Westport, WA - Jul. 27 - Aug. 2, 2008

After an overnight stay in Vancouver, Washington we arrived at American Sunset RV Resort in Westport located on the south entrance to Grays Harbor.  The RV Park was the best in the area and acceptable for a short stay, but for some reason only 'club members' were allowed in the club house or access to the exercise equipment.  They didn't say which 'club'.  A little 'bait & switch' in our opinion.

Westport is a fishing community of about 2,200 residents but attracts numerous tourists, fishermen, surfers and whale-watchers to its beaches and marinas.  It has a 2.5 mile concrete 'boardwalk' linking the marina to Ocean Avenue and the stately Grays Harbor Lighthouse.

We spent our days visiting the marina, selecting fresh caught fish, strolling along the boardwalk, and visiting the lighthouse.  We enjoyed several walks on the 14-mile long beach, shelling, watching surfers and enjoying the sea breezes.  We were amazed at the number of perfect, unbroken sand dollars scattered along the beach.  Although we didn't witness any vehicular traffic, driving is allowed on the beach. 

On one bright sunny day we planned to take the ferry three miles north across the mouth of the bay to Ocean Shores.  We pumped up the tires on the bikes, checked the website and phoned to confirm the schedule.  Alas, the ferry service was cancelled for the season due to the high cost of fuel.  Curse you Exxon! 

We consoled ourselves by eating - and eating well.  Based on local advice we visited Bennett's, an excellent restaurant a couple of miles south in the village of Grayland along the Cranberry Coast.  The owner treated us to a local wine tasting including a very refreshing cranberry wine made by Working Girls Wines, a boutique winery in Port Angeles, WA.  

The night before we left we dined at the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill at the marina.  We enjoyed great food, good service and a wonderful view of the marina and harbor lights.

While we enjoyed Westport we felt that one-week was enough. On Sunday we eagerly embarked on our drive up the rugged west coast of the Olympic Peninsula to Sequim on the north shore.