One Step At A Time: One Harborite's Inspirational Crusade Across America

Have you ever just wanted to do something great; something that inspires others, promotes a good cause and fills you with a sense of personal achievement? One harborite is making his “something great” a reality. Nicholas Valentine is on a 3000 mile one-man journey across America from West to East coast. Did I mention he is doing it on foot?

That’s right, Nick’s Walk is a walk across America aimed at raising awareness for diabetes, healthy lifestyles and personal inspiration.  On June 19, Nicholas Valentine stepped out of the waters of the Pacific Ocean and embarked on an expedition to realize his dream of impacting the world one step at a time. His journey is chronicled on his website, nickswalk.com where he regularly updates his progress. The site also features information on his motivation, his goals for the walk and how to donate (the walk is funded entirely by the generosity of those who wish to see him succeed).  When he took a few days to rest and calculate the next leg of his route, Nicholas spoke with Go Go Grays Harbor about the experience thus far, his goals and what lies ahead.

Everybody, meet Nick.
Photo courtesy of nickswalk

First off, how's the journey so far? Where are you currently at?

Nick: The journey so far has been amazing yet extremely challenging. Currently I have made it as far as Hood River Oregon where I am taking a week to do more planning and mapping. It was important to stop at this point because these first few weeks have been a steep learning curve and I need to make the proper adjustments.

What inspired you to take on this expedition across America in the name of diabetes awareness?

Nick: There are a couple aspects to that answer. For quite awhile I had dreamed of going on a great adventure and getting myself into better shape. When I decided to finally make this walk happen, I (and my friend Jared, who helped me plan this journey) knew it would be a wasted opportunity to not use it to help or inspire others. I decided that this walk would be a great inspirational tool to motivate those at risk of becoming diabetic by inspiring them to become physically active. My family has had a history of diabetes and I did not want to be a part of that.

What do you hope people take away from your efforts?

Nick: Inspiration. I would love for people to say to themselves, "Hey if that guy can walk across America I can make some small changes in my own life to live healthier."

Is it what you expected so far?

Nick: The physical challenge has been very hard and about what I expected, but what I never expected was the generosity and beautiful nature of both friends and total strangers. I often find myself getting quite emotional when people stop on the side of the road to tell me I have inspired them, or when people leave comments on my site and Facebook telling me they believe in the project.

Posing with a summer road crew member.
Photo courtesy of nickswalk

Have you seen anything crazy/funny/unusual as you walk?

Nick: It's very strange walking out on the open road. I think one thing that stands out in my mind is all of the garbage littering the side of the road. It's very sad because… you see how people have really trashed the environment. I have seen many things in just a few weeks from people’s tires blowing out, to 4 person bicycles and more. Combine that with a ton of awesome scenery and it’s very exciting because I'm just getting started and I will see so much more.

Do you miss Grays Harbor? Anything you miss most?

Nick: Well before I left it wouldn't stop raining, so I was ready for a break from the Harbor but yes. I miss my family and friends and everyone up at Grays Harbor College. I also miss "All Wrapped Up" coffee and Gepetto’s pizza in Montesano.

How long is the journey going to take?

Nick finds more friends along the way.
Photo courtesy of nickswalk

Nick: It's hard to say. I think it could be five months if I average enough miles per day but it could take longer.

Wow! Five months of walking. How many pairs of shoes do you think you’ll go through?

Nick: I'm starting my second pair after this break is over so I think maybe 7 pairs.

This is going to be a huge accomplishment for you. What are your plans for afterwards? Any thought on that yet?

Nick: Yes, I plan on finishing a book about my journey and I would love to speak to different groups about the walk, health, inspiration and making projects and things that can change lives.

How can people get involved and show their support for Nick's Walk?

Nick: The entire project is funded and supported by donations through my Fundly site at www.fundly.com/nickswalk.  This is the most direct way people can keep the walk safe and an effective campaign of inspiration. Also on my site www.nickswalk.com there is a list of other ways people can help. I encourage everyone to visit my site and click the Facebook button so they can follow along with all of the most recent posts and video blogs. I should also mention that everyone who donates will get a free copy of my ebook that I am writing about my travels.

Any closing thoughts for our readers?

Nick: I just want to say thanks to everyone involved so far and thank you for the interview!

Be sure to follow Nick's progress and donate to the cause if you find yourself inspired by this amazing feat (feet? haha). Go Go Grays Harbor wishes all the best for Nick on his journey: Keep Calm, Stay Strong and Walk On!

The open road...
Photo courtesy of nickswalk

Saturday Shopper: Coastal Garden Center of Grayland

Coastal Garden Center          

Owned by Cindy Becker, Established 1994 

4986 SR 105

Grayland, WA

360-268-0804 

www.coastalgardencenter.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coastal-Garden-Center/108616919401

Daily, 11-5pm (summer)        

All About The Business: Quality counts when you are buying live plants!  I love and care for  my flowers.  Lush seasonal annuals, herbs, perennials, hanging baskets, veg. starts. Organic fertilizer, black gold potting soil.  Science Diet pet food.  Open seasonally April-July.  

What Makes Your Business Unique?   Quaint, enchanting, woodland and historic setting.  Every small business is unique!  That is the beauty of small business~out of the box!!!! FEED YOR SOUL. Bird, butterflies, frogs abound.                       

Advice for First Time Customers: Sorry, rural setting no restrooms.  State park and beach access restrooms close by.  Dogs welcome in the pet area, on leash! 

If you're a small business owner and want to feature your business on the Saturday Shopper (for free!), please click HERE and fill out the form. 

Bicycle Revolution

When I moved back to the harbor, one of my very first thoughts was "I want to start a bike gang." So, I may be in my late 20's but when I'm on my bike I feel like I'm seven again... and I love it. The only thing that makes it better is when you're joined by a group of super awesome friends!

The exciting part of this story is that we have actually started a bicycle "gang" of sorts! Our first ride was in May, where a group of about 11 adults and 6 kids joined together to ride their bikes from the old Breakwater Building on the Wishkah River in Aberdeen to the Public Market on the Hoquiam River in Hoquiam.

We had so much fun, we just did it again in June! And this time, we got a little bit creative and our good friend Ralph created this video of the entire ride from the Hoquiam Public Market to the Breakwater Building and back.

Sad you missed out yet? Well, you'll have your chance again in July, so don't you worry... also, we're printing up stickers and t-shirts to show your pride in the Go Go Grays Harbor Bicycle Revolution! Stop by Gray's General Store (520 Simpson Ave, Hoquiam) to place an order for your shirt. Just $15!

X Marks The Spot...

Or is it N 46° 59.156, W 123° 44.609? For geocachers, it’s the latter.

Yes, fellow muggles (non-geocachers), there is a modern day treasure hunt taking place all around us and the treasure is surprisingly…ordinary. There’s no commandeering ships or scouring secluded tropical islands for chests full of booty. No, definitely not. But if you watched a geocacher on the hunt successfully locate the cache they were seeking, you’d think it was full of gold doubloons instead of the typical log book and possible trinket. It’s the thrill of the hunt, the game of hide and seek, the sense of adventure that is making geocaching the hippest new pastime. And it’s free! You can’t beat that.

the "treasure" geocachers seek

For those of you who are bemused by the idea of a modern day treasure hunt with no actual treasure, you aren’t alone. Geocaching is a relatively new past time just celebrating its 12^th birthday last month. The game is simple and mirrors the childhood game of hide and seek: someone hides a container (of varying size) with a log book and optional trinkets inside. They post the GPS coordinates, such as on geocaching.com, for others to find, and voila – you have a new treasure to seek! Did you know this was happening in Grays Harbor? In fact, according to geocaching.com there are 2,293 different Geo Caches within a 25 mile radius of Aberdeen. That’s a lot of adventure!

My first geocache at Lake Aberdeen

If you were wondering how to make your summer economical yet fun this might be your solution. It’s a largely family-friendly activity, remotely inexpensive and very outdoors, plus it gives a taste of adventure even in familiar territory. In fact, it might even get you to explore parts of Grays Harbor you’ve never bothered to visit before. Or you don’t have to go far from home. Just look at the map below and you’ll see a plethora of caches right here in the Aberdeen city limits. Did you have any idea our neighbors were playing scavenger hunt all around the community? How much fun is that!

To get started, you need GPS technology. These days, most SMART phones have some sort of navigation program you can punch coordinates into, and apps that you can download (I recommend the free C:Geo app that links to your geocaching.com account). If you don’t have a SMART phone, there are handheld GPS units for sale at places like Cabela’s and Wholesale Sports in Lacey. Next, you’ll need to sign up for an account on geocaching.com- a basic account is free- as this is the only way to get coordinates for the difference caches. Now, go caching! Make sure you wear appropriate gear for whatever type of cache you're seeking - hiking clothes, water bottles, snacks, etc. And don’t forget to Log your Visit on geocaching.com after you’ve found a cache.

c:geo app screenshot

There’s quite a culture in the world of Geocache. I recommend you explore these additional resources to get the most out of your Geocaching adventure:

Geocaching 101

Glossary of Geocaching Terms

Here's a quick video for anyone new to Geocaching:

Lastly, keep an eye out because Go Go Grays Harbor will soon be setting out 5 brand new geocaches in the Grays Harbor area to help you get in the spirit!

Cleanwater Classic

Sand. Check
Surf. Check
Wetsuit. Check

Surfboard. Check

It is time for the 11th annual Cleanwater Classic in Westport this weekend!
Even if you have never surfed (me) and have no intention of putting on a wetsuit (me) and jumping into our frigid pacific coast waters (me), just watching this surf competition can conjure up images of summer and warm sun.

Want to volunteer? You can, even if you don't surf. Vollunteers are needed in all sorts of capacities from beach crew to registration, auction monitors to judge spotters.

Friday night the event kicks off with Live Hawaiian music at Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill and ends the evening with a Reggae dance party (you can't make this stuff up).

Want more information? Of course you do!  Clean Water Classic has a great website, and registration just started on the fifteenth. 

All that is left now is the grab your board, or your camera if you prefer to watch, and head out to Westport this weekend!

Grays Harbor Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo

This weekend is the second annual Outdoor Adventure Expo.

April 28th-29th.

Crew members from the deadliest catch.

Prizes and fun for the family.

Grays Harbor County Fair Grounds.

Eva Shockey of “Jim Shockey Hunting Adventures”.

Glen Hall of the fishing and hunting show “Hawg Quest".

Expo tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths 6 -13, children 5 and under free.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Children are welcome to cast for prizes at Cabela’s Fishing Pond.

Having lived on the Harbor for most of my life, it is hard to convey to people who are not from our beautiful area just how important the surrounding wildlife is to our outdoor experiences.

I would even go as far as to say that most of us either are a hunter/fisher-person, or know someone who is, which usually translates into a freezer full of yummy fish and meat to smoke, grill and fry!

flyer courtesy of www.ghcfairgrounds.com/OutdoorExpo.

And don't forget to visit Local Magazine Horns and Hooks booth!

National Park Week 2012

It's a place to walk the dog, to have a picnic, to play outside and spend time with your kids, your family or just by yourself with a book, a fishing pole or a pair of running shoes.  (except for the kids part... sounds like many of my springs and summers here on the harbor!)

Photo courtesy of Nationalparks.org

National Park Week 2012 starts this, yes I repeat THIS, weekend April 21 and runs through the 29th.  Lucky Grays Harborites have so many parks to choose from, you could visit one a day and it would still take you more than a month to visit them all. 

State parks that usually require a Discover Pass are free all week.  Great news for those of us (ie: ME) who have not taken the short amount of time required to buy the $30 pass when we renew our tabs.

Even if the weather isn't the best, (which it is supposed to be sunny this weekend), our areas 9 state parks, 9 wildlife conservations, and the national park are still great places to visit in the drizzle and fog.  The natural beauty of each park is breathtaking no matter the weather.

Not to mention the hundreds of local city and township parks that are sprinkled in and around our homes and workplaces. 

A few years ago, my mom and I took advantage of one of the many National Park Weeks held throughout the year and hiked our local parks.  It not only felt great to be outside but it made me appreciate the beauty of the area so much more. 

A few suggestions for your exploration week:  If you happen to be headed out to the beach check out Griffiths-Priday, Bottle Beach, and Westport Light.

My personal favorites are Lake Sylvia and Friends Landing in Montesano.  But don't forget about Makarenko Memorial  Park in Cosmopolis.  The memorial park has trails that are perfect for running and soccer fields that are great for a quick pick up game! 

Heading to East County?  Shaffer State Park is beautiful and free this week!

I could continue to tell you about all the local parks we have, and the list would be long, but what I really want you all to do is to Picture yourself Outside!

Friday Five: Superstitions

In honor, or maybe in fear of Friday the 13th, ( a day this year that will occur three times.. all of them thirteen days apart ) I thought that today's Friday five would be a fun time to showcase superstitions and myths that go hand in hand with our natural world around us.  More specifically, the beach, the river and the forest.

Myth #1

Grays Harbor thrived on the logging industry for many years as our forests provided the highly valued timber.  I won't take the time to reflect on how that resource was depleted, and instead share with you the myth of the spirits of the forests.

Legend says that when walking through a forest, always ask permission from the spirits first or you will be lost forever!  (Must have been what happened to Dorothy and the Scarecrow in the forest of apple trees, they didn't ask the trees first!  Wouldn't you throw apples at someone who didn't ask you permission? ) Anyway... this myth makes me think that we would have had entirely too many lost loggers if it was true, or maybe we just had a lot of men stopping at the edge of the forest talking to themselves... you decide.


Myth #2

River myths might just be my favorite type of superstition.  If you grew up in Grays Harbor.. or spent anytime as a teenage here in the summer, you spent a lot of time tubing our rivers.  Had you grown up with parents believing the next myth though you might have thought twice about jumping into the Wynoochee or the Humptulips river. 

A Grindylow is a water demon with long fingers that snatches children in the river and drags them down to the deep.  Supposedly this creature was invented to discourage kids from falling into the cold rivers in Britain, but seriously, if my parents had told me that particular story there is no way I would have been able to enjoy any of my endless summer fun! 

Myth #3

When you research Fishing Myths in Google... the computer crashes.  Well, not literally, but there are so many fishing myths and superstitions out there that it boggles the mind.  With the abundance of fishermen and women on the harbor I knew that including a few of these fishing gems was a must!

Shall we begin with the hat?  A whirlwind of myth surrounds the hat of the fisher-person, and I do not even want to tell you what happens when you set a hat on a bed!  Bad luck and enough said;)  Also, please don't bring your fishing pole in the house if you plan on catching a fish that day!  Fishing on a Friday is extremely unlucky, and if you don't catch a fish all day it is because "you were not holding your mouth right".  No idea yet if I can use this particular excuse in my everyday work life but you can bet I am going to try!

Myth #4

Ah the Ocean.  We are so lucky that we have ocean views so close.  There is nothing quite like living on the coast.  What is so lovely and fantastic about the ocean and the beach is also appreciated by sailors, of which the Pacific Northwest has had their fair share.  Which brings a basket full of sailing superstitions and myths.

My favorite fondly reminds me of our resident wine expert, but instead of consuming the wine sailors would pour the spirits on the deck to bring the voyage good luck! 

Myth #5

Speaking of the beach, the water, a picnic?  We have all heard the superstition that those who do not wait an hour before swimming can drown in the water because of cramps. Hahahaha.  More than likely this should be filed under the "can't swim" category!

Enjoy your Friday the 13th!
Let us know which superstitions and myths that you take part in!

Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away

Wind. Rain. A permanent cloud cover above our heads. It's officially winter in the Pacific Northwest, and am I the only one who feels like Grays Harbor gets the brunt of it? When I cross that county line between Thurston and Grays Harbor everyday on my way home from work I can swear everything gets a little bit...well, "Gray"er. As with every winter, during these next few months I know I will find myself longing for the beautiful sunny scenes that we are treated to in August and September.

Like this one...

GH National Wildlife Refuge


Ahhh... and this one.

Ocean Shores Kite Festival

(Feel any warmer?) If you're anything like me, you take a healthy dose of the sunshine supplement daily (vitamin D) and seriously consider taking up tanning just to feel sun-kissed (I always manage to talk myself out of it) to get through these colder, wetter months.

So as we begin the journey through winter in Grays Harbor yet again (only 83 days left!) I'm keeping my eye on the sunshine prize. You should do the same; I suggest something effortless yet instantly gratifying like changing your desktop photo to your favorite outdoor snapshot from the summer.