We came across an interesting article on Long Beach’s “Marsh’s Free Museum” today.

Marsh’s Free Museum features oddities such as shrunken heads and Jake the Alligator Man, along with antique musical instruments, mounted animal heads, the world’s largest collection of seashells, as well as many other attractions.

Jake the alligator is the most notable attraction at Marsh’s Free museum. Jake is known to the world as a half alligator, and half man, housing his own place at Marsh’s Free Museum, known as Jake’s Place. Along with Jake’s Place, you may also find the 7 Seas, a collection of unusual sea creatures [sic], and the world’s largest collection of seashells, the beat goes on, which consists of antique and unique musical instruments. And, along with other oddities, you can have your fortune read, play baseball, and view a 1940’s style peep show.

The article continues:

Marsh’s Free Museum was originally known as Marsh’s Seashell Factory and Antiques from 1937 to 1952. Founder W.W. Marsh standing in front. It wasn’t until 1972 that the museum moved from it’s original place to Long Beach, Washington, it’s present location. Since 1972, the museum has grown to become the most popular tourist trap in the Pacific Northwest, and a favorite location to purchase odd and unique antiques.

Read the whole article here, including some pretty nice photos and a great video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z_iSL3z0zk[/youtube]

About the video… The motel shown, formerly known as The Boulevard, is in terrible shape.  It was purchased several years ago by an out-of-town owner, presumably for its property value rather than its current structures.  The City of Long Beach has been working with the owner to demolish the now-condemned structures as an instructional burn with our local Fire Department.

Come to Jake the Alligator Man’s 3rd Annual 75th Birthday Bash!

From an online article on Ferry Etiquette:

7. No gongoozling. This is my favorite word that I learned from a friend who grew up on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula, which is home to many a gongoozler. According to dictionary.com, a gongoozler is “an idle spectator, esp. one who stares for a long time at something.” Gongoozling is made worse by sucking on ice cream cones at the same time.

[more]

So did we.  And it’s true.  Our student population is down and that means fewer Sports Boosters to produce the week-long feed.  Alas, all is not lost!  There will be a one-day Salmon, Tuna and Steamer Clam Feed on Thursday of Kite Festival:

Salmon, Tuna Steamer Clam Feed

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Long Beach Elks
110 Pacific Hwy N, Downtown Long Beach (at the 2nd light)

Noon until 8:00 pm

Salmon:  $15 Full or $9 Lite
Tuna:  $12 Full or $7 Lite
Steamer Clams: $12

Hot dogs are available for the kids.  Other foods available include chowder, shrimp cocktail, beer, wine and pop.

This is a fundraiser for our Sports Boosters, folks, and they’re generous with the food & service. So come out and eat freshly-caught seafood!

Fridays/Saturdays – Public Market on the Willapa, 10–4, 942-4133

Weekends – Nisbet Oyster, Hwy 101-Bay Center, oyster specials each weekend, 875-6629, or stop by 9am-6pm

July – Smith Creek Blueberry Farm, U-Pick/We-Pick, 942-2923

July 25-August 1 – “The Raymond Library is 80,” 942-2408, www.trlib.org

25^th – Mystery Night, 27^th – Popcorn & a Movie, 28^th-Wacky Day, 29^th-Pool Party, 20^th-the Mustn’ts, 31^st/1^st-Book Sale

July 31 – Willapa Harbor Festival, downtown Raymond

August 1, 2 – Willapa Harbor Festival, downtown Raymond

August 20-23, Willapa Players Summer Youth Theater Production, 942-2216

August 22 – Pacific County Historical Society Garden Tour, 10 am- 4pm.  Tickets at Historical Museum, 360-875-5224, museum@willapabay.org.

August 26-29, Pacific County Fair–Picture Yourself at the Fair, Menlo, co.pacific.wa.us/pc%20fair/index.htm

September 4-6, 46^th Annual Come & Play on Labor Day, Pirates & Seaspray on Willapa Bay, South Bend. Poker Paddle: 7^th at 11:00 am

September 19– Wine Tasting, Art Show, Tokeland, 267-1036

September 19 – 30 Miles of Junque Garage Sale, Tokeland, 267-0706

September 20 – Sunday Afternoon Live presents SAL Follies, 875-5831, www.sundayafternoonlive.org

October 3 – PC Historical Society presents A Night of Living History @ WH Community Center, 875-5224

October 3 – Lewis/Pacific Swiss Society Oktoberfest, Frances, Washington, 360-934-5482

October 10, 11 – Quilt Show, Tokeland, 267-6418

October 11 – 17, WH Helping Hands, Paint the Towns Pink, 942-5471 or 942-4950

October 17 – Great NW Federal CU, Shred Day, 10-2, Raymond, Long Beach, & Aberdeen Branches, 800-533-8396

October 24 – PC Economic Development Council Reception, 4-6 pm, Raymond Elks, 875-9330/642-9330

November 7 – Sunday Afternoon Live presents Bella Sorella, 875-5831, www.sundayafternoonlive.org

November TBA – Willapa Players Fall Performance, 942-2216

December 12 – WH Helping Hands Holiday Home Tour, tickets at SB Pharmacy

December TBA – Raymond Lighted Christmas, downtown

December TBA – South Bend Tree Lighting, downtown

Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce, visit.willapabay.org, 360-942-5419

The Mouth of the Columbia and Ilwaco, WA
Full Time RV-ing with Rick and Orinda

We did some exploring today at the mouth of the Columbia River and checked out the South Jetty where the Columbia flows into the Pacific. The jetty was constructed in the late 1800’s and has filled in with sand and added about 1 extra mile of coastline.

The Army Corps of Engineers has built an observation tower here so that you can see the ocean and the river join forces. Even on this calm day, the waves were quite large and pounded on the shore. I would not want to be in a boat on the bar here!

We crossed the large bridge (4.3 miles long!) over the Columbia to Washington and headed for Cape Disappointment. We enjoyed the beautiful ride and stopped at Ilwaco, WA which features a great harbor and a wonderful museum, which we happened upon.

This was another great, community museum and depicted the interesting history of the area. One real surprise was the display on the Sector, a row boat that was rowed across the Pacific Ocean and reached America at Ilwaco. Wow — think about trying to ROW across the 6,300 miles of the Pacific! Click to learn more of Gerard d’Aboville who did this amazing (solo) transit.

The museum also featured the railroad roots of Ilwaco and featured this remarkable model rail road built by a local resident in the 30’s and 40’s. Everything on the layout is hand built — the tracks, wheels, locomotives, etc. This amazing craftsmanship was a delight to look at.

Finally, it was lunch time. And, as luck would have it, Thursday was Oyster Day! You could get all kinds of different oysters at the special price! What a deal. We ended up with a nice variety of fried oysters that were simply great.The restaurant was located right on the harbor, so we ate oysters and watched the boats come in to port. Great!

——-

Would you like to see the photos that go with this story?  Visit Full Time RV-ing with Rick and Orinda

Visit the sites:

• Astoria-Megler Bridge
• Cape Disappointment
• Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
• Port of Ilwaco

Beachmasters R/C Model Club meets the first Sunday of each month from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Chinook Inn Restaurant in Chinook. All ages welcome to come and fellowship with other model airplane enthusiasts–Afterwards go fly at one of our two fields if you are an AMA member.

More Info:  Brant Culbertson  360-665-5489

Join us for some summer fun and sun on the Lewis and Clark River. See bald eagles soar while you paddle calmly though history and listen to stories about life on the river.

The free ranger-led paddle tours occur Friday through Monday through Labor Day and on Saturday and Sundays through September. Launch times will vary each weekend depending on the tides.

To sign up or to find out what time the tours begin, call 503-861-4425 or go online at http://www.nps.gov/lewi. Tours are approximately two hours in length.

The park provides canoes and kayaks, paddles, and PFDs. Registration is based on a first come first serve basis through online/phone reservation. Release of liability forms can be downloaded from our park website or through the ranger on the day of the paddle.

Paddlers will meet at the Netul Landing (south entrance) at the canoe launch area for orientation and tour.

The themes of the paddle will vary daily and include both natural and historical topics geared for all ages. Paddlers should dress for the weather, protective clothing for being on the water, and bring water and snacks. Activities can be canceled because of inclement weather.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is open daily from 9am to 6pm through Labor Day.

For more information, call the park at (503) 861-2471.
Will George, Park Ranger and Environmental Educator
Lewis and Clark NHP
92343 Fort Clatsop Road
Astoria, OR 97103
503-861-2471 ext 220

I enjoy reading what visitors say about this place when they blog.  They aren’t popping up steam to write a review (good or bad) on a site like TripAdvisor.com.  They’re just sharing their experience and it’s so…honest.

Here are excerpts from this morning’s read:

“I’m currently enjoying a leisure Sunday with my two buddies, Whitney and Chris, in the beautiful state of Washington. I’m not exactly sure how Paul is going to convince me to go back to Utah but this will be one of the best vacations I have ever had.”

“My wonderfully horrible sense of direction, and a failed google map, brought us into Long Beach, Washington around 6 or 7 Friday night. Paul’s family is camping this weekend and I was able to stay the first night there on the beach with them. They are such amazing people and I enjoyed every minute of my time with them.”

“We took a trick kite out to the beach and I, of course, was a pro in no time. Ok maybe not but I enjoyed watching Chad, the real pro. Paul almost took out a couple of people but picked it up pretty quickly.”

“We went to one of the lighthouses, another first for me. I absolutely love them but I had never actually seen one.”

“Paul’s dad cooked some really delicious food for breakfast and then we went back to the beach for more kite flying time. Paul and Chad took me to this cave you can only see during low tide and we did some climbing. I of course was stalling because I didn’t want to leave Long Beach but eventually I said goodbye and made my way to Whit and Chris.”

“I’m currently in Bothell and, no offense to Whitney and Chris; I’m wishing I were back on the beach. “

Read the full blog post, with photos, here.

WHAT:  Pinochle Group

WHO:  You!  All are welcome.

WHEN; Every Wednesday AND Thursday, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm.

WHERE: Peninsula Senior Activities Center, 21063 “O” Lane (210th & Pacific Hwy 103), Klipsan Beach (Ocean Park)

COST: One dollar suggested donation.

MORE INFO:  (360) 665-3999.