If we go by the definition that a town is “an urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government”, my choice for this week’s challenge, Oysterville, once was an urban environment. In it’s heyday it was a prosperous fishing community. Now a tourist destination with a thriving Oyster fishery, Oysterville is on the National Registry of Historic Districts in the USA.
“For generations before the pioneer settlers arrived, Chinook Indians gathered oysters in this part of Willapa Bay and camped in the area that is now Oysterville. The first white settlers here were Robert Hamilton Espy and Isaac Alonzo Clark. Chief Klickeas showed them reef upon reef of tiny native oysters that grew on the shallow bay bottom. Espy and Clark marketed the bivalves in gold-rich, oyster-hungry San Francisco. In no time, Oysterville became a rowdy, lusty boomtown. By 1855 its population and importance were such that it became the seat of Pacific County, Washington Territory. The town had many firsts – a school, college, newspaper, and finally, in 1872, a church – First Methodist.” (Oysterville Restoration Foundation/ORF)
“The Oysterville Church (above) was construction in 1892. Hundreds of visitors from all over the world sign the guest book every year and the “poor box”, located in the church vestibule, has long been a reliable source of revenue, helping to pay for the historic structure’s ongoing maintenance.” (ORF)
Robert Hamilton Espy, co-founder of Oysterville, built his house (above) in 1871. Constructed of California redwood, the “Red House” has remained in the Espy family for six generations. (ORF)
Built in 1865 by Captain J.W. Munson, until 1875 the structure (above) was the site of Oysterville’s first Pacific County Courthouse. As you can see, when I visited 9/15/2022, the gardens were glorious!
The John Crellin House (above), built of redwood in 1867, was the site of the Heckes Inn from 1920 until WWII, which was listed in the Duncan Hines Travel Guides as an outstanding eating place. (ORF)
Top Left: The Oysterville Schoolhouse (1907) was the third and last school in Oysterville. Top Right: The Oysterville Post Office has operated in Oysterville since 1858 and is the oldest continuously run Post Office (under the same name) in the state of Washington, and has been located in the Oysterville Store since 1919. Bottom: The Northern Oyster Company, originally a cannery, is now the home of Oysterville Sea Farms, where the oysters are as fresh as they get. The Cannery building (1940) is the only structure remaining in Oysterville that gives testimony to the town’s original reason for being! (ORF)
A mound of oyster shells slowly being assimilated into the landscape.
Though a bit of a side step from the theme, I hope you enjoy this little journey through a small charming town in the wilds of Washington State, USA. Thanks to Sofia Alves of photographias for this weeks challenge!
Wherever you explore, in big cities or small towns, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾
Though John doesn’t mention boats in the title of this challenge, many of the places I go have boats as the centerpiece, so I’ll start with a few boat shots. Below my sister and brother-in-law’s new lake-fishing boat. It’s a beauty and very comfortable.
Full speed ahead on Odell Lake in central Oregon, at the summit of Willamette Pass, 5000 ft (1524 m) up. I have so much fun fishing with Diana and Les When we’re not fishing we often go on hikes or visit other high Cascade lakes in the vicinity. Below a canoe on the shores of Miller Lake .
It’s been a while since Creighton and I have visited Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, yet I have fond memories of all those years cycling the various islands, and then sitting on the deck at Beach Haven cabin #1, watching the sunset. Below a sailboat at rest in the bay, followed by a snap of cars ready to board the Ferry from Orcas, to Anacortes, WA.
Speaking of ferry’s, when Diana and I visited our cousin at his north Idaho summer condominium, he treated us to a ferry ride around Coeur d’Alene Lake. At the landing a seaplane was taking visitors up for aerial views!
My last image is a photo of our dear friend from days at the University of Washington, Al Young. A champion racer (twice winner of every major Championship E.T. Drag Race National event in the Pacific Northwest from 1976 to 1996, Hall of Fame – National Hot Rod Association – Northwest Division, 2018, and many more honors), when Al was at a show in Portland, I went to visit him. Below is a photo of Al in front of his Plymouth Roadrunner muscle-car.*
I wish I could say I’ve been around the world like Al has, however I’m pretty much a local traveler, which is part of the charm of seeing my blogging friends’ posts of your world journeys. Thanks to John for hosting this week!
Whether you travel by plane, train, auto or boat, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾
This week Anne-Christine invites us to look about our world (or dip into our archives) for photos of unusual and interesting things, surprises that captured our imagination. My first image is of a piece of blown glass art depicting a treble clef, a gift years ago from me to my musical hubby.
As I walk the beach I see all kinds of natural wonders and also human designs which I put into the category “found art.” I take the picture and wonder “when will I ever use this in a challenge?” Well today is the day, and this is the time to feature two beach creations, long ago washed over in sand and out to sea.
The bunny bench, below made me laugh out loud when I saw it. Very clever, and certainly fitting to a part of the country where rabbits abound!
Rye-grass dunes leading to the beach catch my eye when there is still a bit of morning mist glittering in the sun. Many times I’ve tried to capture the impression, often with less than satisfactory results. Here are three that come close, with the added pleasure of an immature Bald Eagle and a glimpse of dear Jello.
My archives are loaded with photos of birds – various types, in all kinds of weather, alone and in flocks. So I’ll end this post with a quirky snap of a Red-necked Phalarope, head in the water with its lovely little tail reflected in the blue pond.
Wherever you find fun and interesting surprises, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾
Thank you Anne-Christine for providing a reason to show some of my off-beat photos! This has been fun.
During my thirty year career as an educator, I was up and driving to work by sunrise. Now I’m retired, I don’t see the sun come up as often! However, when I go fishing with my sister and brother-in-law we have a goal to be on the lake with our lines in the water by the time the sun crests the mountains. My first image was taken as we drove from camp to the boat launch and the next is sunrise from the boat on Odell Lake.
Sunrise Willamette Pass, OR
Quiet Sunrise ~ Odell Lake
At home in Vancouver, Washington, I enjoy sitting out by the pond in the shade of this bower to read and create posts on my laptop. My Wordless Wednesday post this week shows Max lounging on the same loveseat where I sit and took this photo!
On the Long Beach Peninsula, the weather is ever-changing. When I see a rainbow I rejoice; “Here comes the sun!” Though often it is only for a fleeting moment, rainshowers + sun = rainbow!
Sunsets at Long Beach often are stunning. If you follow my blog, you have seen some of my favorites. Below is one I love with its lingering sun-glow above the purple-hued ocean seen through a fringe of dune grass.
Dunegrass Sunset
Then there is this red sunset – so dramatic – as the golden globe, floating in an orange and crimson sky, sinks into the claret-toned ocean.
Red Sunset
In spring when the days tilt longer, I feel as though I’m coming to life – just like the plants in my gardens. Now, as our season leans into late summer and the big maple leaves start to drift down, I feel a bit of sadness knowing sunny days are starting to wane. Though the sun will continue to rise and set, the warmth of our summer sun will fade into memory. Thanks to Amy at The World is a Book for this timely and open challenge.
Wherever the sun shines on you, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾
It is challenges like this one that make me think I’m a lazy photographer! Honestly, I haven’t sat myself down to learn about the special settings available to me, so I just set the lens on auto, focus in or out and shoot. Nevertheless, in my archives I found photos that do have a sense of motion.
Toes in the Pacific
In the photo above wind lifts my niece’s hair as my sister bends down to comfort little grandson Micah. They are surrounded by the ebb and flow of ocean water and surf in the distance. Below, dune grass is out of focus as the waves sparkle and surge toward shore.
Wave Action
Standing by the side of the highway, I just held my camera steady and snapped a series of shots as these bicyclists sped on by. Below, at the dog park, the movement of the dog bodies tells the whole story!
This Mallard hen (Anas platyrhynchos) is paddling with her fledglings out away from the edge of a pond where Jello stopped herself short. This capture of a Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) with wings visible thrilled me. Water is the tell tale sign of motion for swimming birds such as in this Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus).
Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus and Brown-headed Cowbirds Molothrus ater
A solitary adult Bald Eagle stays steady on its perch above, as a flock of Cowbirds forages through the dunegrass. Below an immature Bald Eagle glides along the edge of the surf at ebb tide.
Immature Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Whatever activity gets you into motion, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾
Welcome back to our resident Lens-Artist hosts, as Patti Moed of Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures challenges us to capture motion in our photography.
Walking With Eagles is a collection of original poems and photographs by Lindy Low Le Coq. A lifelong naturalist, amateur photographer and bird enthusiast, Lindy’s verse, composition and photographs open a window into the essence of her subjects. Her poems and photography reflect the rich natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.
Bald Eagles mature over the course of five years. Walking With Eagles invites the reader to take a poetic and visual tour of this odyssey.
view ~ Walking With Eagles ~ in top menu bar for a preview, though the folio is much nicer!
Lindy Low LeCoq 