Day 13 – Beach Day

Westport Light, Westhaven, Grayland, and Twin Harbors

May 27, 2015 by Megan

If yesterday was a disappointment for weather conditions, then Day 13 more than made up for it. With the sun breaking through early, we were not only able to reshoot content from the night before, but we captured a total of four locations bringing us to 32 of our 58 parks! Let’s compare this weather:

Last night at the Westport Lighthouse…

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

Today, looking out over the beach at Westport Light State Park…

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

I mean, we are in Gray Harbor County (key word being Gray). So you can imagine how grateful I am that we caught a break in the weather to show off their beaches in this early part of the season! First up were Westhaven State Park and neighboring Westport Light State Park. Surfers toyed with the late-crashing waves and dog walkers made use of the winding paved trail just inland that connected the two parks.

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

By far, these were the simplest parks we’ve yet shot. A parking lot. Limited facilities. A beach. Even at Westport Light State Park, the lighthouse wasn’t even on park property… we shot it anyways of course, but not having any crazy hikes or spread out facilities made these quick to complete.

Twin Harbors Beach State Park was a bit more involved, with camping on both sides of the main road, including yurts and cabins. I stumbled onto this sign quoting Aldo Leopold while trying to locate the trail to the beach, which seemed a simple enough quest until getting attacked by mosquitoes in the creepiest and most dense grove of trees I’ve ever encountered. Finding the beach on the other end was great, but I literally ran back to the Winnie Warrior to minimize my time on that trail. Gave me the creeps!

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

Lastly, Grayland Beach State Park was the real treat of the day! This was a beach you could drive on, though we elected not to push our luck, and parked Winnie on solid ground before walking in. The tire marks and traffic markers brought a bit of a desolate Mad Max flavor to this beach, and the crows didn’t help matters.

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

What did help was the extremely compacted sand and reflective surface it created as we got closer to the water.

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

As the blue sky claimed more territory, the effect became more beautiful and otherworldly. Truly breathtaking! And fun for a family photo or two…

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks
west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks

Driving up to Jarrell Cove to spend the night, it felt like home to be back in the RV after two nights in a motel. Dane seems like he is getting mighty comfortable with this lifestyle. As for me, beach day helped.

west haven West port Twin Harbors Grayland Washington State Parks


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Megan Kennedy

Written By Megan

With over 20 years of video production experience, Megan invests heart and mind into every project, from directing and editing PSA campaigns, to producing complex human interest documentaries, to developing extensive digital and multimedia campaigns. She also leads the team’s photography services, specializing in crafted portraiture as well as creative and conceptual imagery for marketing. She is dedicated to community stewardship and placemaking, and her commitment to projects that make a difference guides Rogue Heart in its growth.

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