No Tour Here: Lake Sylvia State Park costs money to see; near Monsanto, Washington
I was disappointed to find out that this state park also costs money. What really gets under my skin about this place is that I didn't know it would cost money until I drove there. I wish Google Maps would put in their description how much these god damn parks cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Google Maps is doing a great job with showing the open hours for libraries. I love that feature. It really helps me plan my driving habits. The next step could be for pay parks or something.
Video of Lake Sylvia, AR from 2SHOE S.
2SHOE S.'s Review on The Dyrt:
▶︎ Easy getaway from Little Rock
Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.
The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.
The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.
The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.
Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.
If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open ...
Lake Sylvia:
Camping in Arkansas:
The Dyrt: A better way to search for campgrounds:
Kayaking down the Wynoochee River - Montesano, Washington
July 2014
Kayaking down the Wynoochee River just outside of Montesano, Washington (Grays Harbor County). This river is a tributary of the Chehalis River.
The kayaks are Pamlico 100's.
Video of Lake Sylvia, AR from 2SHOE S.
2SHOE S.'s Review on The Dyrt:
▶︎ Easy getaway from Little Rock
Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.
The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.
The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.
The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.
Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.
If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open ...
Lake Sylvia:
Camping in Arkansas:
The Dyrt: A better way to search for campgrounds:
ISIS in Montesano, Washington update
Thanks to Montesano Today:
Walk Around Montesano, Washington
Definitely a small town atmosphere. There is a strong legal presense with Sheriff departments, courts and lawyer officers around the area.
Walk around Montesano, Washington; Nothing exciting to see.
The walk was pretty uneventful
Drive: Aberdeen to Montesano on Olympic Highway 12; Washington
Map view; 32x speed, and then normal speed.
Fields Spring State Park
Washington Conservation Corps Week 5
A Walk Around Nolte State Park
A quick video I shot at Nolte State park last spring. The park surrounds a small lake and there is a great trail to walk.
//Camera
GF1 + Nikkor 50mm f/1/4 & 35mm f/2
Mary's River Lumber fire Montesano
Fire at Mary's River Lumber in Montesano late night Saturday , Aug. 25, 2012.
Fort Columbia Guardian of the great river Part 2
Fort Columbia is one of three fortifications built by the United States to guard and defend the mouth of the Columbia river. Erected during the period when wars were fought only on the ground and on the sea, it was declared obsolete after World War II.
In 1950 the Fort Columbia Military Reservation was transferred to the State of Washington to be preserved as Fort Columbia Historical State Park.
Virtually intact except for it's armament, Fort Columbia remains in appearance a typical coast artillery post of the late 1890's and early 1900's.
This video details the history of the fort and how it functioned including rare footage of the disappearing guns being fired.
This is part 2 of a 2 part video for You Tube.
Online Fort Flagler Orientation
This is an online orientation to flying at Fort Flagler State Park in Washington. Fort Flagler is the only state park in the state of Washington where the state parks service has officially authorized for flying paragliders. That permission comes with a price. Check out the video.
Week 2 Update - Oregon to Canada
Update from Mile 0 of the Transcanada highway in Victoria, BC. After finishing my warm-up ride from San Fransisco, I reflect on my favourite things about biking up the Pacific coast, and look forward to starting my trip across Canada.
Again, if it’s of any interest, here’s a summary of my route covered this stretch:
Day 9: Umpqua Lighthouse (Reedsport) to Beachside State Park (Waldport) - 100km/60mi
Day 10: Waldsport to Barview County Park - 170km/105mi
Day 11: Barview to Lake Sylvia State Park (Montesano, Washington) - 210km/130mi
Day 12: Montesano to Lake Leland - 160km/100mi
Day 13: Lake Leland to Victoria - 70km/45mi
Many thanks to Carl Briggs for letting me use his music.
“Class of ‘91”
Written and performed by Carl Briggs
Check out Carl’s Channel:
Ike Kinswa 2011 video
Women On Motorcycles Enjoying Nature. Our trip to Ike Kinswa State Park in 2011
Schafer Bros. Historic Film - Manufacture of Douglas Fir Doors
At the former Knox and Toombs plant in Hoquiam, Washington. Historic footage provided by Schafer Bros. of Montesano, WA. I'm unsure of the year, but believe it is 1926 when the many of the other films were made by the 4L Organization, such as this one.
Entire playlist of these films is located here:
Walk from Staples to Walmart in Aberdeen, WA; Tour
Just a boring walk with nothing exciting going on. I will say that the construction work at Walmart makes the walk longer than expected.
1940-1944: Byles Family--The War Years
Ruth Byles' grandchildren from 1940 to 1944, in Montesano and at Hood Canal.
Cyber Drive from Montesano to Elma, Washington
Not much to see here. Landscape is just dotted with typical homes.
Being Quiet at the Raymond Library, Washington; Boring Video
Being Quiet at the Raymond Library. There is nothing else more going on here. I am just respecting the rules of the library and not talking. It's just my way of checking into a new library when I can.
Twitter: @Acumagnet
Paypal: eauclaire101@yahoo.com