: Willie’s grave
From Pe Ell, take SR 6 westerly crossing the Chehalis/Willapa divide at the aptly-named locale of Pluvius (it rains a lot there; Editor’s note: in Roman mythology, Jupiter Pluvius was the reliever of droughts) and continue west on SR6 another 15 miles to Menlo. Willie Keil’s grave, a roadside attraction a mile west of Menlo on the left, is marked by a Washington State Parks historical sign (see photo and story, page 22 of the print version of CRR). Five miles beyond is the city of Raymond at the SR6-US 101 junction (segment approx. 20 miles).
Through South Bend
From Raymond, take US101 southwesterly through South Bend (home of the Pacific County Museum) continuing along the Willapa River estuary and then south following the eastern shore of Willapa Bay, passing Bruceport Park which provides great views of the bay. About 12 miles b eyond South Bend, the picturesque hamlet of Bay Center and Bush Pioneer Park are worth a three-mile side trip (turn right on Bay Center Dike road). Keep going south on 101 another 13 miles to the junction with SR4 about 5 miles west of the town of Naselle (segment approx. 28 miles).
Back along the Columbia River
The return home follows SR4 easterly along the north shore of the Columbia River, passing the towns of Naselle, Gray’s River (covered bridge), Skamokawa (with waterfront buildings, Redmen Hall Museum and Vista Park – see “inside story,” next page), and Cathlamet (with Puget Island views), eventually returning to Longview/Kelso via the Ocean Beach Highway.
The highest point is at K-M Summit between Gray’s River and Skamokawa with great views of conifer forests on the uplands and fall colors in the lowlands. The highway hugs the river cliffs in places with terrific views of the Columbia River where it cuts through the Coast Range mountains (segment approx. 55 miles).
About 150 miles, the loop takes the better part of a day to drive the distance, allowing for stops and side trips along the way.
Willapa Hills Loop travelers go from relatively dry western interior valleys, across the wetter and densely-forested Willapa Hills, skirt the wild vastness of Willapa Bay, and return via the Columbia River highway through even more natural beauty. Along the way, there is plenty to see or do that will interest and please just about anybody who makes the trip. |
Autumn Haiku Contest
Haiku time again.
Inspiration, brevity,
and Five! Seven! Five!
CRR’s Autumn Haiku Contest
The leaves are turning and it’s haiku time (sounds like an old beer commercial). Last year’s contest exceeded our expectations to the extent that we are making this an annual event.
For those unfamiliar with the genre, haiku is a poetry form which originated in Japan and became famous during the Edo era (1603-1868). The movement later spread to Europe and eventually arrived in America in the early 1900s. It has since found its way into our 21st century pop culture.
Traditional haiku is intended to represent a single moment or event that the writer observes, connected with nature and frequently a season. The pop version is anything you want to make it.
Haiku is identified by its form and brevity, most generally three lines consisting of five, seven and five syllables.
If last year’s contest is an indication, we can expect this year’s entries to reflect bold inspiration and creativity, keen observation and humor. Winners will be published in the Nov 15 issue.
Haiku Contest Rules
A maximum of 3 entries per person, sent via e-mail to publisher@CRReader.com (please indicate “Haiku Contest” on subject line) or mail to CRR Haiku, PO Box 1643, Rainier, OR 97048
To be eligible to win, entries must adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable rule.
Please do not send art work. (Save that for future contests to be announced.)
Entries must be received no later than Oct. 31, 2009.
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