Snow is rare enough here at the beach to merit at least three exclamation points.
On 17 December we took a walk to photograph the downtown tree and the crab pot Christmas tree gleaming in rain.
rainy holiday displays
Two days later we experienced the rarity of an Ilwaco winter wonderland.
The afternoon was not going well for some folks when we left on our first walk. Coming down the curve from SaHaLee more than one driver had lost control.
2nd SW and Spring Street
A block away, we passed the Ilwaco boatyard where you’ll see the Ankeny Street every winter. Here her bright paint job stands out against the snow.
Ankeny Street and Marine Travel Lift
the bench for watching boats hoisted into the yard
- by the boatyard
our celebrated crab pot tree
approaching the dock by Jessie's, and the view from the dock
part of the fishing fleet
We soon realized that we were not dressed for the brisk cold wind so back we went round the boatyard to our house to add more layers. Some progress had been made on the road accident.
2nd SW and Spring, 2:27 PM
birdhouses by our gate
We paused for a spell to walk round and round our own garden taking dozens of photos of snow on every twig and ornament, and then Allan set off to take more pictures in town. By then, the accident at the bottom of Spring Street had been almost resolved, with just one tow truck still in play.
road closed with tow truck up at the curve, 3:03 PM
Allan walked past the boatyard to the street running along the row of port shops, charter fishing companies, restaurants, and art galleries …
on Howerton, Time Enough Books
Around on the port side you can see by footprints on the docks that fishing folk would not be daunted by snow.
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Ilwaco Harbour Village from the docks, and the Condor
the condor in snow
boats and bird
Don Nisbett emerged from his art gallery (then called The Crew House) with his usual friendly greeting.
The harbour village, and the Don Nisbett Gallery
As Allan walked around the port, snow flurries came and went. The single red flag means a moderate wind storm. Two red flags and you might want to batten down the hatches. Two rectangular flags mean seriously windy business.
boat with Christmas tree
The Ilwaco Harbour Village looked as enchanting in the snow as did the Christmas Village in the window of the Imperial Schooner Restaurant.
Imperial Schooner window
Jessie's Ilwaco Fish Company
Back on Howerton, shop signs gave evidence of the direction of the wind.
shop signs
- Time Enough Books landscaping in snow
- by Tuscany Café and Time Enough Books
by Olebob's fish market and café
by Nautical Brass (now Queen La De Da's Art Castle)
Allan walked downtown, and as you can see, Ilwaco’s intrepid dogwalkers weren’t discourage by increasing snow.
Other than dogwalkers, the streets were quiet. Behind the museum Discovery Park lay untrammeled.
Discovery Park: Fishermen's Memorial Wall
Doupé Building
town Christmas tree in the empty lot where Red's once stood
First between Spruce and Lake
downtown storefronts
First and Spruce
our stoplight
At dusk, Allan returned home to find 2nd and Spring was clear, except for one ATV posing as a snowmobile…
2nd and Spring, 4:23 PM
Our Ilwaco 