Distance (mi) = 38.9
Ave Speed (mph) = 9.6
Max Speed (mph) = 25.7
Time (h: is) = 4:00
Route:
Tokeland Rd., SR 105, 101 S, Bay Center Dike Rd., KOA Bay Center
Cities:
Raymond, South Bend, Bruceport
After bidding adieu to the folks at the Tokeland Hotel, I was on the road by 9:00 am. The scenic route winds around Willapa Bay. By now I was not expecting to get any sun and I didn't. It was a winding roller coaster ride on relatively quiet 105 with bouts of blustery headwinds and rain. At Raymond, I stopped for brunch at the Corner Cafe, the only eatery in town open on Sunday. They make excellent omelets with very good WiFi to boot. Raymond welcomes travelers with artistic metal deer and elk sculptures but the city did not seem very prosperous. The area's economy depends on the timber industry and fishing.
At Raymond, SR 105 ends and reunites with 101 at the North Fork of the Willapa River. From Raymond, the next town is South Bend, a small quaint town settled in 1860...many of the structures still stand. The town is know for its oysters and scenery. Right in the heart of South Bend, just north of the fish factory, in Robert Bush Park, is this pearl of a find: the Worlds Largest Oyster. This monster of a mollusk is the centerpiece of the park that is shared with a nice totem pole and a statue honoring the men and women of the oyster and fishing industries of the area. I grew up in a town called South Bend...but it was in Indiana, home of the Fighting Irish (Notre Dame).
After South Bend, the road becomes rougher and the shoulders are small or non-existent. After Bruceport, crossing the Naipikipi River and Palix Creek bridges, I turned right at Bay Center Dyke Road to ride a few more miles along the bay to KOA Bay Center. Nearby there is a primitive Bush Pioneer County Park as an alternative to KOA.
KOA Bay Center is a quiet and friendly place and would recommend staying here. There is a good beach nearby for digging up clams. The small village of Bay Center is still active in harvesting shellfish and has several small processing facilities there. At one time it was a thriving oyster farming and harvesting community.
Ave Speed (mph) = 9.6
Max Speed (mph) = 25.7
Time (h: is) = 4:00
Route:
Tokeland Rd., SR 105, 101 S, Bay Center Dike Rd., KOA Bay Center
Cities:
Raymond, South Bend, Bruceport
After bidding adieu to the folks at the Tokeland Hotel, I was on the road by 9:00 am. The scenic route winds around Willapa Bay. By now I was not expecting to get any sun and I didn't. It was a winding roller coaster ride on relatively quiet 105 with bouts of blustery headwinds and rain. At Raymond, I stopped for brunch at the Corner Cafe, the only eatery in town open on Sunday. They make excellent omelets with very good WiFi to boot. Raymond welcomes travelers with artistic metal deer and elk sculptures but the city did not seem very prosperous. The area's economy depends on the timber industry and fishing.
At Raymond, SR 105 ends and reunites with 101 at the North Fork of the Willapa River. From Raymond, the next town is South Bend, a small quaint town settled in 1860...many of the structures still stand. The town is know for its oysters and scenery. Right in the heart of South Bend, just north of the fish factory, in Robert Bush Park, is this pearl of a find: the Worlds Largest Oyster. This monster of a mollusk is the centerpiece of the park that is shared with a nice totem pole and a statue honoring the men and women of the oyster and fishing industries of the area. I grew up in a town called South Bend...but it was in Indiana, home of the Fighting Irish (Notre Dame).
After South Bend, the road becomes rougher and the shoulders are small or non-existent. After Bruceport, crossing the Naipikipi River and Palix Creek bridges, I turned right at Bay Center Dyke Road to ride a few more miles along the bay to KOA Bay Center. Nearby there is a primitive Bush Pioneer County Park as an alternative to KOA.
KOA Bay Center is a quiet and friendly place and would recommend staying here. There is a good beach nearby for digging up clams. The small village of Bay Center is still active in harvesting shellfish and has several small processing facilities there. At one time it was a thriving oyster farming and harvesting community.
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