~ THE MILEPOST ~
Sponsor Memberships ($100) … Bruce Skinner of Skinner and Associates, Diane Schostak of Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, Bobbi Fuller of Elwha Dam RV Park and Sande Balch.
Associate Memberships ($25) … Joe Murray of Merrill & Ring and Bill Drath.
And welcome to NEW MEMBER Leonard Pierce of Joyce General Store.
SR112 Community Memberships … Greig Arnold of Makah Tribal Council, Alex Stevens of Joyce Café, Loren Kreutner, Margaret Owens, Barbara Nelson of Thanx-a-Latte, and Sandra Howe of Family Hair Care of Joyce.
And welcome to NEW MEMBERS … Chuck and Shelley Fuchser of C&S Pruning and Orchard Care, Westend Cooperative, Bruce Giddens of Clallam County/Parks, Fair, and Facilities Division, Martin Brand of Angler’s Hideaway, Mary Pfaff-Pierce of Joyce Depot Museum and Leonard Pierce of Joyce Coin Operated Laundry, Joyce Fitness Center, Joyce Frozen Ice, Clallam Broadband, Joyce Trailer Court,
On the Strait and Narrow …
Check www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic for weather, road conditions and projects on state highways and contacts for project comments or concerns.
What’s Happening? …
April is a “clean it up, pick it up and plant it” month with Earth Day and Arbor Day both on the calendar toward the end of the month. It is a good time to connect with a beach or highway litter cleanup group or volunteer for parks or trail cleanup … call Crescent School, Clallam County Parks and Trails, Clallam Bay Sekiu Chamber for starters. Or, if you just want to do it on your own, grab a garbage bag, put on some comfortable boots, and pick up anything unsightly and put it in the trash. Let’s make the scenic byway and our community as beautiful as possible for all of us who live here as well as our visitors.
Strait Ramblings …
A quote from the book jacket of “Untamed Olympics: The Story of a Peninsula” by Ruby El Hult … This is a story where “struggle is the theme. Beginning with the age-old and mag- ficent birth of the region, events move excitingly through the strength-pitting hardships of pioneer days to current issues.”
The Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Mission …
“To promote the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway 112 Scenic Byway.”
Promote: To encourage to exist, flourish; to support, foster, nurture, cultivate;
to enhance, improve upon; to advocate for; to render a service to; to advertise, publicize.
The “Association” … News from the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Assoc.
Membership Drive and Business Directory:
A business directory for the highway 112 community membership is in the works. All local businesses may join the association and receive a free listing in the directory by contacting any board member or call/email Sande Balch (see below). The goal is to have a directory that includes and promotes all Highway 112 amenities and services available to the traveler and residents. To be included in the 2008 directory, memberships must be received no later than May 15th.
There are several levels of membership as follows:
Community Membership … no membership fee required.
Must be a part of the SR112 Community. Community members may also join at any other level to give financial support to the Association and enjoy additional benefits.
Associate Membership … annual financial support of $25 required
Receives a 10% discount on all advertising.
Sponsor Membership … annual financial support of $100 required.
Receives a 25% discount on all advertising.
Platinum Partnership … annual support of $500 minimum in funds/services/materials.
Receives a 35% discount on all advertising and receives a free standard size business advertisement in the Highway 112 Milepost Business Directory.
Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Goals:
... Build a signing system including a distinctive logo to adequately direct people to and identify Highway 112 as a National Scenic Byway.
… Promote low impact tourism activities, development of off season/shoulder season programs, development of niche marketing campaigns, work with partners to create marketing opportunities.
… Provide for sustained funding for the Association to pay for year round administrative costs and to fund special projects, including a membership program.
… Develop materials for education concerning qualities of the byway and to make travel opportunities more visible to the public.
… Develop scenic viewing areas, pullouts, rest stops, interpretive sites.
… Foster community involvement and ownership in the value of the byway and the mission and goals of the Association.
… Work to improve safety for travelers.
Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Board of Directors:
Board members and officers for 2008 are as follows: Joe Murray (Pres.), Alex Stevens (Vice-Pres.), Bill Drath (Treas.), Sande Balch (Secry.), Margaret Owens, Diane Schostak, Bobbi Fuller, and Greig Arnold.
We welcome your participation in the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association or projects that may be developed from community input. Please contact Sande Balch at 360.457.1424 or email at sandrabalch@olypen.com if you would like to volunteer, need some information, or have questions or concerns.
This newsletter made possible by a National Scenic Byways Seed Grant. Artwork by Margaret Owens.
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On the Strait and Narrow …
Storms and more storms … and a community pulls together! Thank you to all those who worked long hours to get the highway open and keep the SR112 community safe during the recent winter storms that damaged roads, parks, bridges, businesses and personal property … Washington State Patrol and Department of Transportation, Clallam County Road and Sheriff Departments, PUD, Qwest, Crescent Water, CenturyTel, Parks and Trails, Chain Gang and volunteers … and many others. Community spirit in helping these workers and each other showed up time and again over the many weeks of isolation and cold weather. On a lighter note … what a beautiful and quiet winter wonderland it was and a wood cutter’s paradise! Bill Riley, WSDOT Maintenance Operations Superintendent for the Olympic Region, reports that all cleanup work in the area should be completed by May at the latest.
Salt Creek County Park was hit hard. Here is an accounting of the damage by Erik Prange, Park Ranger:
Old Man Winter showed us here at Salt Creek County Park that he was still bitter. We got hit with two damaging wind storms and a disabling snow storm. Peninsula Daily News titled Salt Creek Park as the hardest hit public property in Clallam County, although it was known later that the Olympic National Park took a fierce beating also.
Salt Creek County Park lost both pay stations. The upper pay station was knocked over by a driving wind and the lower pay station was crushed by a huge cedar. A sizeable Douglas fir decided to rest on top of the restroom in the lower campground causing major roof damage. Six of our brand new picnic tables were crushed. The Park Ranger estimated that over 250 “problem trees”, meaning ones that would have to be removed, came down across the roads and camp sites. Luckily due to the weather forecast, there was time to move people out of the lower campground, where most of the damage occurred, and the area was closed. Salt Creek Park was out of power a total of two weeks during the three storms.
A lot of people were involved in the storm cleanup. The Ranger kept the main entrance opened. The Clallam County Road Department came in and cleared the road in the lower campground, which was a major challenge. There were so many trees downed that it looked like giants had been playing “Pick-Up-Sticks”. There were trees piled on top of trees, some uprooted, some just snapped off. It looked so different that even the Park Ranger, who knows the park like the back of his hand, was disoriented. Next, a self-loading logging truck came in with a brush-hauling truck. That is when the real cleanup began. Then the Clallam County Chain Gang spent several days raking, collecting branches and debris. They are a real asset to the community. Contractors rebuilt the pay stations and repaired the restroom roof. The Clallam County Maintenance Crew came in with tractors making final touches, replacing parking bumper blocks, fence work and cutting down hazard trees.
Clallam County volunteers constantly are cleaning up and making improvements here so that everyone can enjoy and be proud of our beautiful park. If you would like to volunteer to work at Salt Creek County Park, please contact the Park Ranger Erik Prange at 360.928.3441.
The Park Ranger is planning to re-open the lower campground on March 1, 2007.
Hood Canal Bridge closure information available online at: www.hoodcanalbridge.com
State Highway weather and road conditions available online at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic
Washington State Patrol, District Eight Public Information Officer, Trooper Brian George, Office Phone 360.405.6633 ~~~ “While driving, you need to be driving.” ~~~
A good reason to stay on scenic byways … “Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.” Charles Kuralt
What’s Happening? …
More Community Cleanup continues this spring with Don Baker picking up and crushing “junker” vehicles, beach cleanup the weekend of April 21 (contact Jan Klippert 206.364.2689), and highway cleanup in Joyce the last week in April (contact John Singhose 457.5944).
The Crescent Grange Flea Market will happen April 6 and 7th with sales booths indoors and out, lunch all day and community gab fest. Contact Lelah Singhose at 457.5944.
The Crescent Community Advisory Council and Crescent Grange will host a community meeting on March 21st with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation from Clallam County Sheriff neighborhood watch coordinator, Al Camin (contact 457.2371). The goal is to start 4 or 5 more neighbor- hood watch groups in the Joyce area. One watch group has made significant progress in working with Clallam County to clean up an area of deep concern east of Joyce. All residents are urged to attend.
Clallam Bay-Sekiu Chamber elects new officers: Vice President, Rob Snyder; Secretary, LeAnne Fletcher; e-Secretary, Patti Adler; Treasurer, Pat Ness; members-at-large, Donalynn Olson and Linda Palumbo. Bill Drath completes his second year of a two-year term as President.
Clallam Bay-Sekiu Visitor Center statistics show some interesting visitor numbers. Volunteers donated 851 hours in 2006 with a total of 3090 visitors (up from 1436 in 2005). International visitors totaled 313 from 28 countries, the highest numbers from Canada and Germany. American visitors totaled 2777 from 48 states and Washington DC. Washington, California and Oregon posted the most visitors. There were no visitors from the states of North Dakota or Michigan.
Welcome to the Highway … watch for a long list of new businesses and new owners of existing businesses in the next newsletter.
The “Association”
News from the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association …
The Association is a non-profit corporation made up of citizen volunteers with the purpose of sharing and promoting awareness of the history, culture and recreational opportunities along Hwy 112. Memberships to the Hwy 112 community are at no charge, just fill out an application form. Other levels of membership with financial support are also available with advertising discount benefits. All members are eligible to be on the Board of Directors by election. Contact any Board member for membership information and forms or request an application by emailing sandrabalch@olypen.com. Join us … we have fun while we work!
Memberships for 2007 … Welcome New Members!
Sponsor Memberships ($100) … Bruce Skinner of Skinner and Associates, Bobbi Fuller of Elwha Dam RV Park, Diane Schostak of North Olympic Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, and Sande Balch. Associate Memberships ($25) … Joe Murray of Merrill & Ring, Bill Drath. SR 112 Community Memberships … Greig Arnold of Makah Tribal Council, Alex Stevens of Joyce Café, Loren Kreutner, Erik Prange of Salt Creek County Park, Margaret Owens, Barbara Nelson of Thanx-a-Latte, and Sandra Howe of Family Hair Care of Joyce
Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Board of Directors …
Board members and officers for 2007 are as follows: Joe Murray (Pres.), Alex Stevens (Vice-Pres.), Bill Drath (Treas.), Sande Balch (Secry.), Margaret Owens, Diane Schostak, Bobbi Fuller, and Greig Arnold. Thank you, Loren Kreutner, for your past service.
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We welcome your participation in the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association or projects that may be developed from community input. Please contact Sande Balch at 360.457.1424 or email at sandrabalch@olypen.com if you would like to volunteer, need some information, or have questions or concerns.
This newsletter made possible by a National Scenic Byways Seed Grant. Artwork by Margaret Owens.
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~ THE MILEPOST ~
On the Strait and Narrow …
State Route 112 will get a new chip seal surface this summer. Always reduce driving speeds in work areas to protect the road crew and everyone traveling the highway.
Hood Canal Bridge construction information online at: www.hoodcanalbridge.com
State Highway weather and road conditions available online at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic
Clallam County PUD reports that new fiberglass transmission poles are being installed in the Joyce area. The wooden poles will be removed. Much larger conductors will also be installed to handle the growing population in this community.
“Sunny skies brings increased vehicle traffic along the North Olympic Peninsula. This is a reminder to local drivers to allow plenty of time to reach your destination, realizing you may be sharing the roadways with recreational vehicles who are traveling in unfamiliar territory. Troopers have also seen a sharp increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities on our highways. We have learned an alarming number of motorcycle operators do not have the proper motorcycle endorsements.” Washington State Patrol, District Eight Public Information Officer, Trooper Brian George, Office Phone 360.405.6633
~~~ “While driving, you need to be driving.” ~~~
What’s Happening? … It’s local festival time, get ready to have fun!
Clallam Bay- Sekiu Fun Days is July 13-15th with food, vendors, auction, parades, fun run art show and fireworks (Sat.) for the entire family. See www.clallambaysekiufundays.com.
Joyce Blackberry Daze on August 4th is the 24th annual celebration with the pancake breakfast, pies, parade, vendors, and raffle winners. Go to www.joycewa.com.
Clallam County Fair on August 16 –19th is celebrating with the theme of “Piglets, Ponies, Pie, Oh My!” Kids day is on Thursday. More info at www.clallam.net/CountyFair.
Makah Days is August 24-26th with traditional dancing, singing, salmon bake, and canoe races. A $10 recreational use permit is required for visitors. www.makah.com/makahdays.
Whale Tales and Flock Talk …
Have you seen the new Washington State Birding Trail: Olympic Loop map? Of the 54 birding sites featured on the Olympic Peninsula, seven are accessed from our Hwy 112. The maps are available online at www.wa.audubon.org for $4.95 plus shipping.
Fishing Seasons and regulations for Area 4 (Neah Bay), Area 5 (Sekiu), and Area 6 (Port Angeles) can be found on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site at www.wdfw.wa.gov. This site also has many wildlife viewing tips and live cams.
Thank you to Don Baker of Baker Towing … for his efforts to clean up eyesores and environmental hazards by collecting, crushing and hauling out hundreds of junk cars.
This has been a multi-community project with cooperation across the Olympic Peninsula.
Welcome to the Highway …
New Name … New Location … The Three Sisters of Clallam Gallery and Spa is the new name for Sue’s Gallery and Lighthouse Massage owned by sisters, Sue Heiny and Diana Goplen. The businesses are in the process of moving to the former hardware store location in Clallam Bay on Hwy 112, now freshly painted a bright green color.
New Owners … Winter-Summer Inn (formerly Winter’s Summer Inn) at 17615 Hwy 112 in Clallam Bay is now owned by Hwai-Kee Tsiang and his wife, Sandy. The bed and breakfast offers four unique rooms, full gourmet breakfasts, and views of the Clallam River and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Phone 360.963.2264 or go to the web site at www.wintersummerinn.com. Bullman Beach Inn (formerly Hilden’s Motel) located four miles east of Neah Bay on Hwy 112 is now owned by Shayne Vinegre and Justin Adams. This secluded beach hideaway has four rooms all with kitchens. For rates and reservation information phone 360.645.2306 or visit their web site www.bullmanbeach.com.
Hoko Cranberries on the site of an 1800’s homestead is now owned by Brian and Joanna McLean. The bog was built in the 1930’s and farmed by Jim Wesseler and family. The historical farm is thirteen miles up the Hoko-Ozette Road and across Trout Creek.
New Businesses … Middle Point Inn is located at 15526 Hwy 112 between Clallam Bay and Sekiu. Al and Patti Bridges are the owners. The newly renovated doublewide will accommodate a couple or a group of six or more. There is a great water view from the deck. Phone 360.963.2788. Hobuck Beach Resort has cabins on the beach at Neah Bay. See photos on the web site at www.makah.com, leave a message at 360.645.2339, or contact the resort by email at hobuckbeachresort@centurytel.net. Port Crescent Trading Company has an internet store warehouse in Joyce (across from the Joyce General Store) owned by Doug Schwab. Trading takes place on the internet or customers can shop the store. Gossett Wing of the Joyce Depot Museum is the new building project in “downtown” Joyce. This “garage” will house the first truck in Clallam County, a 1915 Republic. Roughcut Creations is located at 102 Holly Hill Road on Hwy 112 near Freshwater Bay. Eric Berson is creating incredible chainsaw carvings. Check out the eagles you can see from the highway. Phone him at 360.928.1176 (or cell at 477.5888).
The “Association”
News from the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association … Business Directory
A business directory for the highway 112 community membership is in the works. All local businesses may join the association and receive a free listing in the directory by contacting any board member or call/email Sande Balch (see below). The goal is to have a directory that includes and promotes all amenities/services available to the traveler and residents.
Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Board of Directors …
Board members and officers for 2007 are as follows: Joe Murray (Pres.), Alex Stevens (Vice-Pres.), Bill Drath (Treas.), Sande Balch (Secry.), Margaret Owens, Diane Schostak, Bobbi Fuller, and Greig Arnold.
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We welcome your participation in the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association or projects that may be developed from community input. Please contact Sande Balch at 360.457.1424 or email at sandrabalch@olypen.com if you would like to volunteer, need some information, or have questions or concerns.
This newsletter made possible by a National Scenic Byways Seed Grant. Artwork by Margaret Owens.
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~ THE MILEPOST ~
On the Strait and Narrow …
Bridges are the story on the Olympic Peninsula roads these days. The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit/replacement project information including construction progress, project timelines, quarterly reports and contact information is available online at www.hoodcanal bridge.com. The Eighth Street bridges in Port Angeles are being replaced causing long-time residents to learn new routes around town. The single-lane Elwha Bridge has been removed and will be rebuilt as a two-lane bridge with a pedestrian/biking level below.
Check www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic for weather, road conditions and projects on state highways and contacts for project comments or concerns.
The fall colors in the Strait of Juan de Fuca area have been glorious this year. How-ever, the combination of those leaves on the roadway, rain, and evening darkness can make the newly-surfaced Highway 112 and Cape Flattery road treacherous. Storm season is coming. Drive with caution and consideration for others. Take special care in driving when road and utility crews are working to keep their community safe.
What’s Happening? … a lot.
Here’s just some of what is new and coming in the Highway 112 community …
Already mentioned are the Elwha Bridge work and resurfaced roads. Salt Creek County Park is installing 12 new interpretive panels at six locations in the park and will have a new reservation system ready for next year. Check out the new web site at www. clallam.net/CountyParks.
Joyce has a new community playground at the school and a new sidewalk to Crescent School (grant from the Safe Walks to School Program). Progress is being made on the Adventure Trail and on the Gossett Wing at the Depot Museum.
Clallam Bay and Sekiu are working two grants. A USDA grant will hire a project manager to coordinate activities related to community and economic development and tourism. The CTED grant is to determine the potential development/redevelopment and marketing of Olson’s Resort property to continue public accessibility to the boat launch as well as other recreational activities. Fund raisers continue to build the fund for further work on the Sekiu Community Center (the old Sekiu School). The Clallam Bay library is nearing the funding goal for the expansion project.
Neah Bay has a new RV park and cabins on Hobuck Beach. The newly paved road to Cape Flattery and paved parking area at the trailhead has just been finished complete with guardrails and an adequate turn for large RV’s. Welcoming figures are being carved to be installed at the entrance to the village. The Diah Veteran’s Park and Fort Nunez Gaona structure sits at the far end of town. And a new bakery is breaking ground … Yum!
Strait Ramblings …
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know ‘why’ I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved.
The “Association”
Mission: “To promote the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway 112 Scenic Byway.”
News from the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association …
A business directory for the highway 112 community membership is in the works. All local businesses may join the association and receive a free listing in the directory by contacting any board member or call/email Sande Balch (see below). The goal is to have a directory that includes and promotes all amenities and services available to the traveler and residents.
The Association has recently completed the logo development and sign design process. Signs will be fabricated over the winter. Watch for an announcement of the installation of these new signs next spring to welcome our 2008 travelers and help them to identify highway 112 as the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca recently presented a beautiful face with fall colors, sunshine, just enough light rain to produce rainbows everywhere and crisp, cool air.
This was the time chosen to tour the community with Carrie Sunstrom from Washington State DOT. Carrie was able to meet local business owners and employees, residents, and artists. She attended a Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association meeting to meet with the board members and talk about past accomplishments and future plans.
Traveling Washington’s Byways …
I wish to thank gracious hosts Sande Balch (Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway) and Greig Arnold (Cape Flattery Scenic Byway) for a wonderful tour and visit, October 22-23rd. While traveling Washington’s collection of 26 scenic byways, I try to experience the beauty of the byway and the hospitality of the people along the way, as if I were a first time traveler to the area. On the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Cape Flattery scenic byways, I was immensely impressed with both the beauty and the hospitality I encountered everywhere I went. Highlights of my visit included seeing the creative adaptive reuse of the former Clallam Bay hardware store; the beautiful and sensitive restoration of the historic Sekiu School; imagining the potential public uses of the Slip Point Lighthouse; seeing the obvious pride expressed by Lori Pena in her work at Salt Creek Clallam County Park; all of the culturally enriching development that has occurred at Neah Bay; and the very scenic and sensitive reconstruction of the road to Cape Flattery.
I look forward to the installation of the new byway logo signs on the Strait of Juan de Fuca that will feature a picturesque view of Pillar Point. It was there that I saw the most brilliant double rainbow during my visit … and where I will look for that elusive pot of gold when I return! Carrie Sunstrom, State Scenic Byway Coordinator
Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association Board of Directors …
Board members and officers for 2007 are as follows: Joe Murray (Pres.), Alex Stevens (Vice-Pres.), Bill Drath (Treas.), Sande Balch (Secry.), Margaret Owens, Diane Schostak, Bobbi Fuller, and Greig Arnold.
We welcome your participation in the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association or projects that may be developed from community input. Please contact Sande Balch at 360.457.1424 or email at sandrabalch@olypen.com if you would like to volunteer, need some information, or have questions or concerns.
This newsletter made possible by a National Scenic Byways Seed Grant. Artwork by Margaret Owens.