The last couple of days have been very wet. Yesterday morning, it was windy and driving to the Astoria Bridge was exciting with the Columbia River at high tide, splashing over the rip rap onto the highway. My car got splashed. I like it when that happens as long as the waves aren’t too large and boisterous. The big winds subsided and the last day has merely been warm and wet. A “Pineapple Express”! The end of the week shows clearing in time for the three day clam digging tide here on the Long Beach Peninsula. We did have a glorious day at the beginning of this week before the current storm arrived. Sunny and low 60’s.

Here is a press release about the upcoming annual “Ocian in View” weekend., November 7-9 on the Long Beach Peninsula.   If you haven’t attended this event in the past, consider coming to Long Beach to attend.  It looks fascinating as always!

From Hand-Carved Canoes to Columbia Condors, ‘Ocian In View’ Drifts Deftly Between The Past And The Present

LONG BEACH PENINSULA, Wash. – September 2008 – History buffs and cultural connoisseurs won’t want to miss this year’s ‘Ocian in View,’ an absorbing look at the Long Beach Peninsula’s provocative past. Slated for November 7, 8 and 9, 2008, the series of special events combines presentations by area experts with interpretive tours, educational programs and annual gatherings celebrating the Peninsula’s unique heritage.

With its diverse natural gifts and strategic seaside setting, the Long Beach Peninsula has lured explorers throughout the centuries. “‘Ocian in View’ answers some of the questions about why people live here at the edge of the continent, on a little bit of land where the irresistible force of the Columbia River slams into the immovable Pacific Ocean,” said Washington State Historical Society tour guide and lifelong local resident Jim Sayce. “Looking back in time allows for thoughtful and engaged commentary on what the area must have looked like to visitors in the late 18^th century.”

Launching the ‘Ocian in View’ festivities on Nov. 7, Chinook Indian Tribe chairman Ray Gardner will illuminate the past with his talk called “The Finest Canoes: The Chinook Canoe and its Role in Traditional Culture.” The lecture will start at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco. Tickets will cost $10 per person, sold at the door, with first-come first-served seating.

On Nov. 8, participants can hop aboard a bus and retrace the explorations of Euro-American sailors before the days of Lewis and Clark. Called “Land in View,” the modern-day adventure will be led by Sayce, sharing a wealth of tales about the captains and crews who ventured across unforgiving seas in search of the Northwest Passage. Departing from the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum at 9 a.m. and again at 1 p.m., each tour costs $30 per person. Reservations should be made early for this unforgettable three-hour trip by calling 360.642.3446.

Other highlights of ‘Ocian in View’ include the following:

• On Nov. 8, participants can treat themselves to a savory combination of hot cider and history during the 11^th annual “November on the North Shore,” a free Open House at the Knappton Cove Heritage Center. Guided walks will take place from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the historic site – formerly a U.S. Public Health Quarantine Station Hospital – located 3 miles east of the north end of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. For information, call 503.738.5206.

• Nov. 8 serves as the date of the Chinook Tribe Seafood Dinner, a bounty of regional seafood, salad, Indian fry bread, dessert and beverages. Prepared by Chinook tribe members, the meal will cost $15 per adult, $13 for seniors (ages 55 and older) and $5 for children under 12. Diners can join the fun from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. No reservations are required.

• Also on Nov. 8, naturalist/author/teacher Jack Nisbet will impart his vast knowledge of David Douglas, a trailblazing 19^th-century London Horticultural Society botanist. Douglas made three visits to the Pacific Northwest between 1825 and 1833, and his remarkable acquisitions provided a unique look at regional plants and animals during the period of contact. The lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Ilwaco’s Hilltop Auditorium. Admission will be $10 per person.
• Nov. 9 heralds the dedication of a California condor sculpture crafted by nationally known artist Bart Kenworthy. A life-sized replica with a 9-foot wingspan, the bronze sculpture has been erected as a tribute to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which found a ‘vulture of the large kind’ in 1805. The condor is posed on the ribs of a whale, with both creatures attached to a basalt rock weighing 40,000 pounds. The free ceremony begins at noon at the Port of Ilwaco’s covered pavilion.

• On Nov. 9, condors continue to command attention during “Columbia Condors: Forgotten Giants in the Sky,” a free lecture by Oregon Zoo Research Associate David Moen. Through the Condor Recovery Program, the Oregon Zoo is involved with captive breeding of the bird, once nearly extinct and now an integral part of the natural and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest. Moen will share his insights at 1 p.m. at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum.

• Throughout Nov. 9, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center will welcome guests to a memorable Open House. Coffee, juice and cake will be served at the center, where extensive exhibits spotlight the landmark 19^th-century Corps of Discovery Expedition. The free event will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Cape Disappointment State Park.

• In addition, Nov. 9 features the dedication of a large-scale replica of the United States Mint nickel, created to honor the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2005. Photographer Andrew E. Cier – whose photograph inspired the nickel’s design – will attend the free ceremony, held at 3:30 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

‘Ocian in View’ is presented by a partnership of community non-profit organizations, led by the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum and the Pacific County Friends of Lewis and Clark. For general program and destination information, please call the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau at 1.800.451.2542 or access the Peninsula’s website at www.funbeach.com.

It was a stormy day this Saturday and in the afternoon, the skies cleared and these spectacular clouds appeared on the horizon.  At first, they were two alligator-like heads, then the wind flattened out the southerly head and turned it into a whipping tail.  We hadn’t seen anything like it before–so we snapped a shot off our top deck.  What an entertaining and beautifully colored sunset it was. The image doesn’t do it justice!

Razor Clams—
Originally uploaded by Clay1976

These beautiful bi-valves will light up your taste buds if you come to Long Beach, WA to dig them on October 17-19. The first clam tide of autumn coincides with Boreas Inn’s Wild Mushroom Celebration Weekend. Indulge in mushrooms and razor clams, two of our favorite things to eat, all in one weekend! Yum!

Veronica, our professional forager and dear friend, brought us some Chantrelle mushrooms the other day. There was one in the batch that is the biggest and most beautiful I have seen. Larger than my hand, I hope the images I have taken can give you some idea of the size and intricate nature of this gorgeous mushroom. It was picked in front of Veronica’s house! We still have room for you for our Wild Mushroom Celebration October 17th-19th. You can go foraging on the 18th with Veronica!

This is a Lobster mushroom!  The Lobster mushroom is actually a fungus that has parasitized a Russula or Lactarius mushroom.  It creates this beautiful orange mushroom that resembles lobster meat. The inside of the mushroom is white. The Lobster mushroom even has a faint lobster-y fragrance to it.  They are wonderful dried or sauteed fresh in a Boreas frittata!  Veronica, our expert forager, brings us our Lobsters.  She will be preparing a Lobster mushroom and chicken liver pate as an appetizer for our Wild Mushroom Celebration Brunch during our annual celebration weekend, October 17-19th. We have a couple of rooms left for the weekend, which includes a fabulous five course Wild Mushroom and Washington Wine dinner at the Port Bistro.  We love this time of year because of the lovely Chanterelles and Lobster Mushrooms.  It makes cooking much more fun!

The Kite Festival for 2008 has come and gone. We had a super mellow week with wonderful guests, most of whom have been coming here for close to a decade. Visiting with their families and friends who dropped by was great fun. The weather was fabulous the last three days and on sunny Saturday we spent a few idyllic hours with friends on the warm beach in front of the inn and I snapped some pictures. I loved the gigantic penguin kite!

Now we look forward to Boreas’ 2008 Wild Mushroom Celebration to be held October 17-19. I finally bought a little Flip Video camcorder and when Veronica Williams, our “All Wild” forager showed up with some spectacular Wild Lobster Mushrooms, it seemed like a good time to film my first-ever video! I have uploaded it to YouTube and will try to upload it here! Excuse the wobbliness–I’m a newbie.

Long Beach Washington Kite Festival—
Originally uploaded by danslide

The 2008 Kite Festival is coming! Hooray! We are so excited that our favorite festival is fast approaching. We’re filled that week with beloved return guests. This enables us to enjoy the festival also!! We’ve had a very busy July with lots of guests from abroad and throughout the much of the United States. August looks to be busy also–but we do have rooms available on Sundays through some weekdays except for Kite Festival week. Labor Day looks open for several three nighters–it’s the last summer holiday after all! Just after Kite Festival is a great time to be here–still lots of kites in the air, but not the crowds. Come to the beach, sleep in the best beds in the world and dine at our wonderful breakfast table. We’re gearing up for our Wild Mushroom Celebration October 17-19. It’s becoming our second favorite festival! Hope you’re all having a great summer.
Susie