This is the time of year I like to thank all of you who have visited or inquired about The Clearwater Guest House during the past few years. As was the case last year, I’m sure none of us are excessively sorry to see the calendar turn over after the weather we’ve had this past year. Just like 2006, December was a cruel month for trees, power lines, bridges and roads. If things keep up this way we all may have to begin saving up to buy ourselves helicopters. For those of you who’ve been wondering how the guesthouse and property made out during the December 2nd storm which brought true hurricane force winds to the Grays Harbor area I’ll just say that very fortunately we escaped more or less unscathed. True, it took me three days to rake up the branches out in the yard and there were thousands of trees flattened in the upper valley, but the house, sheds and grounds survived without a scratch. And, except for the 8 nights without power, things went fairly well. Clearwater people are used to power outages, of course, and are more than ready when the lights start to flicker. In fact, many of you might not know this but the valley was off the power grid until 1966. In those pre-PUD days the guesthouse was powered by a diesel generator which explained all the 50 gallon drums I found scattered around the property when I bought it in 1985.

From Quinault south huge trees blocked highways 101 and 109 and many building lost roofs or worse. Suffice it to say that there’ll be no shortage of firewood for woodcutters in the near future. As you make your next trip to the north coast you’ll notice a definite need for dozens of new steel guard rails crumpled like aluminum foil by hemlocks and spruces in their dying swoons.

This is a good time to remind all visitors-particularly those who visit during the late fall and winter-that it’s important to bring a good flashlight, lantern, camp stove and a gallon or two of drinking water. We do have power outages when storms come ashore and though they’re usually not too long, they can last longer than most of us care to wait out without these essentials.

Again, thanks for taking good care of the house and grounds during your visits and I hope you enjoyed the area as much as I always do. Now, for the news…

Clamming at Kalaloch was closed this fall due to a paucity of the tasty mollusks but for those willing to drive to the Copalis area beaches it was fantastic. They’re big and plentiful from Moclips south and it’s not too much out of your way to cut over to the beaches on your way to or from Clearwater. The “Moclips Highway” which leaves U.S. 101 south of Neilton is a fine, fast road which gets you to Moclips and beaches further south in about 25 minutes from 101. I notice that there will be another opening January 19-20 for Copalis area beaches and there will likely be more in February, March and April. So, if you like razor clams, here’s your chance.

Smelting was quite good throughout the summer but as always it was a hit and miss kind of thing. There were days when the tasty little fish came to the beaches in their millions and others when we all sat on driftwood and watched the seals, dolphins and sea birds do all the catching.

Salmon and Steelhead fishing continued to struggle this fall and early winter due to a poor run of coho and high water during the early part of the steelhead season. However, Indian nets are taking plenty of steelhead right now so if we ever get some decent water conditions things are bound to pick up.

This was a good year for mushrooms because of our heavy rains in late summer. There were chanterelles galore in the hills and they continued to show late into the fall.

The Queets Valley Road remains closed at Matheny Creek but construction has finally begun on the alternate route via the West Boundary Road. Due to the latest storm it’s doubtful the new route into the upper valley will open soon but it will happen. A few calls from those of you dying to hike the Queets Trail and fish the upper river might help speed things up. The Olympic National Park will have a new superintendent this year and maybe we should give him/her a “heads up” about the need to finish this route into the upper valley. You can walk around the big clay slide and hike the upper road but be ready for lots of huge windfalls blocking the road after the past two December storms…

Firewood was a priority this past summer and with all the down trees from the December 2006 storm I had plenty to choose from. Accordingly, I brought many loads of fresh hemlock down from the hills, split and stacked it for cold winter days. Now, it’s time for a new woodshed and, though I tried, I couldn’t hornswoggle a contractor to build one. So, it looks like it’s going to be up to the kid, himself. Construction should start this spring/summer and be finished before late fall when the you know what blows in.

Wildlife sightings were limited to the usual deer, elk, eagles, otters, hawks, owls and other birds this year. I’m sure that bobcat, and maybe some of his larger relatives have cruised the place during the night but no one reported seeing one this past year.

I built an artichoke bed in the old chicken yard this spring and enjoyed the first fruits of my labors in early fall. The hope is that the straw-insulated plants will over-winter and provide a nice bounty of my favorite vegetable. Wet feet may kill them but no one will be able to say I didn’t try.

Just about all my raspberries were ruined by the heavy rains in July. They just don’t like getting wet. And, no, I don’t mind if visitors pick themselves a basket to put on their morning cereal. The same goes for the beans, lettuce, etc. in my garden. You may not have space for a garden in your yard and it might be your only chance to know what a real bean or carrot tastes like…

Hummingbirds are one of the property’s little treasures and I hope you’ll re-fill the feeder whenever they drain it (about every two days during high season). I use a 4 part water/1 part sugar solution and sometimes leave a jug of it in the fridge but you can make your own if you don’t find any.

The roses were doing great this year until a doe and her two fawns found them…This was the first time I’d had much trouble with then so it was a disappointment but life goes on.

Rates will remain the same as they have for the past three years and I will once again offer my spring special of three nights for the full price of two during the period from April 16 through June 10. As always a 10% discount is offered to returning visitors for dates outside of the spring special period. Check the website www.clearwaterguesthouse.com for all rates and details.

This past year I have been asking visitors if they would prefer to have my neighbor Shellie do the housecleaning for them. She charges $40, does a great job and makes it a little easier for some people to make a smoother getaway. Ask if you’d like to arrange for her services.

For those of you planning on a visit, please remember to choose your dates carefully in order to avoid cancellations. Then, send in your non-refundable deposit within a week of your request. Summer dates go fastest so act soon if that’s what you’d like to reserve.

I hope to hear from you soon and look forward to seeing you in Clearwater.

Sincerely,
Joe Novak

This mailing goes out to folks who have previously stayed or inquired about The Clearwater Guest House. If you would prefer not to receive it please let me know via e-mail.