My furry nemesis is back, so yesterday I slapped some big bucks down to have it trapped (hopefully – there is no guarantee). I will keep the trap for a month before it will be removed from my lot.
But, it
is here. It is baited. And this morning I “set” it before I left to have my
coffee hour with friends in Naselle.
Nearing Adna via the Pe Ell loop route, I saw a sign that advertised a County Park … so, I turned right and checked the locale out.
When I am on a Daytrip drive, I tend to dink around enroute 😉
This Park is supposed to be “excellent” picnicking, hiking, playground, volleyball, exercise trail, horseshoe pits; ect.
NO WAY!
From what I could see past the rusted metal gate blocking entrance, was a lot of neglect and overgrown areas. It was obvious it has not been used for years – possibly decades. It looked pitiful.
The google mapping showed a generalized idea of where Sulkum was located; I didn’t ever recall Bob & I going through (or past) a town named Sulkum. I knew where Mary’s Corner was, but I was not familiar with the stretch of highway google maps and the car’s GPS was prompting me to drive.
About 5 minutes into the unfamiliar territory, I passed the Tucker Road spur off Jackson Highway: and was into familiar territory again – but I was still mystified about Salkum.
After she
went back into the Library, I strolled around the pocket gardens – I was there …
and so were they; and my legs needed to be stretched.
Walking through the cozy pocket gardens area, I liked the rustic garden supports – I like rustic 😊
Done walking the pocket gardens, and knowing the library would not be open to walk through until June 1st, I decided to hop across the highway and check out “downtown Salkum”: population 216.
The Librarian had clued me in.
But I wanted {to see} for myself.
I don’t know how I have missed the Library as often as Bob & I drove this highway: the Library Sign is big enough. In my defense, I will say that we always had kids with us for 44 years … and they snagged my attention 90% of the time we were out and about; so maybe I was busy with one of them as we passed Salkum: it’s an eye-blink town with nothing to grab your attention as you sail right past it.
So far, I am not a fan of the ‘Traveler’s Companion’ handbook; I believe people who submit road travel info for booklets like this one, should be honest and prepare people of what to expect when visiting the destinations, they highlight.
I like small towns, and would be perfectly happy living in a ghost town – but, a ghost town should be advertised as a ghost town, not built up to be something else.
Just sayin’.
However, I do like the drive along this roadway: and that was a redeeming factor as I blinked my eyes and left Salkum.
I knew the Tulip Bulb farm was along this route, too; so, I decided to nip in there and see what they had to offer. The place is wildly expensive, so I was going to be very selective if I walked out with a purchase 😉
The drive home was smooth and easy – I know it by heart.
Bob and I drove that highway for decades, and I drove it several times solo lobo, throughout 2019 and 2020.
Only the location of Salkum threw me … and that short stretch of highway at Mary’s Corner.
But that’s okay: I know now.
And these
Daytrips are as much about learning the highways and byways, as they are
about just enjoying a relaxing and adventurous road experience 😉
